Michael Cervin

5 days ago | intowine.com | Michael Cervin |Loren Sonkin

From the initial Canvasback launch, I have sampled this wine for years and without question this Washington state red has proven its worth. Value, yes. Structure and depth, yes. Made predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon. There are small amounts of Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc to round out the wine. It was aged just 19 months in French oak barrels, just about 1/3rd of those barrels contributing new oak. It offers slightly deeper more macerated fruit notes than its California counterparts.

1 week ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin |Michael Cervin |Jennifer Muhawi

Tasted at the winery. Manzoni Bianco is a cross between Riesling and Pinot Gris. Organic and Biodynamic. This sees seven months in Acacia barrels.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has oranges, honey and minerals.  Slightly oily texture.  Well balanced.  Good acidity.  On the palate, there is a peach/orange flavor with loads of minerality.  Nice finish.  This is lovely on its own but will be better with food.  It will work well with sausages/bratwurst or their vegan versions as well.

1 week ago | intowine.com | Michael Cervin |Loren Sonkin

Just over 25 years ago, Sea Smoke planted their first vines in the newly minted Santa Rita Hills AVA in Santa Barbara County. Though best known for Pinot Noir, they also produce Chardonnay and a sparkling wine. Their 2022 Chardonnay is an all estate, 100% Chardonnay offering. The flavors in the bottle are delicate, nuanced, quiet. There is light lime Kiefer, lemon meringue, guava, Alpine, grasses, lemon curd, and light peach notes. The acidity is there and holds the wine in check in the background.

1 week ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin |Michael Cervin |Jennifer Muhawi

Garganega, Trebbiano Toscano, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Saorin (a local name for Tocai or Friuliano).  One percent of the wine is made with the Passito style.  The wine is fermented in steel tanks and then aged in barrels.  Pale golden in color, clear and bright.  The  nose is deep with some minerality, lemons and an interesting cantaloupe note.  Medium bodied.  Lovely oily texture.  Great acidity.  On the palate, tart apples and some lemon.  Also a bit of cumquat.  Long, fruity finish.

2 weeks ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin |Michael Cervin

Tasted at the winery.  Another Timorasso.  It seems many Piedmon producers are making really nice white wines from this grape and at reasonable pricing.  And, they bottles will supposedly age five to ten years.  This one is pale, yellow/gold in color.  Clear and bright. The nose is mostly about minerality but there is a touch of orange peel.  Light to medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, the citrus is a bit more in the forefront but this has loads of minerality, too.  Long finish.