September 2026 | Enthusiast Wine Club
by Caileen BrisonRafael Palacios 2024 Louro do Bolo Godello
Rafa started this project in 2004, focusing primarily on Godello, a native variety to the region. While Godello is a lesser-known varietal on a global scale, it is cherished in Spain and Galicia as a rounder, more coating counterpart to Albariño. In the glass, this wine shines with notes of pollen and underripe pineapple alongside lifted tones of gardenia and lemongrass. The overall fruit profile seems to flirt with prominence without ever quite attaining that status. The palate features a taut minerality, moderate acidity, and a soft, leesy finish. After several hours, the wine stays fairly consistent, feeling more cohesive as time passes. By day two, the wine is even more expansive, adding an edge of shortbread and brighter acidity while maintaining all of its day-one characteristics.
For food pairings, there are a wide variety of options here, so long as you stick with white meats and avoid brassica or overly acidic foods. Dishes that come to mind include shrimp or fish tacos, octopus paella, or grilled nectarines with sea salt and olive oil. Drink now through 2030 in all-purpose stemware, served just above refrigeration temperature.
Robert Sinskey 2019 Orgia Pinot Gris
The “Orgia” Pinot Gris is made using the traditional Ramato method, but Sinskey takes this beautiful copper-skinned fruit and vinifies 50% direct-to-press and 50% on skins for two weeks. Sinskey also holds back their wines for several years - including their Pinot Gris - making this 2019 vintage their current release. “Orgia” is a light salmon color in the glass, featuring a nose of graham cracker, shortbread, and orange blossom. The palate is lightly tannic and noticeably salty, with a unique profile of cotton candy, blue raspberry, and a hint of brioche. After a brief time in the glass, the wine opens to a more playful note of orange gummy bear, Lipton tea, rooibos, and marzipan. While the palate stays on that trajectory throughout the day, by day two, the wine evolves into a lighter, brighter expression of a creamsicle. I loved it on day two! It's a lovely reminder that orange wine can truly stand the test of time in the glass, the bottle, and the cellar.
Regarding food pairings, orange wines reign supreme in their versatility. Try anything from spicy soppressata pizza to bruschetta to seared ahi tuna; have fun with it! Drink now through 2029 in all-purpose stemware, served between refrigeration temperature and room temperature.
Rootdown 2023 Jane’s Vineyard Sangiovese
Jane’s Vineyard is a two-acre hobby vineyard managed by - you guessed it - Jane, who meticulously farms her land as if it were her life’s work. This Sangiovese was vinified with 50% whole clusters and 50% destemmed fruit, then aged in 500L puncheons.
Immediately upon opening, the wine displays dark cherry fruit leather with grippy tannins nostalgic of Chianti. Green aromatics of sweet mint and tomato leaf lift out of the glass, adding elegant layers to the experience. After about an hour, the acidity becomes slightly more pronounced as wild herb notes like oregano and sage emerge. By the end of day one, the profile shifts toward baked cherry pie with cinnamon, baked Roma tomatoes, and more oregano. The phenolics soften into a subdued finish, balanced by the heightened acidity. By day two, the nose is elegantly floral and soft, showing hints of baby powder and the center of a cherry pie.
For food pairings, I would opt for margherita or pepperoni pizza, vegetable bruschetta, or mushroom risotto. Drink now through 2031. Serve in all-purpose stemware at cellar temperature.