September is nearing to a close. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed those lush Sauvignon Blancs and Rieslings while temperatures soared above 90 degrees because it’s time to put away the white wine and break out the red, right? Well… maybe not! After seeing Wine Enthusiast Magazine recommend some stellar whites in their latest article on Richer White Wines for After Labor Day we thought we’d recommend 5 of our own white wines for Fall.
Corton-Charlemagne, Grand Cru 2013 Louis Latour
The autumn weather really demands something more bold and this wine sure has got it! James Suckling scored it 97 points saying “OMG. This is so layered and dense with dried pineapple and apple. The concentration and depth is amazing. Full-bodied and dense plus super fruit. This is less than one fourth of the production. A crazy white. Drink, if you can find it.” That says it all! 2013 was a very high quality vintage but a very small one so production was limited. Good thing this made our Fall wine list because there probably won’t be any left by summer!
Treana 2012 White Blend, Central Coast
You’ve already seen this wine in our Game Sausage BBQ Wine Pairing Blog post, but the BBQ isn’t required to enjoy this expressive, unique wine. Being a blend of Viognier and Marsanne makes it more hearty and well suited as a year-round pick. Wine Enthusiast Magazine said “this wine is marked by ripe, opulent mango, peach, orange, vanilla and honey flavors. It feels sweet as you taste it, but the finish is dry.” It’s hard to find a California wine with this much character, especially Under $20! There’s no need to put this away when the temperature starts dropping, it’s great wine for every season!
Willm 2011 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru, Clos Gaensbroennel, Alsace
If Viognier and Marsanne isn’t your thing, this Gewurztraminer presents an equally unique value! Wine Enthusiast Magazine scored this 93 points saying “…this is a structured, serious Gewuztraminer. It has weight as well as sweetness, but it’s the potential and ageability that is so impressive. Spice and gingerbread notes, as well as fine acidity, lend complexity to the honeyed, yellow fruits.” Clos Gaensbroennel lies at the heart of the Grand Cru Kirchberg de Barr vineyard in a unique plot surrounded by a hundred year-old stone wall. This will pair well with exotic foods and is certainly bold enough for Autumn weather!
Ekam 2012 Riesling, Costers del Segre, Castell D’Encus
There’s still no need to put away the grape varieties you know and love! This Riesling with 10% Albarino was fermented in 12th century stone troughs or “lagares” with outstanding results. The Wine Advocate describes Raul Bobet’s wines produced at Castel D’Encus as “groundbreaking” and “some of the most exciting new wines throughout Spain.” They scored this wine 93 points saying “a Zen-like palate with great balance, purity and transparency, with pungent acidity and penetrating flavors.” Steve Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar scored it 92 points noting “…very good clarity to its lively citrus and orchard fruit flavors. The dry, tightly wound finish echoes the citrus and mineral notes and lingers with impressive tenacity.” A limited, exciting wine to bring you back to those familiar summer varieties!
Ch. D’Yquem 1997 Premier Grand Cru Sauternes, 375ml – Half Bottle
We’ll finish off the list with possibly the best of the best. Chateau D’Yquem stands alone as the grandest and greatest of the wines of Sauternes. This rare, exciting half bottle hails from the 1997 vintage. Robert Parker gave it 96 points saying “A sensational Yquem, 1997 may be this estate’s finest effort since 1990… a gorgeous perfume of caramel, honeysuckle, peach, apricot, and smoky wood. Full-bodied and unctuously-textured, with good underlying acidity as well as loads of sweetness and glycerin, it looks to be a great vintage for this renowned Sauternes estate.” This wine makes the list simply because anyone would jump at a bottle of 1997 D’Yquem, the season is simply not an issue!
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