Wine Review - January Edition

Happy New Year to all our readers! After enjoying a month filled with rich and flavorful dishes, we felt it was time to cleanse our palates with some refreshing, lighter wines.

We kicked things off with the Blank Canvas Annandale Farm Riesling 2023. New Zealand is well-known for its exceptional and affordable Rieslings, which are cultivated in nearly every prominent wine region across the country, offering a diverse range of styles. Most of these wines are off-dry with a touch of sweetness, while others can be found from bone-dry to decadently sweet.

This particular Riesling stands out, delivering an initial wave of sweetness reminiscent of an Auslese. As that sweetness fades, a tantalizing acidity takes center stage, creating a delightful sweet-sour balance. The wine reveals vibrant notes of lemon, lime, white peach, floral hints, and orange blossom, beautifully reflecting its single vineyard origin at Annandale Farm in the coastal Blind River sub-region of Marlborough.

Next on the list is the Dr. Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese 2021. This esteemed winery, situated in Germany's Mosel region, boasts a winemaking legacy that spans over two centuries, thanks to the Loosen family's dedication. The Ürziger Würzgarten vineyard is a striking amphitheater of Rotliegendes, a unique red volcanic sandstone, and red slate, setting it apart from other sites in the Mosel. While it is located just upstream from the Erden vineyards, Ürziger Würzgarten offers a distinct interpretation of Riesling, showcasing remarkable depth, enticing exotic fruit notes, and spicy fragrances.

This wine presents a prominent floral and honey aroma, and while it may initially seem less sweet than the Blank Canvas, it reveals a sweeter profile over time. Its complexity shines through as the sweetness and acidity harmonize beautifully, featuring flavors of succulent peach, crisp green apple, and a delicate mineral hint. With its vibrant fruitiness, mineral character and refreshing finish, this wine comes highly recommended.

Lastly, we explored a wine from Uruguay, the Bodega Garzon Single Vineyard Tannat 2019 priced at $235, made entirely from Tannat grapes. It boasts an impressive 4.2 rating on Vivino, and since I’ve never tasted a Tannat before, my curiosity was piqued given its price.

Garzón's exceptional terroir, situated near the Atlantic coast of Uruguay, features ancient, weathered rock soils and a mild climate. The strong influence of the Atlantic brings a refreshing breeze, all of which contribute to wines with a unique character and authenticity.

This turned out to be a delightful discovery—full-bodied, elegant, and dark. It offers notes of chocolate nibs and smoke, balanced with a hint of sweetness, alongside flavors of blackberry and mission figs, with a touch of spice and pepper. Some may find the tannins a bit overwhelming, but it finishes long and lingering. Its French-like qualities stem from spending 12 to 18 months in untoasted French oak barrels. However, it benefits from 1-2 hours of breathing to reach its full potential.

That wraps up this month's Wine Review! Stay tuned for the next one!