This is an interesting take on this varietal more known in Austria than Washington state.  Light green/gold in color and very pale.  The nose is nice with a lemon/lime quality but also a bit of pear and slight asparagus note.  On the palate, this has a tart lemon/lime note.  Slightly oily viscous texture.  A hint of sweetness but good acidity to work with it.  Still fresh but seems a bit rounder than on release.  It will be interesting to see how this ages though I would recommend drinking most of them in the next three years.  It will work with lighter foods or on its own.   

Randy Dunn's wines are notorious for taking a long time to open and develop.  A recent 1997 Napa was in great shape and just entering a drinking window.  So it was with some trepidation that I tried this wine.  It was actually drinking nicely, if tannic, tight and in need of a long sleep.  For those who like big tannins, perhaps they might open one now, but the price on this and its potential really do speak to showing some patience.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cassis, some char and spice.  On the palate, this has firm tannins but persistent cassis fruit.  Deep but hard to see the bo

This is the second wine of Gracia and is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.  This sample was drinking very well right now.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, dark chocolate dust and slight coffee.  Certainly no issues with getting ripe.  The palate has light tannins.  Some depth.  Black cherry fruit over a dry earthiness.  Good finish.  This was not cheap; retailing at $85 compared to the First wines at around $135.  But it is a very good wine.  Should drink well for a decade as it matures.  Probably won't get better.  

This is join venture made in Washington state.  Back in the day, this was a bit pricey vis a vis the other options but the price has remained stable and now full retail is about $25.  A nice wine for that price.  Light golden in color.  The nose has peaches, minerals and slight char.  With air a slight lychee note emerges.  On the palate, this is just slightly sweet.  Peaches with nice minerality.  A softer texture.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and should for the next five to ten at least.  It will work with almost any food.  Spicy foods would be great!  

2015 was a hugely successful year for Richter.  They are tight but never really shut down all the way.  A bit of air or a decant is a nice idea at this time.  Light golden in color.  The nose is very pretty with pears, minerals and slight green apple.  On the palate, this is sweet with a slightly viscous texture.  Good acidity that balances the sweetness quite well.  There is depth here with layers of minerals and pears.  Long finish.  This will go well with a wide variety of foods.  From salads to spicy Thai, it should be easy to match.  And delicious on its own.  Yes, some people insist t

A friend of mine is from Molise.  A few years ago he mentioned the Tintilia grape to me.  Since then I have really been impressed.  This is one of the pricier ones I have tried so far.  It retails for around $35 which is a lot for a wine from Molise but not for this quality.  If I had to compare it, it seems like a mythical cross between Merlot and Aglianico.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose has lots of cherries and dark cherries with some smoke/char.  Also kust a bit of dry earth.  On the palate, this has good acidity.  Lots of cherry and black cherry fruit with some under

This is a very interesting white wine made from the Altesse grape in Savoie (in the French Alps).  It is somewhat like a Chardonnay and somewhat like a Pinot Grigio (think Alto Adige).  It is very good.  The nose has a nice minerality with strong pears and lesser floral notes.  On the palate, there are nice minerals with some green apples but also some hints of honey.  It does seem to have a touch of residual sugar but the acidity and minerality balance it well.  This is heavier in weight for a weight and will go with a wide variety of foods.  consumed over two days, it was better on Day 2,

This is from the Basque region of Spain and made from the Hondarrabi Zuri grape.  It is a delightful, inexpensive white that is great for summer drinking.  This style of wine intentionally has some spritz to it which makes it all the more refreshing.  It did not contain a vintage designation but did have a Euro Lot no indicating it was bottled in 2018.  Silvery green in color.  The nose is interesting with minerals, slight hay and dried sea weed.  On the palate, there is that slight bit of spritz along with a lemony/lime quality and minerals.  This is not deep or contemplative but it is enj

Looking for an inexpensive Cabernet?  This might fit the bill for you?  It is a big, warm wine.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is dusty with black raspberries and some alcohol.  Medium tannins.  Lot of jammy black raspberries on the palate.  Some warmth on the finish.  This is a wine to be poured at parties and summer BBQ's.  It is not complex or made to age.  It is for short term, fun drinking.  At under $20, that is a good deal.  

This is from the Food and Gift purveyor Harry & David and made with Oregon fruit.  It is a "Bordeaux Styled" wine though the exact blend is unclear.  These wines sell as part of gift packages that one can order online or at a store.  It is quite good and was a real crowd pleaser.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is dusty with black cherries and a nice earthiness to it.  On the palate, this has a nice acidity.  Tart cherry fruit over a forest floor base.  Silky tannins.  Nice finish.  This is food friendly and should go well with medium and heavier foods but especially meat a