In some ways, the wine varietals that we know – Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir – are like comfort beverages, something to choose that is familiar and friendly. But most of us also like the challenges of trying something new or something that we might not have tasted for some time, such as Furmint, Arneis, Sylvaner, Khikhvi.
Or even turning our thoughts to something stronger, such as a whiskey from the Midwest or one from Scotland.
Open up the Double Dozen, and we have all that.
Photo above is courtesy of Cloudy Bay in New Zealand.
2022 Disznókó Tokaji Dry Furmint ($19). Soft body but with a tart finish – flavors of orange and orange peel with lots of minerality and floral fruit essences.
2021 Bibi Graetz “Casamatta” Toscana Blanc ($21). Lively and tangy, but with golden fruits and some orange peel notes – leans toward the Chablis style.
2023 Abbazia di Novacello Valle Isarco Sylvaner ($24). Nice green fruitiness, but a little flat around mid-palate.
2019 Vine Ponto Khikhvi Georgian Wine ($24). An orange wine with exotic fragrances, but with very orange-like neutral flavors as well as color.
2023 Abbazia di Novacello Valle Isarco Grüner Veltliner ($25). Very lively and racy, with green citrus and grapefruit flavors, a few savory notes and light tannins.
2021 Laurenz V. “Charming” Kamptal Grüner Veltliner ($32). Vibrant green fruitiness with good acidity – though not a lot of depth of flavors, so better with food than sipping.
2022 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis ($40). Lots of nice spritz, some minty sweet fruitiness with lemon citrus notes – enjoyable.
2021 Cloudy Bay “Te KoKo” Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ($65). A lovely, complex wine that kicks it up a notch for Sauvignons – flavors of kiwi, quince and a little grapefruit and a hint of chalkiness. Long on the palate.
2013 Luis Pato “Formal” Bairrada Vinho Espumante Brut ($70). Lots of opening mousse that fades somewhat in intensity, with light strawberry flavors laid over a woodsy, somewhat earthy finish.
2023 Ernst Loosen “Villa Wolf” Pfalz Pinot Noir Rosé ($15). Fresh and tart strawberry flavors and satiny mouth feel.
2020 Frescobaldi “Nipozzano” Chianti Rufina Riserva ($20). Light and mellow, with a little of the minerally tannins and an easy finish.
2022 Makournas “En Arhi” Pafos-Letymbou Cabernet Franc ($24). From Cyprus, a nice quaffing wine with fresh berry flavors and a little pungent acidity.
2021 Frescobaldi “Perano” Chianti Classico ($25). Savory brambles, very nice dark berry flavors and tangy tannins.
2021 Rombauer Vineyards California Zinfandel ($38). Fruity, rounded red cherry flavors with nice barrel notes.
2022 J Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($42). Delightful – a blast of raspberry fruit with metallic minerality and a good crisp finish.
2020 Etude “Grace Benoist Ranch” Carneros Pinot Noir ($47). Lovely floral notes of ripe red and yellow cherries on the palate, yet with a nice hint of gameyness in the finish.
2018 Idlewild “Lost Hills Ranch” Mendocino Nebbiolo ($50). Very light and fairly gamey, red berry flavors, earthy undertones and light tannins.
2022 Overshine “Maple Vineyard” Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel ($52). A low-intensity Zin with dried fruitiness and lots of herbal, savory notes.
2021 Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($55). Enjoyable old-style Napa Cab with mature fruit resting on a layer of mellow oak.
2022 Overshine “Costelli Knight Vineyard” Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($55). Enjoyable berry fruitiness and tangy acidity, but a little different in flavor profile than most Pinots.
2021 Sonoma-Cutrer “Les Plus Haut” Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($70). Vibrant and a little edgy fruit – ripe cherries – with lots of acidity and touches of tannins.
2017 Appassionata “Andante” Dundee Hills Pinot Noir ($135). Very harmonious in flavor and texture, with lovely, lingering red cherry flavors.
Cedar Ridge “QuintEssential Untitled Cigar Malt Project” Whiskey ($100). A little Sherry cask, a little Port, a little peated malt – a sweet fruitiness with good fresh-wood notes, a big bite, and a loooong finish. 57% ABV.
Ardbeg Anthology “The Unicorn’s Tale” Scotch Whisky ($159). A smooth and smoky delight, very cracked-grain oriented. And just lovely. 46% ABV.
Prices listed are generally SRP or from wine-searcher.com. As more wineries are now shipping direct-to-consumer, check the winery website if you can’t find a bottle in your retail store.
0 comments on “Exotic + Familiar”