I managed to score a bottle of this "off dry" Riesling from my uncle, who's a big California wine geek.Label legend has it that the Vittorio Sattui Winery was founded in 1885 by an Italian immigrant of that name. His great grandson, Daryl Sattui, is currently maintaining the winemaking tradition.
Sattui produces product in small lots and vends it strictly from the winery, located in St. Helena.
Benj and I opened the bottle this evening after chilling it for a short period. First impressions include a strong lemon smell, maybe lemongrass, but I'm leaning more toward verbena now.
The wine winks, a little like champagne; its color is a cheerful pale yellow.
I tried it and was reminded of lychee, a lightly sweet and mellow pink-white fruit, but something slightly more abrasive hits the back of the throat, clearing the nostrils.
After a few more tastings I recognized the feeling and the smell: Mustard flower. The Napa valley has this stuff growing everywhere!
This launched me into a story about toluene and how the inclusion of mustard seed can discourage children in Third World countries to stop sniffing glue. Not the best dinner conversation.
Anyway, this white is sweet and slightly heady. It would probably be nice with a citrusy, soft cheese like brie. In any event, it did our chicken pie and mashed potatoes justice.
No comments:
Post a Comment