Montinore Estate Almost Dry Riesling 2021
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James
Suckling
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Winemaker Notes
Almost Dry Riesling is exactly as the name describes. It leans toward a dry wine with the perfect whisper of sweetness to offer the best of both worlds. Pretty floral aromas swirl with citrus, gooseberry and melon, while the sweet-tart palate offers profound refreshment on high notes of stone fruit, green apple, key lime and rosewater. Mouthwatering and quenching, it's a great counterpart to spicy fare and a delicious apéritif, chilled cold.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Sliced apple with a tangy undertone and pureed apple as well. Medium-bodied with bright acidity and a vivid, energetic finish. Steely. Lime undertones at the end.
Other Vintages
2019-
Wine
Enthusiast
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Wine
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Established in 1982, Montinore Estate is one of the largest producers of certified estate wines made from Biodynamic grapes in the country. With their 200-acre Demeter Certified Biodynamic and Stellar Certified Organic vineyard located in north Willamette Valley in Oregon, we focus on producing superior Pinot Noirs, cool climate whites, and fascinating Italian varietals.
Partner and Chief Viticulturist, Rudy Marchesi, works side-by-side with Head Winemaker Stephen Webber to ensure their farming and winemaking practices allow us to sustainably craft wines that reflect their place while showcasing the best characteristics of each variety. We strive to create wines that honor the land and traditions–from root to bottle, from their land to your table.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
One of Pinot Noir's most successful New World outposts, the Willamette Valley is the largest and most important AVA in Oregon. With a continental climate moderated by the influence of the Pacific Ocean, it is perfect for cool-climate viticulture and the production of elegant wines.
Mountain ranges bordering three sides of the valley, particularly the Chehalem Mountains, provide the option for higher-elevation vineyard sites.
The valley's three prominent soil types (volcanic, sedimentary and silty, loess) make it unique and create significant differences in wine styles among its vineyards and sub-AVAs. The iron-rich, basalt-based, Jory volcanic soils found commonly in the Dundee Hills are rich in clay and hold water well; the chalky, sedimentary soils of Ribbon Ridge, Yamhill-Carlton and McMinnville encourage complex root systems as vines struggle to search for water and minerals. In the most southern stretch of the Willamette, the Eola-Amity Hills sub-AVA soils are mixed, shallow and well-drained. The Hills' close proximity to the Van Duzer Corridor (which became its own appellation as of 2019) also creates grapes with great concentration and firm acidity, leading to wines that perfectly express both power and grace.
Though Pinot noir enjoys the limelight here, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay also thrive in the Willamette. Increasing curiosity has risen recently in the potential of others like Grüner Veltliner, Chenin Blanc and Gamay.