2015 Yalumba Organic Viognier

Year: 2015

Producer: Yalumba Winery

Region: South Australia, Australia

Grape(s): Viognier

Alcohol: 14.1%

Price (approximately): $16

My Musings:

One word: apricot.

The wine is pale straw with green hues. The aromas are strong with ripe stone fruit (apricot and peach), with floral accents of jasmine and honeysuckle. Creamy, rich flavors of (you guessed it) apricot nectar coat the palate, accented by bright citrus flavors and subtle spice on the finish. Tremendously well-balanced with terrific acidity.

Simply a fabulous wine. One of my favorite weekday white wines, and the organic harvesting helps those who suffer easily from headaches. This wine is perfect for summer sipping or taking to the BYOB restaurant.

Speaking of BYOB ... try this wine with shrimp Pad Thai (Thai Issan in Honolulu has great Pad Thai, but be sure to stay within a reasonable spice range to avoid overpowering the wine), fried rice (build your own fried rice at The Rice Place!), or Moroccan vegetarian couscous (Kan Zaman if you are dining in Honolulu). Of course, with such great ripe stone fruit and balanced citrus, you can simply sit back and enjoy on its own.

Cheers!

2014 Michele Chiarlo 'Le Orme' Barbera d'Asti

Year: 2014

Producer: Michele Chiarlo Winery

Region: Asti, Piedmont, Italy

Grape(s): Barbera

Alcohol: 13.5%

Price (approximately): $12

Winemaker's Notes:

Garnet in color, the wine is medium bodied and robust with rich, ripe cherries and earth on the nose and an elegant palate.

Pairs well with a wide range of dishes: chicken scallopini with sage and wild mushrooms, farfalle pasta with pork sausage and broccoli rabe and grilled or roasted red meats.

2014 Catena Malbec

Year: 2014

Producer: Bodega Catena Zapata

Region: Mendoza, Argentina

Grape(s): Malbec

Alcohol: 13.5%

Price (approximately): $17

Winemaker's Notes:

The Catena Malbec presents a deep violet color. This microclimate blend of four unique vineyards offers intense aromas, a soft texture, and concentrated flavor. Deep aromas of ripe red and dark fruits are joined by delicate violet and lavender notes, with traces of vanilla and mocha. A rich, concentrated mouthfeel is highlighted by flavors of blueberries and blackberries with a touch of sweet spice, and leather. The wine finishes with bright acidity, well-integrated and silky tannins, and a flinty minerality that lingers on the palate.

"Wonderful precision and balance. Fresh, intense cherry fruit on the nose, complemented by well-integrated oak notes. Delicious mocha tones mingle with the clean cherry fruit on the palate. Complex wine, with a great length of flavour. 90 pts." Decanter.

2015 Loimer Lois Grüner Veltliner

Year: 2015

Producer: Loimer Winery

Region: Kamptal, Austria

Grape(s): Grüner Veltliner

Alcohol: 12%

Price (approximately): $14

Winemaker's Notes:

Pale yellow color, this wine is purely aromatic and lively! Lovely aromas of fresh apples and citrus, this wine surprises on the palate with great spice components as well as exotic fruit and a refreshing acidity.

To be enjoyed either on its own, as an apértif or with light dishes.

"A little bit of green pear, a little bit of pepper and quite a bit of juiciness add up to a whole lot of easy-drinking fun on this light, dry and zippy Grüner. There's some spice and yeastiness around the edges, too. Drink soon." Wine Spectator

2013 d'Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz

Year: 2013

Producer: d'Arenberg

Region: McLaren Vale, Australia

Grape(s): Shiraz

Alcohol: 14.4%

Price (approximately): $18

Winemaker's Notes:

Classic McLaren Vale Shiraz in every sense. Laden with dark fruits, old spices and woody notes on the nose and backed up with thick licorice, blackberry, plum and graphite-like characters on the palate. Striking fruit concentration paired with a bold and chewy, yet integrated tannin structure. Brutish in many respects but somehow manages to remain incredibly balanced. A wine to please even the most cantankerous wine aficionado.

2016 Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir

Year: 2016

Producer: Innocent Bystander

Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia

Grape(s): Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 13.5%

Price (approximately): $15

Winemaker's Notes:

Aromas of baked earth, Campari, earl grey tea with dried spice, juniper and fresh bay leaves. The palate shows juicy and brooding dark fruits, a velvety mouthfeel and finishes with soft savory tannins.