March 1, 2020
Spicy, savory and taut, the 2018 Merisi Pinot Gris falls squarely in the very dry, Alsatian style. Smell and taste lemon zest, grapefruit extract, white pepper, dried pears and wildflowers. And white pepper, definitely white pepper. This is the type of Pinot Gris that tastes good, perhaps very good, by itself, and GREAT with the right food…like grilled lemon-garlic chicken thighs and yummy sausages you choose from the butcher counter. Sixth vintage of Merisi Pinot Gris. Merisi co-owner and winemaker Mandy Heidt Donovan is making tiny amounts of delicious, balanced, honest expressions of Pinot Gris, Grenache and Petite Sirah (sometimes […]
June 27, 2019
As good as it gets for a fresh, fruit-driven, easy to drink white wine. Top four (out of 8+) fruit flavors I get are green apple, peach, pineapple and Meyer lemon. Acid’s fresh and lively, no oak. A little “sneaky sweetness” elevates the fruitiness, meaning you don’t taste sweet but you like the wine more because it’s there. Get a case…can be found for under $15/bottle (check out Total Wine). This is a DDWA “Awesome” Value. See all my Hall of Fame and Awesome Value wines on my Best of the Best Value list.
June 25, 2018
An excellent representation of Pinot Gris, this has a slightly oily texture, honey-coated pears, lemon custard and honeysuckle/elderflower floral aromas. A little fresh apricot, sliced ripe green apple, grated fresh ginger and white pepper for good measure. Light bodied, no barrel flavor, great acidity and 13.5% alcohol. A great drink by itself or with food (friends and I shared a bottle with chicken liver and onions). More Information Navarro Vineyards has famously (in the Cal “wine biz”) maintained a 100% consumer-direct policy in California. In other words, you won’t find Navarro in retail stores! There’s a story behind this, but […]