Tasting Notes - USA, White

2007 Chalone VIneyards, Estate Chardonnay

Bought out of interest knowing a little about the history of this place - this producer had its chardonnay chosen for the original tasting of Paris in 1976, and now they have their own AVA all to themselves. This is their middle tier Chardonnay, but to be honest there wasn't a whole lot to make it stand out apart from some refreshing citrus acidity and some lovely flinty minerality. It is quite a citrusy effort, but it's not especially complex. Had this twice now, the first time paid $30, and the second time paid $17 (Costco), and not surprisingly it tasted much better the second time around. Good for $17, less so for $30. (04/10)

2008 Rochioli Sauvignon Blanc

Having been inspired by Nahthern's review of the 2006 Araujo Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, I have resolved to attempt to find some American Sav Blancs that I like for myself, and I started here with this effort from Rochioli, a prominent producer from the Russian River Valley. This is a rich, full interpretation of the grape, with a high alcohol content of 14.5%, but it is reasonably well balanced. There is decent acidity to go with the full flavours and high alcohol, though there is a little bit of heat on the finish. There is plenty of fruit - lime, red grapefruit and pineapple - and some pleasing  floral and herbal notes, along with excellent wet rock, almost smokey, minerality. Overall not a bad wine, though I have to admit to tiring of it a bit as we approach the end of the bottle, something that happens after about half a glass of a NZ Sav Blanc but almost never happens with a decent one from the Loire. The hunt will continue...(04/10)

2007 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay

A pretty boring wine to be honest, a nose of pear drops, green apple and vanilla that is not particularly complex or inspiring if the truth be told - and unfortunately given the price you have the right to expect something more. The palate is equally uninspiring, and pretty messy too - more apples and pears, with too much unbalanced vanilla oak and prominent acidity. I feel like the fruit isn't ripe enough to stand up to the oak and the acidity, not sure how much malolactic fermentation was done, but maybe they should have done a higher percentage. Don't know if this will improve with age. Disappointing, definitely inferior to their 2006 in my book. (04/10)

2008 Tangent Albarino

Pale lime/straw colour, light/medium-bodied, fresh, vibrant mouthfeel, lots of citrus - lime, lemon, lemon pie, tangerine, grapefruit on nose and palate; also vibrant acidity and a little spice, maybe a touch of saltiness too. A good, solid example of an albarino, everything it should be: fresh, vibrant and precise. Drink now. (03/10)

2004 Au Bon Climat, Chardonnay, Nuits Blanches Au Bouges

A medium gold coloured, medium/full-bodied mouthful of luscious delight! A citrus, pineapple and slightly nutty nose leads on to a flavour explosion of lemon cream, pineapple, hazelnut and vanilla oak, balanced beautifully with fine acidity and followed by a long, complex finish. It has a lovely creamy texture, and a very satisfying mouth feel. It will definitely keep for several more years yet, and in addition it doesn't break the bank either at around $30. A splendid effort from Jim Clendenen, one of America's most respected winemakers. Very French in style and absolutely delicious! (03/10)

2003 Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Richard Dinner Vineyard Cuvee Augustine

Big burly rich nose all honey and butter - dry full broad palette with a very forward sweet vanilla coconut oak component but wood is well integrated - typical American candied fruit element with a big spicy finish - not elegant, no finesse but huge length - cant help but like it 

2008 McKinley Springs, Horse Heaven Hills, Viognier

This was everything a good Viognier should be: beautiful floral and stone fruit aromatics with lots and lots of wet rock minerality, and awesome peach and apricot fruit on the palate, with the same minerality also, and the textbook oily viognier texture, followed by a very crisp, and pretty long finish. Very good for the $15 price tag. (02/10)

2007 Foxen Old Vines Chenin Blanc, Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard

An intense nose of honey, honeysuckle, stone fruits and shedloads of beautiful rocky minerality, The palate has lush, ripe fruit - pineapple, peach and melon with honey and the same excellent minerality, followed a crisp lemony-acidic finish of decent length. Hmmm.... A very good warming winter white, and at $20 its excellent value.(02/10)

A quick update on what I thought was a splendid American interpretation of a Chenin Blanc - I opened another bottle of this 2007 Foxen on Thursday (a flower day too) and there was none of the crisp acidity on the palate or finish that the previous bottle had, the second one was pretty flabby actually given the body and flavour intensity of the first one.  Bottle variation? Certainly, but which bottle was the truer reflection of this wine? I'll have to open another one some other time to find out. More to follow...(03/10)

2006 Araujo Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Immediately interesting on opening but a bit closed - was splendid 2 hrs after decanting warm citrus and light floral notes - which is probably the touch of viognier in there - with intense graphite minerality lovely balance and acidity and perfectly integrated oak - tasted blind would have definately have said very fine Loire, same funky savoury style - almost Dageneau level if lacking a bit in the power and length - too young but very bleedin good - be very interested to see older vintages - and well worth trying to find as a hell of a lot cheaper than their red.