Wine & Spirits

As for the 2006 Chardonnay Marcassin Estate, it is a more mineral-dominated wine displaying a liqueur of crushed rocks/wet stones, pears, and subtle smoky, honeysuckle, quince, and citrus oil notes. It also possesses exceptional length and richness as well as a full-bodied mouthfeel. Given the history of the vintage and the challenging conditions for Chardonnay, I would suspect these wines will evolve quickly by Marcassin's standards, meaning they are probably best drunk in their first decade of life. 96+points At once bold, rich and layered, with a measure of delicacy and finesse, unfolding to tiers of fig, melon, bubble gum, spice and honeysuckle. Finishes with a dash of cedary oak. Drink now through 2017.

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Magnificent producer that never disappoint, even for the regional wines. A quit affordable price for the quality and taste. The availability is also an impressive number, so I wouldent hesitated to try this one...maybe also buy a crate. Great taste of green apple, light oak and some slightly soft butter. --Erik FS First taste of the 2020 vintage. Straw yellow color. On the nose: minerals, green apple, citrus and some herbs. On the palate: green apple and citrus, butter and a touch of oak. This wine is still young, but nevertheless very nice. However, it could (should) have been cheaper to call it a good buy. I think it is worth the price. --Øivind

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The 2020 El Jabali Chardonnay has a pretty, bright gold color. In the glass, it has notes off mellow jasmine, white flowers and a hint of herbs. On the palate, refreshing notes of lemon cream, soft minerality, and white flowers are followed by expressive bright acidity that gives an appealing long finish. 

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Rated 93The 2021 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills, from the El Jabalí vineyard and matured in 30% new French oak, is scented of baked apples, honey and hay. The medium-bodied palate is fresh and bright with concentrated apple fruit and a long, spicy finish. Drink 2022-2027.Wine Tasting NotesAlma Rosa Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay has a light gold color in the glass and a bouquet of verbena, lemon peel, melon and sea breeze that suggest a refreshing, enjoyable wine. On the palate, bright, mouthwatering acid is highlighted by notes of salinity and continues through to an inviting, smooth finish. Minerally flavors of wet stone and ocean gravel blend well with mouthwatering bright citrus flavors. This wine with pair well with light seafood, such as ceviche, fish tacos, grilled lobster, clams, mussels, and some delicious salty feta.

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Winemaker Notes Straw yellow. Aromas including hints of pear, pineapple, acacia, hazelnuts, and citrus fruits, with some hawthorn and floral notes. Balanced acidity and soft on the palate, with white peach and grapefruit leading to dried fruits. Pair with seafood salad, fresh, young cheeses and baked or grilled fish. Critical Acclaim James Suckling Lots going on on the nose, with ripe cedro and lemon together with notes of mild ginger, dried white flowers and a streak of dry mineral. Medium- to full-bodied with the same cornucopia of flavors, the lemon and mineral elements showing more and more and sustaining the long finish. This is quite a punchy fiano, and irresistible. Drink or hold.

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This dry Riesling is made from grapes grown in clay, loess, and limestone rock soils, which contribute to the aromatic complexity and minerality of the wine. In the glass, this wine develops on the nose with aromas of pink grapefruit, tart peaches, chalky minerality, and a touch of petrol. On the palate, the wine is pure and elegant, with a core of bright, ripe acids and a long, complex finish.

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This bright green-gold just off-dry Riesling has a delicate, irresistible nose, with passion fruit, white flowers, honeyed citrus, and dried honey moving in and out of the foreground, alternating with white peaches, pink grapefruit, lemon zest, and a fleeting suggestion of sweet wood smoke as the nose evolves in the glass. On the palate, the wine is a juicy explosion, shimmering with voltaic tension between delicate sweetness and electrifying apple and lime citric acidity. But you never notice sweetness or acidity separately. Pure green apple, white cranberry, tangerine, and stone fruit flavors, all seasoned with palpable saline minerality, lead to a long emphatic finish, with plenty of fresh acidity, depth, and cut.

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It would be no exaggeration to say Weingut Keller consistently produce the finest dry Rieslings in the world, a fact proven year after year since Klaus-Peter Keller took over the reins from his father in 2001. Along with his wife Julia, Klaus-Peter has continued to prioritise the quality of dry wine produced at the estate, and these are now some of the most sought after and collected wines on the planet. While 85% of the estate consists of Grosse Lage (Grand Cru) sites, only a tiny proportion is labelled as such meaning there are great values to be had with their entry Trocken Riesling, along with the 'baby GG' Von der Fels. Other Reviews....Lovely nose of ripe apricot and summer meadows. What a beautiful balance of vibrant acidity and ripe fruit with the chalkiness adding another element to this interplay and filling out the generous palate. Super-bright and refreshing finish. A cuvee of wines from various GG sites with Kirchspiel playing the largest part. Drink or hold.93 pointsStuart Pigott - jamessuckling.com The dry counterpart to Limestone Kabinett, from different parts of the same vineyards. Low yields, 40 hl/ha (20% lost due to mildew in June plus green harvest). Bottled mid May 2022.Green fruits and deep citrus but with a mineral character that is more oily than stony. Richer and more spicy than in some vintages. There’s power in this wine that would probably be a Grosses Gewächs in the portfolio of most other producers. Then after that powerful first impression, it pulls in tight and fresh on the finish. A lot of impact initially. Then great freshness on the finish.17/20 pointsJulia Harding MW - jancisrobinson.com

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Winemaker Notes This profound and powerful Chardonnay exhibits a rich, complex tintensity that can only be found in unfiltered wines. The grapes are predominantly grown in the Carneros region where bay breezes and morning fog combine to create the cooler climate ideal for growing Chardonnay rich with concentrated flavors. Critical Acclaim James Suckling Pure and creamy nose with some toasted hazelnut to the lemons and nectarines. Lightly briny on the palate, with a fine, mineral touch to the long, creamy finish.

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Medium golden color. Nose: ripe white peach, apricot & sage. Mouth: peach, lemon zest w/ medium+ acid & just a hint of tannins. A long citrus finish. ABV 14%. Appellation: Napa-60% & Sonoma-40%. Varietals; SB Musque-50%, SB-30% & Semillon-20%. Whole cluster press. Vessels: French & Acacia oak, concrete eggs & SS. The 2018 & 2020 vintages were also excellent.  -Jet B

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Wine maker’s notes The harvest begins in the middle of August. The grapes are brought to the winery, having been carefully placed in crates and baskets, never completely filled so as to avoid any damage that might occur in transportation. Only 25% of the grape juice is extracted. It is then placed in stainless steel tanks where with a cold process it is separated from the lees. Fermentation then takes place in stainless steel vats at 18oC. The result is the most distinctive, dry white wine, characterized by a bright yellow-white colour. On the nose delicate aromas of fruit – pear, lemon and pineapple – are present. On the palate, the wine is smooth, rich, fruity and full-bodied. It has a balanced acidity and a long aftertaste. It is best served chilled at 8-10oC.  An ideal accompaniment to seafood, white meat and light cheese.

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