1991 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc De L'Orée, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1992
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$200.00USD

White Rhone wines are certainly unique and this one, at age 30, is no exception.  I quite enjoyed it for what it offered.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is interesting with pears, Crème Brûlée, honey countered by a bit of oxidation and minerality.  Full bodied and quite rich.  On the palate, it has a deep complexity.  Some fruit; baked pears with layers of minerals and some oxidized apples (not in a bad way).  Long finish.  This was served with a Gazpacho and it worked well enough for a difficult pairing.  It seems like it will be at this level for a while longer, but it shou

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

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 Domaine Yves Cuilleron Marsanne Les Vignes d'à Côté, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Although it doesn't carry the designation, the Marsanne grapes come from Condrieu.  This is an entry level wine that provides nice value.  Light golden in color.  The nose is a bit waxy with pears and slight white peaches.  Tight.  On the palate, this has nice acidity.  Vanilla, pears and slight peach.  also a bit of dill which is somewhat distracting.  Nevertheless, it is crisp enough and tasty enough to work with lighter foods or drink on its own.  Probably should be drunk in the next few years.

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

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

2015 was a wionderful vintage in the Rhone.  Also from his Negociant line of wines (although Chave owns the vineyards for these too).  Great showing for this wine, it will undoubtedly open and close often over the next twenty or so years, but beautiful at the moment.  Light golden in color.  The nose shows vanilla, slight peach and white floral notes.  This is a big full bodied wine.  On the palate showing slightly bitter (in a good way) earthiness, apricots, slight lemons and white pepper.  Nice acidity (for Marsanne).  Long finish.  This wine is mostly Marsanne.  This wine has a nice dept

2012 Saxum Broken Stones, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

Saxum is one of my favorite wineries so no surprise, but this is outstanding.  It has really opened up since last tried reinforcing my belief that despite what some say, these big reds are best after ten years in a good cellar.  This is made from 79% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah and the rest Grenache, Mourvedre and Roussanne grapes.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, white pepper, roasted meats and slight violets.  On the palate, the texture is wonderful.  Velvety with excellent acidity.  Complex and layered, this unwinds in the glass.  And, it is delicious with black raspber

2013 Rotem & Mounir Saouma Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Magis, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

I love Rhone whites but they are a crap shoot.  Luckily, this was drinking quite well.  It was brought over by a friend who was invited to our home for dinner.  He will be invited back.  Light golden in color.  The nose is nice with minerals, wax but plenty of fruit; peach and guava and finally some honeysuckle and vanilla.  On the palate, this has a slightly oily texture.  The peach and vanilla predominate but it gets waxy on the finish.  Also a lovely underlying minerality.  Good acidity.  Someone mentioned white Burgundy, but I didn't get that.  Pretty classic ehite Rhone and wide open a

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