Tag: white wine


Dec
2018

Delille Cellars 2016 Chaleur Blanc

categories: Booze, Wine

I was so excited to try this wine—honestly to relive it. I received a sample of the Delille Cellars Chaleur Blanc, but alas it was before I was taking wine notes so regularly and rigorously and, unfortunately, did not have anything to refer to when I received this year’s vintage. So, even though I could remember I enjoyed the wine before, I treated this like an all new experience. Well, it was everything I wanted it to be—full of flavor, round supple body, and yet always light and refreshing from start to finish. And I’m not usually a fan of white wine blends…

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Dec
2018

Scheid Vineyards 2016 Escolle Road Vineyard Chardonnay

categories: Booze, Wine

I’ve been having such fun experimenting with new releases of California Chardonnay. I feel like the modern expressions of the grape has come to vary so widely that gone are the days of this white wine’s stereotypes — the new norm is the ab-norm. And while this Chardonnay does reflect those “classic” characteristics, and may not be to everyone’s palate, it does have a fresh take on an old look and certainly has its time and place when paired with the proper meal. 

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Nov
2018

J. Cage Cellars 2017 La Cruz Vineyard Chardonnay

categories: Booze, Wine

When it comes to modern California Chardonnay, it seems more grapegrowers are focused in on purposeful planting, winemakers taking a more “hands-off” approach in the winery. Thus the nuances of the actual fruit are able to come forward, unmasked by excessive ML or NFO aging. Tasting the J. Cage Cellars 2016 Schmidt Home Vineyard is one such Chardonnay that piqued my interest into the current California expressions of the grape. So when owner Roger Beery asked if I’d like to taste his most recent release, my answer was an enthusiastic “yes please!”

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Oct
2018

Kobza Wines 2016 Wirz Vineyard Dry Riesling

categories: Booze, Wine

I used to be the kind of wine drinker that would absolutely shy away from Riesling. That is until I met a new sommelier-friend who showed me that many Americans have a misconception about what Riesling really is, what it tastes like, and how versatile it can be—especially when it comes to German Riesling. Since that time I’ve been more open minded, tasting Rieslings from both abroad and at home and have been impressed what our New World winemakers have to offer. What I love about this expression of Riesling is that it tastes, for lack of a better expression, naked. As if I’m really tasting, not just the grape, but the vineyard—the dirt, the surrounding fields, the river that runs through it all. There are wines that you drink and then there are wines you experience. Experience Kobza Wines 2016 Wirz Vineyard Dry Riesling with me…

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Sep
2018

Jamieson Ranch Vineyards 2016 Reata Chardonnay

categories: Booze, Wine

There are so many expressions of Chardonnay. And while I’ve known that in theory for quite some time, it seems to me that lately—within the last two years even—winemakers are taking advantage of what that really means. Any where from round and doughy to crisp to fruit forward, and the whole spectrum that spreads between. Get a good Chardonnay from a reputable winemaker, and he or she will only use the techniques that will showcase the vineyard and vintage. That is the direction Chardonnay is going: while its tastes and textures are still nearly 100% reliant on the winemaker, winemakers seem to be working with the grape, instead of just completely…working the grape.

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