A Grab Bag of Italian Wines

The diversity of Italian wine regions, the seemingly endless amount of native grape varieties, the different styles and winemaking methods, it’s all a bit daunting. But you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy Italian wine. You just need a glass, an open mind and, preferably, some delicious food.

I recently had the pleasure of tasting through a few Italian wines. A drop in the bucket for sure, but it was an enjoyable and educational experience. All wines were received as trade samples and tasted blind.

White

2011 Arnaldo-Caprai Grechetto Colli Martani “Grecante” - Italy, Umbria, Colli Martani
SRP: $20
Medium gold color. Interesting nose of honeycomb, dried pineapple, apricot and hazelnut. On the palate, this wine has an oily texture and medium acid. The flavors of yellow apple and apricot are light and easy, and the nutty-honeycomb aspect adds a bit of punch. A hint of green herbs carries the finish, which isn’t long. While it has some attractive components, overall this isn’t a thought-provoking wine. 100% Grechetto. (83 points)

Orange?

2011 Attems Pinot Grigio “Cupra Ramato” - Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia IGT
SRP: $19
Pretty gold-pink color, like honey mixed with grapefruit juice. Aromas of honeycomb, honeydew melon, ruby red grapefruit and sweet flowers. The palate shows high acid and medium body, with flavors of honeydew melon, white peach and grapefruit. Notes of quinine and minerals add a racy component. Long finish. A really unique and punchy Pinot Grigio. The must remains in contact with the grape skins for 12 hours, which gives this wine that nice coppery color and maybe some of the depth and complex flavors. (89 points)

Red

2008 Valturio “Solco” Marche IGT - Italy, Marche, Marche IGT
SRP: $34
Aromas of violets, mixed dark berries, cranberry sauce, pencil shavings. The palate is wonderfully fresh, as the acid sets the stage for the cranberry, strawberry and fig paste. Notes of coffee, leather, musk and charcoal add layers of complexity. There’s an underlying earthiness that pervades this wine, just like the acid, which starts and finishes this wine. 100% Rebo, which is a hybrid of Merlot and Teroldego, aged 12 months in 50% new French barriques. An elegant yet serious wine that deserves a homemade Italian meal and some time in the decanter. (90 points)

2010 Bersano Dolcetto d'Alba “Coldelfosso” - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba

SRP: $20
Sour cherries, raspberries and dusty earth on the nose. Tart acid, soft tannins, the fruit tastes like tangy cherries and raspberries. Some earth and charcoal flavors add complexity. That said, it’s more of a simple wine for easy drinking. Medium finish. Seems like a drink-me-now. (85 points)

2009 Piccini Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

SRP: $16
A little reticent on the nose, faint red plum, rose petals, dusty earth and a bit of dried tobacco. Medium-bodied on the palate, moderate acid and fine tannins. Flavors of sour cherry, red plum and raspberry jam, along with notes of cocoa powder and tobacco. The wine falls off a bit on the finish. A simple, easy-sipping wine. (82 points)

2006 Castelnuovo Dell'Abate Brunello di Montalcino Riserva “La Fiorita” - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
SRP: $95
A beautiful mix of earth and fruit flavors on the nose, raspberries, figs, green olive, lamb and soy. Medium-to-high acid kicks off the palate along with fine-grained but firm tannins. The raspberry and red currant fruit is pure and complex and mixed with notes of coffee, sage, soy, chewing tobacco, rounded out with some toast. Tasted blind, this screamed Tuscany. A very pretty wine, but there’s no rush because this could use some time in the cellar. (90 points)

2008 Arnaldo-Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco “Collepiano” - Italy, Umbria, Montefalco, Sagrantino di Montefalco

SRP: $60
A bold purple-magenta color. The plum and blackberry fruit smells roasted and inky, and I get notes of violet and dark chocolate as well. The tannins are seriously grippy, and medium acid tries to fight back. The plum and currant fruit tastes deep and compact. Really smoky, like a steak on a charcoal grill. The toasty oak mixes with notes of roasted coffee, herbal liqueur and incense. This 100% Sagrantino is aged for two years in French oak, then six more months in bottle. A bold, gritty wine, I think cellaring this for five to eight years might be a good idea. (90 points)

2010 Arnaldo-Caprai Montefalco Rosso - Italy, Umbria, Montefalco, Montefalco Rosso

SRP: $22

Smells of cherries in sauce, bright berries, along with some tobacco and roasted coffee. The palate shows grippy tannins and medium acid. The cherry and currant fruit is snappy and fresh. Notes of green pepper, anise and tobacco add complexity. The tannins need some time to mellow out, but this wine packs a lot of complexity for $22. A blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Merlot. (89 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Say What? Joe Wenke's Satirical Take on the Bible

As the son of evangelical Christian missionaries, the Bible played a large role in my youth. But the Bible and I have always had a complicated relationship. On Sundays, as I was reading the holy book along with a teacher or a pastor, I was frequently filled not with a peace that passes all understanding, but with an anxious, wrenching feeling. Older and (presumably) smarter people were always telling me this book was truthful, good, the basis of morality and justice, something I should use to guide my decisions.  But when I read the book, the actual words and stories troubled me.

I’ve read the Bible many times, and I still come to the conclusion that the god of the Bible is a jerk. In many cases, he’s the exact opposite of all I consider to be “good.” Despite his ultimate power, he’s petty and desperate for love. The sadistic violence he unleashes upon other tribes makes the film Braveheart look tame. The Old Testament god seems utterly obsessed with violence and slaughter. In book after book, he commands his followers to kill women and children. (When it comes to honoring religious texts, the killing women and children is a deal-breaker for me.) He promotes slavery.  (Another deal-breaker). He inflicts group punishment on innocent people. (I’m going to stop listing the deal-breakers at this point.) Women are treated as spoils of war. In the case of Job, God even turns his back on one of his own followers, as he submits Job to torture and conspires with Satan to kill Job’s family. And that’s just part of the Old Testament. The gospels as a whole are great — the ravings of the Apostle Paul not so much. 

 

But those Sunday school teachers and pastors from my youth seemd like decent, kind and loving people. I have fond memories of them and, for the most part, I think they were genuinely concerned with doing good in the world. So why on earth did they revere this god? Why did they pray to him asking for advice when his book was full of terrible advice? These questions tore me up for a long time. They still do.

Apparently Dr. Joe Wenke struggled along a similar path. His satirical book of essays, You Got to Be Kidding! The Cultural Arsonist’s Satirical Reading of The Bible, is his way of confronting these same questions. You know what you’re getting into as soon as you look at the cover, and if you’re still not sure what Wenke is after, his dedication page may help clear that up: “For Thomas Paine and Christopher Hitchens.”

In writing this book, Wenke, who grew up Catholic, read the Bible all the way through and wrote humorous snippets about whatever stood out to him. Wenke covers both Old and New Testaments, offering thoughts on the text and posing questions about what he reads. He examines the disturbing sections of the Bible and riffs on them with snappy, satirical language. His critique speaks for itself, but I appreciate how Wenke includes a blatant statement of purpose in his book. I’m sure many Christians would be angered if they read this book and, rightfully, they may ask: Why would this man write a book just to mock the Bible? Good question. Wenke answers it: “I’m very passionate about this. Bigots use the Bible all the time to justify their bigotry against gay and transgender people. They also use it to defend the subordination of women to men.”

Wenke is angered by religious-inspired hatred, the most venomous of which is reserved for LGBT people. To combat this ignorance, he chose to combat one of its main sources: the language of The Word itself. “Bible-believing haters do have a point,” Wenke writes. “The Bible, the inspired word of God, is hateful toward gay and transgender people, but that doesn’t impress me. I say just because God is a bigot doesn’t make it right. We all need to stand up against people who use the Bible and religion to justify their own hatred and bigotry.” I say, preach it, brother.

The cover of the book itself is a slap in the face of transphobia, and I give Wenke serious credit for featuring a transgendered woman on the face of his book. Dressed up in what looks like a Catholic robe, her big beautiful eyes looking skyward, the woman gives off a sense of strength and pride.

Blandy's 5-Year Madeiras: True to Form for $24

Hundreds of miles out in the Atlantic Ocean, rows of vines cling to the volcanic cliffs of Madeira.

Madeira has always fascinated me with its complex history and its unusual method of production. When I was a wine newb first learning how Madeira is made — adding spirits before fermentation is complete and heating the wines or letting the casks bake out in the intense island sun — I didn’t understand it. Why someone would make such a wine? Then I tried one, a Blandy’s 15-Year-Old Malmsey. I understood.

The volcanic island of Madeira is technically part of Portugal, but it sits hundreds of miles off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. Madeira is one of the few Old World regions whose wines carry the name of the grape variety on the label. Sercial, Verdelho, Bual and Malmsey (a.k.a., Malvasia) are grape varieties, but they’re also different styles of Madeira. Sercial grapes are usually grown in higher elevation vineyards, and made into a lighter style of wine that accentuates acidity. Verdelhos are a little richer, Buals more so. And Malmseys are the sweetest, richest Madeiras of them all, with frequent themes of caramel and dried fruits.

I recently tasted through all four of these styles. All the wines were Blandy’s 5-Year, meaning the youngest juice in the blend is at least five years old. Sure they’re non-vintage and not aged incredibly long, but at $24 a pop, there’s a lot to like.

All wines were received as press samples and tasted sighted.

N.V. Blandy’s Madeira Sercial 5 Years Old - Portugal, Madeira
SRP: $24
An amber and honey color in the glass. Aromas of apricot, honeysuckle, caramel and an herbal aspect. Despite the richness on the palate, the acid is fresh and the flavors are bright. I get a lot of green apple and caramel notes, along with a minty, saline aspect. Despite the weight and alcohol, this is actually quite light and fresh. I’d love to drink this with mixed cheeses. (88 points)

N.V. Blandy’s Madeira Verdelho 5 Years Old - Portugal, Madeira
SRP: $24
A yellow-apricot color. Smells of dried apricot, honey, orange marmalade and some almond. Easy on the palate despite its weight. Almond and walnut mix with quince and dried pineapple. A saline aspect here as well. Honeycomb and spice linger onto the finish. Medium-dry, actually quite restrained, and the acid keeps it fresh. (89 points)

N.V. Blandy’s Madeira Bual 5 Years Old - Portugal, Madeira
SRP: $24
A gold-orange-hazelnut color in the glass. Bursts from the glass with figs, caramel, dried honey, quince. Full on the palate, with gobs of apricot, figs and dried mango. Secondary flavors of hazelnut, honey and cinnamon keep this interesting, and there's enough acid to balance the sweetness and richness. Delicious. I’m craving mixed nuts and bleu cheese. (88 points)

N.V. Blandy’s Madeira Malmsey 5 Years Old - Portugal, Madeira
SRP: $24
A caramel-nutty color in the glass. A complex and seductive nose of caramel, fig paste, quince, honeycomb and smoke. Rich and waxy on the palate, with honey, almond, quince and apricot flavors. Medium acid helps balance out the rich, caramel, marshmallow-roasting-over-the-coals sweetness of this Malmsey. For only five years of age, this stuff is really complex. Creamy but structured throughout. (90 points)

Clarksburg: Wine Country Minutes from California's Capital

If it grows and the average American consumes it, odds are it grows in California’s Central Valley. The massive swaths of agricultural land around Sacramento produce fruits, vegetables and grains that feed large portions of the country. As I drove around Woodland, Sacramento and Clarksburg, I saw dozens of trucks hauling freshly-picked tomatoes. Beside the roads, fields of spinach, soybeans and flooded rice patties stretch for miles.

Of course, this area of California is also home to many a vineyard. On a recent visit with family in the Sacramento area, we took an afternoon trip to Clarksburg to taste some local wine. While it’s situated just 20 minutes south of the capital on the Sacramento River, Clarksburg has a rustic, rural, Americana feel. There must be a bait and tackle shop for every ten people — the Sacramento River Delta is apparently a spot to cast a line.

Clarksburg snagged an American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation in 1987. If you know of the region at all, you probably associate Clarksburg with Petite Sirah and Chenin Blanc grapes. The Bogle family (yes, that Bogle, whose wines you’ve seen in almost every wine shop) deserves much credit for Clarksburg’s evolution from agriculture country to wine country. They settled in this area in the 1860s and planted their first Petite Sirah and Chenin Blanc vines in the late 1960s. But despite the AVA status, many wines from Clarksburg (including Bogle’s) carry only the generic California appellation on their labels.



You could call this a tourist trap, but something about restoring an historic
sugar mill and filling it with winery tasting rooms is just plain awesome.

My family and I decided to visit the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, a newly-renovated space that houses ten or so wineries. Located just a stone’s throw from the Sacramento River, the Old Sugar Mill is a fun place, albeit kind of touristy. I was a tourist, however, so I took full advantage of it and tasted a bunch of wines.

On a Wedensday afternoon, only the Clarksburg Wine Company and Rendez-Vous were open. I was not very impressed with Rendez-Vous, so I’m focusing ony Clarksburg Wine Company, which kicked off in 2011. Consulting winemaker Stacy Clark, former winemaker at Pine Ridge Vineyards in Napa, makes wine from a medley of grape varieties at the company’s custom crush facility. I visited in July, and itt was hot as hell out, so I chose to taste through their whites. Overall, the Clarksburg Wine Company seems to tailor their wines for a wider audience of casual wine drinkers. This is by no means a negative thing, but based on the approachable wines and their attractive price points,  that’s how I see their approach. Still, Clarksburg Wine Co. makes enjoyable wines at very reasonable prices, and I had a great time visiting.

Here are my tasting notes…

2010 Clarksburg Wine Company Sauvignon Blanc - California, Central Valley, Clarksburg ($16)
Lemon and white tea aromas. Tangy and zippy on the palate. The lemon and grapefruit flavors are fresh and clean, touched with green grass. (85 points)

2010 Clarksburg Wine Company Chenin Blanc VS - California, Central Valley, Clarksburg ($24)
Aromas of lanolin, apricot and cinnamon-spiced apple juice. Tangy acid and a creamy mouthfeel. Waxy notes add a bit to the apple juicy theme of this wine. Simple, juicy and pleasant. (84 points)

2011 Clarksburg Wine Company Chenin Blanc - California, Central Valley, Clarksburg ($16)
I liked this better than the “VS” bottling. It shows lemon zest, white peach and grassy notes on the nose. Creamy palate with flavors of honey, green melon and lime. Some nice crispness to this wine, with notes of quinine and minerals. Good stuff that maintains some of the freshness and verve I seek in Chenin Blanc. (87 points)

2010 Clarksburg Wine Company Chenin Blanc/Viognier - California, Central Valley, Clarksburg ($16)
Aromas of lemon zest, lime, white peach and a hint of herbs. Full-bodied and creamy on the palate, with soft acid. Lots of white peach and green melon combines with some waxy, honeyed tones. A quality blend. I like these Clarksburg Chenin Blanc-Viognier blends, and this one’s pretty good. (86 points)

2010 Clarksburg Wine Company Viognier - California, Central Valley, Clarksburg ($18)
Tropical city on the nose, with white peach, mango and pineapple. Full and honeyed on the palate, with fleshy tangerine and melon fruit. Honeycomb notes as well. Rich, lush and full-bodied in style, but the fruit tastes pure and the finish is long and creamy. (87 points)

2010 Clarksburg Wine Company Chardonnay Un-Oaked - California, Central Valley, Clarksburg ($24)
Light and clean on the nose, with pineapple, soap and white flowers. A creamy but crisp approach. Honey and wax nearly dominate the white peach fruit, but the combination is still quite nice. (84 points)

2010 Clarksburg Wine Company Chardonnay - California, Central Valley, Clarksburg ($24)
Much different than the unoaked version, this wine doesn't hide its oak influences. Really nutty on the nose, with bruised apple, pear and lemon fruit underneath. On the palate, chunky pineapple and apricot combines with honey. Fleshy and ripe, but the oak dominates. Too nutty and caramelized and not enough complexity. (80 points)

2011 Clarksburg Wine Company Riesling Vinedo Sofia - California, Central Valley, Clarksburg ($14)
Clearly a warm climate Riesling, but also clearly decent. Aromas of guava and gushing white peach. Flavors of whipped honey, bruised apple and honey-cinnamon notes. Just enough acid, and even though this is almost dry it’s a richer, hotter-climate style of Riesling. (85 points)

If you’re in the Sacramento area, a trip to the Old Sugar Mill could be a lot of fun. I recommend going on the weekend, however, when all the wineries are open for tastings.

Cheers!

Mendocino Dreaming: Surfing and Sipping Parducci Wines

Cold, remote and rugged, the Mendocino Coast is full of empty (and sharky) surf spots.

Wine and waves are two of my favorite things in life. On a recent trip to Mendocino County, California, I got to enjoy both in the same day.

I was visiting with friends and family in Potter Valley, a small inland enclave that’s home to an increasing amount of vineyards. My mother, father, brother, sister and I all got up well before dawn and loaded up the car. My brother drove us up steep mountain roads lined with redwoods until we reached the coast. I’ve spent a lot of time in Mendocino — it’s one of my favorite places on the planet so far — but each time I catch a glimpse of the rugged, rocky coast, my stomach knots up with excitement.

The remote beach we chose was populated only by a handful of sleeping hippies. My brother and I suited up and paddled out into 50-degree waves. We surfed some frigid five-to-six foot beauties as the sun rose over the mountains to the west. After a few hours, I couldn’t feel my feet or move my lips, but I was in a state of complete bliss. Later that morning we hit up at a beach break at the mouth of the Big River and caught another hour’s worth of solid waves. When we couldn’t surf any more, we packed up the car and head inland.

A hillside Sauvignon Blanc vineyard in Potter Valley, Medoncino.

The next stop was Ukiah, home to one of my favorite Mendocino County winemakers, Parducci. I’ve spent many hours in the Parducci tasting room, sipping from their wide array of wines, touring the vineyards and winery. Still, Parducci is one of those places I’ll always come back to. Even though Parducci is a large producer, their tasting room is totally Mendocino: laid back, rustic, calm. I wore sandy flip-flops and a death metal T-shirt while others wore dusty boots and tank tops, and no one gave a damn. My tasting crew had grown to ten, including a baby in tow, and we all crowded around the bar to taste through Parducci’s portfolio. The tasting room attendant took care of our group like a pro, serving up decent-sized pours, answering questions, telling stories.

We started off with a few wines from Parducci’s Paul Dolan label, which is focused on organic and biodynamic fruit. Generally, the winery strives for organic grapes in most of their wines, but Paul Dolan wines fully embrace organic viticulture and winemaking. Paul Dolan also embraces the Potter Valley appellation on some of their labels. Much of the fruit from Potter goes into blends that sport a simple Mendocino County label, so it’s nice to see a producer trying to get the name of this appellation out there. I may be biased because I’ve spent a lot of time in Potter Valley and loved every minute of it, but I really think this is a special winegrowing region. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir do very well here in the dry climate and long growing season. It gets hot during the summer, which allows the fruit to grow plenty ripe, but during my July trip the temperature dropped 45 degrees at night, which helps the wines maintain crisp acidity.

Here are my thoughts on the Parducci wines I tasted…

N.V. Paul Dolan Vineyards Brut - Mendocino County ($27)
Paul Dolan’s done a great job making a Mendocino Brut at a very reasonable price. This blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay smells of lemon, lime and freshly baked biscuits, a hint of butter. The palate is loaded with minerals and acid, backed up by crisp lime and green apple fruit. Very focused with delicate brioche and lemon butter undertones. Brisk, long finish. I’m impressed. (90 points)

2011 Paul Dolan Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc - Mendocino County, Potter Valley ($18)
It’s nice to see Paul Dolan embracing the Potter Valley label. This Sauvignon Blanc is a good example of what Potter can do with this grape. The wine smells of guava, honey, some flowers and just a whiff of chive. Juicy guava on the palate but the grapefruit and lemon flavors are zesty. I really appreciate the zippy acid and high minerality in this wine. Just a hint of grass, but this isn’t your average lawnmower New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. (88 points)

2011 Paul Dolan Vineyards Chardonnay - Mendocino County ($18)
Aromas of white flowers, brisk lemon and honey. Creamy on the palate with notes of whipped honey and nougat, but the citrus fruit keeps it tangy and balanced. A nice mineral tinge to the finish. Aged for five months in 15% new French oak and 85% stainless steel, giving the final wine a combination of richness and crispness. Well-done stuff. (88 points)

2010 Paul Dolan Vineyards Zinfandel - Mendocino County ($25)
Lots of stuff going on aromatically: a burst of wild strawberry and blackberry, mocha, pepper and an aroma that reminds me of dried hay or a briar patch or something. Anyway, it smells good. Loads of plums on the palate, a bit raisined perhaps, but not too much. Creamy tannins and medium acid come together to make this easy to sip and enjoy. Big, but not too overbearing. (87 points)

2010 Paul Dolan Vineyards Pinot Noir - Mendocino County, Potter Valley ($38)
Hey, this looks like Pinot! Light ruby color. A cranberry focus on the nose, along with spicy pepper notes, earth and sweet lavender. Beautifully aromatic and deserving of more than a tasting room sniff. On the palate, the acid is wonderfully brisk. Fine, creamy tannins support the fresh cranberry and cherry fruit. This shows some really interesting savory and earthy tones, and a bacon note lingers on the long finish. Elegant and light (with a moderate 13.5% alcohol content) but not simple in any way. I know Anderson Valley gets all the love, but I’m really digging Potter Pinot Noir. This wine is aged 19 months in 23% new oak barrels. (91 points)

I appreciate the way Parducci produces a range of wines at all sorts of price points. Their cheaper labels like the Small Lot Blends and Sketchbook are frequently good buys. I was also happy that the True Grit Petite Sirah made a showing at this tasting, as I’ve enjoyed previous vintages. In fact, it’s high up there on my list of best California Petite Sirahs.

2011 Parducci Pinot Noir Small Lot – California ($14)
I rarely recommend $14 Pinot Noirs. Well, here’s one. Light cranberry color is the first good sign. On the nose, strawberry jam mixes with rhubarb and subtle pepper. Fine tannins, crisp acid, a light and tangy approach. Strawberry and raspberry fruit with notes of vanilla and caramel. It’s not the most complex Pinot, but it does what it does very well. Harmonious and crowd-pleasing, it seems everyone at the tasting enjoyed this wine. (87 points)

2010 Parducci Cabernet Sauvignon Small Lot - Mendocino County ($14)
A combination of black and green pepper kicks off the nose, but there are also some saucy black cherry and currant aromas. Very creamy and silky on the palate with soft tannins for a Cabernet and medium acid. Currant and plum fruit is dusted with loam, bell pepper and toasty notes. Easy-drinking and a good Cab for $14. A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petite Verdot. (85 points)

2010 Parducci Grenache Reserve - Mendocino County ($27)
A cranberry-plum color with thick legs in the glass. Dense on the nose, rather closed at first. I let it sit, swirled it around, and started getting raspberries, caramel and spice notes. Rich but juicy on the palate. Nice mix of blueberry and cranberry fruit, along with hazelnut, tobacco and loam. This wine tasted riper and more forward than the other wines in this tasting, but it holds its ripeness well. Huge flavor packed in here. This is a really young wine that could benefit from a long decant or some cellar time. Aged 20 months in seasoned French and American oak. (88 points)

2010 Parducci Petite Sirah True Grit - Mendocino County ($29)
This is the best True Grit Petite Sirah I’ve tasted so far. Inky black-purple color with thunder thighs in the glass. Huge nose of blackberry puree and boysenberry but there are also some potpourri and lavender aromas that rock. Dense and lush on the palate with firm, grippy tannins. The plum and boysenberry fruit is rich and pure, and accented by notes of grilled steak, earth and charcoal. Long, dusty finish. This is a really young wine that would benefit from a decant, but it’s beautiful stuff. One of the best Petite Sirahs I’ve had in a long time. (91 points)

2010 Parducci Port Reserve - Mendocino County ($30)
Big and sweet on the nose, with prunes, plum cake, vanilla wafers and rich mocha. Actually quite silky on the palate, with medium tannins. Fig paste, prunes and brandied plums on the palate, with notes of caramel and nuts. A little heat from the alcohol, but it’s not too bad. Everyone at the tasting enjoyed this wine. Bring on the bleu cheese. A unique blend of 50% Souzao, 20% Tinta Cao, 17.5% fortified brandy and 12.5% Touriga Nacional. (88 points)

See you in Mendocino!

California Chardonnays Show Elegance in 2011 Vintage

I love all styles of California Chardonnay, from buttered toast bombs to the crisp green apple and mineral interpretations. But the 2011 vintage seems to have taken California Chardonnay in a more delicate direction. I recently blind-tasted some 2011 California Chardonnays and I have to say: I’m a fan.

Freshness is a word that came to mind over and over again as I tasted these wines. Obviously, the vintage conditions varied from region to region and winemakers craft Chardonnay in completely different ways, but, speaking generally, the 2011s feel elegant and crisp yet full of flavor. A cooler summer and early autumn rains led to many grapes being picked with lower sugar levels. Considering the weather is still hot and these Chards are currently on shelves across the country, now is a great time to enjoy the 2011s.

All wines were received as trade samples and tasted blind.

2011 Gainey Chardonnay - California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

SRP: $22

A light straw yellow colored. A great nose of lime, white peach and clovers, some honey. Plush on the body, with really fresh acid. Minerals and white flowers blend well with the green pear and apple fruit. Some peanut and honeycomb, but this wine is still crisp in its approach. Well-done. This Chardonnay spends 10 months in 18% new French, Hungarian and American oak. (88 points)

2011 Gainey Chardonnay Limited Selection - California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

SRP: $38

Light gold color. Aromas of yellow apple, lime, honeysuckle and some fresh biscuits. The palate starts off with mouth-puckering acid, but the yellow apple, ruby red grapefruit and creamy pear flavors follow. A mineral splash mixes with just a bit of butter and honeycomb notes. The creaminess and acidity line up well. The focus is quite impressive, as is the length of the finish. (89 points)

2011 JL Giguiere Chardonnay “Matchbook” Musqué Clone 809 - California, Central Valley, Dunnigan Hills

SRP: $16

Smells of green melon, honey and an herbal note that’s hard to nail down (Nettle? Oregano?). A waxy, honeyed feel to the palate and low acid. Cantaloupe and nectarine fruit mixes in with sweeter honeycomb and apricot. Not oaky, however — all stainless steel. A bit short on the finish. Tasted blind, I was convinced a Muscat had found its way into a Chardonnay tasting. This is a fun wine, but I’m not sure I can figure out what it’s trying to say. (82 points)

2011 Hooker Rugby Club Chardonnay “Breakaway”  -California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $24
The nose is packed with papaya and honey, but also a lot of minerals. The palate shows lots of acid to start, with lemon-lime, green apple and white peach fruit. There’s also some clover honey and toasted nuts for richness, but this is a leaner, subtle oak kind of Chardonnay. Long, crisp finish that’s packed with minerals. I mean, this wine with oysters? C’mon. After tasting and getting excited about this wine, I was thrilled unveil a Russian River Chard for $24. (90 points)

2011 Jordan Vineyard & Winery Chardonnay Russian River Valley - California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

SRP: $30

Fresh on the nose, with floral and lemon tones. Also some creamy pear and honeycomb. On the palate, a lush mouthfeel mixes with crisp acid and a distinct mineral edge. The lemon and lime flavors are zesty, but accented by complex notes of dried honey, hazelnut and spice — tarragon or something? The creaminess is limited, with only 30% of the wine undergoing maloactic fermentation. While this wine shows some rich pear and nutty aspects from the oak aging, it maintains an elegant posture. (89 points)

2011 Gundlach Bundschu Chardonnay Estate Vineyard - California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

SRP: $27

I’ve never been to the factory that makes those Lemonhead candies, but I imagine it smells something like this wine. I get that tangy lemon and sugar cane, plus there’s some floral and limestone aromas. The palate is airy and citrus-focused, with lemon and lime and tangerine. Some plushness to the mouthfeel, but with no maloactic fermentation, this wine is more about verve and briskness. Only the slightest touch of hazelnut and toast. There’s also a fresh sense of minerality that makes me crave oysters. A sleek and elegant Sonoma Coast Chard. (90 points)

2011 Franciscan Estate Chardonnay “Cuvée Sauvage”  - California, Napa, Carneros 

SRP: $40

On the nose, pineapple and mango meet toasted marshmallow and hazelnut. This Chardonnay is plump and rich on the palate. Mango, lemon and honey flavors are topped with roasted nuts and caramel corn. Charged, strong and bold, but the medium acid is appreciated. Aged 14 months in 86% new French oak, this is obviously an oaky wine, but it shows a bit more nuance than a lot of wines made in this style. (87 points)

The 2011s are available now, so if you’re a fan of crisp, clean Chardonnays, you’ve got quite a lot of options. If you’re interested in straight-up scores without context, here’s a free alphabetical listing of Wine Spectator’s recent scores for California Chardonnay, including many from the 2011 vintage.

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.