Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Offering up intense lime cordial, lemonade and orange blossoms notes with hints of beeswax, coriander seed and peach juice, the 2015 Riesling Double L Vineyard is light-bodied and off-dry with tons of exuberant citrus fruit and honeyed flavors, plus a lovely racy backbone, finishing long.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
One of the best examples of excellent richness and fine elegance found in this grape variety grown in the United States, the 2015 Morgan Riesling (made from organic grapes) offers flowers and apples in the aroma. On the palate, the wine delivers richness and a bare hint of sweetness. Serve with shellfish in rich sauces. (Tasted: May 9, 2017, San Francisco, CA)
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
Perhaps the most highly regarded appellation within Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA benefits from a combination of warm morning sunshine and brisk afternoon breezes, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and fully. The result is concentrated, flavorful wines that retain their natural acidity. Wineries here do not shy away from innovation, and place a high priority on sustainable viticultural practices.
The climatic conditions here are perfectly suited to the production of ripe, rich Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These Burgundian varieties dominate an overwhelming percentage of plantings, though growers have also found success with Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris.