Upper Mississippi River Valley, Illinois

Jean Colin

Menetou-Salon Sauvignon Blanc

100% Sauv Blanc from an almost lineal region of Sancerre & Quincy by the upper Loire River in France. It is very delicate and soft, yet the lemon zest jumps along with white flowers. Great acidity, dry and mineral driven. Refreshing and excellent length on the finish; not too long not to short. Definitely a well-balanced Sauv Blanc! — a year ago

DuMOL

Wester Reach Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2019

Delectable Wine
9.0

The 2019 Pinot Noir Wester Reach is nervy, taut and full of energy. Crushed flowers, red berry fruit and chalky accents convey vibrancy in this mid-weight, focused Pinot. Winemaker Andy Smit blends a number of top Russian River sites for his Wester Reach Pinot. In 2019, the blend is 26% DuMOL Estate, 22% Flax Estate, 20% Dutton-Widdoes, 16% Dutton-Upper Road and 16% Occidental Road. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2021)
— 5 years ago

Rob liked this

Villa Bellezza

Reserve Upper Mississippi River Valley Frontenac

This was a smooth ride, on the sweeter side, but it was so great! I’d buy this again and again! — 5 years ago

Concha y Toro

Don Melchor Puente Alto Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Foot of the Andes Mountains on banks of Maipo River in Upper Maipo Valley, 650 meters above sea level, vineyard dates back to mid-19th century, when first pre-phylloxera French varieties were brought to Chile, deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits & mineral notes, a blend of 92% Cab Sauv & 8% Cab Franc, aged for 15 month in French oak (65% new). On the palate flavors cherry & blackberry with powerful tannins, long finish, very tight, ending with mineral and tobacco notes. Needs ten years. Tasting Sample! — 6 years ago

Alex and Daniel P. liked this

Williams Selyem

Williams Selyem Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

Off the upper deck on an anniversary day..Double decant and pour(min cloudy sediment). A provocative medium/dark ruby red color. On the nose: dark red berries, cinnamon, earthy, hints of vanilla. Taste: Blackberrys, ripe strawberry, smoke, mint, spice and hints of oak. Nice medium to long finish — 7 years ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda and Ron liked this

EnRoute Winery

Hop Kiln Vineyard Pinot Noir

Decent legs, although not entirely as tight as I've experienced with an upper scale Pinot Noir. Deep garnet color with a beautiful, thin pink rim. The nose is slight but at the same time wonderfully fruity. The flavor is great with just a hint of oak. A nice, light, yet complex, flavor including hints of tobacco, a little spice, and a very pleasant earthiness. Medium to long dry finish. The tannins are soft and very enjoyable. — 8 years ago

Joe liked this

Restless River

Main Road & Dignity Upper Hemel en Aarde Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

I can’t decide if it’s fantastic or too hipster but it’s very Skurnik, strikes a great balance between cool climate body, lightness but with profound and ripe tannins with some leather/graphite depth without the fruit baggage. At $65 it’s almost value priced given the current climate — a year ago

Villa Bellezza

Zitella Upper Mississippi River Valley White Blend 2017

Love this fruity white wine, crisp & perfect for drinking on the pontoon! — 5 years ago

Villa Bellezza

Bianco d'Amici 2018

It’s the perfect amount of sweetness for a warm sunny day! Almost like a sweet reistling. — 5 years ago

Arista Winery

Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

Delectable Wine
9.4

The 2016 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard is one of the more linear wines in this range, relatively speaking. Lemon confit, white flowers, mint and white pepper give the wine a super-distinctive upper register. Aromatic, bright and focused, the Ritchie is refined and loaded with real personality. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2019) — 7 years ago

Château Boswell

True Course Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2015

Somm David T
9.7

The nose is soft and delicate. Meyer lemon, pineapple, lime, cream, touch of melted butter, melon, soft chalkiness, hint if green apple, honeysuckle, fruit blossoms, light caramel notes, saline and spring flowers.

The body is full round. Texture is amazing. Mouthfeel stunning! Meyer lemon, pineapple, lime, cream, touch of melted butter, melon, soft chalkiness, hint if green apple, honeysuckle, fruit blossoms, light caramel notes, delicate soft white spice, saline, yellow lilies and spring flowers. The acidity is perfect. Their wood use is very subtle as few in Napa do. The finish is perfectly textured, balanced, seamless, elegant, persistent and delicious.

Photos of, their Estate hillside vines over their cellars, their caves which show a fault line in the upper left of the photo, private tasting area in their cellar, Estate vines in front of their property.
— 7 years ago

Severn, Shay and 14 others liked this
David Clinton

David Clinton

A great, consistent region.

Villa Bellezza

Terra Red Wine

Delicious Wisconsin wine that doesn't taste Wisconsin like. Bold flavorful — 9 years ago

Dave SpauldingP Spaulding
with Dave and P

Domaine de Terres Blanches

Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc

100% Sauvignon Blanc out the calcareous soils in the Sancerre appellation by the upper Loire river area. Hand-harvesting and steely all the way. Mineral driven, lively acidity, very citrusy but not overwhelming. Pairs amazing with shellfish dishes. Very vibrant! — a year ago

Daniel liked this

Merry Edwards

Coopersmith Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2017

Great acid, tickles the tongue, dark, full, everything about this Pinot is a sense waker upper! — 5 years ago

Iwan, Sharon and 27 others liked this

Danzinger Vineyards

Sunset Ridge Red Blend

Excellent red - semi sweet wine made from locally grown cold climate grapes - Frontenac. Wisconsin vineyard with tasting room in beautiful La Crosse Wisconsin. Great with pizza. — 6 years ago

EnRoute Winery

Les Pommiers Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2017

EnRoute established in the RRV in 2007 by the partners of Far Niente. Les Pommiers introduced in May 2009 and reflects a blend of vineyards from Green Valley and upper Middle Reach area of RRV AVA. Complex fruit aromas, cedar and mineral notes. On the palate cherry and cranberry flavors with tobacco and toasty oak, rich structured tannins. Nice mouthfeel, zesty crisp acidity ending with fruit, mineral and oak character. Nice! Tasting Sample. — 7 years ago

Shay, Daniel P. and 1 other liked this

Senses Wines

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2016

Acquired from Somm Select, a TRB wine. Spectacular fruit, oak undertones that are minimal but appreciable at same time. Upper echelon Pinot in Sonoma. — 8 years ago

TheSkip liked this
TheSkip

TheSkip

I saw that. Sad I passed.

Branches Winery

Flying Geese Upper Mississippi River Valley Frontenac Gris

Sweeter than I normally like, but paired well with spicy pasta. — 8 years ago