2017 Cameron Winery, Giuliano Bianco, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
John Paul, legendary Pinot Noir winemaker at Oregon’s famed Cameron Winery in Dundee, is a northern Italy junkie and loves the wines of Piedmont and the Friuli, which has inspired him to craft wines influenced by these regions they include a skin contact “orange wine” made from Pinot Gris, a Barolo like Nebbiolo and this wonderful and complex Friuli like white blend called Giuliano that is made from estate grown Auxerrois, Friuliano, Muscat (Moscato), Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. This thrilling aromatic white is brisk, sultry, and has a saline rich vitality with a dry/crisp body, but with a glorious array of flavors, glycerin and expansion, especially when it warms slightly and with air. The Giuliano Bianco comes from Cameron’s two estate vineyards, Clos Electrique and Abbey Ridge that also has mineral rich volcanic soils that add a vibrant savory/spicy tone to the profile making for a very interesting wine that is perfect for briny sea foods, creamy pasta dishes and lighter cuisine choices. Those that have been following my articles with know that in the last few years I have really dug deep into the Cameron wines and I have a great admiration for John Paul’s extended lineup of offerings and while his Pinots and Chards are his most famous, I am impressed with this Italian style wines, and this wine is extremely lovely and serious with studied details, texture, mineral and exciting energy! This vintage has a ton of personality and zippy freshness showing flowing layers of bright citrus, lemon/lime, orchard white fruits, nectarine and unripe apple fruits as well as zesty mint sprigs, a touch of wax, chamomile, verbena, spicy wet stones and jasmine all in a tight frame and with a lighter body that has surprising mouth feel, expressive palate impact and presence in the glass. There are a lot of great white blends in the new world, but I must say this one by Cameron is one of the better ones, and most unique, it takes the best qualities of each of the grapes and allows them to shine in a way that they cannot to do on their own in most cases, I highly recommend this Giuliano Bianco, it tastes great now and just might be even more interesting with some age too.
($29 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive