Region: Columbia Valley, Washington

Price: $11.99 at Total Wine

Grapes: Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier

Sight: honeysuckle nectar

Smell: peach, pear, honeysuckle, pineapple

Taste: lemon candy, pears in syrup, buttercream, full-bodied

Overall:  I probably love white Rhone blends more than anyone I know (see exhibits A and B)—saturated, perfume-bottle aromatics and a decadent, oily texture are a combination for the rich and powerful.  Any combination of Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier is likely to leave you a lot like the way the air smells after a handsome man walks by wearing lady-killer cologne.  (And people think only red wine can be sexy.  PLEASE.)  

This one in particular is out of Washington, and for reasons uncertain I’m not all too surprised that it veers more towards sweet than the other blends of this style that I’ve tried.  The bouquet is an adamant introduction to an over-the-top floral arrangement studded with tropical and orchard fruits.  After the wine swirls around the glass, it drips heavy, reluctant tear drops, more like oil than water.  Over the palate, it stretches warmly (+13% ABV) and languidly with real weight to it—much like a good cuddle.  The fruit turns a little candied, all the citrus is soft, and what smelled of fresh pear suddenly tastes like a pear poached in syrup.  A creaminess exists, like a buttercream frosting—but if it’s possible for you to imagine, none of this is overwhelmingly sweet.   

I really like it.  Quelle suprise !

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.