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. — 7 days ago

David Shaw

9.0

Second tasting. Same observations as previously, add barrel flavor with mineral finish. Good acidity, just crisp enough. 75 cases made — 23 days ago

David Shaw

9.2

Retasting this vintage. Pale yellow white, excellent clarity. Diesel and pine notes in nose. Label notes white floral, citrus, stone and Turkish delight (?) flavors; I’d add diesel, Riesling and creamy leesy flavors with moderate skin astringency. Nice acidity, dry to off-dry. Aging well but alas, my last bottle... 200 cases made — a month ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Superb nose. Caramel, brown butter, ripe apricots, pie crust, slate, citrus. Stunning aromas. Palate is dense with an icing on cake texture with terrific freshness and acidity. Opulent and energetic with lovely purity. Very complex. Really somewhat young on the palate but still divine. — 9 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. — 8 days ago

Severn Goodwin

9.4

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Our Pops conductor Keith Lockhart is leading a live-to-picture performance of Star Wars: A New Hope, a showing of the classic 1977 film, with the Orchestra performing Mr. Williams’ iconic score.
For live-to-picture productions, the orchestra performs the entire movie score in real time as the film unspools. (Vocals, dialogue and effects are isolated from the original music track.)
Generally we get to hear Star Wars scores a couple times per season here at Tanglewood, but tonight we get a chance to hear them with the backdrop of the movie (Episode IV) that launched a franchise, to say the least!

I celebrated another full trip around the sun, since my coming into this world, earlier this week. Tonight my wife, some dear friends and me will be enjoying some enticing wines along with our movie night. So notes...maybe, but I'll try! — 4 days ago

Vanessa D

9.0

Straw hue. Nose offers fragrant aromas of peonies, honeysuckle, wet gravel, crushed stone, apricot, and ever-so-subtle pâté notes. Balanced on the palate with soft acidity and a light texture. — 5 days ago

with Deked1

David Shaw

8.9

Varnum Vintners, Yamhill Valley Vineyards (YVV), own-rooted Riesling planted in 1983, 25 cases made. Pale yellow white, excellent clarity. Floral, spice notes in nose. Pine, tea and wood flavors, crisp, semi dry, good length and depth of fruit flavor. Moderate astringency. Lactic finish emerges after 60 minutes. — 6 days ago

David Shaw

8.9

Light golden in color, excellent clarity. Diesel and pine notes in nose. Crisp, almost dry, citric finish, good Riesling flavor profile with stone fruit, mandarin notes as mentioned on label. Moderate skin astringency with slight lactic character in finish. After an hour, some lime flavor emerges. Last vintage as these vines are being budded over to other varieties. Pity that; we need to be buying and drinking more American Rieslings, people! — 3 hours ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2012 / Good effort! A smell with some flowers, jasmin, flint and minerals. Expressive and beautiful smell. Juicy taste with high bitters and nice acidity, a good food wine. I paired it with a small waldorf salad, cantonese beef with eggs and tomato and cheese (cantal + blue). It worked out well for all. Good New Zealand riesling. — 2 days ago