Pinot Gris

This is a sweet wine though no markings on the bottle to indicate that.  It was served after a meal and worked well.  Not cloying but more than off dry.  Light golden in color.  The nose has honey and apricots.  Also a bit of ginger.  This is viscous.  On the palate, the honey and apricots come thru.  Enough acidity to bring it all together.  Will work well with fruit desserts or on its own.  Seems to be cruising along just fine so at least another five and probably ten years at this level.  

This is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (44%), Chardonnay (41%), Malvasia (10%), and Pinot Gris(5%).  The name comes from a proprietary clone of Sauvignon Blanc that Flora Springs utilizes in the Crossroads vineyard.   It is an interesting white that really needs some air when opening.  Silvery/green in color with pale yellow/gold.  On opening the oak is dominant and that did not work well.  Of course, this is just being released and that will cure itself.  In any event, patience is rewarded.  After about an hour of breathing the tropical fruit came out.  A slight bit of grassiness, in a good wa

This had been purchased from retail so it may have been sitting on the supermarket shelves for a while.  Fairly priced at $16.  It was solid but not as good as most of the wines from this producer.  In our tasting it was one of two wines that got no first, second or third place votes.  Light silvery gold in color.  The nose has little to offer.  On the palate it shows more of a grapefruit juice turning a bit bitter on the finish.  It has a nice mouthfeel.  This was likely much better in its youth or from a pristine bottle.  Drink up if you have one.  

Silvery green in color.  The nose has nice minerality with slight peaches.  On the palate, this has a hint of sweetness.  IT is very refreshing with good acidity.  It is easy drinking on its own and would go with lighter foods.  Nice finish.  Drink in the next couple of years.  

Medium golden in color.  Really interesting nose.  Slight bitter almonds, a bit of dried peach, wax and sight oxidation.  On the palate, this is just a bit oxidized yet also has a very nice freshness to it.  Minerals, slight peach and dried peach.  Complex.  Tightly layered.  Nice backbone of acidity.  Good finish.  Would work with lighter foods and cheeses.  Not something to drink all the time but once in a while, this is a real treat.  

10% Gewurztraminer, 30% Pinot Blanc, 30% Pinot Gris, 30% Riesling.  This is made in the traditional method.  It does not appear to be labelled as Cremant.  Light silvery/yellow/white/gold in color.  Very pale.  A nice head of medium sized bubbles.  The nose is nice with a bit of seltzer and slight lemon.  On the palate, this has slight lime peel with some juniper berry (Gin) and other herbals.  Not a lot of depth but very refreshing.  Slightly short on the finish.  This is easy drinking sparkling wine.  Dry and very food friendly.  At $16, this is a nice value.  

A very interesting wine for a couple of reasons.  First, the Columbia Gorge AVA is the only AVA that spans across two states (Oregon and Washington).  Second, drinking a Pinot Gris at five years from vintage is really pushing it, but this was screw capped which gave it a fighting chance. This is a wine that was drinking great in 2014 with plenty of fruit but its now 2018.   Light silvery gold in color.  The nose has a nice fresh minerality to it but little fruit.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  13% Alc.  There is some minerality and a hint of citrus though there really isn't much

This is a nice, easy Pinot Gris.  $20 is a fair price.  Consumed over three nights, it was pretty much the same each night.  Screw capped.  Light golden/green in color.  The nose has slight peach but mostly minerals.  On the palate, there is a nice backbone of acidity.  Slightly oily texture.  minerals.  Slight peach.  Food friendly or on its own.  

It can be hard to find a time to open these kinds of "orange" wines.  I love them but they are not for everyone.  This is a white blend of grapes that is fermented, on the skins in amphorae and then finished in barrels.  It has Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Riesling.  These kind of wines are best served at cellar temperature.  Golden brown in color.  The nose is oxidized but also has some apple cider, slight citrus and even a floral note.  If oxidized wines bother you, stay away.  I found the nose vibrant.  On the palate, this is also vibrant and full of energy.  Apple cider

This is from New Zealand.  Screw capped.  Light gold/green in color, clear at the rim.  The nose is nice with mostly minerals but a bit of a steely quality to it.  Varietally correct.  On the palate, a slightly oily texture which is nice.  Slight grapefruit.  Good acidity.  Easy drinking.  Long finish.  Not a typical New Zealand wine in that it is more about the minerals than the fruit, but a lot of that is the varietal.  Worked well with food.  Around $18, this is a good value and a nice summer sipper.