CA
Wines of the Year:
"Other" Whites - Round 1
We
continue our look back at some of our favorite wines
from 2011 along with new bottles that wineries submitted as
their own favorites.
Wines
were divided into categories according to their type and/or
varietal compositions. (A minimum of 10 submissions were required
to create a category.)
Based
on the wines submitted, we created the following categories:
Best CA Bordeaux (red)
Best CA Rhone (red)
Best CA Burgundian (red & white)
Best "Other" CA Red
Best "Other" CA White/Rosé
Best CA Port/Dessert Wine
Then,
for our first round of tastings, the members of our panel that
work (or have worked) in the wine industry gathered to select
the best wines from each category. Those bottles will be tasted
during the final round by the non-industry members of our panel.
They'll be voting for their favorites in each specific category
as well their overall favorite Red, White, and Port/Dessert
Wine.
The
next category up is Best "Other" CA White/Rosé.
In a nut shell, that means any white wine other than Chardonnay.
(Chardonnay was the only varietal with enough submissions for
its own category.) Sure, that's a wide range, but it's fitting
in a way. After all, when it comes to sales, there's Chardonnay
and then there's everything else. Here are the reviews for each
submission.
2011
CA Wine of the Year "Other" Whites - Round 1
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Cedarville
Viognier 2009
Winery:
Cedarville
Grape(s): Viognier
Region: El Dorado County
Year: 2009
Special Designation: Organically &
Sustainability farmed
Price: 15-20
Review:
A bouquet of peach, honeysuckle, and nutty suggestions
rises up from a glass. A sip reveals floral, peach, and
pear notes accented by suggestions of minerals and a hint
of lemon zest. A wine that's somewhat round, its lush
fruit is in harmony with brighter highlights of flavor.
If you're a fan of balanced Viognier or unoaked Chardonnay,
you should try this bottle.
Rating: 90 |
|
Heller
Estate Chenin Blanc 2009
Winery:
Heller Estate
Grape(s): Chenin Blanc
Region: Monterey County
Year: 2009
Special Designation: Organic Vineyards
Price: 20-25
Review:
A bouquet of honeysuckle, apricot, and tropical fruit
greets the senses. Flavors of apricot guava, and apple
mingle with suggestions of honey and floral notes. A round,
slightly sweet white that's lush and approachable, it's
a fine option for a warm spring evening or with lightly
spiced Asian dishes.
Rating: 88 |
|
Lone
Madrone Points West White 2009
Winery:
Lone Madrone
Grape(s): 42% Roussanne, 27% Viognier,
22% Picpoul Blanc, 9% Marsanne
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2009
Special Designation: Points West White
Price: 25-30
Review:
A bouquet of honeydew, lemon custard, pear, honeysuckle,
and nutty aromas greets you. A sip reveals flavors of
melon and pear accented by notes of honey and nuts along
with minerals and hints of citrus. A rich mouthfeel, balanced
by a nice acidity, fans of round, refreshing white will
enjoy this.
Rating: 90 |
|
Margerum
Pinot Gris 2009
Winery:
Margerum
Grape(s): Pinot Gris
Region: Santa Barbara
Year: 2009
Special Designation: Klickitat
Price: 20-25
Review:
Aromas of melon, tropical suggestions, and hints of citrus
and white pepper can be found on the nose. Bright citrus
flavors dominate the palate, complicated by hints of spice,
melon, passion fruit and nutty suggestions. Fans of clean,
crisp whites will enjoy this bottle. It's great as an
aperitif.
Rating: 90 |
|
Martin's
Vineyard Viognier 2010
Winery:
Martin's Vineyard
Grape(s): Viognier
Region: Monterey County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: (none)
Price: N/A
Review:
Tropical notes, apricots, floral suggestions, and honey
can be found on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of peach,
apricot, and honeysuckle. A fairly round wine with a floral
mouthfeel, it's fairly dry but still has lush fruit flavors.
Fans of creamier Chardonnays who are looking to branch
out should give this bottle a try.
Rating: 90 |
|
Opolo
Viognier 2010
Winery:
Viognier
Grape(s): Viognier
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2010
Special Designation: (none)
Price: 20-25
Review:
Aromas of pineapple, apricot, and mango mingle with notes
of caramel and honeysuckle on the nose. A sip reveals
flavors of tropical fruit, peach, and dried apricot with
accents of lemon zest and floral suggestions. A rich,
mouth-filling wine, fans of lush whites will enjoy this
bottle.
Rating: 90 |
|
Peju
Provence
Winery:
Peju
Grape(s): Cabernet, Zinfandel, Chardonnay,
and Colombard
Region: Napa Valley
Year: (non-vintage)
Special Designation: Provence
Price: 20-25
Review:
Alluring aromas of raspberries, cranberries, and cherries
are accented by floral suggestions on the nose. Bright
red berries and floral notes dominate the palate. A Rosé,
that's not really a Rosé, the wine has nice balance,
good body, and is not too sweet or bright. Pleasing and
refreshing it hits the spot on a warm day and is well
worth a try.
Rating: 90 |
|
Scheid
Vineyards Pinot Blanc 2009
Winery:
Scheid Vineyards
Grape(s): Pinot Blanc
Region: Monterey County
Year: 2009
Special Designation: Mesa Del Rio Vineyard
Price: 20-25
Review:
A bouquet of melon and pear that mingles with notes of
caramel and oak greets the senses. A sip reveals flavors
of honeydew, peach, and pear with accents of creamy vanilla
and sweet spice. A rich, mouth-filling white that has
far more depth than many Pinot Blancs, fans of Chardonnay
should try this as a wonderful alternative pairing for
seafood dishes with a cream sauce.
Rating: 91 |
|
Scheid
Vineyards Syrah 2009
Winery:
Scheid Vineyards
Grape(s): Syrah
Region: Monterey County
Year: 2009
Special Designation: (none)
Price: 15-20
Review:
Bright red berry aromas lead into floral hints and a bit
of game on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of cranberry
and cherry accented by floral suggestions and a hint of
white pepper. A crisp wine with lively fruit, it's fairly
dry, so don't expect sweet. Try a bottle if you like a
clean, crisp Rosé.
Rating: 88 |
|
South
Coast Winery GVR 2009
Winery:
South Coast Winery
Grape(s): Viognier 40%, Roussanne 33%,
Grenache Blanc 27%
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2009
Special Designation: (none)
Price: 15-20
Review:
A bouquet of tropical fruit, honey, and white-blossoms
greet the senses. The palate is rich and round with flavors
of lemon custard, tropical fruit, and floral suggestions.
A lush wine, with a few bright, citrusy highlights, fans
of smoother wines with a fuller body will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 90 |
|
Steele
Wines Shooting Star 2010
Winery:
Steele Wines
Grape(s): Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Lake County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: Shooting Star
Price: 10-15
Review:
A lovely nose of lime, gooseberry, honeydew, and fresh
fig aromas greets the senses. Mellon, gooseberry, and
grapefruit flavors meld with suggestions of candied banana
and dried figs. A vibrant acidity gives the wine plenty
of life but in no way overpowers the fruit. Those who
prefer crisp, mouth-filling Sauvignon Blancs will enjoy
this offering, especially at its price.
Rating: 89 |
|
Steven
Kent Lola 2010
Winery:
Steven Kent
Grape(s): Sauvignon Blanc (68%) &
Semillon (32%)
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2010
Special Designation: Lola
Price: 15-20
Review:
A citrusy bouquet with accents of gooseberry, minerals
and sage rises from a glass. The palate offers flavors
of gooseberry and citrus fruits with mineral, spice, and
nutty suggestions. A fairly round wine that still has
a nice refreshing acidity, fans of supple, dry wines will
enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 91 |
|
Tamas
Pinot Girgio 2008
Winery:
Tamas
Grape(s): Pinot Girgio
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2008
Special Designation: (none)
Price: 5-10
Review:
On the nose, notes of green apple, melon, and citrus fruits
greet the senses. A sip reveals flavors of apple, honey
dew, and limeade, along with a hint of white spice. A
light, refresh wine that's offers more fruit than many
Pinot Grigos, it a very pleasant aperitif or ideal to
be enjoy with most seafood. Simply put, it's a very nice
everyday value.
Rating: 87 |
|
Wente
Pinot Blanc 2010
Winery:
Wente
Grape(s): Pinot Blanc
Region: Monterey County & Livermore
Valley
Year: 2010
Special Designation: Small Lot
Price: 20-25
Review:
Aromatics of apples, pears, figs, and vanilla greet the
senses. Flavors of apple, fresh figs, vanilla, and a floral
notes emerge after a sip. A fairly round, rich white,
it's somewhat soft on the palate but still has interesting
complexities. If you're a fan of subtle yet full-bodied
wine, this is a bottle to try.
Rating: 89 |
|
Yorkville
Cellars Eleanor of Aquitaine 2009
Winery:
SYorkville Cellars
Grape(s): Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2009
Special Designation: Eleanor of Aquitaine
Price: 20-25
Review:
Lovely aromas of citrus fruits and honey combine on the
nose. A sip unfurls flavors of lemon, sweet lime, and
grapefruit with suggestions of minerals and honey. The
lush fruit is in harmony with the wine's dry, balanced
acidity. Barrel aging gives it a nice, round body. This
is a rich wine white that will compliment crab or shellfish
very nicely.
Rating: 91 |
|
Zaca
Mesa Roussanne 2007
Winery:
Zaca Mesa
Grape(s): Roussanne
Region: Santa Barbara County
Year: 2007
Special Designation: (none)
Price: 20-25
Review:
The nose is rich with floral notes, complimented by fresh
figs, apricots, lemon, sweet spices, and minerals. The
palate is a nice refection of the nose with a round, slightly
creamy mouthfeel. A wine with a good balance of floral
suggestions and fruit, it's more complex than many white
wines out there.
Rating: 90 |
The
Finalists, as selected by the panel, will include the follow
wines:
Cedarville 2009 Viognier
Lone Madrone 2009 Points West White
Martin's Vineyard 2010 Viognier
Peju Provence
Scheid Vineyards 2009 Pinot Blanc
South Coast Winery 2009 GVR
Steven Kent 2010 Lola
Yorkville Cellars 2009 Eleanor of Aquitaine
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
|