It’s time for one more version of “Random Samples”–I often get samples from advertising and marketing businesses and/or producers. These can typically be grouped collectively into some kind of over-arching theme: Drink Them and It Will Come, Summer season is Right here, So That Means (Extra) Rosé, If It Doesn’t Sparkle, It Doesn’t Matter.
Different instances, I get only a bottle or two that should not have any obvious connection or hyperlink. As a substitute of holding on to these bottles till the “proper” mixture comes alongside, I made a decision to hyperlink all these “random” bottles collectively, making their very own class (and, being the maths geek that I’m, “random pattern” has a little bit of a double entendre).
2023 Cattleya Sauvignon Blanc Alma de Cattleya, Sonoma County, CA: Retail $26. Accountable Bottle (483g; 17oz). Below DIAM5. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. OK, if you already know me, you already know I don’t like Sauvignon Blanc. I don’t prefer it in a shed, I don’t prefer it in a mattress. However. For this right here Sauvignon Blanc? I’d simply wake from the useless. Sensible straw within the glass with loads of lime zest and ripe lemon on the nostril together with greater than a slight trace of fresh-cut grass. Yowza. The palate is zingy, but additionally on the verge of creamy, with all that citrus (and the accompanying acidity) dancing somewhat jig on the tongue. OK, whoa. Like I stated, I’ve greater than a determined dose of disdain for the range, however for Alma de Cattleya? I dismiss stated disdain for devotion. Whoa. Excellent. 93 Factors.
2022 Chalmers Vermentino Heathcote, Victoria, Australia: Retail $29. Heavy Bottle (607g; 21.4oz). Below screw cap. One other within the more and more lengthy line of wines from Victoria, Australia that I’ve acquired over the course of the previous couple of months. Quite shy within the glass, even because it warmed, with faint citrus and a few minerality. The palate is extra expressive with some good fruit and sufficient tartness. That is advantageous, however frankly, it leaves me a bit wanting. It’s neither wealthy and opulent like some if its Italian (and French) counterparts, neither is it sharp, crisp, and mouthwatering. Once more, it’s advantageous, even Very Good, nevertheless it left me wanting extra. Very Good. 88 Factors.
2021 Francis Ford Coppola Chardonnay Domaine Lumineux, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $38. Heavy Bottle (not weighed). Below cork. Barrel fermented, aged one yr on oak, 30% new. I used to be in Portland (lengthy story) and I attached for a trip with Dave Petterson, the winemaker at Domaine Luminous (there are a few long-ish tales there). Earlier than the trip, he introduced this Chard (and a Pinot) for me to style. I finally bought to it a few week later whereas down within the Willamette Valley for a Pinot occasion (you guessed it, one other story there, too). Given the time on oak, I figured this could be a bit heavy-handed, however I used to be flawed, and I don’t thoughts it one bit. Certain, there may be some wooden on the nostril, however there may be loads of fruit, each tropical (pineapple) and citrus (lemon rind), together with some caramel and toasted hazelnut. The palate introduces some yellow apple to that fruit salad together with a pleasant zing, vanilla notes, and a salty notice. Very good. Glorious. 90 Factors. (Please notice: In line with winemaker Dave Patterson, the vineyard goes by means of a rebranding. I couldn’t discover any bottle photographs of the “new” Chardonnay, however this “outdated” label, Domaine de Broglie, is kind of comparable in design.)
2023 Troon Winery Pétette, Applegate Valley, OR: Retail $25. “Grenache Blanc, Mourvèdre, Vermentino, Tannat, Cinsault, Grenache, Roussanne, Counoise, and Carignan (notice that every one purple grape varieties have been grown and harvested for rosé wine on this occasion).” My buddy Craig Camp, the Basic Supervisor/CEO at Troon, informed me why they have been now not allowed to name this “Piquette” however I should not have it in my notes (it had one thing to do with the federal government. I feel.) Fruity, yeasty, and positively somewhat funky, this Pétette is strictly what one would assume. It’s a enjoyable wine with an attention-grabbing historical past (it’s a conventional French “harvest wine” that was made by including water to the used grape skins, letting it soak for a time frame, then urgent the “juice” and bottling it as a pet-nat.). Very Good. 88 Factors.
2022 Troon Winery Grenache Blanc Prolonged Lees Growing old, Rogue Valley, OR: Retail $40. Accountable Bottle (not weighed). Below DIAM5. When the oldsters at Troon determine to do one thing a bit totally different, they actually don’t “fudge” round, and it is a working example, for certain. Straw to yellow in shade, with contemporary and vibrant tree fruit (yellow apple, contemporary peach), a saline notice, and maybe a little bit of crushed seashell. The palate is tart and layered with oodles of weight, leading to an extremely attractive mouthfeel. Whoa. The prolonged end solely provides to an already stellar wine. A whopping 17 months in impartial French oak. Whoa. Excellent. 94 Factors.
2020 Troon Winery Tannat, Applegate Valley, OR: Retail $45. 76% Tannat, 24% Malbec. Below DIAM. A few weeks in the past, I wrote an article about how little Tannat I’ve tried. Whereas it’s true that I’ve not had a ton of the range, I’ve had greater than I’ll have intimated in that submit. A few of that Tannat has come from Troon Winery in Southern Oregon. After I visited the vineyard final week, Craig Camp, the GM at Troon, handed me this bottle after having learn my article. It has been a couple of years since I’ve tried the Troon iteration of Tannat (they don’t make a ton), however I hope it is not going to take as lengthy for the following as that is scrumptious. Darkish in shade and in aromas: loads of blackberry, contemporary plum, even a contact of cassis. The palate can be surprisingly fruity (given my historical past with Madiran), but additionally classically tart, a near-perfect steadiness. Some delicate tannins on the end recommend some life forward, however, actually, that is unbelievable now. Whoa. Excellent. 93 Factors.
