From the Nahe, one of Germany’s best wine growing regions, comes this delightful rosé of Pinot Noir. Known as Spätburgunder in Germany, Pinot Noir is one of the country’s top red wines. Pale copper in color this is an uncomplicated rosé that is aimed for pure enjoyment. There’s proper acidity that flows through this wine from start to finish and just a hint of sweetness. Soft fruit notes of honeydew melon, lemon and strawberry dominate with a whisper of black cherry on the finish. Light, clean and satisfying. ORIGIN: Nahe, Germany. ALCOHOL: 12%

Three Palms is unquestionably the most well-known and famous Merlot in the United States. That Duckhorn has made a commitment to Merlot for decades is to be applauded. This iteration beautifully spells out why they have made that commitment. The deftly handled balance of fruit, acidity, tannin and oak is simply marvelous. Black cherry, blackberry, boysenberry and huckleberry lead off, followed by back notes of black cherry, plum, anise, and cocoa powder. Aged for 18 months in predominately new French oak. ORIGIN: Napa Valley. ALCOHOL: 14.5%

There’s a belief I have that if you mess up any fruit from Howell Mountain there’s something wrong with you. Duckhorn has consistently produced an extraordinary Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2017 is no exception. Comprised of all Cabernet with 10% Merlot, this is a softer version than in years past, these tannins are a little more mild, the acidity a little brighter, and the fruit opulent and rich. Black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and boysenberry, lead off and the fruit is a tad more expressive than in years past. It was aged 24 months, 18 of which were new French oak.

This wine has always been one of the outstanding performers in the Cuvaison portfolio and year after year is a wine that never ceases to impress. It is also one of those Chardonnays that makes you rethink Chardonnay because it is so beautifully balanced, so definitely handled, that it surpasses what most of us know about Chardonnay. Yes you’ll find light lemon-lime, green apple, kiwi, guava notes, but also viscosity and minerality. It also possesses a slight resin and stone fruit quality and maturity of fruit. That these vines are just 20 years old suggests there are great vintages ahead.

The is a beautiful dessert wine from Austria.  Beerenauslese literally means berry selected which means the grapes are harvested individually and not in bunches to ensure ripeness.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has honey, apricot and a slight balsa wood note.  Viscous.  Sweet, not cloying.  Enough acidity to cut through.  The palate also features the apricots and honey.  Long finish.  This is delicious and probably serves to be consumed on its own.  Drink over the next twenty years.  10.5% abv.

Auslese is a German word meaning Selected Harvest.  The grapes are late harvest grapes with high levels of sugar.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has a bit of diesel along with peach and slight apples.  Light acidity but the wine is not cloying.  On the palate, notes of white raisins, honey and peach with some minerality.  Slightly sweet. Slight tropical fruits on the finish.  This is delicious.  It is great on its own and would work well with a not too sweet piece of (Austrian) pastry or cookie.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

This is a Late Release of this wine.  Green/gold in color.  The nose seems to have good minerality but also some botrytis on it.  Medium bodied.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, there seems to be just a bit of residual sugar along with a nice citrus streak.  A different sort of wine from this area.  Long finish.  This is enjoyable and would make a lovely aperitif. Drink over the next five to eight years.  

This was cool to try at the winery.  The bottle had been open, but refrigerated for three days.  Still a vibrant green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has diesel as one might expect from a 16 year old Riesling, but also nice minerality and a hint of peach.  Full bodied.  A broad complexity on the palate.  Minerals and slight citrus.  Nice finish.  Although showing some age, for those who appreciate an aged Riesling, this is drinking well.  This would work well with a nice Mulligatawny soup.  

Green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is deep with lots of minerality.  Some peaches and a slight citrus note.  Medium bodied.  Nice balance.  On the palate, this has a nice tight complexity that will unwind over the years.  Peach with underlying minerality.  Good finish.  One of the most enjoyable wines from a tasting of this producer.  It drinks well now and should improve with some age.  Either way, this will drink well over the next ten to twelve years.  It drinks well on its own and would work well with fried foods.  

Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has great minerality.  Slight lemons.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, the minerality comes thru.  This is dry.  And herbal note, especially on the finish.  Lots of depth.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another ten years.  Nice on its own, this will work well with Thai food.