by Ryan M » Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:55 pm
I had read that some respectable wine is made in Idaho, but had also heard that it was difficult to find outside of Idaho. Well, oddly enough, a grocery store here carries some Idaho wine - only two wines from a single winery though. Supposedly Riesling is one of Idaho's strong suits, so I gave one a try. And I must say, it was quite worthwhile.
Ste. Chapelle, Riesling, Snake River Valley 2008
Medium golden yellow. Some hints of petrol showing on the nose, with some floral tones. Sweet apple cider upfront on the palate, followed by pineapple, and a touch of apricot, with a hint of steely mineral, and some hints of something like gingersnap. Medium sweet (Spatlese level), fairly full in body, with respectable focus and purity. The sweetness is a bit exposed, and more substance would provide better contrast, but I do really like this. And its balance is such that it could age nicely for at least another 5 years. * * [11/30/12]
"The sun, with all those planets revolving about it and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else to do"
Galileo Galilei
(avatar: me next to the WIYN 3.5 meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory)