Lions Peak Vineyards

Lions Peak winemaker Jennifer Soni has created something as well-endowed and fleshy as the beautiful dancing nymphs who grace the label of this most unusual wine. They’re not Rubenesque, just lush, lovely and as beguiling as this wine. Made from big and bold Rhones including Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, along with that flirtatious mistress of intrigue, Muscat, this tropical fruit bomb is one big party in a glass.

The Sisters will satisfy those who prefer their whites large, sweet, dense, slightly nutty and tropical. Somehow, I can’t stop thinking about “Animal House,” and how this wine would have dropped all the jaws at that smarmy little women’s college where Otter tries to pick up the girl who turns out to be dead. The wine was barrel-aged in 100 percent French oak, and those staves really add some pleasant coconuttiness, pina colada-like texture and ample structure.

Exotic wildflower and honey aromas fill the nose, along with hints of butterscotch toffee and baked apples. Marvellous sweet ripe flavours of apricots, Tuscan and Casaba melons, rich, nutty, buttery baked apple and pear crisp plus coconut, ripe pineapple and starfruit fill the mouth and do not quit. Some wines cringe at the thought of Gorgonzola cheese: The Sisters demand a plate full of the biggest, boldest cheeses you can think of, and throw some buttery crackers and sliced pears on the plate, along with a handful of Marcona almonds. Bring it on, baby. These ladies have it handled. They’re just looking for someone to party with: can you handle it?

Reviewed January 17, 2008 by Laura Ness.