2015 J.L. Chave Sélection Hermitage Blanche

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

Nice to try this on its own (not compared to its big brother).  Very crisp and refreshing.  What it might lack in depth it makes up for in energy.  Medium golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has slight wax, peach, and slight white flower notes.  Medium to full bodied.  Lovely acidity.  On the palate, ginger, tangerine and peach with some minerality.  Nice finish.  This will drink well over the next ten to twelve years.  It worked very well with vegetarian spring rolls and chips and guacamole.  

2015 J.L. Chave Sélection Hermitage Blanche, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

This is an excellent wine, but consumed side by side with the regular bottling of the JL L'Hermitage Blanc, it does not have the power or concentration.  Medium golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has slight wax, peach, vanilla and slight white flower notes.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, ginger, citrus with some minerality.  Nice finish.  This is not yet at peak and should have ten to twelve years left.  A nice match with hearty fish or non-meat pasta dishes.  

 

2013 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$260.00USD

White Rhone's can be tricky to time as they age, but this was firing on all cylinders.  Medium golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with wax, ginger, orange peel and floral notes.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is deep and complex.  the ginger and orange peel carries thru but its the minerality that really stands out.  Enough acidity but not a lot.  Long finish.  Delicious wine that keeps improving with air.  It demands attention.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with spicy foods.  Still youthful, this should last another twenty five years with no problem

2018 Fingers Crossed White, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

This is my first time trying this producer.  It is a blend of 72% Roussanne, 24% Chardonnay, and 4% Viognier.  Opened and allowed to breathe for an hour prior to consuming.  Delicious.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose shows some toasty oak, roasted almonds, Lemon flan, and slight wax/vanilla.  Yet, for all those oak notes on the nose, it takes a back seat on the palate which has lemons, waxy lemons, and slight ginger notes.  It is a big wine, but not a fruit bomb, more of a presence.  Enough acidity to carry the fruit.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own, but also worke

2018 Eric Texier Roussanne Côtes du Rhône-Brézème, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

Brézème actually sits between the Northern and Southern Rhone Appellations and is the only Cotes-du-Rhone appellation with its own AOC.  This is their white coming from a biodynamically farmed vineyard.  The wine is made in a natural way with little sulfur and from vines planted in 2009.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is interesting as it shows a persistent vanilla streak.  I don't think the wine sees any oak as it aged on its lees in concrete.  There is also a white raisin note and slight citrus (tangerine).  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is a slight cider/oxidized no

2015 Denner Theresa, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

One of my favorite Cal Rhone White wines.  I really need to let one of these age.  At age 5, this one is singing right from popping the cork.  It is a blend of 30% Roussane, 25% Marsanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 15% Picpoul, and 10% Vermentino.  Light golden in color.  The nose has peach, melon, slight vanilla candle, minerals and lime pith.  Full bodied.  This has a big mouthfeel.  Not quite viscous, but a strong presence.  Notes of peach, vanilla and wax with great underlying minerality.  A nice touch of acidity to keep things bright.  Depth and complexity.  Nice finish.  This is drinking you

2017 Saxum White James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$145.00USD

My first time trying this wine.  It is 55% Grenache Blanc, 32% Roussanne, 8% Chenin Blanc, and 5% Petit Menseng.  It is fantastic.  Golden in color with just the slightest ruby coloring to it.  The nose is tight at first but opens up nicely in the glass.  Aromas of caramelized pears, orange peel, wax, and chalk.  Full bodied.  It is a big wine but deep with complex layers of pears, oranges, spice and smoke.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This drinks great on its own and will work well with bigger foods.  Roasted fowl would be a good match.  This is drinking great now and should continue for ten

2012 Donelan Vénus, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is mostly Roussane with 3% Viognier.  At age 8, it is drinking quite well.  Medium straw/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is very nice with peaches, white pepper, wax, and slight minerality.  Full bodied.  Round texture.  The peaches come thru along with an underlying minerality.  Nice finish.  At this point, this works much better with food.  It worked great with a thin crust veggie pizza.  This probably should be consumed over the next five to seven years.  

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