David Shaw

9.0

Varnum Vintners, Roncali Vineyard, own-rooted Riesling planted in 1981. 25 cases made. Yellow white, brilliant clarity. Apple and pineapple notes in nose. Crisp, semi dry, green apple flavors, as promised on the label. Raspy astringency on finish but an apple juice-like mouthfeel to the fluid. After 60 minutes, astringency mellows and wood-spice flavor emerges. Naturally fermented in neutral oak barrels. Essence of the variety is here, gloriously. Interesting winemaking, largely unadorned but special. — 11 days ago

Shawn Thompson

9.0

Strawberry pink Pinot Noir rosé from Willamette Valley. Creamy and fuller bodied for a rosé with notes of fresh strawberry, cherry and melon. Balanced acidity. Very good. — 6 days ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.1

Very pure and honest Willamette Valley Pinot Noir with excellent typicity and balance. Outstanding. — 4 days ago

Severn Goodwin

9.1

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our guest conductor, and violin soloist, Leonidas Kavakos is leading an BEETHOVEN (Violin Concerto in D, Opus 61) and then concluding with DVOŘÁK (Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Opus 70). It is a rare treat to have a combination conductor/soloist leading the Orchestra, only the second time I can recall in about 12 years of attendance. The other instance was with Anne-Sophie Mutter, also a violinist, a few years ago now.

Nose has cut yellow apple, bag full of lemons, light vanilla, light oak and limestone paste.

Palate has cold butter, sugared lemon, lemon pith, quince, yellow cherry and creamy oak lingers on the medium-long finish.

Quite Chablis-like, except the touch of wood notes are a little heavier, but the caveat, this wine is very young, likely drinking great 2021-23.

24 Hour Update: Oak has subsided, just a great bottle today. — 15 days ago

David Shaw

8.9

Pale yellow white, excellent clarity. Floral and honeysuckle notes in nose. Honey, wood and spice (mace and white pepper) flavors with a hint of pine. Mild skin astringency in finish. Slight creaminess in aftertaste. Semi dry. Slow and naturally fermented, 60 cases made. — 12 days ago

Ryan Vento

9.4

Dinner with some dear friends at Lucio’s BYOB. Two couples, each couple brought 3 bottles.
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One of my contributions. WOTN for sure. Perfectly structured, rich yet zesty and lively. This was awesome. — 13 days ago

with Krystal

Paul Hoffert

9.0

I am really just starting to explore Oregon pinots and this is a pretty nice example. This opens up with loganberry and some spice on the nose. A mix or blueberries and raspberries mingle nicely and finished with a little more spice and what I call clay. But I know that is not the correct term. The acid was also in check with this wine. Overall a really nice drinking wine. Have some other samples from them that I can’t wait to try. — 11 days ago

Randy Fuller

9.7

The pale wine has a beautiful salinity on the nose, draping itself over the citrus flavors. It smells like the ocean, almost like a Sardegna Vermentino. The palate is just waiting for shellfish. Great acidity, great fruit and all the sea you can drink.
— 10 days ago

Doug Sayed

9.1

Savory red fruits with nuance and a nice finish. Great finesse. Drinking well now, but may improve a bit over the near-term. — 7 days ago

David Shaw

9.1

Dense purple, highly extracted. Black currant, graphite and sulfite notes initially. Cherrystone, fruit punch and graphite flavors. Light but chewy seed tannins in finish with spice-black pepper aftertaste. After three hours, some raspberry flavor emerges. 110 cases made — 15 days ago