2010 d’Arenberg ‘The Noble Wrinkled’ Riesling, McLaren Vale, Australia
The color is a beautiful glowing apricot/amber shade. The lush, ripe nose oozes honey, marmalade and dried apricot, pear and peach aromas, along with a subtle note of spice. Thick in the mouth, just short of cloying, the wine coats the palate with… Read more
2010 Macari Vineyards Riesling, Finger Lakes
Made in a semi-sweet style, this is the only wine made by Macari utilizing purchased grapes. Peach and passion fruit flavors dominate the palate, complemented by hints of lychee and citrus. Try it with spicy Asian fare, or as a mimosa substitute at… Read more
2011 Kendall-Jackson Riesling, Vintner’s Reserve, Monterey County
Bright straw color. The nose offers up varietal aromas of honeyed orange blossom, exotic flowers, peach, and light apricot jam. There’s an initial sweet presence in the mouth, where the fresh apricot flavor comes forward. This is a seamless… Read more
2006 Weingut Jakob Neumer – Wurtz-Weinmann ‘Geyerscheiss’ Riesling, Rheinhessen, Germany
My local wine shop was closing this bottle out at below cost and I couldn’t resist picking up a few to try. How would this wine hold up allegedly a year or so past its initial prime? The “Geyerscheiss” is indeed among the most unusual wines I’ve… Read more
2010 Kendall-Jackson ‘Vintner’s Reserve’ Riesling, Monterey County
Medium straw color. This vintage shows more restrained, moderate aromatics than usual, with light floral notes and a bit of stone fruit. Still, the wine is nicely balanced in the mouth. An odd toffee note lingers at the finish. MSRP: $13 (September… Read more
1997 C.H. Berres, ‘Urziger Wurzgarten,’ Auslese, Mosel, Germany
Whoa — even at 15 years old, this slightly sweet Riesling packs a wallop. Wines this hedonistic are few and far between; there’s a lack of restraint here that is simply impossible not to appreciate. Georgia peach — if Georgia peaches were actually… Read more
2011 Brys Estate Dry Riesling, Michigan
German varietals thrive on the Upper Peninsula, evidenced by this faintly sweet Riesling that delivers a summer harvest of white peach and nectarine. Few wines emulate the noble Georgia peach better than this, with its unmistakable flavor,… Read more
2010 Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Riesling Fass 6 “Senior,” Saar-Mosel, Germany
This biodynamic dry Riesling crafted from hand-picked grapes is a real standout, starting from its exciting, floral nose to its lush, wild, almost herbal, mouth-coating tropical fruit. Mango meets fresh-picked thyme, picking up trace amounts of oak… Read more
2011 J. Lohr Estates Bay Mist White Riesling, Monterey County
Light straw color, with a little spritziness in the glass. The aromas are warm and inviting, showing sweet red apple, litchi nut, pear, and orange blossom. In the mouth, sweet fruit is balanced against a nice thread of acidity. The finish is sweet,… Read more
1976 von Schubert’schen Schlosskelleri – Grünhaus Riesling Auslese #75, M-S-R, Germany
The 1976 vintage was a benchmark year in Germany, and the top Ausleses are still drinking well 36 years later. This wine was a neon amber color, perfectly clear. The nose was autumn in a glass — baked apples drizzled with honey, with a note of… Read more
