White Wine Tzora Shoresh Blanc 2019. Tzora Vineyards was founded by Ronnie James at the Kibbutz Tzora in the Judean Hills in 1993 and over the past couple of decades the estate has become known as one of Israel’s finest wineries. Today the head winemaker is Eran Pick who was the first Israeli to pass the notoriously difficult Master of Wine examinations. The warm Mediterranean climate is moderated by the proximity of the coast and the high elevation found in the Judean Hills which helps to preserve acidity in the grapes. This is especially significant for the winery’s white wines like the Shoresh Blanc which is made from Chardonnay and a smaller proportion of Sauvignon Blanc grown on the ancient terraced hillsides. To preserve the vibrancy and mouthwatering freshness of the grapes the wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks which are temperature controlled. The young wine is then aged on the lees for 8 months to create a creamy, soft texture and extra complexity on the palate. Bright citrus, white peach, and grassy hints characterise the nose, while the first sip reveals lemon zest and apricot notes along with touches of dried hay and toasted almonds. The easy-going, vibrant nature of this wine makes it ideal to drink alone or alongside roasted chicken, risottos, and fish dishes.
2019
White Wine Tzora Shoresh Blanc 2019
White Wine Schloss Gobelsburg Ried Grub Erste Lage Gruner Veltliner 2019. It can benefit from decanting. Named European Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2016, Schloss Gobelsburg is actually one of the oldest operating wineries in Austria. It was 1171 when the Cistercian monks of the Zwettl monastery planted their first vineyards here in Heiligenstein and Gaisberg, and these vineyards are still among the best in the Kamptal wine region. Today the company, managed by the Moosbruggers, includes about 75 hectares of very good and classic sites. Some are located in the immediate vicinity of the cellar, others have been cultivated for centuries. The wind-protected southern location between Heiligenstein and Gaisberg served as a camp for mammoth hunters 20,000 years ago. Together with the careful aging in Manhartsberger oak, it gives the wine an impressive complexity that presents the tradition-conscious and experienced style of Schloss Gobelsburg at its very best. The peculiar soil shapes the powerful character of this wine. On the nose, the aromatic profile shows intense and complex notes of exotic fruit such as mango and pineapple and a hint of caramel, saffron and nutmeg. It is full-bodied and rich on the palate, supported by perfectly integrated acidity. Its distinctive taste and characterful mineral tartness linger for a long time with a final hint of forest honey. Have it with smoked fish or asparagus and goat cheese tart.
2019
White Wine Starmont Chardonnay Carneros 2019. Owned by the Schlatter family (who also owns Merryvale Winery), the Starmont winery is located in the southern part of Napa Valley, in the Carneros wine region. The winery was founded more than 30 years ago and covers part of the historic Stanly Ranch. Here the company cultivates about 50 acres of vineyards, which surround the winery, planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and a small amount of Viognier. 40% of the grapes are selected from the Stanly Ranch, and the remainder from the Carneros vineyards. The must is fermented partly in wood and partly in steel, to maintain a good varietal expression and a pleasant liveliness. The wine is then left to rest on the lees for 10 months in French oak barrels. This gives it a good richness on the palate. Starmont Chardonnay is a soft, generous wine with good freshness and a great concentration of fruit (citrus, apple, and tropical fruits) some sweet spices, and some notes of vanilla oak perfectly integrated. It shows good crispiness that makes it very lively and food friendly. Try it with chicken Caesar salad, with vegetarian tarts, with mac & cheese, or with crab. It is also perfect with Italian 4 cheese pasta and pizza.
2019