Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/807387
94 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } APRIL/MAY 2017 { speed tasting report } Joe Shirley, Winemaker, Folie à Deux. FOLIE À DEUX 2015 PINOT GRIS, Sonoma Coast (SRP $18) Stephen Reustle, Owner/ Winemaker, Reustle–Prayer Rock Vineyards. REUSTLE– PRAYER ROCK VINEYARDS 2014 SMARAGD GRÜNER VELTLINER Umpqua Valley, Oregon (SRP $32) Yet another curveball thrown, but perhaps a bit more historic in nature was the Grüner Veltliner from Umpqua Valley. Says Owner/Winemaker Stephen Reustle, "In 2005 we were the first win - ery in the U.S. to make Grüner Veltliner. I probably don't have to tell you that Grüner is the most food-friendly, age- worthy white wine. In fact, this past year Sonoma's Folie à Deux provided one of the day's biggest curve balls: a Pinot Gris from Sonoma. Winemaker Joe Shirley, with his casual carriage and sport - ing a beard and a Russian River Brewery button-up, appears more like a brewmaster until you hear him dive into great detail regarding his wines. "This is actually a relatively new addition to the portfolio," he said. "We've been making Chardonnay for a long time and we wanted a second white. It's pretty true to varietal. As far as white wine pro - duction in Sonoma, there's a lot of Chardonnay, a little bit of Sauv Blanc and then a sharp drop—only about 2,000 tons of the third most popu - lar white grape, Pinot Gris. This is our second year making Pinot Gris. It's a Sonoma Coast label, but at this point it's all from Russian River. We have to keep the appellation expanded because of the small amount of Pinot Gris available. We pay a bit more than district average, but it does really well in the Russian River. No barrels involved. Stainless just to get some lees influence but no oak. Eight-hundred-case pro - duction right now but we're going to be able to get more Pinot Gris next year." Tasting Notes: Red apple, apple skin, juicy lemon, white peach, beer yeast, marzipan and a soft herbaceous undertone. —Phillip Dunn Intense aromatics, floral; lilacs in particular, pear, and then herbal notes, aloe and green tea; tart yet soft. —Daniel Bailey