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