2021 Carlisle The Derivative White, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

While this is good every year (and I don't know if it is always the same blend), this vintage might be the best yet. According to the web site, it appears that it is a blend of mostly Semillon from Rossi Ranch with some Muscadelle from Pagani vineyard. Light to medium yellow/gold in color, clear and bright. The nose is great with slight tropical fruit (Pineapple and Guava?) along with slight almonds and a bit of minerality. Medium bodied. On the palate, this is complex and deeper and than expected. Flavors of pineapple and almonds with slight fig notes. Long finish. Delicious. This is great on its own and worked well with a Beet and Goat cheese Salad. It would be interesting to see how it ages.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2021

Current Price:

$32.00USD

2015 Carlisle The Derivative White, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Reivew

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$29.00USD

This is a white field blend of 41% Muscadelle, 39% Sémillon, 11% Colombard and 1% Palomino. Yellow gold in color with slight green hues. The nose has minerals and slight lime. Medium bodied. Slightly oily. On the palate, limes with tangerine peel. Good acidity. The finish is really interesting lemons, almonds and a slight bitter note. This is mature but should drink well for another five years. It would be great with sea food or lighter pasta dishes.

Spottswoode 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

Vintage:

2021

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$45.00USD

There’s a certain comfort in knowing that when you open a Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, regardless of vintage, it will always be excellent. I have had many vintages of this wine and the consistency of its excellence is borderline improbable – and yet they nail it year after year. The ’21 offers that beautiful crisp nose of lemon meringue, lime kefir, honeysuckle, guava and red delicious apple. That follows through on the palate along with light plum, crème brulee, toasted brioche and Asian pear.

2018 Robert Mondavi Winery Fumé Blanc, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2020

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$20.00USD

Robert Mondavi long ago started calling his Sauvignon Blanc as Fume Blanc, but it is the same wine. This is always a quality Sauvignon Blanc for a fair price. This is actually 87% Sauvignon Blanc and 13% Semillon. Pale golden in color with some green and copper hues to it. Clear and bright. The nose is pretty with oranges, limes, minerals and with air, a bit of dust and mint. This has a rich, creamy texture that gives it a presence that most Sauvignon Blancs don't have On the palate, there is lemon-lime, melon and a quality that is sort of like mint tooth paste (in a good way). Very

2016 Peter Michael Sauvignon Blanc L'Apres-Midi, USA, California, Sonoma, Knights Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

Silvery green in color. Very nice nose with chalk, minerals, tarragon and slight lemon notes. Decidedly more mineral driven than fruit. On the palate, the lemon comes out a bit more along with a bit of peach. Plenty of minerals as well. A very nice oily texture. Great balance and acidity. Long finish. This is a energetic and persistent wine that is lean and goes great with food. It has depth and complexity as well and probably be drinking just fine in ten years, but the energy will be gone, so it is best enjoyed in the next few.

2016 Arkenstone Sauvignon Blanc, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A-

Silvery green/gold in color. The nose has minerals and wax with slight tropical fruit. On the palate, this is soft with low acidity but still quite refreshing. The Semillon seems to dominate at this point. Blind, it drinks like a ripe white Bordeaux. Peaches and minerals with some waxiness. Should work with a lot of foods. It will be interesting to see how this improves, if at all, with some age.

2021 Carlisle The Derivative White, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

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