Vinography Unboxed: Highlights from the Week of February 2, 2025

Welcome to this week’s edition of Vinography Unboxed, where I share some of the outstanding wines I’ve recently sampled. This week featured an intriguing selection, starting with an exceptional long lees-aged sparkling wine from Haliotide Wines. After an impressive 68 months on the lees, this wine showcases a luxurious texture along with delightful apple and brioche notes.

For those who appreciate Chenin Blanc, I recommend two fantastic options from South Africa: the Stellenbosch-based Stark-Condé and the well-regarded Brookdale Estate. These wines highlight the vibrant flavors and excellent value characteristic of South African Chenin Blancs. Brookdale also offers a remarkable Syrah which I’m excited to suggest this week.

Shifting to something less common, I want to draw attention to a unique bottling of Fernão Pires from Processus Winery, a small women-owned winery, which is one of only two producers of this rare grape in South Africa. Its complex, salty, and savory profile is truly intriguing.

Moreover, a standout white blend from Klein Amoskuil is worth mentioning. This qvevri-aged wine combines dry-farmed, old-vine varieties, resulting in a beautiful balance of aromatic sweetness and a dry, mineral grip.

If you’re curious about orange wines, the "Ramat" Pinot Grigio from Jermann Winery in Italy is highly recommended. Known for pioneering skin-contact wines, Jermann’s offering features just the right touch of color and texture.

Viognier lovers should also explore what Bartholemew Estate Winery in Sonoma has to offer, as their version combines richness with impressive acidity.

Lastly, let’s delve into some excellent reds. The Rosso di Valtellina and Sfursat from Tenuta Scersé are particularly noteworthy. This winery, born from a lawyer’s casual decision to lease vineyard land, produces elegant wines from a stunning valley that separates Italy from Switzerland, showcasing bright, crunchy flavors.

For detailed tasting notes on these remarkable wines, here’s what I discovered:

Tasting Notes

2017 Haliotide “Late Disgorged Blanc de Blancs – Stolo Vineyards” Chardonnay, SLO Coast, California
Pale gold with fine bubbles, aromas of sea air, lemon pith, and brioche. Taste notes include salty lemon, pastry cream, and dried orange peel. Score: 8.5-9. Cost: $97. click to buy.

2021 Stark-Condé “Monk Stone” Chenin Blanc, Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Pale gold with notes of grapefruit and white flowers. Silky palate with fantastic acidity. Score: 9-9.5. Cost: $30. click to buy.

2022 Brookdale Estate “Mason Road” Chenin Blanc, Paarl, South Africa
Pale yellow gold, aromas of lemon blossom and pears. Bright palate of lemon curd and vanilla pastry cream. Score: 8.5-9. Cost: $22. click to buy.

2023 Processus “Maria Gomes” Fernão Pires, Worcester, South Africa
Pale cloudy yellow-gold, aromas of struck match and wet wool. Salty and savory flavors with excellent acidity. Score: 8.5-9. Cost: $20. click to buy.

2021 Klein Amoskuil “Qvevri” White Blend, Coastal Region, South Africa
Dark gold, smokes of spiced apricots and brown sugar. Bright palate with a chalky texture. Score: around 9. Cost: $28.

2022 Jermann “Ramat” Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy
Pale orange-bronze, with notes of apples and peaches. Bright acidity with stony minerality. Score: 8.5-9. Cost: $42. click to buy.

2022 Bartholomew Estate “Leake Family Vineyard” Viognier, Sonoma Valley, California
Light gold, aromas of candied apricots. Lively peach and lemon flavors with good acidity. Score: 8.5-9. Cost: $??

2022 Brookdale Estate “Mason Road” Syrah, Paarl, South Africa
Dark garnet, dark berries and flowers on the nose. Flavorful blackberry and cherry. Score: around 8.5. Cost: $26. click to buy.

2023 Tenuta Scerscé “Nettare” Nebbiolo, Rosso di Valtellina, Italy
Light ruby, smells of strawberries and dried sage. Juicy acidity and light tannins. Score: around 8.5. Cost: $30. click to buy.

2018 Tenuta Scerscé “Infinito” Nebbiolo, Sforzato di Valtellina, Italy
Medium to dark ruby, aromas of raisins and herbs. Juicy flavors with brisk acidity. Score: 8.5-9. Cost: $65. click to buy.

That’s a wrap on this week’s tastings! Enjoy exploring these remarkable selections.

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!