It’s been a while since I last reviewed a Riesling, and I figured it’s about time I do one again, especially since the last one sucked.  I’ve had other bad Rieslings since then, but I’ve also tasted some top-notch ones, and I have to say, there are few things more delicious than a premium Riesling that gets the balance of sweetness and acidity just right.

This next one is a little value play from Washington, called Rock View Riesling.  It’s on the sweet side, and I’ve noticed a lot of people buy this on a regular basis.  Here’s what I thought:

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington

Price: $7.99 at Total Wine

Sight: very pale

Smell: peach, apple, pineapple, mellow

Taste: seashell, golden delicious apple, kiwi, pineapple finish

Overall:  Full disclosure: I think I had this too cold or something, because the bouquet seems a little too quiet.  I was trying so hard to get a good sniff of this wine, and it took accidentally touching my nose to the wine to realize how far into the glass I was.  The aromatics aren’t huge, but I do get some peach up front, appley aromas, and some tropical fruit.  Upon tasting this wine, I realized I had a HUGE announcement to make to all of you: THERE ARE A SQUILLION OF YOU WHO WOULD LOVE THIS WINE.  AND IT’S ONLY EIGHT DOLLARS.  It starts out crisp, like biting into a golden delicious apple, and it gains a momentum of sweetness as lively tropical fruit flavors emerge.  The sweetness never gets too sweet or gloopy—it’s capped by a seashelly mineral edge, followed by a flavorful pineapple finish.  The acidity follows and hits your glands, like candy.  This refreshing, medium-bodied Riesling is much better than I expected—probably because it’s such a flirt.  You’re going to want some this summer; write it down.  It’ll be one of the great less-than-$10 victories of the season.