Abraxas is the name of a god or demon depending on which Ancient sect you consult. The mystic psychologist Karl Jung appropriated the name to refer to a God higher than the Christian God and the Devil, that combines all opposites into one Being.
In his The Seven Sermons to the Dead Jung writes:
Abraxas speaketh that hallowed and accursed word which is life and death at the same time. Abraxas begetteth truth and lying, good and evil, light and darkness in the same word and in the same act. Therefore is Abraxas terrible.
Well that is quite a bit for a wine to be.
But I suppose this wine does achieve a synthesis of opposing forces. As a blend of 41% Riesling, 28% Pinot Gris, 23% Pinot Blanc, and 8% Gewurtztraminer, with grapes biodynamically and organically grown in the Scintilla Sonoma Vineyard and delivered in the lovely flute-shaped bottle characteristic of Alsace, this is a California wine designed to put you in an Alsatian state of mind.
Tangerine, subtle apricot, a hint of pineapple and white flowers vie for your attention on the nose. The aromas largely stay within the citrus-stone fruit range suggesting a relatively cool year. There is no hint of oak. Fermented very dry, it is round and supple on the palate with a medium body and plenty of racy acidity. Well-defined, lively and vibrant, this wine has poise and class with nothing angular until the medium length finish which is quite tart—like a new acquaintance who is friendly on first impression but a little sharp tongued when you get to know her.
A distinctive, unusual California wine, and very satisfying. With the clarity of the fruit and strong acidity this is a good candidate for aging.
13.1% alc.
Price: $37
Wine Score: 90/100
Exploring the Philosophy of Food and Wine 