2013 Alfaro Family Vineyards, Gruner Veltliner, La Playita Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains.
Richard Alfaro’s latest Gruner is a electric/zingy and super crisp white that will appeal to acid freaks, it is a fantastic example of varietal and it shows bright flavors and is very refreshing. The La Playita Gruner is all from certified organic vines on the Alfaro estate and it gives a clear view into the grape’s potential, and in fact Richard Alfaro is so pleased with the results he has grafted over another plot of Gruner Veltliner, plus this success has given him the push to plant more white varietals, he will have a small crop of Grenache Blanc and Albarino very soon. The Gruner is very exciting with lots of character, it blitzes the palate with zesty lemon/lime, white peach, green apple skin, loamy saline, white pepper, verbena and almond oil. This pale/greenish hued dry white, 12% alcohol, is light to medium in body with great life, vigor and intensity, making a good case for this Austrian grape in the state, especially here in the cool Santa Cruz Mountains, very near the Pacific Ocean, drink this interesting expression over the next year or so, and be sure to search out these cool new offerings from Alfaro Family Vineyards.
($25 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
