wine color: White

Davis Bynum River West Vineyard Chardonnay 2013

98
Davis Bynum River West Vineyard
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Retail Price: $25

Tasting Notes: Single vineyard. French oak barrel-fermentation and aging. 100% malolactic fermentation. Aged sur lie. The result? Rich, buttery, toasty, classic Russian River Chardonnay! A bouquet of baked fruits and spices leads to a creamy texture that coats the palate with flavors of apple, pear and apricot, with a hint of vanilla/butterscotch. There is still a crisp acidity on the finish that adds great length.
Davis Bynum River West Vineyard Chardonnay 2013

Print Label

Beaucanon Estate Chardonnay 2012

95
Beaucanon Estate
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $25

Tasting Notes: This lovely Chardonnay definitely has a French flair. The grapes are 100% organic. Understated tropical fruit aromas and flavors with slightly toasted oak undertones. A rich, honey-like texture. The balance of fruit, oak and acidity is perfect. A lovely hint of minerality lingers on the finish. All components harmonize and gently coat the palate and stay. It is reminiscent of a good Meursault in style. The 2012 vintage is now peaking beautifully. Ideal for seafood.
Beaucanon Estate Chardonnay 2012

Print Label

Yalumba Chardonnay 2014

92
Yalumba
Fanciful Name: Unwooded
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: Australia
Appellation: South Australia
Retail Price: $10.99

Tasting Notes: A good wine at a good price. The non-toasty flavor profile is refreshingly crisp, speckled with peach and pineapple notes throughout. A zippy finish with sleek texture.
Yalumba Chardonnay 2014

Print Label

Dry Creek Sonoma County Fumé Blanc 2013

90
Dry Creek Sonoma County
Varietal: Fumé Blanc
Vintage: 2013
Appellation: California
Retail Price: $13

Tasting Notes: Pronounced lemon and lime aromatics stand out in the glass on the nose. On the palate, grassy notes are enhanced with zesty grapefruit and muted herbal tones. The long finish encourages further sipping. A rewarding white for the money.
Dry Creek Sonoma County Fumé Blanc 2013

Print Label

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Aveta Sauvignon Blanc 2013

94
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
Fanciful Name: Aveta
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $26

Tasting Notes: Bright pale gold in the glass, the nose is a beautiful mix for tropical and citrus fruits, with a touch of the variety’s signature grassiness. A long, balanced finish confirms the wine’s quality.
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Aveta Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Print Label

Robert Mondavi Reserve Fumé Blanc 2012

94
Robert Mondavi Reserve
Fanciful Name: Reserve
Varietal: Fumé Blanc
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $50

Tasting Notes: This barrel-fermented, single-vineyard wine is a brilliant, bright gold in the glass, with plenty of notes of citrus, white peach and floral hints. Good weight and texture contribute to the attractive grassiness and minerality.
Robert Mondavi Reserve Fumé Blanc 2012

Print Label

J. Lohr Carol’s Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2013

95
J. Lohr Carol's Vineyard
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $28

Tasting Notes: Named for Mr. Lohr’s wife Carol, with a portion of proceeds going to breast cancer research. Classic Napa fruit, with a creamy texture and a perfume nose that offers up robust citrus hints. Rich and powerful with a ingering finish.
J. Lohr Carol’s Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Print Label

Heron Chardonnay 2013

95
Heron
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Sonoma County
Retail Price: $15

Tasting Notes: The owner, Laely Heron, is an innovator. She contracts with growers from premier California AVAs for her wines. The grapes are sourced from Russian River Valley, Carneros and Santa Maria Valley from 22-25-year-old vines. She incorporates whole-cluster pressing with barrel aging of up to five months with no malolactic fermentation. The wine is lively and refreshing with lush flavors of peach, mango and citrus. It’s long, crisp and zesty on the finish with lip-smacking acidity: an ideal aperitif, or will pair beautifully with milder Oriental cuisine.
Heron Chardonnay 2013

Print Label

Grgich Hills Fume Banc 2012

92
Grgich Hills
Varietal: Fumé Blanc
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $28

Tasting Notes: A taste profile of white peaches, dried apricots, Meyer lemon and tone of minerality. Framed by toasty oak and vanilla from the French oak fermentation. A treat with shellfish.
Grgich Hills Fume Banc 2012

Print Label

Goldschmidt Singing Tree Russian River Chardonnay 2014

94
Goldschmidt
Fanciful Name: Singing Tree
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Russian River
Retail Price: $17.99

Tasting Notes: This is an absolutely gorgeous Chardonnay from start to finish. The subtle buttery notes are quickly complimented with soft tropical fruit and hints of Granny Smith apple, and all is surrounded by perfectly balanced acidity.
Goldschmidt Singing Tree Russian River Chardonnay 2014

Print Label

Dolce Late Harvest Dessert Wine 2008

99
Dolce Late Harvest
Fanciful Name: Late Harvest
Varietal: Dessert
Vintage: 2008
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $54.99

Tasting Notes: When people in Napa Valley put their minds to something, they normally make it world class. This is no different. A Sauternes-style dessert wine made in Napa Valley, Dolce is considered to be one of the best dessert wines in the world and the 2008 is no different. Silky smooth, with the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, Dolce Late Harvest Dessert Wine is one of the best wine experiences you will ever have.
Dolce Late Harvest Dessert Wine 2008

Print Label

Maison Roche de Bellene Chardonnay 2011

92
Maison Roche de Bellene
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Bourgogne Blanc, Vieilles Vignes
Retail Price: $21.49

Tasting Notes: As good as it gets for white Burgundy anywhere close to this price point. A high-energy Chard that exhibits Meyer lemon, tart apple, allspice and honeysuckle. Nervy and persistent acidity keep the flavors nicely focused.
Maison Roche de Bellene Chardonnay 2011

Print Label