Every so often, the sample rack decides it can’t decide on a theme – a group of interesting wines defying a single classification. So… why don’t we go with it?
2021 FEL Anderson Valley Chardonnay ($34). Leaner than most California chards with apple flavors, sweet grapefruit, and a little orange peel – a very flexible food wine.
2018 Smith-Madrone Spring Mountain Riesling ($36). Rieslings are often a difficult match with foods, but this one is an exception. It’s full-bodied without being heavy, its Riesling fruitiness is there but subdued, and its overall balance is good. Try it with crab cakes or quiche.
2018 Smith-Madrone Spring Mountain Chardonnay ($42). Quite nice, with hints of vanilla to go along with the mellow apple, but only moderately toasted, with a very good fruit-acid balance.
2021 Flora Springs “Soliloquy” Napa Valley White Wine ($60). There is nice complexity, with lots of creamy green notes and tangy lime and spice in the finish.
NV Amare Italiano Spritz “Classico,” “Pompelmo Rosa” and “Hugo” (each $15). All three are 8% alcohol, have a rush of bubbles, and are backed by very aromatic bitters. The Classico is the most herbal, the Rosa has a creamy mint flavor, and the Hugo has notes of grapefruit and tropical fruits.
2021 Trivento Mendoza Reserve Malbec ($11). Very pleasant red berry flavors with a hint of whey; lean without being crisp.
2021 Paul Hobbs West Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($80). Substantial if lean Pinot with good rip blackberry – not cherry – flavors, less fragrant than most Pinot, but more flexible as a table wine – delicious.
2019 Flora Springs “Trilogy” Napa Valley Red Wine ($85). A delightfully muddled style, with mulberry and dark fruit flavors and some blended oak – very textured with medium body and well-structured.
NV Graham’s Six Grapes Reserve Porto ($26). The latest from an old standby – ripe, rich, concentrated red fruit flavors with notes of walnuts – enjoyable sipping.
2019 King Family “17” Monticello Red Dessert Wine ($34). Port-like, yet different, with rich, dark cherry flavors, some mocha, some charcoal from Bourbon barrel aging, lighter finish.
Prices listed are generally SRP or from wine-searcher.com. As more wineries are shipping directly to consumers, check the winery website if you can’t find a bottle in your retail store.
0 comments on “The Dozen – Grab Bag”