Wines
of the Week: California Whites
Though
it may not feel like everywhere, spring is coming next
month. So even if you're dealing with snow or heavy,gray skies
now, there's no reason you can't stock up on some lovely white
wines from California that will be perfect to sip on once warm
weather has arrived. Here are a handful that our panel sampled
recently:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Yorkville
Cellars 2013 "Eleanor of Aquitaine" White
Winery:
Yorkville Cellars
Grape(s): 70% Semillon & 30% Sauvignon
Blanc
Region: Mendocino County, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromas of peach, apricot, and apple meld with nuances
of honey on the nose. Notes of pear, apple, and peach
come together with hints of white blossoms and honey on
the palate. A rich blend with a welcoming acidity, pair
a bottle with your favorite shell fish in a light cream
sauce. Fewer than 500 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Yorkville
Cellars 2013 "Amber Folly" White
Winery:
Yorkville Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Semillon
Region: Mendocino County, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: n/a
Review:
A bouquet of apricot, pear, and a hint of honey rises
up from a glass. Flavors of apricot, pear, and citrus
fruits emerge with accents of sweet spice, honey, and
minerals on the palate. A mouth-filling white with a fresh
acidity, enjoy a bottle on a lovely spring afternoon.
Under 300 cases were made.
Rating: 88 |
|
McGrail
Vineyards 2013 Chandler Vineyard Chardonnay
Winery:
McGrail Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Livermore Valley, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Fragrances of peach, apricot, and pineapple mingle with
hints of vanilla and caramel on the nose. Flavors of apricot
and tropical fruit that open up into notes of butter and
lemon-custard on the palate. Bright yet a bit creamy,
it's a Chardonnay that delivers a nice balance. 735 cases
produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Midnight
Cellars 2013 Chardonnay
Winery:
Midnight
Cellars
Grape(s): 100%
Chardonnay
Region: Paso Robles
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromatics of apples, pears, vanilla, and a slight herbaceous
note rise up from a glass. The palate reveals flavors
of crisp pear and tart apple are accented by hints of
vanilla, minerals, and orange spice. Bright flavor and
a friendly acidity make this a food friendly wine. 800
cases produced.
Rating: 88 |
|
Sierra
Vista 2013 Chardonnay
Winery:
Sierra
Vista
Grape(s): 100%
Chardonnay
Region: El Dorado, Ca
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
A bouquet of pineapple, lemon custard, and buttery oak
greets the senses. The palate delivers flavors of tropical
fruit, pear, and lemon with an accent of fresh cream.
A balanced acidity and round mouth-feel make this a very
approachable wine.750 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Howell
Mountain Vineyards 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
Winery:
Howell Mountain Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: North Coast
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromas of Meyer lemon, key lime, and gooseberries mingle
with a hints of grass and custard on the nose. A sip delivers
flavors of bright citrus fruits that flow into suggestions
of honey and cream. An easy going Sauvignon, fans of almost
sweet whites ought to try this bottle. 200 cases were
made.
Rating: 88 |
Note:
Wines rated with a "+" have not yet reached their
peak quality but will do so over the next few years
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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