Winery - Esterlina
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Try this as an alternative to Sauvignon Blanc. It’s bone dry and tart, with lime rind flavors and just a hint of mineral. The crisp acidity pulls it all together. Finishes clean and swift.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is one of the best California Rieslings around. Let’s start with acidity, which is crisp and steely. The flavors are exotic and racy, suggesting wildflowers, apples, and an oily, lighter-fluid element. It floats in the mouth because of the light texture, but is serious stuff, and will likely age well. Defines finesse and elegance. —S.H.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A bit harsh and rustic in the mouth, with a hot pepper and sandpaper roughness that detracts. Needs rich beef dishes to balance out its tannins.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
From one of the tiniest AVAs in California, a Mendocino wine that straddles the balance between cherry-infused ripeness and earthier, more tannic dryness. Those tannins reprise on the finish, leaving behind a dusty astringency.
Tags:
Esterlina Merlot - 2001
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This wine may have the highest acidity of any California Chardonnay on the market, to judge by the mouthfeel. Boom—a real blast of tartness. The fruit is lean, even austere, and from the aroma to the finish there’s a steely, mineral note. Call it Chablis-like. It’s well made and clean and needs the right foods. —S.H.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Tough and gritty in tannins, with currant fruit flavors veering into raisins and heavy-handed oak. Not likely to mellow with age.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A lovely, supple Pinot Noir that makes you think of restaurants, white tablecloths and food. Dry and elegant, it has some rich tannins and crisp acidity that frame flavors of mashed ripe red cherries, cola, pomegranates, anise and pepper, with rich oak influences. This bottling has made dramatic improvements over the years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Pretty good, but at this price, a bit heavy and over-extracted for a Pinot Noir, almost Grenache-like. The flavors are black peppery, with an underground stream of black cherries and oak, and the tannins close in on the finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Made from three different appellations, this Chardonnay’s cool-climate origins show in the citrusy acidity and rich, tropical fruit flavors that suggest guava and mango. There’s also some toasty oak in this tasty wine.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is Esterlina’s off-dry Riesling, and it’s as good in its semi-sweet way as a dry bottling. Shows the same brilliant acidity and delicious citrus, peach, wildflower and vanilla flavors, with a complex, honeyed richness.
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