New Clairvaux Vineyard, Tehama County (California) Moschofilero 2018

 This is an entirely faithful Golden State rendition of Moschofilero, one of Greece’s most admired varieties and a star in the northern Peloponnese.  The variety has a strong signature that’s somewhat akin to Viognier in its floral aromatics, but usually with more energetic acidity, and in that respect closer to Albariño.  If you have a chance to taste this, I think you’ll find that those likenesses really play out in this wine, which gets off to a great start with very expressive scents of honeysuckle and orange blossom, followed by stone fruit flavors with a little hint of mandarin orange.  Body is medium-plus, with a bracing shot of acidity in the finish that keeps the floral notes seeming fresh.  Delicious…and enduringly interesting.  A Platinum Award winner at the 2019 San Diego International Wine and Spirits Challenge.