Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from California, California wine regions, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, & more.

2023 Rombauer Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, USA, California, Wine Reeview

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

This is a blend of 73% Sonoma County and 27% Napa County.  Light green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with yellow grapefruit and guava.  Clean.  Light to medium bodied.  Nice texture.  Good balance.  On the palate, the tart grapefruit comes thru (in a good way) with a bit of guava.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with lighter foods.  Fish Tacos would be a nice match.  Drink over the next few years.  

2022 Carlisle The Derivative White, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$33.00USD

One of my favorite white wine values.  This is a blend of 81% Semillon and 19% Muscadelle from Rossi and Pagani Ranch in Sonoma.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lemon, honey, and slight peach.  Medium bodied.  Slightly heavy texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is lively with good lemon fruit and some minerality.  Long finish.  This is delightful on its own and will work well with all but the heaviest of foods.  It would pair nicely with Fried Chicken or Chicken salad.  Drink over the next ten years.  

2022 Model Farm Chardonnay P-M Staiger Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

I had heard a lot about these wines so I was interested in trying one. It is a solid Chardonnay but it is more for those who like an austere style of wine. It is clearly Californian but seemingly made in an attempt to override terroir in favor of a less is more style. The things is I love Santa Cruz Chardonnay. Producers such as Kutch, Ceritas or Rhys manage to make wines that show the Santa cruz terroir without being overblown. But, that is the great thing about wine. So many style and no wrong answers as to what is "best". Light golden in color, clear and bright.

2023 Tablas Creek Vermentino, USA, California, Paso Robles, Adelaida District, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This was quite good.  It is different than the Italian versions especially in taste and texture.  Light green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with lemon creme, sea air, minerality and slight tropical fruits.  Medium bodied.  Creamy texture that is almost seamless.  Good acidity.  On the palate, tropical fruits and minerality with some lemon-lime notes on the finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work with lighter foods.  It went well with Korean BBQ Tofu.  Drink over the next five years.  Screwcapped.  

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