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Troon Vineyard 2019 Vermentino Amphora Amber Applegate Valley 13.1% $35
Slightly murkey in appearance due to some possible sediment as well as plenty of tartrate crystals at the bottom of the bottle, this wine needs some coaxing out of the bottle. I always taste amber or orange wines at cellar or room temperature, and I prefer this one at modern-day room temperature. In my home, that is about 69 F on a chilly autumn night.

The wine needs air - rather, the oxygen in the air - to blossom. First opened, the wine smells of tangerine peel or orange zest and Marcona almonds. As it opens up, it expands into aromas of passion fruit green tea and star anise. The complexity is very compelling. However, don't open it with expectations of immediate pleasure. The tannic pinch and ample acidity do give the wine time to age, so perhaps as time rolls on it will be more forthcoming straight out of the bottle? This is certified vegan and biodynamic. Only 95 cases were produced.
Drink: 2020-24