En route to the first Chardonnay Symposium, the city of Santa Maria appeared in all its incarnations. Hosted at Bien Nacido Vineyards’ historic Adobe, the morning began, like most in this winemaking region, wrapped in tangible veils of fog. As-read more-
The Soléna 2009 Pinot Gris is interesting, and stands out for its complexity amongst the many fine Pinot Gris releases in Willamette Valley. Fruit is sourced from 3 different vineyards: Grapes of higher acidity from cooler climate are blended with-read more-
The Palate Press Wine of the Week, August 2 - 5, is:
I don't generally enjoy Pinotage, and this is very good wine. The typical Pinotage burnt rubber is nowhere to be found. Instead, it is a very nice glass of sweet toasty black fruit. Wood is obvious but not overwhelming. Instead,-read more-
The Soléna 2009 Pinot Gris is interesting, and stands out for its complexity amongst the many fine Pinot Gris releases in Willamette Valley. Fruit is sourced from 3 different vineyards: Grapes of higher acidity from cooler climate are blended with-read more-
A pleasant and interesting wine, leading with plum, raspberry, cranberry, and spicy hints of cayenne and thyme. Light tannins and acids are there in good balance. The mid-palate is lacking, dropping from attack to simpler one-dimensional juice, but retaining the-read more-
A fine rosé is a wonderful thing. Not only does it massage the palate, but it’s also an intellectual exercise, a philosophical study, and a work of art. That’s a lot of gravitas for what’s often dismissed as a lightweight-read more-
You may not recognize this wine as Chardonnay if you’ve only been exposed to the heavy oak and butter first popularized by some California wineries. Made without oak aging or malolactic fermentation, it is more like a new white varietal,-read more-