Vinography Unboxed: Highlights and Discoveries from the Week of June 22, 2025

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Vinography Unboxed, where I share my thoughts on some delightful wine samples that have recently arrived.

This week, we’re diving into refreshing summer wines, starting with two brisk whites from Portuguese winemaker Anselmo Mendes, in collaboration with the Symington family, notable for their Port. These wines, both from the Vinho Verde region, are made from native grape varieties Alvarinho and Loureiro and are nothing short of delicious. It’s clear Mendes and Symington have a successful partnership.

From Oregon’s Teutonic Wine Company, known for its eclectic offerings, I’ll be highlighting two interesting whites. The Gewürztraminer offers a light and fresh take on this often-overlooked variety, while their Candied Mushroom Riesling boasts a unique umami character from botrytized fruit, adding mystery and depth.

Curious about the Durella grape? It’s a rare find from Italy’s Veneto region, recognized for high acidity. The Masari winery blends it with Riesling for a charming white known as Agnobianco, named after the Agno Valley where it’s grown. This bottle offers great value at a reasonable price.

As summer rolls in, it’s time to embrace rosé! I recommend three: the SCAIA Rosé, a light peach blend from the Rondinella grape, offers freshness and herbal notes; the La Valentina Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, while lighter, projects ample cherry fruit; and from Emme Wines, Rosalind Reynolds’ Carignan rosé brings bright berry notes to the table.

From Piedmont, I sampled two wines from GD Vajra: their new Barbera d’Alba and the Claré J.C. Langhe Nebbiolo, both true to their varietals with vibrant freshness, indicating good aging potential.

Lastly, I’ve got two Brunellos to feature: La Casaccia di Franceschi’s 2019 Riserva, showing the development of secondary flavors, and the 2020 Pietroso, boasting bright fruit combined with earthy elements, crafted from high elevation vineyards.

Tasting Notes

2024 Mendes & Symington “Contacto” Alvarinho, Vinho Verde, Portugal
Light blonde with aromas of green apple and unripe apricot. The palate features electric acidity with flavors of lime and peach. Aged in steel, 12.5% alcohol. Score: around 9. Cost: $22.

2024 Mendes & Symington “Contacto” Loureiro, Vinho Verde, Portugal
Pale gold showcasing lemon peel and floral notes. The taste is zippy with honey and a hint of chalky minerality. Aged in steel, 12% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $22.

2024 Teutonic Wine Co. “Candied Mushroom” Riesling, Oregon
Pale gold with honey and dried herbs. Juicy lemon flavors- an earthy note reminiscent of candy cap mushrooms. 11.56% alcohol. Score: around 9. Cost: $36.

2023 Teutonic Wine Co. “Crow Valley Vineyard” Gewürztraminer, Oregon
Pale gold with aromas of lychee. Crisp with orange blossom flavors. 11.6% alcohol. Score: around 9. Cost: $24.

2022 Masari “Agnobianco” White Blend, Veneto, Italy
Light gold with honey and golden apple notes. Crisp acidity complements honey and dried herbs. A blend of Riesling and Durella, 12.5% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $22.

2024 SCAIA Rosato, Veneto, Italy
Pale peachy pink with watermelon and crabapple aromas. Crisp with a hint of bitterness on the finish. 12.5% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $14.

2024 Emme Wines “Ricetti Vineyard” Rosé of Carignan, California
Pale ruby with cherry aromas. Silky with cherry and berry flavors, 11.5% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $30.

2024 La Valentina Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, Italy
Pale ruby, aromatic with cherries and herbs. Bright acidity enhances its freshness. 13% alcohol. Score: around 9. Cost: $22.

2024 GD Vajra Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy
Medium garnet color, smelling of blackberries and orange peel. Mouthwatering with electric acidity and a lovely finish. 13.5% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $25.

2024 GD Vajra “Claré J.C.” Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont, Italy
Light to medium garnet with strawberry and dried herbs on the nose. Intense on the palate, with excellent acidity. 13% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $25.

2020 Pietroso Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany
Medium ruby, with cherry and herbal aromas. Suede-like tannins and balanced acidity. 15% alcohol. Score: around 8.5. Cost: $89.

2019 La Casaccia di Franceschi “Riserva” Brunello, Tuscany
Medium ruby with coffee highlights. Smells of sandalwood and dried cherries, with a plush tannin structure. 14.5% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $175.

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!