Chenin Blanc

A "natural" wine, whatever that means.  It is an unusual take on Chenin Blanc.  Tasted a wine store tasting, this was my second time getting an opportunity to try this and it seemed like it has improved (or this was a better bottle).  Lighter in color than a previous bottle, so perhaps the first bottle had been oxidized a bit.  Light gold, clear and bright.  The nose is different with cardamom, and orange pith.  On the palate, this has tart oranges.  Strong acidity.  12% Alc.  It finishes a bit salty which is different and probably makes it more food friendly.  It was priced at $12 on close

This is delicious if young today.  Just a wonderful dessert wine.  And a wine that will out live all of us.  This is Chenin Blanc at its best.  Light golden in color.  The nose has ocean air, some crushed shells, orange peel and honey.  With air some poached pear notes emerge.  On the palate, this is slightly viscous.  It is sweet but short of cloying.  Enough acidity to balance.  Flavors of honey and baked apples.  Long finish.  Delicious in small amounts.  This goes well with ripe cheese or a savory cake.  

Deep golden in color.  The nose shows some slight oxidation but not a lot.  Some apple cider notes but also fresh pears.  On the palate, this is just barely sweet.  The apple cider carries thru as does the pears.  Good finish.  So the big question is whether this was a pristine bottle.  At age 13, it probably should have been a bit fresher.  On the other hand, it was varietally correct.  It seems this was close enough that it is within the variance of a 13 years old top Vouvray.   All in all, this should have been better but it was still very good.  

2003 was an extremely hot vintage across all of Europe.  The heat had two different effects on the vines.  Some of the grapes got withered and raisened from the heat.  Other vines just shut down an the grapes never got fully ripe.  And, a few places thru a combination of luck, micro-climates and hard work in the vineyard made good wines.  This wine seems to have a bit of all three of those.  Still, at age 15, it is drinking very well.  Medium deep golden in color.  The nose is sugary with apricots.  On the palate, this has nice apricot fruit.  Slightly sweet.  Not a lot of depth or complexi

Supposedly this is a natural wine.  Those can be good but often have some spoilage and similar issue.  There was nothing here to say this was affected, but it is a very odd wine that might have limited appeal.  On the other hand, it retails for around $15, so, especially for a wine geek, it might be worth checking out.  Deep golden in color (does this see extended skin contact?).  The nose is a bit odd.  Some sweaty undershirt quality to it.  A bit of dill.  Some tangerine fruit lurking in the background.  On the palate, it is hard to describe.  Kind of like apples that fall under a tree an

Great showing for this.  Silvery gold in color.  The nose is great with slight orange peel and quince.  Nice minerality.  On the palate this has a great texture.  Slightly oily texture.  Notes of oranges and minerals.  Great acidity.  This kept improving in the glass.  Long finish.  Very food friendly.  This wine retails for under $30 and is great now but should hold and maybe improved for a while.  This is made from Chenin Blanc which ages better than most people think.  

This wine has a reputation of being a bit oxidized and advanced in 2014.  This bottle was a bit advanced but it was also spot on drinking right now.  Medium golden in color.  The nose has anjou pears along with minerals and a salinty which is very nice.  This has a slightly oily texture.  The pears continue and if this has any oxidation, it is quite small.  There is good acidity.  Nice finish.  Enjoyed with a Ginger Parsnip Pear soup, this was a perfect match with a nice synergy.  It might not make old bones, but it is drinking quite well right now.

This is a Chenin Blanc based sparkling wine that is infused with Peaches.  It is not meant to be a serious wine that should be cellared for long term.  It is made to be a fun wine, buy it, take it home and pop a cork.  At $13, it does this nicely.  Deeper golden in color.  The nose is unmistakably - peaches.  Duh!  There is a slight effervescence to the wine.  The peaches carry thru to the palate.  Light bodied and easy drinking.  Nice for a party.   

Golden in color.  Fantastic nose.  Clean and expressive.  Sea air, crushed shells, apples and honey.  On the palate, this has a great backbone of acidity.  Slightly oily texture.  Minerals, crushed shells with an herbal note.  Also some apples.  Pinpoint precision.  Slight orange citrus on the finish.  Seems to be youthful but almost at peak.  Of course, it should be at this level for another decade or more.  Complex.  Great with all kinds of food.  These still are under $40 which is a great value.  

Light golden in color.  The nose has minerals, oranges, slight apricot.  On the palate, this has a really interesting texture.  Dry but some heaviness to it.  Minerals and orange peel.  Enough if not great acidity, it drinks better with some food.  Actually would work with a wide range of foods.  Good finish.  Well priced at around $25.  Certainly one of the better and more interesting expressions of California Chenin Blanc.