Forlorn Hope, Alta Mesa (Central Coast, California) Alvarelhao 2009

 This wine is so fruity — berries, cherries — that it’s almost bubble-gummy.  It’s so fruity that you’d think it was sweet, though it’s completely dry.  This will sound damning, though it’s not meant to be: it reminds me of fruity wines that big companies like Gallo or The Wine Group try to make through technology, albeit for lower prices.  Nothing wrong with a simple fruit bowl, but $20 feels steep for it.  12.9% alcohol, 127 cases.