Isenhower Cellars
Yakima Valley Roussanne
Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
219 cases produced. Light yellow, excellent clarity. Aromas of pineapple and guava. Lemon, pomelo pulp and tropical fruit flavors. Dry, almost syrupy mouthfeel, crisp lemon peel finish. Not quite as elegant as the 2016, but a lot to like here. Turning into one of my two favorite white varietals for wine as I drink more examples of these from Isenhower and, occasionally, others in the Pacific Northwest. More Roussanne please.
219 cases produced. Light yellow, excellent clarity. Aromas of pineapple and guava. Lemon, pomelo pulp and tropical fruit flavors. Dry, almost syrupy mouthfeel, crisp lemon peel finish. Not quite as elegant as the 2016, but a lot to like here. Turning into one of my two favorite white varietals for wine as I drink more examples of these from Isenhower and, occasionally, others in the Pacific Northwest. More Roussanne please.
Oct 12th, 2020Found an extra bottle of this vintage tucked away, so revisiting it. Previous tasting notes largely hold; lees character on finish has faded somewhat but flavor profile, acidity and rounded mouthfeel still intact, well balanced and crafted. I love this stuff, fruity but dry, refined, great for sipping but should hold up to food. Citric-lemon component intensifies after 30 minutes, so its use as a food wine improves markedly with decanting or patience. Still, it’s a great wine to sip for those first 30 minutes, even with less intense citric acid and lemon flavor.
Found an extra bottle of this vintage tucked away, so revisiting it. Previous tasting notes largely hold; lees character on finish has faded somewhat but flavor profile, acidity and rounded mouthfeel still intact, well balanced and crafted. I love this stuff, fruity but dry, refined, great for sipping but should hold up to food. Citric-lemon component intensifies after 30 minutes, so its use as a food wine improves markedly with decanting or patience. Still, it’s a great wine to sip for those first 30 minutes, even with less intense citric acid and lemon flavor.
Oct 4th, 2019Revisiting this wine and vintage. Good acidity, bone dry, pleasant mix of tropical fruit (guava, mango), nectarine, malic and citrus flavors. Mineral finish though no apparent lees character in initial tasting. Better integrated than previous tasting. A really remarkable everyday table wine that’s made for a special occasion.
Revisiting this wine and vintage. Good acidity, bone dry, pleasant mix of tropical fruit (guava, mango), nectarine, malic and citrus flavors. Mineral finish though no apparent lees character in initial tasting. Better integrated than previous tasting. A really remarkable everyday table wine that’s made for a special occasion.
Jul 21st, 2019Light green, excellent clarity. Tropical fruit and spice notes in nose. Guava and lactic flavors, slightly tart. Paired with coconut-macadamia milk chocolate truffle. 218 cases produced
Light green, excellent clarity. Tropical fruit and spice notes in nose. Guava and lactic flavors, slightly tart. Paired with coconut-macadamia milk chocolate truffle. 218 cases produced
Feb 15th, 2019171 cases made. Pale golden, excellent clarity. Apple, stone fruit notes in nose. Almost syrupy flavors- citrus, peach, guava, some mango - good acidity, mild astringency on finish. Bright lemon aftertaste. Well made, integrated flavors. Label claims seven months of lees contact, but creaminess is only apparent at room temperature; avoid over chilling.
171 cases made. Pale golden, excellent clarity. Apple, stone fruit notes in nose. Almost syrupy flavors- citrus, peach, guava, some mango - good acidity, mild astringency on finish. Bright lemon aftertaste. Well made, integrated flavors. Label claims seven months of lees contact, but creaminess is only apparent at room temperature; avoid over chilling.
Aug 31st, 2018a.k.a. Restoration White. Olsen Ranch Vineyard, 100 cases made. Pale yellow, very good clarity. Floral, stone fruit and sulfite notes in nose. Heavier mouthfeel. Dry. Citrus, stone and tropical fruit flavors, some minerality, slight skin astringency in finish. Lemon-lime aftertaste. Complex, elegant. Website also mentions lees contact, but it's subtle.
a.k.a. Restoration White. Olsen Ranch Vineyard, 100 cases made. Pale yellow, very good clarity. Floral, stone fruit and sulfite notes in nose. Heavier mouthfeel. Dry. Citrus, stone and tropical fruit flavors, some minerality, slight skin astringency in finish. Lemon-lime aftertaste. Complex, elegant. Website also mentions lees contact, but it's subtle.
Aug 24th, 2018Just released, tasted at their tasting room. Tropical fruit aromas, spice and good acidity, rich, elegant.
Just released, tasted at their tasting room. Tropical fruit aromas, spice and good acidity, rich, elegant.
Jan 11th, 2018
I was able to attend another Wednesday Wine Committee this week and it did not disappoint (they never do). As normal, all wines are tasted blind (1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert).
At first guess, I thought this was a Viognier. Very low acid. Super floral nose. White flower, wet rock, and clove. Most of the room guessed Chablis, but I stuck with Viognier.
I was able to attend another Wednesday Wine Committee this week and it did not disappoint (they never do). As normal, all wines are tasted blind (1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert).
At first guess, I thought this was a Viognier. Very low acid. Super floral nose. White flower, wet rock, and clove. Most of the room guessed Chablis, but I stuck with Viognier.