We’re headed back to California again for another roundup of samples I’ve received this summer.
This report includes some new releases from well-known Sonoma Chard and Pinot producer J Vineyards, Napa stalwarts Robert Mondavi and Trefethen, and a few other wines sprinkled in.
I received these wines as samples and tasted them sighted.
2017 Chalk Hill Chardonnay - California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
SRP: $24
Rich gold color. Powerful waves of lemon curt, apricot and orange marmalade, but also some lime, sea salt, chalk dust, honeycomb, peanut brittle. The palate is rich in texture, velvety and smooth but the acid tingles. Lots of lemon curd and candied orange with notes of ginger, almond cake, honey, mixed with sea spray. The flavors, depth, balance, it’s all quite lovely, especially for the price. Aged eight months in 30% new oak. (90 points)
2016 Gehricke Chardonnay- California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $32
Medium yellow color. Plump aromas of apricots, yellow apples, bruised pear, with sea salt, honeybutter and almond. Rich texture on the palate but medium acidity, along with juicy yellow fruits (pineapple, yellow apples and bruised pear). Notes of cinnamon, toasted almond, sea salt, honey, rich but not too heavy. I love the underlying salty, mineral tones. Aged 20 months in French oak. (89 points)
2016 J Vineyards & Winery Chardonnay - California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $31
Medium yellow color. Ooh, I love the bright floral, sea salt, crushed almond shells and some honey, on top of lemon curd and yellow apples. On the palate, a lovely creamy texture makes this so pleasurable, but the freshness of the acidity cuts through nicely. Lemon curd, nectarine, juicy yellow apples, mixed with notes of almond, salted peanut, white flowers and honey, some mineral undertones add complexity. This producer, and this wine in particular, seem so reliably good to me. Aged nine months in 25% new French oak. (90 points)
2017 Rarecat Rosé Jennifer - California
SRP: $36
Pale copper color. Aromas of peach, lime pith, nettle, roses and candy corn. Crisp and lively on the palate this is a steely and spice rose with flavors of green melon and peaches. Floral tones, white pepper, nettle, some sliced cucumber notes. Fun stuff, balanced nicely. 100% Grenache rosé. (87 points)
2014 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville - California, Napa Valley, Oakville
SRP: $63
Rich purple color. Gorgeous waves of currants and blackberries, along with eucalyptus, cocoa powder, mint, gravelly earth and vanilla. Full but suave, rich texture with chewy tannins but it stays lively. Juicy black currants, tangy blackberries, this is fruit and dark but also sports cocoa, earth, eucalyptus, mint and graphite. Lots going on here but it goes down quite easily. Ready to drink or hold for a few years. Includes 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot, aged 18 months in about 30% new French oak. (90 points)
2015 Trefethen Merlot - California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll
SRP: $40
Light purple color. Bursts with juicy black cherries, blackberry, dark but tart notes, with cocoa, coffee and scorched earth. Surprisingly fresh on the palate with crisp acidity, medium-light tannins and tart black cherries and blackberry fruit. Notes of chewing tobacco, mint, scorched earth and vanilla coffee add some complexity. So fresh, goes down very easily, ready to drink. Aged 18 months in 40% new French, American and Hungarian oak. (88 points)
2016 Gehricke Cabernet Sauvignon - California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley
SRP: $35
Light purple color. Aromas of sweet red and tart black cherries, with violets, vanilla, cracked pepper, coffee grounds. Full-bodied with velvety tannins and refreshing acidity that makes the wine pop. Sweet red cherries, tart dark plums, the fruit is mixed in nicely with black pepper, bay leaf, cocoa, violets and vanilla. Juicy and toasty but that fresh acidity really rocks. Includes 14% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, aged 18 months in French oak. (88 points)
2016 J Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir - California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $40
Bright ruby color. Very pretty on the nose but also lots of deep fruit, with black cherries, strawberries, lots of rhubarb and cola, but some violets, notes of clove and black tea. Full and suave with fresh acidity and smooth tannins, lots of red cherries, red plums, some strawberry jam, but the fruit stays fresh. Notes of cola, sarsaparilla, clove, earthy, black tea notes. Very nice for the price, delicious stuff. Aged nine months in 30% new French oak. (90 points)
2015 French Bar Petite Sirah - California
SRP: $19
Deep purple color. Rich and plummy on the nose with jammy blackberries, blueberries, notes of anise and cocoa. Plush and rich on the palate with suave tannins and medium-low acidity. Plums, blackberries and blueberries abound, mixed with pepper, anise, spicy dry rub and grill smoke. Fun, tasty stuff that would be perfect for a late-summer grill-out. All Petite Sirah, aged 13 months in French oak. (87 points)
2016 French Bar Gold Dust Red - California
SRP: $19
Rich purple color. Dark and sweet on the nose with blackberry jam, boysenberry sauce and roasted black currants, sweet violets, dark chocolate, roasted coffee. Deep and saucy on the palate with fleshy tannins and surprisingly fresh acidity. Black cherries, blackberries and roasted figs, backed up with cocoa, sweet coffee and violets. Fruity and rich but stays lively, too. 82% Petit Verdot and 18% Teroldego aged eight months in French oak. (87 points)
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