The 2009 Moonstone Savagnin (a grape of France’s Jura region) which the winery originally believed to be Albarino gives off a foresty, pine, resin, and honeydew perfume leading to a surprisingly concentrated, vibrant wine that would pair well with raw oysters. Drink it over the next 12-18 months. Gemtree makes wine from estate-grown fruit (as they move toward fully biodynamic and organic farming). Gemtree also manages 1500 acres for other growers and sells some of their own grapes to other wineries. However, their focus appears to be on making quality wine as the new Gemtree collection is filled with outstanding value from top to bottom.Importer: Bacchus Importers, Dundalk, MD; tel. (410) 484-2700

Taut, tart, tangy and appealing for its marmalade-inflected pear and orange flavors. Drink now. 600 cases made.??–HS??Region: Australia / McLaren Vale Select to Add

This is an intriguing wine that the winery made “naturally,” with indigenous yeasts, no additions and no filtration. It’s slightly musky and nutty at the same time, with a slightly creamy note to the pineapple-like fruit. It’s medium-bodied, at 12.5% abv, round in the mouth, yet crisp and slightly chalky on the finish. ——J.C.(5/1/2011)—— 87