Featured Wines - April 2001

The 1998 Morgan Malvasia Bianca offers a pale straw, slightly golden color with brilliant clarity. The nose is quite forward, with intense aromatic qualities reminiscent of Alsatian Gewurztraminer. In the mouth, the wine conjures dry Muscat-like flavors and tangerine tones that are offset by gentle hints of peach. Rich and round on the palate, a bright citrus tang keeps the wine fresh and reminds you that this is indeed a dry wine, replete with a...

"This is the most delicious California Riesling we've tasted in years," commented one member of the tasting panel. " I usually don't like Riesling…it's too sweet and unbalanced, but this one I like…it's bold…but balanced," expounded another taster. Indeed, the 1999 Freemark Abbey Riesling is different from most California versions of this noble varietal. From its pale, golden-hued robe to its long, expressive finish, the Freemark Abbey Riesling s...

The 1997 Villa Puccini wears a regal, ruby robe and exhibits a complex bouquet of violets and cherries. In the mouth, the wine feels like velvet, demonstrating the benefit of a twelve-month respite in Slavonian oak. Yet, none of the blackberry, cherry or plum fruit inherent in the wine is lost nor are the subtle nuances of spice, leather and pepper that fill the mouth and culminate in a long, lovely finish. All of this is testimony to the care af...

The 1999 Boutari Kretikos Red was "born and bred" on Crete, an island with a long tradition of viticulture. The vibrant, ruby red robe and lively, spicy, fruit driven aromas and flavors of this wine reflect the Cretan passion for life and creativity. Smooth, dry and easy to drink, the Boutari Kretikos is as balanced and beautiful as a sunny spring day along the azure coast of this classical land. Produced solely from indigenous grape varietals (K...