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)