August 25, 2016

Summer Rosé & White Wine Dinner

1. 2014 Armas de Guerra Rosé (Rosado) Mencia, Bierzo, Spain
This is another terrific bottling of Armas de Guerra, a rosé based from Mencía grapes in the D.O. of Bierzo. It should be delicious when paired with all the usual rosé inspired fare, as well as perhaps some more substantial foods given this wine's excellent fruit intensity and palate presence.

Pale pink. Aromas and flavors of pink grapefruit, redcurrant and white pepper show very good clarity and energy. Concentrated yet lithe rosado, with a nervy acid structure providing shape and lift. Finishes taut and minerally, with an echo of red berries. Joshua Raynolds/Vinous

2. 2015 Casa Santos Lima Rosé "Portuga" Portugal
Matt Kramer (of Wine Spectator Magazine) admitted that at the moment, rosé is the style of wine that he is prefers the most and places Casa Santos Lima’s wine “Portuga” as his top pick: “My current favorite is a Portuguese rosé called Portuga from the producer Casa Santos Lima. A watermelon-hued blend of two indigenous grape varieties, Castelão and Camarate, it’s dry, savory and you get change from a $10 bill. What’s not to like?” Yet another great reference in international publications about Portuguese wines and Casa Santos Lima.

3. 2015 Chateau Saint Roch Lirac Cuvee Tradition Rosé France
Lirac is a wine-growing Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in the department of Gard situated in the low hills along the right bank of the Rhône river in the southern Rhône wine region of France. It is named after the village of Lirac. Bordering on the neighbouring cru of Tavel AOC, a rosé-only cru in the next village, Lirac is one of the 13 crus of the Rhône valley family. On the opposite river bank is the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard (Wikipedia). Ere Brunel, the wife of Patrick Brunel (Gardine) is the winemaker at Chateau Saint Roch. Sa couleur vous inspire ? Fermez les yeux, vous êtes sous la tonnelle, les cigales en fond vous murmurent un air d’été. Sounds great to me!

4. 2015 Hawk's View Oregon White Pinot Noir - Cellars Series Oregon
Planted in 1991, the 50-acre Hawks View Vineyard offers the ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The eastern-facing slope and Laurelwood soils, combined with dry farming and hand harvesting, allow for wines of great character and distinction. Much like the previous vintage, the challenge in 2015 was keeping the White Pinot Noir...White! The normally golden juice was a deep red upon its light two-hour pressing, almost darker than many of our red wines. Patience was our greatest ally, as over time the normal hue returned, all the while exuding the robust mouthfeel of prior vintages. Shannon Gustafson, Winemaker

5. 2014 Castello do Papa Godello Spain White Wine
"Light yellow. Complex aromas of ripe pear, melon, orange zest and white flowers, with hints of green almond and fennel in the background. Lush and creamy on entry, then more taut in the mid-palate, offering energetic citrus and orchard fruit flavors complicated by smoky mineral and floral qualities. A ginger note emerges on the long, supple finish, which features repeating floral and mineral nuances." Vinous Media 90

6. 2014 Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand White Wine
"A bona-fide top wine, the superbly focused 2014 Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc stays rich from beginning to end. A great choice with cheese-topped oysters in-the-half-shell under the salamander. Light straw, green color; piquant lemon peel in the aroma, a hint of grassiness and sweet earth, fine depth; medium bodied, vibrant and rewarding on the palate; dry, fine acidity, well balanced; bight melon and dried herbs in the flavors; long finish, crisp aftertaste.

7. 2012 Tyrrell's Wines Old Winery Chardonnay Hunter Valley Australia White Wine
Has considerable colour development, although it is bright; the varietal fruit is vibrant and clear, with white flesh stone fruit and citrus to the fore; there is the faintest suggestion of oak that has been carefully kept in check. The best Hunter Valley chardonnay in its price group. James Halliday

8. 2012 Strub Riesling Kabinett Niersteiner Bruckchen Germany White Wine
Waxy in texture, with a firm, quincelike fruit, this is full-bodied and savory, a mouthfilling riesling to pour with choucroute. Rated 88 Points Wine & Spirits