The Wine Guy
Do you remember when you were a kid and you were in the car, going somewhere with the family? At some point, you asked, (sometimes, a lot),” are we there yet?”. Well, it certainly seems to be that way with warm weather. So, on the assumption that we’re closer to it that farther from it, I want to mention a few warm weather wines.
Smith Madrone 2014 Riesling Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District ($29): This beautiful riesling delivers notes of honeysuckle, orange blossom, lychee, and citrus in the nose. It’s got a good backbone of acidity that supports flavors of peach, Asian pear and citrus. The finish has some pleasant minerality.
Mason 2016 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley Yount Mill Vineyard: ($15) Nestled on the backside of Yountville Hill, Yount Mill Vineyard established in the 1930s and was an early adopter of organics. The owners started planting our sauvignon blanc block in 2001. The definitive style of this wine carries a vibrant acid backbone, subtle vanilla spice and core flavors of fresh fig, quince, honeyed cantaloupe with a touch of grass – all combined for an elegant and boisterous sensation.
Lawer Estates 2015 Betsy’s Vineyard Viognier ($24): This multi-medal winner from Sonoma gives off tropical aromas alongside honeysuckle, honey crisp apple, and jasmine, with highlights of tangerine and vanilla. It’s blessed with excellent acidity, which undergirds flavors of apricot, white nectarine and pear. The lengthy finish is strong on the spicy citrus. Finally, California winemakers know how to nail this varietal.
Stags’ Leap Winery Napa Valley Chardonnay, 2016 ($26): The inviting bouquet expresses aromas of creamy lemon meringue, tropical pineapple, delicate elderflower and hints of raw almond nuttiness which fill the glass and pique your interest in this crisp Chardonnay. On the palate, you’ll find a classic refreshing Chardonnay with a vibrancy of tropical fruit notes that transition into lemon curd and meringue while also maintaining a roundness in texture that is balanced (hinting at the delicate battonage lees stirring during the winemaking process). With well-integrated vanilla oak notes, subtle almond undertones, and a flinty minerality on the finish, this wine is full, rich and bright, yet generous in style and maintains freshness due to its acidity, which creates a Chardonnay of lovely complexity and depth.
2017 Outer Sounds Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($17):A white for any wine drinker, this versatile Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect expression of Marlborough.
A stretch of water known as the Outer Sounds leads from the sea-drowned valleys of Marlborough into the mystical wine country of New Zealand. Invigorated by such treasured terroir, this crisp Sauvignon Blanc has juicy passionfruit and citrus flavors along with the classic green, grassy flavors that are so characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc from this region. Warm days and cool nights allow grapes to ripen evenly, offering a bright natural acidity along with ripe fruit flavors, and a mix of different vineyard sites throughout this famed region offer a multitude of different characters in the finished wine. Whether for a warm day or a light meal, this white is versatile and a great fit for any occasion.
Now, if only we can get enough warm weather to try them………….
Talk to The Wine Guy at jdris8888@gmail.com
