Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.2

Sticking with the “great wines from grapes you’ve never heard of” theme for a while longer, why not join me for a sip of this alpine gem. Grown in the northerly reaches of Italy’s Valle d’Aosta, just over the border with France and Switzerland, and in some of Europe’s highest altitude vineyards (1200 meters) this wine is made from the Prié Blanc grape. Prié Blanc is the region’s only indigenous white grape, and is rarely found within the Valle d’Aosta, let alone outside of it. Vibrating with mineral intensity, the wine tastes of green apple, lemon cucumber, dried honey, and a hint of herbs. Electric acidity and a sort of peach-pit tanginess linger in the finish. Because the region is mostly tiny growers, Cave Mont Blanc is a cooperative, and a very high-quality one at that. — a month ago

Brandon Boesch

9.4

Looks like grapefruit juice in the glass. Smells of seashore and pomelo. Palate is lovely and complex. Tart limes, sea brine, some wood, a hint of tropical fruits, more citrus flavors, grass/hay component. It lingers on my palate with an almost nuttiness. I really enjoy this. It reminds me of some scholium project wines I’ve had in the past. — 5 days ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Light yellow in color with a golden hue.

Fruity nose with gooseberries, grapefruits, lemons, limes, light spices and minerals.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with grapefruit juice, lemons, citrus, apples, spices and white pepper.

Spicy finish with tangy limes.

This is a very enjoyable Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma Mountain. Easy drinking, crisp and refreshing. Fruit-forward and enjoyable by itself, with nice length on the finish.

A great porch wine. Nicely balanced with a touch of RS to balance the acidity.

13.7% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$30. — 11 days ago

Jim McCusker

9.3

Wow. Terrific wine from Ryan Pease at Paix sur Terre. Bright, beautiful aromatics, and terrific balance through and through. I’m a huge fan of what Ryan does with his mourvedres…but his whites might be even better. Awesome. — 2 days ago

with Vanessa

Adriana Fabbro

9.3

Chenin ❤️‘ s botrytis

Unlike anything I’ve had nor was it what I was expecting. After the first sip (or the first pour), I had to set aside all previous experiences with Savienniéres. I mean—just look at that color.

Do not mistake the browning for oxidation (Nicolas Joly makes this distinction clear on the back label and on his website). The wine is developed, and there are oxidative notes, but the fruit flavors are still there, ripe and vibrant.

This is distilled essence of Chenin Blanc right here. Green apple, pear, apricot, beeswax, honey and almond. A dominant honey note but not sweet. White pepper and maybe a hint of ginger. That lanolin note hasn’t completely disappeared, but takes a back seat. Imagine a dry Sauternes…

Nicolas Joly recommends decanting and drinking over several nights. I skipped the first part of that recommendation and am working on the second this week.

Ordinarily, I’m not sure Joly would approve of my choice of “glassware,” but under the circumstances (birthday + oysters + a perfect afternoon watching the ocean mist rolling in over Tomales Bay) I have to imagine he’d be 100% on board.

Not bad for an 882nd consecutive vintage! — 3 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Pale yellow with pleasing aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, adding in spice and some biscuit notes. On the palate complex palate of flavors, fresh fruit, pineapple, lemon, grapefruit, peaches and Asian pears. Slight earthiness with a smooth and creamy well balanced finish ending with a gentle yeasty character. Very nice! Consistent quality! Will age well! — 6 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

Vintage 2015 | The terroir dominates, this wine smells - almost stinks - of flint, soooo much minerality it pushes the character back of the Chenin Blanc. But I do not mind. A little, very little, touch of sweetness on the beginning of the tongue, very vibrant and expressive acids. The more I tasted the more I liked the wine. Paired with Dim Sun and Cantonese style Halibut with sugarsnaps. Lovely! — 8 days ago

Daniel P. Drake

8.9

The wine of choice this evening is the 2016 Round Pond Estate Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc.

On the nose there is grapefruit, white peach, honeydew melon, herbaceous notes and minerality.

On the palate there is grapefruit, peach, honeydew melon, lychee, pear, herbs and minerals.

This wine is medium bodied with medium + acidity that moves into a medium + to long musky citrus mineral finish. Let us enjoy this weekend and be kind to one another, please be safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🥂🥂🥂🥂 — 7 days ago

Vanessa

9.2

👉 I’ve been excited to try this barrel-fermented and -aged Sauvignon Blanc from the Dry Stack Vineyard of Bennet Valley, Sonoma County, thanks to the amazing reviews from @Ron R. 🇺🇸 It’s actually a blend, comprised of 98% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Semillon, reminiscent of a Bordeaux Blanc (winemaker Jesse Katz actually studied winemaking in Haut-Brion, Bordeaux; it shows). @jkatzwine

👁 This wine has strong clarity and a medium lemon hue.

👃 It immediately captures 📷 and focuses my senses on its youthful, layered nose offering complex aromas of ripe guava, mango, tangerine sherbet, passion fruit sorbet, lemon pith, lemongrass, fennel, white rose, cherry blossom, vanilla, and toast. 👏👏👏👏

👄 On the palate this wine is dry, albeit rich, ripe, and sweet in its aroma and flavor characteristics. It has medium(+) acidity, a medium body, medium alcohol, and pronounced intensity in flavors consistent with the nose. The finish lingers. 😍

The richness and vanilla, toasty aromas and flavors were undoubtedly influenced by the 6 months aging in 1/3 New French Oak, 1/3 Once Used French Oak, and 1/3 Neutral French Oak Barrels. 🪵

Aperture, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, 2019, ABV 13.6%. @aperturecellars — 14 days ago

with Deked1

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Pale lemon with aromas of citrus and tropical fruit with floral notes. On the palate flavors of grapefruit, green apple and pear fruit flavors with some grassy tones, lively acidity. Medium+ finish ending with fruit, herbal, floral, grassy and mineral notes. Lightly chill so you can experience all of the nuances while you sip this fine wine. — 7 days ago