Joseph Swan Vineyards Pinot Gris "Orange Wine" Saralee's Vineyard

13.0% alcohol. Very lively still. Deep salmon color. Nose that screams Saralee's Pinot Noir to me, which makes it really fun to toss into a lineup blind. It is a beautiful marriage of the light, strawberry and red cherry side of Pinot Noir and the stony-fruited nature of Pinot Gris. A perfect way to see the relationship between these two grapes. Fun and delicious. A-

One of the better American orange wine efforts, I think. Headed in the right direction. Also: as good on day 5 as on day 1.

Sonoma/Mendocino Vacation; 2/8/2015-2/11/2015 (Russian River Valley, Anderson Valley) : Homemade strawberry jam. Tart, good fruit, some funk, earthy, more like a light pinot noir than pinot gris or other orange wines I've had. My companions called it funky yet really delicious. I'd buy more.