Winemaker Notes
In the glass, the 2019 Morgan Riesling displays a graceful, appealing nose of honeysuckle, white flowers, and meyer lemon. Traditional Riesling flavors of green apple and honeydew work beautifully with the wine’s opulent aromatics. The wine’s style starts with subtle sweetness then finishes bright and dry (much like a traditional German “Kabinett”). This wine is a natural pairing for spicy Asian cuisine, shellfish, ripe cheeses, and crème brûlée.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
I loved the 2019 Riesling Double L Vineyard, which offers classic lychee, lime, and green apple notes in a balanced, vibrant, incredibly juicy style. It should evolve for 5-7 years or so.
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.