2007 Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina (Pais Vasco) $17 Bright, crisp, lime grapefruit sea-spray with a hint of spritz. Plenty of acid, plenty of flavor. This wine is enormously fun.
N.V. Bodegas Almocadén Fino Paquiro (Jerez-Xérès-Sherry) $27 Lot 06/07 Deep and dark aromatics that are in playful opposition to the light wisp of sea breeze salinity and raw almond flavors that cleanse the palate.. Nice match with assorted tapas: marcona almonds, manchego and membrillo, and endive boats w/hard goat cheese and pimento. Not so great with coriander-infused green and Lucques olives.
2006 Vollenweider Wolfer Goldgrube Riesling Spätlese (Mosel) $26 Fairly shy red apple aromatics leading to a full out, stone fruit onslaught in the mouth. This wine is brimming with youthful sweet peach and mango flavors, has significant weight, and robust baby fat sweetness. The bittersweet orange acidity and slate core doesn’t peek out for a good ten seconds after sipping and the mingling tropical fruit finish continues for some time afterwards. This is extremely tasty now but I’m going to give it 7-10 years before opening the next one.
2002 Schloss Schönborn Erbacher Marcobrunn Riesling Erstes Gewächs (Rheingau) $4 #038 03 I really enjoy a good erstes/grosses gewachs for the flavor profile of Germany with a finish and dry crispness of Alsace. This wine followed that recipe with perfumed, ripe white peach nose, petrol, apricot and slate. When the rich, somewhat unctuous mouthfeel hits my brain is telling me to start to expect some residual sugar to kick in but instead it’s utterly clean and dry with some spicy cloves and lemon zest acidity. This is a solid wine and a good match with grilled pork tenderloin and white bean puree. The flavors aren’t as penetrating as I’d like nor is it all that complex but at $4 on closeout I have no complaints.
2004 Josmeyer Gewürztraminer Les Folastries (Alsace) $38 I’m an unabashed fan of Josmeyer riesling but this was my first of his gewurz. This is quite an elegant and seamless wine. Heavenly doses of lychee, orange blossom, green tea, and lemon. A medium bodied mid-palate that shows just the slightest hint of sweetness from the ripe tropical fruit flavors and enough acidity to balance without being harsh, flowing into a wonderfully dry, spicy, tobacco finish. Paired especially well with Tom Kah and PEI mussels w/lemongrass.
2005 Lucien Albrecht Pinot Gris Cuvée Romanus (Alsace) $4 Albrecht’s entry level pinot gris makes for a fun summer sipper. Moderately sweet entry of ripe, spiced pear and yellow peach, rich palate, modest acidity, and a dry, somewhat short, smoky finish. Nothing too serious but plenty of taste. Another $4 closeout bargin. Nomacorc closure.
2006 Edmunds St. John Pinot Gris Witters Vineyard (El Dorado County) $14.50 This has all the smoky, ripe pear and floral tones but much more of a mineral core than past bottles. It’s even better on day two. Yum. Not a great match with corn chowder though.