Vinography Unboxed: Highlights and Discoveries from the Week of November 24, 2024

Welcome to this week’s edition of Vinography Unboxed, where I delve into recent wine samples that have come my way. This week’s tasting featured a selection of notable wines from both Northern California and Italy.

Starting with the trio of white wines from Northern California, the 2023 Stewart Cellars Sauvignon Blanc presented a crisp and tart profile with green apple and subtle vegetal notes, ideal for those who enjoy high acidity. Next up, the 2023 Lang & Reed Chenin Blanc from Mendocino impressed with its bright pear flavors complemented by a hint of grapefruit, showcasing balanced acidity. Lastly, the 2022 Auteur "Hyde Vineyard" Chardonnay leaned towards a Chablis style, characterized by its nervous energy and bright lemony notes—a treat for fans of leaner Chardonnays.

Moving on to the Nebbiolos from Italy, the 2021 Vietti "Perbacco" Langhe Nebbiolo was unexpectedly tight but promising, while the 2019 Tenuta Scerscé "Riserva Cristina Scarpellini" Valtellina Superiore Valgella exhibited savory, herbal qualities indicative of alpine terrains. The 2020 Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Gresy "Martinenga" Barbaresco delivered an ethereal experience with excellent balance and brightness.

Among my favorites was the 2019 Enrico Serafino "Monclivio" Barolo, boasting generous flavors and promising potential for aging.

Finally, I sampled more wines from Stewart Cellars, including their 2021 "Tartan" Red Blend, which displayed vibrant fruit flavors and great balance, although its heavy packaging raised environmental considerations.

Tasting Notes

• 2023 Stewart Cellars Sauvignon Blanc
  Color: Pale straw
  Tasting Notes: Green apple, alfalfa, celery, passionfruit
  Alcohol: 12.9%
  Score: 8.5 – 9
  Price: $38 Click to buy.

• 2023 Lang & Reed Chenin Blanc
  Color: Pale gold
  Tasting Notes: Poached pear, pastry cream, vanilla
  Alcohol: 13.5%
  Score: 9
  Price: $35 Click to buy.

• 2022 Auteur “Hyde Vineyard” Chardonnay
  Color: Pale greenish gold
  Tasting Notes: Lemon pith, grapefruit, lemon oil
  Alcohol: 12.8%
  Score: 9
  Price: $65 Click to buy.

• 2021 Stewart Cellars “Tartan” Red Blend
  Color: Very dark garnet
  Tasting Notes: Black cherry, plum, cola, dried herbs
  Alcohol: 14.5%
  Score: 9 – 9.5
  Price: $66 Click to buy.

For a complete list of tasting notes and much more, head over to the full review!

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!