A Collection of Wines Tasted Recently

Wines arrive constantly at my doorstep and occasionally, I end up with wines that didn't fit into a tasting elsewhere that still merit write-ups. Such is the case here, with both of the reds being personal favorites.

Whites
90
Melville Winery 2012 Chardonnay Estate Sta. Rita Hills 14.5% $NA
Vibrant, gold yellow in appearance, this wine smells of umami: cheese rind and yeast hulls, especially. A fully mature Chardonnay at or just past its peak, this is definitely a wine for the table. It is bold and focused in savory flavors. It is such a treat to taste this older Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay!
Drink: 2021-22 

90
Pewsey Vale 2018 Riesling 1961 Block Riesling Eden Valley 12.5% $29
This old vine Riesling is a "best of" in Australian Riesling thanks to its old vines planted in 1961. Mind you, the original Pewsey Vale vineyard was planted in 1847! This bottling was first made in 1964. 

Bracingly dry in the classic, low-alcohol Australian Riesling style, this wine crawls with citrus rind, almond skin, white pepper and chamomile. I appreciate that it is not so biting that it can be enjoyed on its own, but it really does shine with anything that comes from the water and has a shell. I am fantasizing about lemongrass and coconut milk mussels with this wine! If you don't get to it today, you have plenty of time. This will easily last another six to eight years thanks to its intense flavor and generous, lingering finish.
Drink: 2021-28 

89
Hugel & Fils 2018 Pinot Gris Classic "Hugel" 14.5% $18
Initially rather neutral on the nose, with some aggressive aeration (or even oxygenation via the WinePrO2), this wine shows classic Pinot Gris spice with a sumptuous, full mid-palate texture and a mild, waxy finish. This is nicely balanced between youthful and mature notes with smashed yellow apples, spice and hazelnuts rounding out the flavors.
Drink: 2021-23 

88
Lapostolle 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Grand Selection Central Valley 13.5% $16
This lush, fresh Sauvignon Blanc over-delivers for its price tag. Richly flavored with tones of passion fruit and Canary melon sprinkled with fresh herbs, exuberant flavors coat the fuller-bodied palate. Alas, they fall short on the finish, but the overall balance and vibrancy of flavor makes this forgivable. There is no perceptible tannin, and the acidity is suavely integrated and refreshing. This is a wine ready to enjoy.
Drink: 2021-22 

Reds
94*
Ayoub Wines 2019 Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard Whole Cluster Dundee Hills 12.2% $75
Bursting with a seemingly contagious, youthful exuberance, this wine tastes happy (err...were that possible?) and harmonious. I usually find the Whole Cluster Estate Vineyard Pinot - especially at this early age - to be a bit feisty. The knees and elbows of its potential show in crisp acidity and sometimes raspy tannins. However, while the 2019 started with some bursts of toast that are typical of Mo's wines at this age, as the bottle opened up, the abundant and concentrated fruit gobbled up the oak notes. The sleek palate - clocking in at a blissfully light 12.2% abv - is redolent with aromas of black cherries, black plums and boysenberries. Hard to resist now, as this mellows in the bottle it will layer on further complexity.
Drink: 2021-27 

91*
Valle Reale 2017 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Vigneto Sant'Eusanio 13% $22
Vinous, round and juicy, this generously-fruited wine exudes the southern Italian sun into the glass. Impeccably clean, the dignified fruit delineation is very red fruit-driven with pomegranate, red plum and oodles of cherries. There is a gentle presence of mild, talcum powder-like tannins. The finish has lovely length with refreshing acidity to make it definitively moreish. This drinks more like a $30-35 wine! It can stand up well for a few years, but it would be a true shame to not devour it today.
Drink: 2021-23