Small tasting group last night, theme 'Open White', in which by complete coincidence the night opened and closed with gewurztraminers. I supplied three of the bottles.
2012 Dowsett Family Gewürztraminer Celilo Vineyard Columbia Gorge
Made at Buty by the new winemaker but under his own label. Nose of ginger and lychee helped me ID blind as gewurz, and I guessed WA because it seemed too bright and lively for an Alsace. Alsatian Gewurz diehards might find it underperfurmed, but gewurz non-fans like me will love it's not being cloying or heavy.
2012 Mullineux Family Wines White Swartland White Blend
My wine. Chenin blanc and viognier. Nose of celery, lavender and lemon with quince fruit on the palate along with pear and a touch of ginger. Full-bodied with richness tamed by substantial acidity, and less honeyed than a previous bottle. Nice to finally taste some serious SA chenin! Terrific wine.
2012 Sassarini Cinque Terre White Blend
No oak, salinity, some stems but not a lot, white melon, spritz of lemon and lime. I went straight to Italy but couldn't get a step further. Turns out it's 40% bosco, 40% albarola and 20% other. Very refreshing! No idea on price, but this flavor/style/body should run around $15.
2011 Celler Cal Pla Priorat Blanco Mas d'en Compte White Blend
My wine. Blend of white grenache, picpoul and xarel-ho. Brulee nose, intense, super ripe pear fruit with candied grapefruit, pancakes, and coffee ice cream. Oxidative notes threaten. But where it was quite flashy and in your face the first hour, it dialed way back and became almost demure by comparison in the second. Aromas and flavors do not remind me the same wine last August, but the dramatic reversal from the first hour to the second is identical. I loved it then, but not so much now. What an odd wine!
2002 Navarro Vineyards Gewürztraminer Anderson Valley
Also my wine. Pale gold color. Nose of honey, spice cake, ginger and parsnips with a hint of salted caramel. Difficult for others to guess both grape and origins, and when they did guess Califiornia it was because they thought it a fat young wine vs. a relaxed 12 year old bottle! Great showing. WOTN for all.