Carneros Della Notte Vineyards Riesling San Francisco Bay Late Harvest 'Solstice' 2006

This dessert wine makes me want to get romantic. . . . I picture a roaring fire and candlelight a bottle of this and my handsome man. *sigh* As I inhale and close my eyes I am taken back to my first introduction to pear brandy - it's heady aroma is followed by nuances of roasted almonds. On your tongue it lingers with notes of honey and a nuttiness that follows in likeness the almonds in the bouquet. It finishes with a hint of orange marmalade that lingers achingly.

The aromas bring to mind a pear, citrus and a pinch of honey (with a port-like concentration). The flavors coat your mouth with the above aroma sensations, but also have a more present nutty flavor and some mango and citrus. Very sweet and delicious!

As far a desert wines go, this one had it all. The nose was a sweet mixture of walnuts, hazelnuts, and a rich peach reduction sauce. The taste was deliciously sweet with dominating characteristics of orange marmalade and honey. I'm not saying I would drink this wine all night, but it is an excellent way to top off a nice dinner with a light desert. I would even go as far as saying that in order to serve this wine with desert, one would need to find something that is much less sweet than this wine, otherwise whatever you serve just might be overpowered by the sweet Riesling...

rich with a golden hue, the 2006 SOLSTICE late harvest Riesling has a full bouquet of fruit aromas dripping with honey, sweet vanilla and a hint of citrus. Notes of honeysuckle, botrytis character, with subtle flavors of dried apricots intergraded with brioche. A finish that is luscious, deep and warm, lingers on the palate.

I'm not normally big on dessert wines but this was truly delicious.

As the summer months roll toward us, there's a good reason for us to keep our eyes open for sweet refreshing beverages to stock up on for hot summer days. Get your hands on a bottle or two (or a case or two!) of this great late harvest Reisling! The nose is complex and enticing, with aromas of pears, almonds and toffee with a gritty rocky component as well that arches my eyebrow and piques my curiosity as I go in for my first sip. There are dazzling honey and pear components that dominate this wine right off, but as you take a few more sips there are subtle toffee nut components trying to make an appearance as well. The finish is where the roasted nut flavors really take over. A great dessert treat!!

As the summer months roll toward us, there's a good reason for us to keep our eyes open for sweet refreshing beverages to stock up on for hot summer days. Get your hands on a bottle or two (or a case or two!) of this great late harvest Reisling! The nose is complex and enticing, with aromas of pears, almonds and toffee with a gritty rocky component as well that arches my eyebrow and piques my curiosity as I go in for my first sip. There are dazzling honey and pear components that dominate this wine right off, but as you take a few more sips there are subtle toffee nut components trying to make an appearance as well. The finish is where the roasted nut flavors really take over. A great dessert treat!!