Luis Alegre Kepe Blanco 2016, Spain

My Rating 80 Points.
Price $18.

Pale lemon in color with a yellow tint.

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

Medium bodied with bright acidity.

Dry on the palate with limes, herbs, grapefruits, citrus, sea salt, white pepper, spices and cream.

Short finish with spices and bitter almonds.

This Spanish white wine is simple and a little off balance. A good food wine, but a little flat and too bitter for my taste.

I paired it with a seafood platter by the pool.

A blend of 80% Macabeo and 20% Sauvignon Blanc.

12% alcohol by volume.

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Sterling Vineyards Vintner’s Collection California Chardonnay 2016, California

My Rating 86 Points.
Price $12.

Yellowish/ Golden in color.

Fruity nose of apples, pears, peaches, melons, smoke, oak, toast, vanilla and light pepper.

Full bodied, buttery and bold, with medium acidity.

Dry to off dry on the palette with citrus, lemons, honey, red apples, melons, wood, vanilla, tropical fruits, peaches, bananas, cream, spices and black pepper.

Medium minus on the finish with limes.

This is a nice surprise. Well balanced, simple and enjoyable by itself or with food. Oaky and buttery, but not overwhelming like I expected it to be. Easy to drink, without any bitterness.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

Coastal Vines Cellars California Chardonnay 2015, California

My Rating 82 Points.
Price $5.

Pale lemon in color with a yellow tint.

On the nose, citrus, melons, lemons, yellow apples, vanilla and oak.

Full bodied, bold and buttery with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with grapefruits, vanilla, limes, apples, almonds, wood, spices and black pepper.

Medium finish with bitter almonds and spices.

This Californian Chardonnay is simple and balanced with some spicy notes. A little bitter for my taste, but better with food.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

Smoking Loon Wine Company Steelbird Unoaked Chardonnay 2016, California

My Rating 85 Points.
Price $9.

Pale lemon in color with a green hue.

Strong nose of citrus, lemons, apples, melons, light wood (apparently), spices and black pepper.

Full bodied and buttery with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with lemons, grapefruits, citrus, yellow apples, wood, bitter herbs, light vegetables, spices, cream and black pepper.

Medium finish with bitter almonds and herbs.

This Unoaked Chardonnay from California is drinking nicely. Not fully balanced, spicy and simple. I definitely got hints of wood and spices (although it is Unoaked?).

A good pool wine, but goes well with food too. Refreshing when properly chilled.

I paired it with a grilled chicken salad.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

Starling Castel Riesling Non-Vintage Rheinhessen, Germany

My Rating 84 Points.
Price $10.

Pale lemon in color with a golden tint.

Sweet nose of lemons, citrus, melons, red apples, sea salt, white pepper, tropical fruits, kiwis and pineapples.

Full bodied with high acidity.

Sweet on the palate with lemons, apples, pears and pineapples.

Medium plus in finish with limes and sea salt.

This is a simple Riesling from Rheinhessen, Germany. Sweet and tangy. Balanced and enjoyable by itself and drinks like juice.

Probably too sweet for many wine drinkers, but would be a good beginner white wine, or with lightly sweetened desserts.

9.5% alcohol by volume.

Lindeman’s Wines Bin 65 Chardonnay 2016, Southeastern Australia

My Rating 83 Points.
Price $7.

Light yellow in color with a golden hue.

Strong nose of citrus, lemons, apples, melons, pears, oak and vanilla.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with lemons, grapefruits, yellow apples, pears, spices and black pepper.

Medium plus in finish with spices and limes.

This Australian Chardonnay is simple and balanced with an Oaky feel and a tangy finish. This vintage seems to be a bit better than previous ones for some reason. Good by itself or with food.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

Julien Braud Forty Ounce Muscadet 2016 Loire, France

My Rating 83 Points.
Price $19.

Pale lemon in color, almost translucent.

Nice nose of white flowers, lemons, citrus, tropical fruits, peaches, melons, green apples, grapefruits, bitter herbs and white pepper.

Light bodied with high acidity, crisp and refreshing.

Dry on the palate with limes, grapefruits, citrus, sea salt, white pepper, minerals, spices and vegetables.

Short finish with limes.

A nice refreshing white from France. Simple with a watery mouthfeel. I really liked the nose here, the palate was much simpler.

A nice food wine to pair with oysters.

12% alcohol by volume.