Paul Gregutt has a recent Substack on Washington state Chenins so I bought up a few of the latest vintages this weekend to revisit them. Starting with Kiona “Old Vines”. Pale yellow white, excellent clarity. Some melon and orchard fruit in the nose. Dryish with some spritz-like character in the middle, slightly viscous body, some skin astringency on the finish. An array of flavors - melon lemon apple pear stone fruit, good enough acid for the dryish sugar level. Easy sipping, great complexity and value for the money. The spritz is actually a tactile sensation on the tongue coming from some combination of the wine’s acidity and grape skin tannin astringency.
Paul Gregutt has a recent Substack on Washington state Chenins so I bought up a few of the latest vintages this weekend to revisit them. Starting with Kiona “Old Vines”. Pale yellow white, excellent clarity. Some melon and orchard fruit in the nose. Dryish with some spritz-like character in the middle, slightly viscous body, some skin astringency on the finish. An array of flavors - melon lemon apple pear stone fruit, good enough acid for the dryish sugar level. Easy sipping, great complexity and value for the money. The spritz is actually a tactile sensation on the tongue coming from some combination of the wine’s acidity and grape skin tannin astringency.
Sep 21st, 2025
Columbia Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
