Gems in My Glass . . . February 2017
Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards 2006 Gruner Veltliner; Umpqua Valley, Oregon: Seeking an ageworthy white wine? Look no further! I have found Reustle Prayer Rock wines to age gracefully over many years, and this is one outstanding example. Stephen Reustle crafted this gem more than ten years ago, and it simply could not be more stunning. Mouthwatering aromas get the juices flowing. Elegant layers of Chamomile tea, flinty notes, honeysuckle, salinity, oyster shell minerality and subtle white pepper accents wow the palate, and the flavors linger heavenly on the persistent finish.Garrison Creek Cellars 2011 Syrah; Walla Walla Valley, Washington: Here is a blockbuster Syrah! Still in its youth, it is tightly wound with firmly structured tannins. Cassis, blackberry and plum fruit meld with meaty elements, savory spice and well placed oak. Full bodied and complex, decant if you pop the cork now, or cellar; this complex wine promises many years of enjoyment ahead.Nicolas Feuillatte 2006 Palmes d'Or Brut; Champagne, France: Alluring floral and citrus aromas set the stage for this gorgeous Champagne. Titillating aromatics of brioche and fresh cut lemons waft from the glass. This complex bubble shows off a creamy mousse and flavors of fresh baked bread, citrus, quince paste and crisp apple flavors. Exactly balanced and lively, with a pinpoint tiny bead that lasts until the final lip-smacking drop.Dehlinger Winery 2011 Chardonnay; Russian River, California: I've been drawn to Dehlinger wines for decades, and here again is a prime example of what keeps me coming back for more; the consistency and quality shows through year after year. This is a mouth filling Chardonnay, chock full of crisp pear, spice-dusted baked apple, and Meyer lemon flavors cascading onto the palate. A thread of minerality and precise oak management cap off the lovely package.Concha y Toro 2004 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon; Puente Alto, Chile: Aromas of earth and leather are entirely engaging. Gorgeous vibrancy in the mouth, with just ripe berries, wild mushrooms, roasted coffee bean, licorice and baking spices joining the earthiness that remains consistent on the palate. Exquisite balance and depth, with beautifully resolved tannins, and the finish, well, doesn't!Domaine Desertaux Ferrand 2013 Cote de Nuits-Villages Les Perrieres; Burgundy, France: Flinty, earth driven aromas send you jumping into the glass. Ethereal and flavorsome as exotic spice, fresh earth, underlying red cherry, and soft suggestions of oak unfold on the palate. Pure, pretty and elegant with a racy spine of acidity.Silkwood Wines 2007 Vintners Select "Satin & Silk" Petite Sirah; Stanislaus County, California; This expressive red wine is opulent and finely structured. Aged 48 months in brand new Mireau oak (crafted in Burgundy France), it showcases magnificent oak spice. Blackberry, boysenberry, mocha, and plum jam flavors coat the mouth with highlights of orange zest, a tinge of vanilla and tobacco spice. Deep, dark, dense and delicious.Kosta Browne 2008 Pinot Noir; Russian River Valley, California: Aroma of dried rose petals and cherries delight the senses. Firmly structured, this PN is brimming with lively layers of black raspberry, wild cherry, cola, a pinch of sage, and sassafras from first sip, to mid palate, through the back palate. Full bodied and nicely structured with a touch of oak adding dimension to the long finish.Spring Valley Vineyard 2010 Uriah Estate Bottled Red Wine; Walla Walla Valley, Washington: Here is a spunky blend crafted of 46% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec. Black cherry and blackberry fruit at the core, with black licorice drop and nutmeg accents. Oak spice from 18 months in 60% new French oak adds depth, yet stays perfectly in the background.
