2016 Cameron Winery, Giulliano, Friuli Style White Blend, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
An absolutely killer white from John Paul at Cameron, one of the best new world alt-whites of the year so far for me, this Oregon white blend is a gorgeous Friuli inspired wine, made from Friulano, (Pinot) Auxerois, Pinot Bianco (Blanc) and Muscat, it’s a dry and wonderfully textural with subtle perfume, spice and mineral tones. This is a wine that performs way beyond the mix and make up of it’s ingredients, you would not be excited by the listed grapes maybe, but this white blend is a surprising success in the bottle, and you’ll not want to miss this new world Italian style offering. Sourced from Dundee Hills, with it’s Jory soils (volcanic) and grown in a sustainable way these grapes all add to the complexity here, it’s quite lush at 13.6%, but still lively, gripping and balanced, this is ultra impressive and expressive with layers of citrus, stone fruit and subtle tropical elements with just a faint jasmine/white flower bouquet. For those admirers of Dan Petroski’s Massican, Mathiasson, Wind Gap, Arnot-Roberts or Palmina, you shouldn’t miss this wine, John Paul, of Cameron Winery, known for his classic Pinot Noir(s), like Randall Grahm of Boony Doon Vineyard, who’s white wines are some of his best creations, doesn’t get enough attention for his whites, and this wine absolutely rocks for the price, as does John Paul’s Chardonnay, plus don’t miss his deeply colored skin contact Pinot Grigio! The mouth feel is lovely, but like a fine Muscadet it has a saline element that makes it a savvy choice for oysters, the Cameron Giuliano is all stainless steel fermented and aged, showing freshness of detail, leesy roundness, clean and clear flavors with a medium body. Bright orange/tangerine, wild peach, lemon/lime, melon and a kiss of apricot flesh shine on the vinous palate with a hint of honeysuckle, sweet and sour herbs, loamy notes, wet flint/stones and a steely charm that is lifted by the natural acidity in this generously mouth filling white, this is rocking good stuff.
($25 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
