The quest for values continues. Here are recent white wine finds in the $12 to $27 range. All scored well, often in blind tastings. These white wine notes were previously posted on Twitter (@tomgable, @sdwineguru) and a few have been embellished since. Wines are listed from lowest price to highest. Next: the hunt for red October.
Sauvignon Blanc
Subtle Sauvignon Blanc ’12 Rodney Strong Charlotte’s $12. Light grassy nose, melon; mid body, tight acids, fruity/citric finish. w/shrimp apps
Veramonte ‘11, Ritual Sauvignon Blanc $13. Light mid-gold; new mown hay nose (non-grapefruit); minerals; mid-body; mid-viscosity; crisp finish; a little short; improves with air. w/crab cakes
Chardonnay, White Burgundy
Craggy Range ‘11, Hawkes Bay, Kidnappers Vineyard Chardonnay $15. Minerals, vanilla, stone fruit nose; mid-body, French-like; balanced; soft smooth finish. w/seafood
Cape Kidnappers
Sterling, ’09 Napa Chardonnay $16. Light stone fruit nose; wood; round, ripe, easy sipping wine; decent acids.
Joseph Drouhin, 2011 Rully $16. Clean Chardonnay nose; light citrus; balanced w/crisp acids; round fruity finish. w/clams
Duckhorn ’12 Decoy Chardonnay $16. Clean varietal nose; citrus, honey suckle; balanced; semi-crisp; decent acids; smooth finish
Rodney Strong ’09 Chalk Hill Sonoma Chardonnay $20. Ripe grape varietal nose; stone fruit; crisp varietal finish. Great balance.
Schug, ’10 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast $21. Light Chardonnay nose; melon; nutmeg; mid-body; round; older varietal flavor.
Stony Hill ‘11 SHV Chardonnay, $24. Sharp mid gold; light weedy Chardonnay nose; minerals; mid-body; tight, young, green. some style. w/clams 15.5-16 88
Anderson Family ‘09 Dundee Hills Chardonnay $24. Dark gold; closed nose at first; opens, older Chardonnay nose, honey, vanilla, wood; mid-body; vanilla and oak on the palate; decent acids; long tight finish. w/swordfish
Clos Pegase, ’10 Napa Chardonnay $24. Clean varietal nose; light oak; excellent balance; crisp; fruity finish, light oak.
Ch. St. Jean ’10 Chardonnay, Robert Young $27. Mid-dark gold. Toasty, oaky, light citrus nose; round, ripe, fruity varietal finish.
Ch. St. Jean
Other Whites
Yalumba, 2011, Eden Valley, Australia, Viognier, $13. Mid-gold; flower, pineapple, apricot nose; balanced; good fruit; refreshing light citrus finish. w/appetizers, cheeses. 12.5 alc
Fine Dundee Hills Pinot Gris 09 Anderson Family $24. Pear, nutmeg, floral nose; fat, fruity, decent acids, long finish. w/appetizers
