Winemaker Notes
Tropical aromas of ripe fruit like yellow nectarines, apricots and stone fruits, with notes of pineapple and mango. On the palate it is zesty and aromatic, with rich mouthfeel, clean and mineral – but also with a note of sunshine from California.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
Opening with apples, apricots, and green-apple skin aromas, this deceptively full-bodied wine is grippy in texture, dry, refreshing and tangy. A light bitter almond note on the palate and finish adds some tension. Pairs well with simple toasted almonds, cheeses and dried meats.
-
James Suckling
A crunchy white with pear drop, light spice and almond paste. Some flowers. Medium to full body and a fruity finish.
-
Wine Spectator
This intense white offers lemon zest, grapefruit and salted lime notes that gain momentum, with mouthwatering acidity and a fresh, bright finish. Drink now. 667 cases made.
Bright and aromatic with distinctive floral and fruity characteristics, Albariño has enjoyed a surge in popularity and an increase in plantings over the last couple of decades. Thick skins allow it to withstand the humid conditions of its homeland, Rías Baixas, Spain, free of malady, and produce a weighty but fresh white. Somm Secret—Albariño claims dual citizenship in Spain and Portugal. Under the name Alvarinho, it thrives in Portugal’s northwestern Vinho Verde region, which predictably, borders part of Spain’s Rías Baixas.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.