Barnard Griffin
Columbia Valley Albariño
Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Had to pick up a few ingredients at the PCC, and bumped into this lil' cutie. As far as white wines go, I'm a sucker for either high acid (the Albariño) and low acid (the Viognier) - the middle stuff, meh. The Albariño grape is typically grown in Spain and Portugal because it is partial to heat and humidity, but some growers in California and Washington have been experimenting with the old world fruit. Prone to fits of bitterness, like the Viognier, it typically yields stone fruit flavors on the palette. Barnard Griffin has been producing WA wines for over 30 years; this is their third offering of Albariño, (100 cases, 2016). Fruit comes from Crawford vineyard in Yakima Valley AVA. Paired it with homemade cannelloni and romaine salad. Find it and drink it! ~$18 | #barnardgriffin #yakimavalley #albariño
On the eyes: Pale straw yellow, starbright, med stain, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Intense tropical (passionfruit, mango?) bubblegum notes, coconut, white peach, with hints of sea air, med alcohol.
On the tongue: high acid, med tannin, med alcohol, med body, creamy. No malolactic on this one. Ripe nectarine, and white peach, rainier cherry, orange peel, with hints of caramel on the way down. Cold and warm drinking temps work - flavors will evolve. Enjoy!
Had to pick up a few ingredients at the PCC, and bumped into this lil' cutie. As far as white wines go, I'm a sucker for either high acid (the Albariño) and low acid (the Viognier) - the middle stuff, meh. The Albariño grape is typically grown in Spain and Portugal because it is partial to heat and humidity, but some growers in California and Washington have been experimenting with the old world fruit. Prone to fits of bitterness, like the Viognier, it typically yields stone fruit flavors on the palette. Barnard Griffin has been producing WA wines for over 30 years; this is their third offering of Albariño, (100 cases, 2016). Fruit comes from Crawford vineyard in Yakima Valley AVA. Paired it with homemade cannelloni and romaine salad. Find it and drink it! ~$18 | #barnardgriffin #yakimavalley #albariño
On the eyes: Pale straw yellow, starbright, med stain, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Intense tropical (passionfruit, mango?) bubblegum notes, coconut, white peach, with hints of sea air, med alcohol.
On the tongue: high acid, med tannin, med alcohol, med body, creamy. No malolactic on this one. Ripe nectarine, and white peach, rainier cherry, orange peel, with hints of caramel on the way down. Cold and warm drinking temps work - flavors will evolve. Enjoy!