Matthiasson

Matthiasson Vineyard Ribolla Gialla

9.48 ratings
9.34 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Ribolla Gialla
Top Notes For
Morgan Harris

Head Sommelier Aureole New York

9.6

This wine is still one of the most off-the-wall delicious California wines I've ever had. I am required to order it any time I see it on a wine list because it basically doesn't exist. At 10.9% alcohol, you'd expect something wan and featherweight, but the 6+ months (I think) of skin contact have yielded a thought-provoking wine of profound character. Ganevat's sous voile wines come to mind in terms of vibrancy, but there's something much more friendly about it. The aromas center on this exotic tangerine and yuzu pithiness, backed up by floral jasmine, camomile, and white tea notes. There's a bit of tannin and a mildly acetic quality that reminds me of really great champagne vinegar. The acid kicks and powers a very long finish. There's something ineffable and polychromatic about this wine that defies definition. It's such a particular (possibly unrepeatable) marriage of people, vintage, grape variety and place. Full of frisson if you're ready to listen. Bravo, @Steve Matthiasson and Jill!

This wine is still one of the most off-the-wall delicious California wines I've ever had. I am required to order it any time I see it on a wine list because it basically doesn't exist. At 10.9% alcohol, you'd expect something wan and featherweight, but the 6+ months (I think) of skin contact have yielded a thought-provoking wine of profound character. Ganevat's sous voile wines come to mind in terms of vibrancy, but there's something much more friendly about it. The aromas center on this exotic tangerine and yuzu pithiness, backed up by floral jasmine, camomile, and white tea notes. There's a bit of tannin and a mildly acetic quality that reminds me of really great champagne vinegar. The acid kicks and powers a very long finish. There's something ineffable and polychromatic about this wine that defies definition. It's such a particular (possibly unrepeatable) marriage of people, vintage, grape variety and place. Full of frisson if you're ready to listen. Bravo, @Steve Matthiasson and Jill!

6 people found it helpfulMay 30th, 2015
Brett Pallesen

"I hit the skins for the hell of it, just for the...." Mmm mmmm mmm

"I hit the skins for the hell of it, just for the...." Mmm mmmm mmm

Jul 23rd, 2014
Joe Carroll

Owner/Wine Director Spuyten Duyvil, Fette Sau, St. Anselm & Gotham Artisanal Provisions

8.8

Skin fermented

Skin fermented

Oct 28th, 2013
Ted Kizor

All together different from what I'd imagined.

All together different from what I'd imagined.

Jan 21st, 2014
Joshua McCasland

Phenomenal stuff. Waxy elegance. Sunlight in a bottle.

Phenomenal stuff. Waxy elegance. Sunlight in a bottle.

Feb 16th, 2014
Cappie Peete

Wine Director/Sommelier McCrady's

9.7

Cappie had this 11 years ago

Cappie had this 11 years ago

Dec 8th, 2013
Brayton Bailey

Brayton had this 8 years ago

Brayton had this 8 years ago

Jul 27th, 2016
Ryan O'Connor

Ryan had this 11 years ago

Ryan had this 11 years ago

Jan 24th, 2014
Vasudev Vadlamudi

Vasudev had this 11 years ago

Vasudev had this 11 years ago

May 4th, 2014