Gård Vintners 2014 Lawrence Vineyard Grand Klasse Reserve Riesling, Columbia Valley, $24
Aryn Morell has made his mark with big reds for Napa icon Dennis Cakebread’s Mullan Road project, Ardor Cellars, Tenor and his own Alleromb brand. His work here for the Lawrence family and their Gård Vintners program shows a deft touch with Riesling. Josh Lawrence grows the noble German white grape at nearly 1,700 feel elevation, making it one of the loftiest plantings in Washington. The family with Scandinavian roots dubs its reserve program as “Grand Klasse,” and Morell takes a special approach to this dry Riesling by fermenting it in 67% new French oak for several months and then bottle-aging it for nearly two years. Aromas of cotton candy, Cling peach, ginger and cinnamon transition to flavors of white peach and lavender, backed a fascinating and long finish of an Arnold Palmer with ginger. It’s essentially bone-dry with scintillating acidity and plenty of fruit for great balance.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 140 cases
Alcohol: 13.6%
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