2007 Lancaster Estate Samantha's Sauvignon Blanc

Tonight, we had Stacey and Chris over for dinner. We are going to be out of town for Stacey's baby shower, so this was our chance to give her our shower gifts.

We served this wine with the appetizer course of shrimp and smoked salmon.

Lancaster Estate is located in the Chalk Hill area of the Alexander Valley. It is owned by an executive of Southern Wine and Spirits. They've built a modern winery and a magnificent contemporary architecture house on the property.

Winemaker's notes: Our 2007 Sauvignon Blanc honors our daughter, Samantha. This wine exhibits baked, ripe pineapple and sweet grapefruit aromas, with complex, full flavors of honeydew melon and citrus characters. Aged 7 months in 90% stainless steel and 10% new French oak barrels, the wine was bottled unfiltered, to retain purity of expression. 600 cases produced.

This Sauvignon Blanc was different from those originating from New Zealand and Chile that have much more pronounced grapefruit or lime flavors. Not better or worse, just different.

2004 Martinelli Zio Tony Ranch Chardonnay

We had dinner at The French Laundry in Yountville to celebrate our anniversary (a few days early). This was one of two half-bottles of wine that we ordered. This was to pair with the first few courses of the meal.

The French Laundry is way over the top - this was the most expensive meal I have ever eaten. I can't even count how many courses of food were served - a lot. Very small dishes though. very French - one of Thomas Keller's restaurants along with Per Se in New York City and Bouchon and Ad Hoc in Yountville.

Martinelli is located just outside of the town of Windsor in Sonoma County. It is in the Russian River Valley. They make many exceptional wines, especially their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel. This Chardonnay is made with grapes from one of their estate vineyards that used to be an apple orchard.

Straw in color, it was quite nice to look at. A very ripe and powerful nose full of apple and pear. The apple and pear came through on the palate as did some strong hints of oak. Good thing it was served at near room temperature. It was well balanced and the flavors were layered nicely with a smooth, long finish. All and all, a very good wine from a winery from whom we have come to expect very good wines.

2007 Tablas Creek Vermentino

We had a couple over for dinner Sunday night and opened this wine with the appetizers of smoked salmon and shrimp coaktails while watching the DVD of photos from their recent trip to Costa Rica.

Vermentino is a traditional Mediterranean varietal, known principally in Sardinia, Corsica, and Northern Italy. It is also grown in the Rhone Valley (particularly Côtes de Provence) where it is known as Rolle. The grape produces wines that are bright, clean, and crisp, with distinctive citrus character, refreshing acidity and surprising richness.

IWC critic's notes: Pale yellow. Salty lemon and lime aromas are strongly mineral-influenced. Clean and racy, offering tangy citrus and honeysuckle flavors, along with a gentle kiss of herbs. Pleasant and refreshing, if not the last word in complexity.

Personally, I didn't think this vintage was as good as the 2006 which we drank last summer.

2007 Ketcham Estate Sonoma County Viognier

We served this wine with the main course of seared ahi tuna and Israeli couscous. It was a very nice complement.

Winemaker's tasting notes: The wine is crafted from two small family-farmed vineyards - 50% Kick Ranch in Sonoma County, and 50% Marsha’s Vineyard just off Olivet Lane in the Russian River Valley. Both vineyards benefited from the long growing season; no grapes were picked until early October. The wine was fermented in stainless steel, which always provides a lighter and more nuanced wine. This shows a crisp refreshing style with typical Viognier complexity and layers of flavors. Viognier is typically full-bodied with effusive aromas, and our Viognier carries the torch proudly. A terrific food wine, you can pair this with traditional favorites like pasta and seafood, but we have also tried it with spicy stir-fries and Thai food and found it a great pairing. We are happy to have produced a very unique California Viognier. 246 cases produced.

Not a lot of this wine was produced, so there aren't many reviews around for it.

2006 S. A. Prüm Essence Riesling

About a year ago, we were walking through the wine department at our local Costco and this German fellow was standing there at a small table with a couple of bottles of wine. No one was around or talking to him, so we stepped up and entered into conversation.

It turned out that he was the owner and winemaker at S. A. Prüm Winery from the mid-Mosel River valley in Germany. He was there as part of a tour scheduled by his U.S. importer to promote his wines and sign bottles. The family winery has been producing wines commercially for over 200 years and has been connected with the vineyard land for 2,000 years (certainly not like the new winery owners in NoCal created by the internet-boom of the 1990s).

We had a great conversation about German wines and we bought two of his Rieslings. This one that we opened last night, Essence Riesling, is the least expensive of his wines.

Winemaker's Notes: Color: Pale gold. Bouquet: Aromatic, with scents of apricot and peach. Taste: Fresh fruit flavors perfectly balanced by a racy acidity and mineral character.

We make a chicken tikka masala with basmati rice for dinner with this wine.

2005 Walter Hansel Chardonnay - The North Slope Vineyard

What better to have for dinner on a cold (for California) winter night than homemade chicken soup. That's exactly what Caren made today. And we served this delicious wine alongside.

The North Slope vineyard of Walter Hansel's (in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County just northwest of the city of Santa Rosa) is planted with French clones 95 and 76 that are grown on the north edge of the property where it slopes down 28 feet. It seems to produce more of a creamy more fruit driven wine.

Robert Parker writes: "This is a source for very fine Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs at some of the most realistic prices to be found in Northern California."

Wine Advocate tasting notes: Burgundian notes of hazelnut, brioche, white currants, and hints of peach and crushed rocks are impressive and intense. This is a full-bodied Chardonnay with crisp acidity that should age nicely for 5-6 years. 93 points.

At a price of about $35 (from the winery) this Chardonnay is comparable in quality to wines twice the price.

2007 Casa Marin Sauvignon Blanc - Cipreses Vineyard

We served this wonderful white wine from Chile with appetizers before our New Year's Eve dinner. Caren prepared a dish with Black Forest ham, gruyere cheese, and spicy hot mustard baked in phyllo dough. She also prepared some of her spicy mixed nuts along with assorted cheeses and flatbreads.

The Cipreses vineyard is located at the very top of a hillside slope overlooking the towns of Lo Abarca and Lo Zarate, with both a northern and southern exposure. It is an extremely windy area, which acts as a natural restraining agent on grape yield. The results are very weak vines and low productivity. Drip irrigation is used, and part of the vineyard faces the ocean.

This wine received 95 points from Wine and Spirits magazine.

2005 Eric Kent Chardonnay - Russian River Valley

Another great white wine served with appetizers prior to our New Year's Eve dinner. Eric Kent Wine Cellars always puts artwork from local Sonoma artists on the back label of their bottles.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes: A golden straw in color, the ‘05 vintage layers exotic spice and floral notes on top of a crisp green apple and minerality on the nose. Then the palate takes over with full flavors of honeydew melon and tangerine leading to a hint of hazelnut to round out the long finish. Bright acidity buoys the entire ensemble and keeps it lively throughout. Only in the background (where it belongs) does tight-grained French oak provide structural support that knits the entire package together. Delicious now, this Chardonnay should just get better and better over the next couple of years. 225 cases made.

92 pts. – Wine Spectator. Floral, peach, honeysuckle and melon aromas are distinctive, and the fruit is pure on the palate, with a hint of spice. Ends with an elegant, graceful aftertaste.

2003 Tantara Chardonnay - Dierberg Vineyard

This medium-bodied Chardonnay is from Tantara Winery, located just outside of Santa Maria, CA. Actually, the winery is located in Santa Barbara County, a stone's throw from the San Luis Obispo County line.

Took the bottle from the cellar, chilled it down more for a few hours, then opened it and let it sit for about 20 minutes before we had dinner.

It had a nose of citrus and tropical fruit. Similar flavors on the palate.

Robert Parker gave this wine a 90 point rating back in August, 2005.

We served this wine with a homemade seafood chowder (tomato-based) that Caren put together, along with a salad of mixed greens and toasted garlic bread.

2006 Nobilo, Icon - Sauvignon Blanc

Our guests from Australia are still visiting and cooked a tasty pasta and shrimp dinner for us. We served this Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough area in New Zealand (they like the white wines from there). This wine is readily available in supermarkets and box stores here in the U.S..

Winery tasting notes: Light straw in color with brilliant clarity. A rich bouquet of pineapple and passion fruit, layered with fresh herbal aromas of nettles and ripe capsicum. Showing excellent structure and palate weight, this wine has a smooth, viscous mouth feel. Distinct Marlborough characters of passion fruit, gooseberry and nettles linger on the palate in a crisp, refreshing finish.

So much for their description. To my palate it tasted clean and crisp, but more like a Chardonnay than a NZ Sauvignon Blanc.

2006 Alta Vista Premium Torrontes

This wine made with the Torrontes grape comes from Alta Vista's winery in the northern Argentinean region of Salta. The region of Cafayate in Salta is particularly famous for its unique microclimate, high altitude and excellent soil drainage and is confirmed as the best place in the world to grow Torrontes.

With a bright yellow color and delicate floral aromas, the wine is fresh and lively with excellent balance and vibrant acidity. It has way fewer citrus flavors than a Sauvignon Blanc and is a delightful, easy drinking white wine for first courses.

This was one of the white wines we served with appetizers for our Indian food dinner.

2005 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc

This is the second white wine we served with appetizers at our Indian dinner.

Tablas Creek is located in Paso Robles on the Central Coast of California. The Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc 2005 is a blend of three estate-grown varietals (Rousanne, Grenache Blanc, and Picpoul Blanc), propagated from budwood cuttings from the Château de Beaucastel estate in France. It shows aromas of honeysuckle, mint, lemon peel and spice, with rich Roussanne flavors of honey, rose petals, pear, petrol and white flowers, excellent breadth, cleansing acidity and great length.

2007 Chehalem Dry Riesling Reserve

For those people that prefer white wine with their Thanksgiving dinner, this was our selection.

Chehalem is located in the Willamette Valley in Newberg, Oregon. They are a highly regarded producer of Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Riesling. They also sell grapes to numerous other successful wineries in the area.

Winemaker's Notes: Typical Chehalem Riesling as blended from the three vineyards, with effusive white blossoms of orange, apple, jasmine, and gardenia, centered by a fleshy mouthful of tangerine, lime, and apricot flavors, and structured with firm, bright acid. Will age well, despite the richness and early approachability. Balance was nailed!

Wine Spectator 90 points: A dry style, reminiscent of Alsace, offering vivid green apple, lime and mayflower aromas and flavors on a lean, lithe frame, balanced with refreshing acidity.

2005 Tantara Winery Pinot Blanc, Bien Nacido Vineyard

Try to follow along with this story.....Caren's cousin's wife has a cousin, Jeff Fink, who is one of the owners and winemakers at Tantara Winery near Santa Maria in Santa Barbara County here in California.

A couple of years ago, we visited the winery, really a metal shed in the middle of the vineyard, and did a barrel tasting of some of Jeff's wines. Then he ordered in sandwiches, popped the cork on a couple of bottles, and we had lunch sitting around his picnic table. No fancy, architectural wonder, multimillion dollar tasting room at this place.

Tantara is a small producer that makes great wines, especially Pinot Noir. They sit smack dab in the middle of Bien Nacido Vineyard, one of the most famous in California for Pinot Noir grapes.

However, tonight we drank their 2005 Pinot Blanc. Very limited production of this wine - a little more than 100 cases a year. Served it with a light meal of bread, chartcuturie, cheeses, and fruit.

2005 Deerfield Ranch Sauvignon Blanc, Peterson Vineyard

This Sauvignon Blanc is from the Sonoma Valley, home of the town of Kenwood and Deerfield Ranch Winery.

Winemaker's tasting notes: The fruit forward nose has more going on than you’re used to getting from an SB. It’s generosity beckons but does not fully prepare you for the pleasingly crisp first taste. As promised, the middle is layered and full, reaching every corner of your palate. The length of the finish completely surprises you. A second tastes confirms that one sensation slides seamlessly into the next.

The temperature was in the mid-90s today - unusual for the middle of November. So we had a light dinner of tuna salad with this wine.

2004 Cambria Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard

This is a nice California Chardonnay - nothing spectacular. From the Santa Maria Valley on the Central Coast. It is a price performer, especially since it is a staple in Costco's wine department. Apples, butter, a little oak, some citrus flavors.

We served it with roasted Cornish game hen and steamed vegetables.

2004 Kumeu River Estate Bottled Chardonnay

This was the white wine we served with the "debate watching" dinner last night.

A very intriguing Chardonnay from Kumeu River Wines, about 20 km northwest of Auckland City on the North Island of New Zealand. The winery was established in 1944 shortly after Mick and Katé Brajkovich and their son Maté migrated from Yugoslavia (there are those Croatian winemakers again).

The beautiful peach and hazelnut aromas along with the silky textural richness are distinct characteristics of this wine. U.S. wine critics love the Kumeu River Chardonnays. They taste a lot like a French Chablis and nothing like an oaky California Chardonnay.

Like many wines from New Zealand, this wine had a screw cap, unusual for a Chardonnay.

2004 Chateau St. Jean Fume' Blanc Le Petite Etoile Vineyard

From a very popular winery located in the Sonoma Valley. This wine is made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes they source from a vineyard in the nearby Russian River Valley. Picked up this bottle last year at a great price at Costco.

Lightly golden in colour. Butter, oak, vanilla, and pear evident on the nose and palate.

Served this with a large salad that included a scoop of fresh rotisserie chicken salad on top.

2005 Pazo de Señorans Albariño

Pazo de Señorans is located in the Salnes region of the Rias-Baixis appellation in northwest Spain.

I have no idea what some of the terms mean in this wine critic's review. "Always a candidate for Albariño of the year, the 2005 Pazo de Senorans does not disappoint. The wine is produced from low yielding vines on slate and gravel and is tank fermented and aged on its fine lees with battonage. Light gold-colored, it offers up a refined nose of mineral, petrol, and pit fruits reminiscent of a top-flight Alsace Riesling. Bone dry and crisp, the wine offers intense flavors with superb balance and length." Wine Advocate

I do know from our own tasting that the wine shows fruit tastes like fresh peaches and ripe melons, along with a floral aroma and citrus-like acidity in the finish.

Picked up this bottle a few months ago when I spotted it at Costco. One of those good quality, bargain wines that Costco has one day and is sold out the next. Served it with Sunday night dinner - Endive, Pear, and Blue Cheese Salad, and a new recipe Caren tried for homemade Macaroni and Cheese.

2005 Treana Winery White, Mer Soleil Vineyard

We served this wine tonight while watching Barack Obama's acceptance speech for the Democratic Party's nomination for President.

Treana Winery is located in Paso Robles, CA, exactly mid-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, in the heart of California’s distinctive Central Coast region.

Winemaker's notes:

"Treana White is a Rhône-style blend of Marsanne and Viognier, two varieties that thrive in California's Central Coast growing region. Fruit for the blend is sourced from the Mer Soleil Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands just south of Monterey Bay. Cool maritime winds off the bay keep the vineyards temperate all summer long.

One of the coolest vintages in recent memory, 2005 offered ideal conditions for Viognier and Marsanne resulting in a wine of excellent balance and complexity. The 2005 Treana White displays elegant varietal characteristics; vibrant floral aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine are followed by ripe stone fruit flavors, hints of pear and honey overtones. Solid minerality lends complexity and structure. The mouthfeel is lush and full, while bright acidity cleans the palate offering ease and versatility to food pairing. The 2005 Treana White will age beautifully over the next decade."

This wine is a great price-performer. It is available at Costco, wine.com, and other retailers.