Faintly earthy yet fine-tuned aromas of brioche, pear, confit lemon, salted almond, and wet stone set the tone for this brut nature, which, if not exactly rich, is neither austere, with a touch of cream to balance its zesty citrus flavors and thrill of acidity.
Accented by a slight yeastiness, the scent of honey-drizzled green apple sets the tone for this clean, sprightly Cava. Citrus zips across the mouth, led by lemon flesh and zest, sparking a bit of green almond on the finish.
Cranberry, red currant, and nectarine make for a bouncy bouquet, while strawberry and pink grapefruit assert themselves on the bright palate, edged with white pepper. This straightforward sipper smacks of summer.
This sunset-colored Cava of 100% Pinot Noir is as bold as its hue suggests. Toast and roasted strawberry lead on both nose—which also suggests cranberry and pine nut—and animated palate, where they’re bolstered by a complex mix of brulêed grapefruit, red plum, pomegranate, and rooibos tea.
This single vineyard release from Kate Arnold offers more of everything than the entry-level Oregon bottling—aroma, complexity, depth of flavor—yet it displays similar stylistic restraint even it its more generous profile. Red fruit notes predominate but are enhanced by undertones of baking spices and cola, with tannic structure that will enable this to develop over time but don’t assert more than gentle grip now. Impressive, but without trying too hard.
For those who appreciate Pinots that are light, fresh, and delicate in flavor impact, this is an excellent choice at a very fair price. It is quite expressive in aroma and flavor, with notes recalling red cherries and berries along with lightly spicy notes that give the wine more complexity than one would expect in relation to its modest weight and price. Very well suited to fish, poultry, or white meat dishes.
Especially given the difficulties of the vintage, this blend of 46% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay, and 27% Meunier is a triumph: at once majestic and incredibly soulful. Aromas of hazelnut praline, light-roasted coffee, truffle, and potpourri entrance as they enhance the golden apple and pear at the core of both nose and palate, where gorgeous, sweeping, lemony acidity hones an almost brown-buttery roundness amid hints of Brazil nut, jellied tangerine, and pink peppercorn. Chalky, yeasty, and zesty by turns, the finish is near-endless.
Aged 48 months in 100% new French oak, we admire Don Lorenzi’s majestic style and commitment to bringing Temecula Valley to the forefront. He admitted that this was a difficult vintage. “The grapes seemed to have a built-in tension made more emphatic by one of the hottest years on the estate.” Dark berries, espresso, soy sauce, and graphite are well integrated with gritty, grippy tannins.