Grapesphere

2006 Smith-Madrone Riesling

Nice body – rich with a bit of sweetness – nutty and earthy with nutmeg and cinnamon. Rich and rounded wine – minerality – crushed stone slightly on the tip of the tongue. Tropic fruits – guava, melon, pear, lemon, kiwi. Banana. Overall a good wine – a rather complex wine – good length for a white wine.

Rating: 90pts
Priced around $20

2007 Knappstein Riesling

Like a big lemon custard pie, the nose was wonderful. Overall, the taste is crisp and acidic with lemon-lime crushed stone and green apple. There are some distinct floral notes as well. The tastes does have a little baked apple under the lid with some buttery texture and a slight peach and plum flavor. Then a pucker-mouth sour patch flavor that draws out the length on the wine. Overall, a very nice, powerful Riesling. It captures the rich body and allows the wine to stand on its own.

Rating: 90pt

2005 Paradiso Riesling Santa Lucia Hills

A nice bright California Riesling that exhibits honeysuckle and pear notes, with a little bit of Asian spice, and a nice round crisp acidity. Overall this wine is a perfect aperitif with hints of wet stone on the nose, followed by a honeyed and rich texture. Good mouth-feel, and I love the lemon custard on the end. Priced around $12

Rating: 89pts
 

2005 Barnard Griffin White Riesling

This was a good middle of the road Riesling, priced around $10.  It was not an overly sweet wine.  It had a nice level of acidity that gave some crispness to the initial taste.  It is a good summer wine with flavors of Anjou pear, crisp apple, and cinnamon spice.  The end of the finish was not perfect and had a touch of bitterness.  However, overall it was not a bad wine for the price.

Rating: 87