White Wines

Chardonnay

Most of these wines have noticeable fruit and a rich texture on the palate. Cool climate wines, like those from Carneros and France have a zingy, pronounced acidity with beautiful notes of citrus and green apple. Those from warmer climates tend to be richer, with flavors of peaches and melons, accompanied by a spicy butteriness.

302     2012   Beringer Vineyards, “Private Reserve”, Napa Valley 91

303     2012   Cakebread Cellars, Napa Valley 81

309     2013   Decoy Wines by Duckhorn, Sonoma County 55

305     2012   Far Niente Wines, Napa Valley 130

311     2013   Laguna Ranch, Russian River Valley 37

315     2012   Stag’s Leap Winery, Napa Valley 74

345     2013   Sonoma Cutrer, Russian River Valley 52

329     2012   Artesa Winery, Carneros 46

335     2007   Mount Eden Estate Winery, Santa Cruz, Central Coast 98

381     2013   One Hope, California 31

Featured Chardonnay

Bin 315, 2012 Stag’s Leap Winery, Napa Valley, California 74

The 2010 growing season produced modest yields and incredible wines for Stag’s Leap. This year marked the second season of drought in Napa Valley. There was virtually no rainfall in the spring, and precipitation was down 60 percent for the year. Summer produced cool, consistent temperatures and the dry conditions forced the vines to focus on the fruit development rather than leaf production producing a wonderfully concentrated crop. A brief warm spell around Labor Day added the boost of sugar development they were looking for to complement the acid structure in the Chardonnay grapes. The luscious aroma of honeysuckle greets the nose, following through to flavors of green apple and orange peel on the palate. The mid-palate is round with a creamy mouthfeel from aging on the leaves.

Riesling/Gewürztraminer

Rieslings are usually delicate, racy, expressive and almost never oaked. Wine made from gewürztraminer is one of the most recognizable of all. The nose is reminiscent of roses, lychees, ripe grapefruit and sometimes mangos. Enjoy these wines with oysters, crab cakes, shellfish and poultry.

Riesling

413     2012   Trefethen Vineyards, Dry Riesling, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley 52

403     2013   J.J. Muller, Rheinhessen, Germany 39

404     2012   Eroica, Columbia Valley 71

Gewurztraminer

457     2011   Banyan Wines, Monterey County, California 35

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand frequently has a tangy flavor reminiscent of gooseberries and kiwi. The ones from California are rounder and richer and more tropical than their New Zealand counterparts.

502     2014   Clifford Bay Winery, Marlborough, New Zealand 41

514     2013   Kim Crawford, Marlborough, New Zealand 53

512     2013   Cakebread Cellars, Napa Valley, California 71

510     2012   Emmolo, Napa Valley, California 60

508     2014   Chateau Graville-Lacoste, Graves, Bordeaux, France 46

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio

The Pinot Gris exhibits rich aromas of fig, white peach, and pear. Pinot Grigio is light and crisp and a great pairing with seafood, or as an aperitif.

202     2013   Pinot Gris, King Estate, Oregon 40

203     2011   Pinot Grigio, Terlato Family Vineyards, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California 57

212     2012   Pinot Grigio, Sycamore Lane, Napa Valley, California 35

214     2013   Pinot Grigio, Santa Margherita, Alto-Adige, Italy 57