Fall Creek Vineyards Lescalo Chenin Blanc 2019, Texas

Pale lemon in color, almost see through.

Very aromatic nose of white flowers, grapefruits, limes, green apples, spices, honey and minerals.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with lemons, citrus, green apples, grapefruits, spices, honeysuckle, earth, light river rocks and sea salt.

Tangy finish with light almonds.

This is a nice and easy drinking Chenin Blanc from Texas. Tangy and interesting.

The nose is kind of sweet, suggesting a sweet palate, yet it’s dry. Really enjoyed the nose.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with Ahi Tuna Sashimi.

A blend of 90% Chenin Blanc and 10% Sauvignon Blanc.

9.8% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$18.

Notre Vue Estate Winery Balverne Russian River Valley Forever Wild Chardonnay 2019, California

Pale lemon in color with a green/ golden hue.

Nice nose of lemons, cedar, vanilla, toast, limes, grapefruits, honeysuckle, apples, honeydew, earth, minerals, sea salt and light river rocks.

Full bodied, buttery and smooth, with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with citrus, green apples, grapefruits, bitter herbs, spices, oak, vanilla, peppercorn, wet leaves and earth.

Nice tangy finish with almonds.

This is a very enjoyable Chardonnay from Russian River Valley. Elegant, fruity and interesting.

Loved the nose here. Showing nice complexity with a great mouthfeel.  Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years.

Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime (20 minutes).

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with cheeses, crackers and olives.

100% Chardonnay grapes were aged for 5 months in French Oak barrels (20% new).

14.2% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$35.

Montezuma Winery Voleur Cabernet Franc 2019, New York

Purple/reddish in color with light intensity.

On the nose strawberries, unripe cherries, earth, green vegetables, herbs, light bell pepper, green beans, wet leaves, mushrooms and light black pepper.

Light to medium in body with medium plus acidity.

Very dry on the palate with cherries, strawberries, raspberries, spices, herbs, green vegetables, herbs, earth and black pepper.

Medium finish with soft tannins and tangy cranberries.

This is a nice and easy drinking Cabernet Franc from the Finger Lakes in New York State. Earthy with mild complexity.

Feels like a French Cab Franc from the Loire. Very old world feel. Lean, earthy and light.

Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years and see how it evolves.

Good right out of the bottle, but better as it opens up.

Good by itself or with food. I gave it a light chill.

A good porch wine too. Light and engaging. A nice summer red.

13.1% alcohol by volume.

87 Points.

$19.

Brecon Estate True Acacia Head 2020, Central Coast, California

Pale lemon in color with a green hint.

Fruity nose of citrus, lemons, grapefruits, green apples, spices, tangerine and bitter herbs.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity. Crisp and refreshing.

Dry on the palate with grapefruits, limes, lemons, green apples, bitter herbs, spices, light earth and white pepper.

Tangy finish with limes and almonds.

This is a nice Albariño from the Central Coast. Easy drinking, very refreshing and tangy.

Needs a couple of minutes to open up, and better when not too cold.

A good quality wine and good by itself or with food. I paired it with fresh berries, cheeses and crackers.

Albariño grapes were fermented in Acacia barrels. A small production of only 276 cases made.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$36.

L’Ecole No. 41 Winery Yakima Valley Old Vines Chenin Blanc 2020, Washington State

Pale lemon in color with a golden hue.

Nice gentle nose of flowers, citrus, tangerines, honey, white peaches, green apples, almonds, light spices and white pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity. Crisp and refreshing.

Dry on the palate with ripened green apples, spices, bitter herbs, black pepper and earth.

Tangy finish with bitter almonds.

This is a nice Chenin Blanc from Washington State. Easy drinking with a nice buttery mouthfeel. A New World wine with a touch of France.

Good by itself or with food.
Good right out of the bottle, and gets earthier as it opens up.

A good everyday wine and good for parties or the pool.

I paired it with a grilled octopus and Australian prawn on a bed of squid ink Pappardelle.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$17.

Bollinger Limited Edition Rosé Champagne 2006, France

This is a delicious Vintage Rosé Champagne from a great vintage.

Showing lots of bread and yeast notes, citrus, over ripen apples, spices, minerals, white pepper, sea salt, light earth and herbs.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity, and nicely integrated small bubbles. Just the way I prefer it.

This 15 year old is very tasty now. Nicely balanced with lots of complexity.

Thank you John for sharing this with me.

Good by itself or with food. I didn’t need anything but a nice glass with it.

12% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

7 Cellars Elway’s Reserve Carneros Chardonnay 2019, California

Happy international Chardonnay Day!

Pale lemon in color.

Strong oaky nose of citrus, cedar, toast, vanilla, spices, golden apples and white pepper.

Full bodied, buttery and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with toasted oak, vanilla, spices, apples and black pepper.

Spicy finish with limes.

This is a young Oaky Chardonnay from Carneros. Big, bold and fruit forward.

Needs a couple of years in the bottle to mature. I had the 2018 recently, and it was much better so its worth waiting for a bit.

A little much for me at this point, but it was a big hit at the table.

A good quality wine that needs time to chillax.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$37.

Brecon Estate Last Sandwich 2020, Central Coast, California

Pale lemon in color with a golden tint.

Strong tangy nose of limes, grapefruits, green apples, light herbs, earth, light vegetables and spices.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with lemons, limes, vegetables, green apples, grapefruits, bitter herbs, spices and black pepper.

Medium length on the finish with limes and bitter almonds.

This is a nice food wine from the Central Coast in California.

Tangy and spicy. Elegant and interesting. Feels like a Sauvignon Blanc/ Sémillon blend from Bordeaux.

I paired it with a double cream Brie cheese on the beach.

A blend of Viognier and Albariño. A small production of 261 cases.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$36.

Aridus Wine Company Viognier 2018, Arizona

• 

Yellow in color with a light golden hue.

Pretty nose of citrus, lemons, apples, light apricots, white flowers and light honey.

Medium plus in body and refreshing, with medium acidity.

Very dry on the palate with grapefruits, pears, melons, spices and white pepper.

Tangy finish with limes.

This is a nice and easy drinking Viognier from Arizona. Crisp and refreshing. Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel.

A good pool wine and good for parties.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with cheeses and smoked salmon.

12.7% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$28.

Smith-Madrone Winery Spring Mountain District Riesling 2017, Napa Valley, California

• 

Pale lemon in color with a yellow tint.

Pretty nose of lemons, citrus, yellow apples, diesel, light tangerines, light river rocks, spices and minerals.

Medium plus in body with high acidity.

Dry on the palate with citrus, spices, lemons, apples, light earth, minerals, light sea salt and white pepper.

Tangy finish with limes and grapefruit.

This is a delicious Riesling from Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley. Showing mild complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Still young and would benefit from a few years in the bottle. Already drinking nicely with nice balance.

Good by itself or with food, and better after 45 minutes of airtime.

Not as complex as the 2016 vintage, but time will tell as this evolves in the bottle. Still very yummy.

A great sipping wine and a good pool wine too. Fresh with a dry finish.

I paired it with Cedar Planked Salmon on the BBQ.

12.9% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$34.