Winemaker: Nicolas Quille
Grape: 100% Riesling
Region: Washington State & Mosel, Germany
“Riesling is to white wine what Cabernet is to red.” Jancis Robinson
Randall Grahm, a founder of Boony Doon vineyard, loved to create a Californian perfection of Rhone varieties. His Le Cigare Volant or exquisite Syrah had a reputation long before his commercially successful Big House Red. Actually, when the Big House brand became later too demanding, Randall split his operations and returned to his specialty wines.
His love for reds changed when he met Alsatian winemaker Andre Ostertag. During their conversation back in 1991 he was teasing Randall that making red wine, inspired by southern Rhone was all well and good – but the real winemakers make Riesling, not that “Mediterranean junk”. The Randall’s obsession with Riesling was born.
Looking for the best possible terroir for growing Noble grape Riesling, he is now farming in Pacific Northwest, in Eastern Washington. For Dry Riesling, he blends 20% of German Riesling wine – selected by Johannes Selbach in the famous Mosel region – and 80% of their own Washington state Riesling. The German Riesling lends great depth and acidity as well as low alcohol.
Riesling is very versatile grape. By adjusting the levels of acidity and sugar, it could be made from bone dry to very sweet wine. The richness of aroma and flavors is unique to Riesling. The wine ages 5 months “sur lie”. No oak, no malolactic fermentation – just pure expression of Riesling. As pure as it gets.
Of all the grapes, Riesling is the most innately fine and noble. Terry Theise
Tasting notes:
Lovely, rich aroma of tropical fruit, flowers and lime. Crisp, dry wine with complex fruity flavors of pear, apple apricot and cantaloupe. This isn’t light wine, yet it’s low alcohol level makes it super refreshing. Excellent complexity and long finish.
Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Sustainable farmed
Retail price: under $ 12.00
Ideal food pairing:
Seafood, Asian or fusion cuisine, salads
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