During the quarantine, I’ve been drinking more and more California white wines that I am enjoying. Some are new, some are old standards. All tend to be restrained with good acid, but not always. Some recent favorites include:
Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Blanc – My favorite Roussanne (blend) made in California. Hard to find a mediocre vintage. Better with 5 to 10 years age on them.
Cattleya Chardonnays and Sauv Blanc – New producer to me, but really well made wines. The Alma de Cattleya SB was a steal at $17, but the higher end Chards are also excellent
Massican Sauv Blanc – wow, great acid, wonderful bouquet, maybe a Top 3 SB from California that I’ve ever had
Rhys Chard – recently had 12s Horseshoe that was stunning. Always a favorite.
Marcassin – Had a '10 that was gorgeous. Not a style I would enjoy frequently, but a wonderful wine
Chanin Bien Nacido Chardonnays. Haven’t found anything domestic that touches them in the $30-35 range, when I usually go for 1er Chablis at that price point.
Not sure how I got mine before members did I included some 18 BN chard in an order I got a month ago. I haven’t opened one yet. I love this wine. It literally left me speechless when I visited a few years back. I don’t recall tasting the Solomon Hills so will seek it out.
To my taste Liquid Farm doesn’t scratch the itch that the Chanin BN does. I’ll drink the LF if served to me but am no longer a buyer.
Preach! I had that same exact reaction tasting the 16 BN there a couple years ago. Ordered another case of them on K&L. The 15 didn’t do it as much for me recently. But I’m happy to have some 17 and 18 to try soon.
Rhys Chardonnay
Desire Lines Riesling
Stolo Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
Martinelli Dry Muscat Alexandria
Mount Eden Chardonnay
Arnot-Roberts Chardonnay