Year after year, some of the Pacific Northwest’s top white wines are blends of the classic Bordeaux varieties, and Lowden, Wash., winemaker Mike Sharon burnishes his reputation with this vintage of Luminesce. The Sept. 10-11 harvest of Sèmillon (60%) and Sauvignon Blanc from vaunted Seven Hills Vineyard spent four months in French barrels to build the nose of light toast, almond, fig, apple and pear with a hint of gooseberry from the Sauv Blanc. Inside, the drink is rich, round and luscious, an attribute of the 30 percent malolactic fermentation, with flavors of passion fruit, apple and pear. A splash of lemony acidity makes for a long finish. This earned a gold medal at the 2015 Walla Walla Valley Wine Competition, an annual judging that funds scholarships for students at Walla Walla Community College’s Center for Enology & Viticulture.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 1,260 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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