Tasting notes: Wild and Wonderful whites, June 2, 2018

Domaine Delalex ‘Marin’, Savoie 2014

Regular Price $22.99

Sale price $17.99

The grape here is Chasselas, which has a uninspiring reputation throughout France. But in the right hands, and with unhurried fermentation and an additional year in bottle, this wine shows very attractive peach and floral aromas, a rich and full mouthfeel and crisp and focused acidity.

Loimer Gruner Veltliner ‘Langenlois’, Kamptal 2014

Regular Price $22.99

Sale price $17.99

The rules for Kamptal DAC state that Grüner Veltliner must be produced in a fresh style without botrytis or wood. This wine range is intended to be a transparent snapshot of the varietal, the vintage and most importantly the Kamptal. It’s Spicy, peppery with bright green apple and grapefruit notes. Long and crisply acidic, its surprisingly rich while remaining lightly weighted.

Godeval Godello, Valdeorras 2016

Regular price: 18.99

Sale Price: $14.99

Godello has perhaps supplanted Albarino as the ‘it’ white grape from Spain. I’ll argue that, as they are quite different, there’s room for both. The wine is bright and fresh with pear and floral aromas and crisp apple peel acidity.

I Clivi Verduzzo, Friuli Colli Orientali 2015

Regular Price $32.99

Sale price $25.99

I Clivi is an outstanding small estate with vineyards in the two best zones of Friuli, Colli Orientali del Friuli and Collio, both very close to the border with Slovenia in far NE Italy. They only work with indigenous varietals (well, they make a small amount of Merlot) This local grape is best known for sweet wines. This dry example shows a distinctive textured mouthfeel, fresh acidity, very complex and interesting aromas and flavors (herbal hints, white peach).Long; I bet this would age, although I haven’t had older examples.

Damilano Arneis, Langhe 2016

Regular Price $24.99

Sale price $19.99

Arnesi is the grape that Piedmont almost forgot, and was all but extinct as late as the 70’s with only Giacoso and Vietti still making wines from the grape. On the comeback trail for twenty years now, the wine is rich, and full yet with plenty of bright acidity. Clean and fresh, with fresh peach and honeysuckle.

Domaine de la Pepiere ’Clisson’ 2015

Regular price: $29.99

Sale Price: $23.99

This wine is all about location. And bâtonnage. But mostly location. Set in the Clisson Valley, in the heart of the “Muscadet” appellation, the production area of this “cru” is on the best hillsides of the “Sèvre et Maine” region. This wine is ridiculous; fresh, rich, bold, lively, textured. It will change your mind about Muscadet.