2024 St. Innocent - Pinot Noir Villages Cuvee Willamette Valley (750ml)

Creamy mousse and delicate, long-lasting bead. Nose: Admirably rich, intense, and harmonious. Lovely, crisp spiciness with hints of apple and peach, plus wisteria and acacia blossom. Palate: Rich, forward fruitiness, with supple, velvety mouthfeel. Admirable fullness and length, closely mirroring the nose. A wine of great balance and elegance.

-Winery notes

Tannat is arguably the signature grape of Uruguay, but I've been pretty impressed by the Albariño there too. FAAA! shows all the crisp, briny hallmarks of Albariño from Galicia, but a bit richer pear and melon fruit on the palate. It's not easy to find good examples of the grape under $20, so this is really a great deal for a super-flexible food-friendly white. This will be a real crowd-pleaser either as a walk-around or with dinner. - John Fitter | Addy Bassin's

FAAA! Albariño is made by third generation winemaker Santiago Deicas in the Juanico subregion of Canelones, Uruguay. The Deicas Family moved to South America from the Alpine town of Bormio, Italy and founded their winery in 1978. They first started planting Albariño in 2009 and now have approximately 12 acres of Albariño under vine. Juanico is a coastal region that benefits from a temperate climate and well drained soils that allow for a slow ripening period which enables the fruit to develop a natural acidity and salinity. - Importer notes (Brazos)