2016 Carlisle Compagni Portis, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Mike Officer makes some really nice wines at fair prices. His whites might even be better values than his reds. This is a field blend of Gewürztraminer, Trousseau Gris, Riesling and other white grapes. Pale silvery gold in color. The nose is great with lychees, peaches and floral tones. On the palate, this is slightly viscous. Dry and refreshing. Peaches and slight pears with good minerality. Nice finish. This is drinking quite well now and it probably should be consumed over the next couple of years. It will go well with salads, sushi or even Thai food.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2016

2019 Fetzer Gewürztraminer, California, Wine Review

Vintage:

2019

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$10.00USD

This is an outstanding value in off dry wines. Golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is a bit candied with lychees, honeysuckle and slight peach notes. Slightly viscous texture. On the palate, this drinks very easy with lychees and peaches. Slight tannins. It improved with about 30 minutes of air. Long finish. This drinks great on its own for those who enjoy a bit of sweetness. It will work great with Thai or other spicy Asian foods. Drink over the next few years.

2017 Stolpman Trousseau Combe Pet'Nat, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Ballard Canyon, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$45.00USD

Tasted at a "Natural Wine" tasting at a local wine store. Pet'Nat is short for Pétillant-naturel (natural sparkling) and is also known as méthode ancestrale. It is a way that sparkling wines were historically produced having the wine bottled before the primary fermentation is finished, and without the addition of secondary yeasts or sugars.

2016 Gundlach Bundschu Gewürztraminer Estate Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$20.00USD

An interesting take of Gewurtz. Very different from the Alsatian counterparts. Light golden in color, clear and bright. The nose has no lychee at all which is fine just a bit surprising. It does have a floral quality to it, along with ginger and a strong mineral base. Very nice. On the palate, this is medium bodied. It is dry as a bone. The minerality comes thru along with a granny smith apple note and a bit of orange peel. Clean finish with no bitterness. Overall, it is a very nice wine that worked excellently with a butternut squash soup. It probably should be consumed in the n

2022 Desire Lines Riesling Cole Ranch, USA, California, Mendocino, Wine Review

Vintage:

2022

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$22.00USD

Cole Ranch AVA is the smallest AVA in the United States. It is west of Ukiah in Mendocino County. The vineyard was planted in 1973. It is a very interesting take on Riesling and certainly one of the better ones tasted from California (yes, that is a bit of a back handed compliment). Light golden in color, clear and bright. The nose has peach, some ginger and plenty of minerality. Medium bodied. Good acidity. On the palate, this is dry. Minerality dominates but also some ginger and slight peach. Good finish. It is nice on its own, but really, better with good. It was perfect with

2018 Bedrock Wine Co. Riesling Wirz Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Cienega Vineyard, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$30.00USD

There is not a lot of great Riesling bottles from California, but this one is consistently pretty good and perhaps a bit better in this vintage. Light gold/green in color, clear and bright. The nose is nice with apples and some minerality. Light to medium bodied. On the palate, this is dry with moderately crisp acidity. Green apple notes carry thru to the palate. Nice finish. This should drink well over the next seven to ten years. This can be consumed with or without food. Shellfish would be a nice choice.

2016 Carlisle Compagni Portis, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

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