Mixed Cali Whites - Blind
My Place - Washington, DC
Tasted Monday, December 1, 2014 by isaacjamesbaker with 174 views
Introduction
Samples tasted blind from the Cali white bin, mostly Chardonnays but some other stuff mixed in as well.
My Place - Washington, DC
Tasted Monday, December 1, 2014 by isaacjamesbaker with 174 views
Samples tasted blind from the Cali white bin, mostly Chardonnays but some other stuff mixed in as well.
2013 Clayhouse Wines Grenache Blanc Red Cedar Vineyard 88 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Light gold color. Zesty and flower-driven on the nose, like lemon, lime peels and tangerines tossed with honeysuckle and white tea leaves. Decent acid, but lots of creaminess and juicy tropical fruit elements. White peach and papaya fruit, some white tea and maybe mint note? Nutty, too with nougat an whipped butter, not to mention hints of sea salt and chalk. Quite complex, definitely tasty, this stuff would work well with all sorts of food. 70% Grenache Blanc and 30% Viognier.
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2013 Clayhouse Wines Sauvignon Blanc Estate Fumé Blanc Red Cedar Vineyard 89 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Bright gold color. Salty and airy on the nose, with lots of white flowers and bright perfume, some tropical fruits and honey. On the palate, crisp acid, a lively and bright approach, showing some oceanic notes. Sliced green and yellow apple fruit, mineral-driven but also lots of richness in the form of honeycomb and nougat. Lots of freshness, great balance between the zesty and the creamy.
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2011 Hatton Daniels Chardonnay Fichtenberg Vineyards 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Medium gold. Bold aromatic display of tropical and citrus fruits, blended in with creamy, buttery elements and an abundance of sea breeze and seashell notes, crushed chalk. Brisk approach on the palate with plenty of acid to balance out the creamy aspects. Lots of lime and green apple, but some richer elements of papaya and honey add complexity. Good amount of chalk and sea salt, almost briny, and I love it. Long finish, crisp and bright. At bit leaner than the 2012 (only 12.7% alcohol), but great depth and so much freshness. A pairing of this with Sonoma Coast shellfish is definitely in order. Fermented in all old oak.
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2013 William Hill Winery Chardonnay Napa Valley 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Light gold color. Bold and big on the nose, with bruised apples, apricots, pineapple, covered in honey butter and crushed nuts. Creamy and rich on the palate, with moderate acid to help balance it out. The fruit tends toward the rich and tropical, more yellow apple, guava and mango. Notes of crushed nutshells and nougat mix in some white and mint tea, a hint of herbal spice on the finish. Rich and full but the finish shows some elegance and freshness. $27.
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2012 Grgich Hills Chardonnay 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Medium gold color. Bold nose with yellow apples and apricots, some honeyed notes but also showing bright, floral and oceanic elegance. Clean acid supports the pear, sliced green and yellow apples, add in some tart limes and honeysuckle. Bright minerality and oceanic elements makes it mouthwatering, while the oak-influenced notes are woven in with care. Long finish, clean and salty yet rich, this is a beautiful Chardonnay that would work with a diverse array of foods. 10 months in 40% new French oak, no maloactic fermentation.
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2012 Hatton Daniels Chardonnay Fichtenberg Vineyards 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Medium gold color. Bright and clean on the nose, like honeycomb and clover on top of all kinds of citrus fruits, some richer underlying elements of papaya and honey, also seashell, limestone, chalk. Wow, so very complex on the nose. Refreshing acid on the palate, the lime and green apple notes balanced by honey and papaya, some white tea and baking spice elements. Some river rock notes mix with richer elements of hazelnut and tapioca on the finish. Bold, complex yet live wire and showing lots of depth. Gorgeous stuff.
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