California

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This is starting to show some age.  For me, that is a great thing, but others mileage may vary.  There is also a fair amount of oak present, so oakaphobes, be warned.  Green/golden in color.  The nose has lots of fresh cut timber, some spice, grapefruit and lemon cream.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Lush texture but enough cut to keep it lively.  Lots of lemons and lemon peel.  Long finish.  This showed better on night 2 with a bit more air to round things out.  It is drinking well now and should conitnue to drink well for another seven to ten years depending how you like older wine

This was the winner of a recent tasting of California Chardonnays.  Very impressive showing and much better than expected.  I have always like their reds, but I believe this was the first Chardonnay I have tried from them.  Green gold in color.  The nose is really interesting with ginger ale notes along with nice minerality and slight pears.  On the palate, this is clean with great minerality.  Just a slight kiss of vanilla.  Deep with a nice complexity.  This didn't change much over night two.  It should make great drinking over the next five to seven years but likely longer if well stored

This is a middle of the road example of today's Napa Chard.  Pale golden in color.  The nose is dusty with spice and lemon cream.  On the palate, the lemon cream comes thru.  Just a touch of oak showing.  Very nice acidity.  An underlying minerality.  Nice finish.  This is young of course, but drinking very well.  It should drink well for the next eight to ten years.  A nice drink on its own and will  work well with lighter foods.  

Another quality wine from Jamie Kutch.  For the quality, this is a very good value.  Obviously very young, this showed better on day 2 although it was outstanding right on opening.  Green gold in color.  The nose has slight vanilla and lemons.  A bit of baking spices.  On the palate, this has a lemonade quality on day 1 and comes off as slightly sweet.  It all comes more into focus with air on day 2 showing dry with more depth.  Lemons and minerals.  A lovely texture.  Long finish.  This will need some time until peak, say three to five years and then should drink well for another ten to tw

This is a leaner in style, more energetic Chardonnay.  Thee alcohol comes in at 12.5%.  Medium gold in color.  The nose does show some slight smoke/vanilla but there is also plenty of pear and chalk.  Light to medium bodied with a nice backbone of acidity.  The pears come thru to the palate with a tart lemon lime note too.  A bit shorter on the finish.  Overall, a very refreshing Chardonnay that would perform better on its own and with some food than in a tasting.  It should drink well for the next eight to ten years.  Great with salads or fruits, and also cheeses, it will work well with mo

In a recent tasting of California Chardonnays, this was my favorite.  It should be noted that I liked it more than most in the group and that is, I am sure, a style thing.  This is a rich wine that is really firing on all cylinders though starting to show some middle age.  It was older than most of the wines at the tasting, so that may account for some of the various opinions.  Anyway, I found it outstanding.  Yellow/green in color, clear and bright.  The nose has grapefruit, vanilla, and citrus.  On the palate, this has a great, lush texture.  Creamy.  The grapefruit carries thru with a ni

Golden in color.  The nose shows a fair amount of oak (cloves and spice) and also some pineapple.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet but also has nice underlying minerality.  Some grapefruit and peach notes.  A nice texture.  Less oak on the palate.  Warmth on the finish.  Pretty classic Napa Chard in style but within reason.  At peak but should drink well for the next three to five years.  A nice match with heartier sea food and also poultry.  Drinks well on its own too.  For those who like this style, they will love it even more.  

Another in a fine line of Napa Merlot's from Flora Springs.  Merlot ripens earlier than Cabernet allowing the vineyard manager to let fruit hang if needed to get ripe.  No issues here despite a less than stellar growing season.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, milk chocolate and spice.  A nice silky texture.  Lots of black cherry fruit.  Light tannins.  This is still young but drinks quite easy.  It will mature a bit, but is drinking great now.  It should drink well over the next seven to ten years.  Great on its own or a nice match for burgers or ribs.  

Soliloquy is the name for Flora Springs’ proprietary Sauvignon Blanc clone.  The bottle is labelled as white wine but it is a blend of predominantly Sauvignon Blanc, with Chardonnay, and Malvasia.  It is the top of the line white from this winery.  It is silvery/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is pretty with floral notes and some cara cara oranges.  On the palate, this has a lovely creamy texture.  Very lush.  Flavors of bitters, limes and slight cream soda.  Dry.  A hint of almond on the finish.  This is a very polished white wine and needs another year or so but should be good

Flora Springs make a variety of wines.  This is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Crossroads Vineyard in Oakville in Napa.  It is silvery/green/gold in color.  The nose is very nice with lemon-lime, sweetgrass and minerals.  It has a very nice, slightly oily texture.  Just a hint of residual sugar offset by tart limes.There is a slight chalky quality as well.  Overall, this is very clean and refreshing.  It has a long finish with some warmth.  It would actually work well with grilled asparagus, always a tough food pairing, and lots ot lighter foods or on its own.  Drink this over the next year.