Summer is officially here. This month’s picks feature some great summer wines. Whether you are looking for a great wine to enjoy on a patio with friends or to enjoy with barbeque this month’s picks have you covered including a cellar worthy luxury wine.
Salute-
June
2014 Scubla, Pomedes Bianco
Friuli Colli Orientali, Italy
A blend of 60% Pinot Bianco, 30% Friulano and 10% Riesling Renano, from the best selections of the year. Fermented in 50% new wooden barriques and tonneaux, frequent manual "batonage" for 7 months, then the wine is assembled and aged in steel tanks for another year.
Light gold in the glass with straw tones. The nose shows a beautiful mineral cut with a seaside presence, wildflowers, fennel pollen, almonds, dried lemon peel, quince, starfruit, slightly dried tropical fruits and notes autumn leaves weave in as well before faint hints of butterscotch and plantain peek through.
The palate reveals a wine that has good structure with above moderate acidity and phenolics along with texture and mid-palate density. Flavors follow the nose with a complex array of chalk, sea mist, oyster shell, dried lemon, carambola, slightly dried mango and guava, quince, almonds, light butterscotch, dried flowers, and earth. The finish lingers with intrigue.
2020 Alphonse Mellot, Sancerre Satellite
Sancerre, France
Blending five vineyards (and soil types including marl, limestone and sandstone laminae) in Chavignol, Mellot's 2020 Sancerre Satellite is sensational.
Opening with notes of starfruit, yellow plum, and lime zest that are balanced by the notes of crushed oyster shell, wet stone, delicate florals, sea mist, and quince.
Racy on the palate with structured acidity and moderate phenolics. Elegant and youthful there is some nice tension here. Flavors come with notes of starfruit, quince, Rainier cherry, lime zest, orchard blossom, saline, crushed rock and mineral. The wine finishes with grip and poise.
2010 Villa Crespia, Millè Brut Millesimato
Franciacorta, Italy
S100% Chardonnay. Primary fermentation in stainless steel for 8 month. Extended Tirage; Disgorged in 2018. From the best fruit of the vintage from all holdings throughout Franciacorta.
Deep straw color with gold reflections in the glass.
The nose opens with notes lemon pith, white stone fruits, almond, white tea and white flowers with touches of chalk, biscuit, herbs, green and white melon.
Good acid backbone on the palate with a balanced dosage that keeps it from being too austere. The bubble structure is compact and gives way quickly. The palate, while framed with good structure is fairly creamy on the mid-palate. Flavors come with lemon, white stone fruit, melon and apple notes that come with chalk, almond, flowers, bread dough and Southern biscuits and herbs. The finish lingers pleasantly.
2019 Failla Gamay Noir Bjornson Vineyard
Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Oregon
Gorgeous and detailed. Reminiscent of a Cheverny rouge. Bright red fruits of raspberry, red cherry and wild strawberry are laced with pepper and spice notes along with sandalwood, cedarwood, verbena, bergamot, minerals and rocky earth.
Bright and high toned on the palate with juicy high acids and just above moderate tannins. Crunchy red fruits play with the pepper and spice notes, bergamot, sandalwood verbena, floral pastilles and earth that lead to a mineral laced finish that shows finesse.
2017 Snowden, Cabernet Sauvignon Brothers Vineyard
Aromas show the old school Napa style and also a style that is reminiscent of a Left Bank Bordeaux. Scents of rubbed herbs, pencil shavings, earth, gravel, cigar box and cocoa alongside notes of pepper, violets, cassis, dark cherry and fresh black plum.
The medium-plus body shows great concentration without being over extracted. Well-structured with firm and velvety tannins alongside juicy acidity and moderate alcohol. Savory and suave with notes of No. 2 pencil, rubbed herbs, pepper spice, leather, tobacco, dusty earth, cocoa, dark cherry, cassis, plum and hints of violets and toast. The finish is long and expansive.