4 | Wine | Other White, 2010

"Crisp, stony, grapefruit and citrus notes are present in this light-bodied, dry, mineral-laced Muscadet. Wines such as this are the perfect foil for freshly shucked oysters. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years."

"Fermented and aged in stainless steel, it displays aromas of baking spices, jasmine, waxy minerality, and a hint of honey. In the glass dry, savory white fruits lead to a nicely proportioned wine with a lengthy finish. It is an excellent value for drinking over the next 1-2 years."

"The 2010 Verdejo sports an alluring perfume of nutmeg, spring flowers, stone fruits, and pink grapefruit. Vibrant, well-proportioned, and forward in the glass, this tasty effort will deliver pleasure for another 3 years."

"Fresh apple and peach aromas are complemented by honeysuckle and orange peel. Very fruity and smooth in the mouth, offering lively orchard and pit fruit flavors braced by tangy acidity. Just a bit loose-knit on the clinging finish, which repeats the pear note."

"The 2010 Robola has evolved brilliantly with a little more time to settle down, finally showing better integration of its parts and revealing itself to be ageworthy as well. This is a rather obscure grape for most consumers and little understood. This shows what it is all about. Pulling this wine out of the refrigerator and tasting it promptly is a really bad idea. It is big and crisp. At 50?F or below, it was all acid, no fruit, austere, shrill and charmless. In the mid-fifties, I began to see hints of the wine I first saw again, and it did not really hit stride until it passed 60?F, finally becoming somewhat more fruit forward – relatively speaking. This, in short, not only remains lovely, but seems to have improved considerably, showing the ability to project both fruit and power. The finish is intense and gripping. It has somewhat grassy, but restrained nuances. It should hold better than I first thought, although I am going to remain a bit conservative, and it is not yet at peak. Just for a cherry on top, the price is nice, too."

"Pale yellow. Spicy lemon pith and green apple on the nose, with white pepper and honeysuckle adding lift. Shows deeper tangerine and mango on the palate, with a bitter herbal quality adding bite. Finishes pleasantly bitter, with good lift and a touch of closing warmth. This wine reminded me of a good Chateauneuf du Pape blanc, which makes it an excellent value."