White Wines (Food & Wine -- Wine) |
| Part # | Manufacturer | Product Name | Product Description | Price |
| WW-ANGOBC-05 | Angoves Winery | Angove's Red Belly Black 2005 Chardonnay South Australia | Angove's is a terrific go-to brand that pushes the flavor envelope and not the budget. Thus, I bring you this rich, creamy, there's-a-big-surprise-on-the-finish treat from one of Aussie's oldest. It starts out a bit buttery and ripe, yet not overblown. Then the fun begins as the ripe melon and nectarine flavors suddenly light up with a lemon twist that carries through to the gloriously long finish. SURPRISE! Excellent as a party starter, yet classy enough to impress even the most jaded of wine l | $10.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-ANGOCR-05 | Angove's Winery | Angove's 2005 Vineyard Select Clare Valley Riesling | Australia's tiny Clare Valley is one damn fine place to grow Riesling. Just check out this tasty number from Angove's and you'll see why. The aromas leap from the glass with intense lime, lemon combined with floral undertones and a lovely hint of passionfruit. The palate shows the crisp acidity for which the Clare is renowned and frames the clean, vibrant fruit flavors beautifully. It's a wonderful and versatile food wine, especially with antipasto, tapas and grilled seafood. Clare Valley Riesli | $17.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-ANGOLC-05 | Angove's Winery | Angove's 2005 Vineyard Select Limestone Coast Chardonnay | The more Limestone Coast Chardonnays I try, the more determined I am to declare it as one of the top Aussie wine growing regions especially the Chardonnays from the area's coastal climes. The 2005 Angove's is a damn fine example, with its earthy, chalky aromas of grapefruit, melon and ripe peach. The flavors are soft and opulent with vibrant pineapple, rich melon and complex citrus. Overall, the wine has good acidity, smooth, rich fruit and outstanding balance. It's very nice with fresh seafood | $17.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-BERIDR-03 | Beringer Winery | Beringer 2003 Dry Riesling | [Robert Parker: 87] Beringer is bringing California Riesling some much needed respect with this delightful 2003. Coming from the winery's Gamble Ranch vineyard, this delicate wine offers dried apricot, spice, lime peel, and lots of citrus rind aromas and flavors. It is crisp and dry, but finishes with a beautiful richness and that typical Riesling oily finish. It's a great appetizer wine, or try it with grilled whole chicken. It's very interesting to see a winery of Beringer's status producing s | $9.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-BERISB-05 | Beringer Winery | Beringer 2005 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc | Beringer's 2004 Sauvignon Blanc was one of my top wines from last year, so I was eager to try the encore. The verdict? FABULOUS! Once again, winemaker Laurie Hook allows the true nature of Sauvignon Blanc to emerge as the racy lemon-lime, melon and grapefruit flavors take a star turn in this food-friendly wine suited for those who love mouthwatering acidity matched with rich, ripe fruit. Beringer is quietly emerging as one of California's leaders of damn fine Sauvignon Blanc. Try it with grilled | $9.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-BGAGCM-02 | Domaine Blain-Gagnard | Domaine Blain-Gagnard 2002 Chassagne Montrachet Morgeot Premier Cru White Burgundy | There's way too much goin' on with this delicious Chardonnay to ignore, including its renowned appellation, the prominent Premier Cru vineyard source and my nearly famous discount. Have I forgotten anything? Oh yes, it's also a damn fine wine with rich peach, apple and mineral flavors kept buoyant by lively acidity. Try it with almost anything from the sea, fresh salads, and rich, white-sauced pastas.Blain-Gagnard owner Claudine Blain has Burgundy running through her veins. Claudine is the grand | $49.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-BOMAML-02 | Boyer-Martenot | Boyer-Martenot 2002 Meursault 'Le Pre de Manche' Cuvee Unique | This wine is a great example of the harmony that can be achieved between wood (2- to 3-year-old barrels) and wine, with notes of pear butter, lemons, smoky incense, grilled nuts and a long, lush and soft personality. Try it with fresh shellfish, seafood and roast chicken.A good friend of mine asked recently when we were going to have more Mersault in stock. It seems she traveled to France recently and fell head over heals with the wines from this famous region. She's not the only one, as I'm smi | $29.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-BOMAMO-03 | Ives Boyer Martenot | Boyer-Martenot 2003 Meursault L'Ormeau | [Burghound: 88] You won't find a creamier, richer Meursault anywhere than the L'Ormeaufrom vineyard rat Yves Boyer. The 2003 is extremely aromatic with grilled nuts, stone fruits, honeysuckle and tangerine. The flavors are exceedingly delicious, with trademark Meursault ripe pineapple, rich, juicy citrus and nutmeg. The lovely acidity ties it all together in one fell swoop, leaving you with a perfect match for pasta with a cream sauce and fresh seafood. Once again, Yves Boyer dazzles with anothe | $32.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-BOMAPM-03 | Boyer-Martenot | Boyer-Martenot 2003 Puligny-Montrachet Les ReuchauxCuvee Unique | This is a lovely Puligny produced exclusively for North Berkeley Imports' Cuvee Unique program. The tantalizing aromas of crushed stones, tarragon and cream lead to flavors of herbed butter, flint and little red fruits. This is a new wine for Yves Boyer from a 48-year-old vineyard owned by his mother. The 2003 is poised, restrained and most elegant, yet filled with lovely, rich fruit. Excellent with fresh seafood and rich pastas. Here's something you don't hear often enough when describing a win | $38.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-BOUDCB-03 | Boudin | Boudin 2003 Chablis AC | Chablis is without doubt one of my favorite regions and Boudin is certainly one of my favorite producers. This AC Chablis is a fantastic bargain with a bright lemon and minerally nose, followed by a clean bracing palate and plenty of acidity and freshness. Atypical is the smooth, ripe fruit that's so deftly balanced by the acidity. It's simply delicious. The AC is always ready to drink upon release and sometimes even outclasses its Grand Cru brethren. Try it with a fresh seafood platter or roast | $17.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-CARALB-03 | Villa Carafa | Villa Carafa 2003 Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Bianco DOC | This is a racy Italian white with lush, compact fruit notable for its food-friendly ways. We begin with delicate scents of banana, pear, honey and straw, which lead to bright, ripe fruit. It's a blend of ancient Italian varietals once cultivated by the Romans called Coda di Volpe and Falanghina. The wine is beautiful, pure, refreshing and excellent with salads, cheese and seafood risotto. I have a confession to make. In a move we'll call an act of youthful indiscretion, a friend and I once borro | $12.49 Compare Prices |
| WW-CHAMSB-05 | Chameleon Cellars | Chameleon 2005 Sauvignon Blanc | [West Coast Wine Competition: Best of Class/Double Gold, San Diego National Wine Competition: Gold Medal] Chameleon Cellars is changing colors and releasing its first white wine ever! And believe me, it's a treat. Its lush fruit and lovely aromatics are totally in keeping with the winery's philosophy that all wine should be a pure expression of the grape it represents, in this case providing crisp and refreshing acidity on the palate. No oak barrels were harmed in the making of this wine as stai | $12.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-CLERSC-04 | Clearwater Creek Winery | Clearwater Creek 2004 Sonoma County Chardonnay | The 2004 Clearwater Creek is a wonderful palate pleaser and one helluva value from Sonoma County's great Chardonnay regions. Its full-bodied, silky flavors feature juicy yellow peaches and apricots in abundance, with incredible balance and freshness. A hint of crushed rocks in the finish is a nod to the noble terroir and unique microclimates of Sonoma. A marvelous match with grilled fish and roasted or grilled chicken. Clearwater Creek is a label started by our good friends at North Berkeley Win | $14.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-CLINWT-05 | Cline Vineyards & Winery | Cline 2005 White Truck Chardonnay | Beep, beep, beep, beep. That's the sweet sound of you loadin' up the truck with a supply of this bring on summer wine.Just imagine the lively sound of your friends while they quaff this delicious Chardonnay (mostly from down Santa Barbara way), while you busy yourself grillin' up the season's finest. This bright, fresh wine exhibits pineapple, apple, ripe pear and creamy lemon flavors. The excellent quality and great value make it this summer's go-to wine nearly every time. White Truck pairs wel | $9.49 Compare Prices |
| WW-COSTCN-01 | Cosentino Winery | Cosentino 2001 Napa Valley Chardonnay | Even though theres lots of ripe fruit and oak, the citrus and green apple notes add another dimension to this wonderful wine. Walking that treacherous tightrope of balance with the greatest of ease, this marvelous Chard is the perfect complement to fresh seafood of any ilk.Although he probably wont ever get one, Mitch Cosentino deserves a huge thank you from the California wine industry (small caps intentional) for his maverick winemaking style. For nearly 25 years, Mitch has been making varieta | $13.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-CRUWCH-03 | Mariposa Wine Company | Cru 2003 Two Vineyards Monterey County Chardonnay | Is there any place in California producing better Chardonnay than the Central Coast right now? I don't think so and you'll see what I mean with this remarkable wine from Cru. From Santa Barbara south to Monterey north, Chardonnay is giving Napa and Sonoma a serious run for the money. The 2003 Cru is a fine example with its smooth, rich and ripe fruit balanced by enticing acidity. The superb balance between the two vineyards is what really makes this a grand wine. Try it with shrimp, shellfish an | $14.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-DEISEG-00 | Domaine Marcel Deiss | Domaine Marcel Deiss 2000 Engelgarten Bergheim | [Wine Spectator: 93] Full-bodied, rich and luxurious, this dry Riesling-based blend features vibrant peach, quince and mineral flavors. It's fresh, long and excellent with spicy dishes, grilled seafood and salads.Jean-Michel Deiss is infamous with the majority of the Alsatian producers. In a wine region long (stuck?) on tradition, Deiss flips his digitis impudicus in the faces of his critics and goes his own way. Among his more egregious errors, this modern iconoclast chooses not to label his wi | $37.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-FEUDFG-04 | Feudi di San Gregorio | Feudi di San Gregorio 2004 Falanghina Sannio DOC | [Restaurant Wine: 4 Stars, Wine Enthusiast: 87] This one from Feudi di San Gregorio one of the leading wineries in Campania is a classically styled drink for spring and summer, with exotic aromas of apple, banana, pineapple, honeysuckle and almond. Made entirely from the obscure and ancient Falanghina grape, it is stylistically between a Pinot Grigio and a Chardonnay. It's medium-bodied with rich, ripe pineapple and melon, balanced by a crisp tartness and a long finish that matches well with s | $12.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-GAINSB-03 | Gainey Vineyards | Gainey 2003 Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc | Aromas of Meyer lemon, fresh herbs and blossoms suggest a trip to the farmer's market, while tropical fruit and a creamy texture kick in to remind us that this is a trip to California's famed Central Coast. Serve slightly chilled to greet guests, with appetizers, salads or more casual foods.Gainey returns to the more classic Bordeaux treatment of Sauvignon Blanc with the release of the tasty 2003. They reduced the percentage of Sauvignon Blanc fermented in the barrel to a mere 10%, allowing the | $11.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-GEYSSB-05 | Geyser Peak Winery | Geyser Peak 2005 Sauvignon Blanc | [San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: Best of Class, Midwest Wine Connection: 92] Classic aromas of grapefruit, citrus, lemon zest and lemongrass jump out of the glass and proudly proclaim this wine's varietal character. A generous, fruit-forward palate shows juicy citrus flavors of grapefruit and tangerine balanced by bright, crisp acidity. The pleasant finish is persistent with great length of flavor. Perfect as an apritif, this wine also makes an ideal partner to oysters and nearly any s | $8.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-GFARWC-03 | Gary Farrell Winery | Gary Farrell 2003 Russian River Valley Westside Farms Chardonnay | What's not to like about Gary Farrell and his awesome touch with Russian River fruit? The man just gets it. The 2003 Westside Farms features fresh aromas of Gravenstein apple blossoms, vanilla bean and Asian pear. It's wonderfully complex and beautifully layered with rich, ripe tropical fruit, apple, pear and some citrus notes. The impressive balance and length with refreshing, mouth-watering acidity makes this an ideal accompaniment to a wide array of moderately spiced foods and seafood appetiz | $25.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-IMAGWB-04 | Imagery Winery | Imagery 2004 White Burgundy | It's full-bodied and luxurious with ripe pear and tropical fruit balanced by detailed acidity. Cold fermentation of the Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc blend gives this wine a racy appeal, while the secondary fermentation adds sweet butter, other aromatics and richness. Try it with a creamy Caesar salad, seared scallops or elegant chicken dishes. Imagery is the sister winery to the Benziger Family Winery. The Benzigers came to Sonoma's Valley of the Moon over two decades ago, moving consistently in t | $14.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-JAVIMT-03 | Patrick Javillier | Patrick Javillier 2003 Meursault les Tillets Cuvee Speciale White Burgundy | [Robert Parker: 89-90] Patrick Javillier's meticulous winemaking techniques are fully on display with this gorgeous concoction of sensual, silky-textured fruit. The aromas of lime, nectarine and spice serve as the precursor to a concentrated array of flavors including pears, apples and minerals. A marvelous wine built for shellfish, grilled salmon and roasted duck. Patrick Javillier would drive me nuts. [Editor: Let's assume a very short drive.] It's been said that tasting wine with Patrick is a | $38.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-JOSTBH-03 | Toni Jost | Toni Jost 2003 Bacharacher Hahn Feinherb Riesling Kabinett | [Robert Parker: 87] Toni Jost is a primo estate with an impeccable reputation for top-flight Rieslings. Jost wines emphasize the beauty of the fruit rather than a mineral focus. And it is indeed the quality of fruit you look for here, which is about as lovely as it gets; a delicate melange of sweet apple, white peach, honeysuckle, expressed in stunning elegance but always stopping short of mere sultriness. The '03 is very well-structured with excellent acidity and delicious fruit, a nice accompa | $15.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-JOSTRS-04 | Toni Jost | Toni Jost 2004 Bacharacher Hahn Riesling Spatlese | [Robert Parker: 91] The aristocracy of German Riesling is center stage with this delightful 2004 from Jost. The fun begins with apple blossom, grapefruit, jasmine and guava aromas. The creamy entry and then firm slap of acidity makes you wonder why you drink anything else. Low alcohol (9%), intense flavors and lively acidity skillfully balance the semi-dry residual sugar. Just as a good massage requires both strength and tenderness, so does great Riesling. A regal Riesling that is surprisingly v | $24.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-LABOCC-02 | Laboure-Roi | Laboure-Roi 2002 Corton-Charlemagne White Burgundy | [Wine Spectator: 93, Winebuys Guy: 2005 Wine of the Year] This Corton-Charlemagne, with its bold tropical fruit and apricot aromas and flavors, gives its more famous Grand Cru Montrachet neighbor to the south a big run for its money. Its youthful tartness is beginning to integrate into the rich fruit and spicy oak. A blockbuster interpretation of one of Burgundy's most famous Chardonnays and excellent with a mouth-watering roast chicken or duck.Brothers Armand and Louis Cottin have taken this on | $58.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-LALAVD-03 | Laila | Laila 2003 Verdicchio Castelli di Jesi | Laila's (no relation to Eric Clapton's Layla) version of this classic Italian white oozes fresh white flowers and tropical fruit aromas. It's concentrated and generous, with balanced acidity, surprising intensity and a smooth, long finish. Andrea Crocenzi has done an excellent job at this centuries-old estate, and I expect even bigger things now that superstar consulting enologist Lorenzo Landi is in tow. This Verdicchio is the perfect wine for grilled white fish. You've probably heard of the Fr | $10.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-LASSPF-03 | Roger Lassarat | Roger Lassarat 2003 Pouilly-Fuisse 'La Cote' Cuvee Unique Tres Vieilles Vignes | It's velvety and rich with copious layers of baked apples, pear and anise-laden fruit flavors. A medium-bodied Chardonnay that's ready to drink now, but it can take a few years in the cellar to develop even more. Try it with a rich, white-sauced pasta.Leave it up to the esteemed Mayor of Vergisson to bring us a much better than expected 2003 White Burgundy. You may recall the intense heat that broiled Burgundy for most of the vintage, causing miniscule yields and low acidity. So what does a Wine | $29.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-LASSSV-03 | Roger Lassarat | Roger Lassarat 2003 St.-Veran Les ChataigniersVieilles Vignes Cuvee Unique | The intense European heat of 2003 didn't faze Roger Lassarat one bit as he produced a delicious wine from Saint-Veran. Roasted, buttered nuts after all, Les Chataigniersmeans the chestnut trees share the stage with poached pears and baking spices and even a little red-fruit goodness. This wine exhibits the ripeness and fat of old-vine fruit, especially evident in a warm year. The vineyard is a steep, no-way-am-I-walkin'-up-there!one with 60- to 70-year-old vines at an elevation of 900 feet. Tr | $17.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-LOIMLR-03 | Fred Loimer | Fred Loimer 2003 Langenlois Riesling | The nose of this Riesling from Langenlois is impressive for its potpourri of fruit notes including citrus, green apples and ripe apricots, along with a fine floral undercurrent. The flavors are alluring with a delicate, succulent fruitiness as well as intense mineral flavor typical of the region's terroir. The wine's vibrant, ripe and elegant acidity brings out an exceptional mineral texture. It's a refreshing, classic Riesling that echoes a pleasant herbal spiciness. Excellent with spicy Asian | $13.49 Compare Prices |
| WW-LOOSUW-02 | Dr. Loosen | Dr. Loosen 2002 Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Urziger Wurtzgarten Riesling Spatlese | [Wine Spectator: 91, Wine Enthusiast Editor's Choice: 91] The '02 Urziger Wurtzgarten (just say ERTS-ih-ger VERTS-gar-ten) is a fantastic Spatlese from Ernst Loosen (just say LOW-zen). It combines an exotic spiciness and the vineyard's tell-tale stone aromas with an elegant, rich, creamy texture. No other vineyard on the Mosel produces wines so bursting with tropical fruit, peach and apple flavors, all balanced by a mesmerizing purity and lively acidity. The vibrant, fresh acidity and ripe fruit | $26.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-LOOSWS-02 | Dr. Loosen | Dr. Loosen 2002 Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese | [Wine Enthusiast Editor's Choice: 91, Wine Spectator: 90] Loosen's Wehlener Sonnenuhr (VAY-len-er ZON-en-ooer) is an impossibly steep, rocky vineyard that yields some of the most elegant and sophisticated white wines in the world. That is certainly the case for the '02 with its very creamy, rich and bold flavors of peach, lemon and tropical fruit and mineral. It has a delicate, crisp acidity that perfectly balances the wine and dances gracefully on the palate. An extremely charming wine made eve | $26.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-MATUGC-03 | Matua Valley Vineyards | Matua Valley 2003 Gisborne Chardonnay | This is a delicious, mouthwatering gem from Gisborne, the Chardonnay capital of New Zealand. The vibrant aromas of pineapple, peach and apricot are in concert with tropical fruit and flow nicely into the fresh elegant palate. The wine shows remarkable harmony of ripe fruit, subtle oak and crisp acidity, while the finish delivers length and lingering tropical fruit nuances. It's a particularly good match with lemon and coriander chicken, grilled prawns and mildly flavored cheeses. If the early bi | $9.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-MEYFTP-03 | Meyer-Fonne | Meyer-Fonne 2003 Tokay Pinot Gris Reserve Particuliere | A truly decadent Alsatian white with incredible aromas of hibiscus, honey, apricot and peach the real fun starts with its smooth, lush texture. This wine shows extraordinary depth, complexity, excellent acidity and a potential to age. The creamy texture and balanced acidity make the 2003 Meyer-Fonne Tokay a fabulous find and perfect with roasted chicken and even spicy Asian dishes. Felix Meyer is the wunderkind of Katzenthal. To some of you, that may be as dubious an honor as me being dubbed bo | $13.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-MONTPG-05 | Montevina Winery | Montevina 2005 Terra d'Oro Pinot Grigio Santa Barbara County | [Restaurant Wine Review: 4 Stars] My first taste of this delicious wine occurred mid-Caesar salad at Tra Vigne Pizzeria in Napa's St. Helena one recent summer day. My first reaction was a rather involuntary proclamation of, Niiice!Something about the cool Santa Barbara aromatics made me loose my cool. Apples, pears and floral notes give way to a rich, luxurious mouthfeel. I tried to recover from my outburst and regain a little composure. After all, I was drinkin' a Santa Barbara wine in the Napa | $12.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-MTRISC-02 | Mount Riley Winery | Mount Riley 2002 Seventeen Valley Marlborough Chardonnay | [Wine Spectator: 92] The 2002 Mount Riley personifies the ripe Chardonnays so trendy these days. Just when you think it's too ripe and overblown, along comes some bracing acidity to relieve the palate. It's lavishly oaked with lots of tropical fruit, pear and hints of mineral flavors that play nicely with the acidity. The finish is quite long (there's that acidity thing again) with beautiful oak spice. Try it with soups and fresh seafood. Salt and the center of the world have to be there, in tha | $25.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-PACEEC-04 | Pacific Estates | Pacific Estates 2004 Edna Valley Chardonnay | The 2004 Pacific Estates is a very stylish single-vineyard Chardonnay (with a dollop of Portugese native Verdelho) from the tiny Edna Valley appellation. It's fairly good-sized, yet not fat, but rather filled with the lush, flowing fruit favored by many Chardonnay lovers. The aromas are enticing with lemon and apple, leading to a rich, supple texture built for seafood and roasted fowl. Never heard of Pacific Estates? Believe me, you will. Pacific Estates, based in the Sonoma County city of Petal | $10.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-PHELSB-02 | Joseph Phelps Vineyards | Joseph Phelps 2002 Sauvignon Blanc | I expect nothing less from Phelps than a classic and absolutely delicious Sauvignon Blanc like the 2002. The aromas lead the way with floral, spice and citrus, as well as a bit of grassy character. It's clean, crisp and lively yet the ripe fruit flavors of grapefruit and melon keep it all nicely balanced. Already pretty good without food, the 2002 is especially fantastic with fresh seafood and roast chicken. I've always been partial to Sauvignon Blanc mainly because it isn't Chardonnay. Don't | $14.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-REYNCA-04 | Reynolds Vineyards | Reynolds 2004 Chardonnay South Australia | You want descriptors? Then check out this exceptionally intriguing wine from South Australia's Reynolds. We begin with an abundance of aromatic pleasures including lemon, ripe tropical fruit, creamy oak and vanilla. The flavors are bright and juicy, with an initial burst of citrus, followed by complex ripe tropical fruit and melon. The finish is balanced showcasing the wine's excellent acidity and creamy oak. Serve it with anything from appetizers to the main course. As I approach the end of a s | $8.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-RIJCPC-03 | Jean Rijckaert | Jean Rijckaert 2003 Pouilly Fuisse Vers ChanesVieilles Vignes White Burgundy | [Robert Parker: 86-88] Considering the marketplace is littered with a number of less-than-stellar Pouilly Fuisse, it's quite refreshing to discover one as good as this from Jean-Marie Guffens' former partner in Verget. This is a wonderfully buttery, ripe and lush Chardonnay filled with spiced pears and creamy mineral flavors. The finish is extremely focused with notes of lemon and spice. France's extreme heat in 2003 led to a wine more reminiscent of Mersault's richness than Rijckaert's typical | $17.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-RIJCPF-03 | Jean Rijckaert | Jean Rijckaert 2003 Pouilly Fuisse La RocheVielles Vignes White Burgundy | [Robert Parker: 88] The things that make White Burgundy so wonderful magnificent fruit, mineral scents and textbook incorporation of oak also generate the stratospheric prices. That's why I'm happy to present a deliciously affordable 2003 Chardonnay from Jean Rijckaert [pronounced rye-CURT]. Although France's summer from hell delivered riper than normal grapes to Rijckaert's cellar, there's still enough acidity to balance the generous, plump fruit. It's supple, smooth and seductive and perfect | $19.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-SHALCH-05 | Shale Ridge Winery | Shale Ridge 2005 Monterey County Chardonnay | A perennial best seller at Winebuys for all the right reasons! Shale Ridge Chardonnay has that appealing lush tropical fruit thing, with just the right impression of butter and clean acidity. Apple, pear, cashew and vanilla flavors all add considerably to the crowd-pleasing effect. Try it with your Caesar salads, salmon and chicken dishes. Shale Ridge announced recently the latest vintage of wines is from the New Shale Ridge.That makes me nervous, not only because the Old Shale Ridgesuited me ju | $8.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-TEXICB-03 | Eric Texier | Eric Texier 2003 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc | Now here's something new and interesting a delicious Chateauneuf-du-Pape white wine from Eric Texier. The 2003 is rich, ripe and full-bodied, a sumptuous delight of butter and honeyed herbs. Notes of wildflowers and ripe yellow plums show in its very expressive nose while a superb, full and wonderfully buttery mouth suggests roasted almonds, freshly baked piecrust and hints of nutmeg and peppered spice. Texier said this blend of 50% Bourboulenc and 50% Clairette took a bit longer to ferment in | $24.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-TQAUGH-04 | Torre Quarto | Torre Quarto 2004 Greco Hirondelle | Fresh and lively with delicate layers of pears and pineapple, this wine will please devotees of Sauvignon Blanc or crisp Chardonnay. The 2004 Hirondelle has just the right amount of juicy, grapey fruit and brisk mineral acidity. It's smooth and elegant in the mouth with a bright finish. Greco is a white wine grape of ancient origin (probably Greek as the name suggests, grown extensively in the heel of Italy's boot). It's a perfect example of the beauty that's waiting to be discovered in southern | $8.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-TRINMS-04 | Trinchero Family Winery | Trinchero 2004 Napa Reserve Mary's Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc | Remarkable ripeness with the pure fruit and finesse we expect from the finest Sauvignon Blanc. A medium- to full-bodied wine, lush entry is supported by lively acidity. Everything here is detailed and delicious with tropical fruit, floral aromas and surprising dimension throughout. Try it with all of your elegant salads and pasta dishes, or simply as an aperitif. I suspect Trinchero's winemaker Joe Shirley has a bit of a love affair going with this vineyard. The 2004 Mary's was fermented primari | $13.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-TRINVC-03 | Trinchero Family Vineyards | Trinchero 2003 Vista Montone Chardonnay | This is a single-vineyard, estate-bottled Chardonnay that's so lovely, so soft, so balanced and so affordable, it will blow you away. Sweet vanilla notes beautifully accent the bright apple, pear and citrus aromas. The fantastic flavors are buttery, ripe and creamy, yet the acidity is good enough to keep it from becoming fat and flabby. In a nutshell, it's a winner especially if you love the buttery style of Chardonnay. Try it with fresh salmon in a cream sauce. The 2004 Reserve Chardonnay was | $14.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-VERGMB-03 | Verget | Verget 2003 Macon-Bussieres Vieilles Vignes du Clos Caniculus White Burgundy | [Robert Parker: 90] How many Cote d'Or producers are making wines from yields of only 14 hectoliters per hectare and 80-year-old vines, and what are they charging? This Chardonnay is at the quality level of a 1er Cru from Chassagne-Montrachet, with aromas of honey, browned butter and pineapple. It's lush and tightly packed with minerals leading to an intriguingly long and very silky finish.Leave it to the Madman of the Macon to call the blistering hot 2003 vintage just another tiptoe through the | $22.49 Compare Prices |
| WW-VERGML-02 | Verget | Verget 2002 Macon-La Roche Vineuse Vieilles Vignes de Sommerre | [Robert Parker: 89] If this Chardonnay were a car, it would be a drag racer with fat back tires and a parachute. The 2002 Verget Macon is lip-smackingly rich, with near-Californian levels of ripeness. The nose is minerals, spices and cookie dough (yes, cookie dough). The flavors are expansive, fresh and pure with peach jelly and applesauce wrapped in citrus zest. It's a scrumptious appetizer and fish course wine. A winemaker once told me you can make great wine from so-so grapes. In fact it was | $13.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-VERGMU-03 | Verget | Verget 2003 Macon-Uchizy La MartineCaniculus | [Robert Parker: 89] No one is making wine like Guffens in Burgundy, or for that matter, anywhere in the world. Jean-Marie squeezes every ounce of passion and expression out of the vineyard. The Uchizy is a new region for Guffens, made from old vines around 70+ years old and aged entirely in older barrels. A cooler site, this has terrific acidity for the vintage, not to mention minerals, golden delicious applesauce hints, cinnamon and white peaches. Try it with anything from soups and salads to f | $19.49 Compare Prices |
| WW-VERGSB-04 | Verget | Verget 2004 Saint-Bris Sauvignon Blanc | A Sauvignon Blanc from Burgundy? That's not a typo, and as it turns out, it's one damn fine wine. This beautiful wine sparkles with a nose of candied grapefruit and a hint of noble blueberry. Bone dry and crisp, the plump ripe pears, lemon and almond flavors deliver a definite smooth and mouth-watering effect. As the great and powerful Winebuys Guy, I shall call it a poor man's Sancerre. Try it with seafood bisques, pasta with white sauce and herbed roasted chicken. Sauvignon Blanc in Burgundy. | $10.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-VERGSV-03 | Verget | Verget 2003 St-Veran Les CrasCaniculus | [Robert Parker: 90] A marvelous white from Verget's Jean-Marie Guffens of the Saint-Veran region the unsung hero of white Burgundy. The Les Cras has everything you need for great white Burgundy including acidity, complexity, richness, breed and a chalky minerality that comes from the high limestone content of the soil. The 2003 is full-bodied, concentrated and supple. Its ripe core of fruit displays loads of spiced minerals that linger in an impressively long, rich, buttery finish. It would be | $23.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-VERGVC-03 | Verget | Verget Vire-Clesse 2003 Vieilles Vignes de RoallyWhite Burgundy | You'd be hard-pressed to find better old-vine Chardonnay at this price than this one from Verget. It's a real crowd-pleaser with fresh-cut apples, lemon-lime and mineral aromas. Rich and bold with an impeccable integration of oak and minerality, it's riper than normal (it was the heat, man!) with hedonistic flavors of juicy apple and melon and a long, nutty finish. I'd try it with grilled figs or melon wrapped in Pancetta. So how did Jean-Marie Guffens beat the scorching French summer of 2003? Y | $16.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-VESEFD-04 | Veseva | Vesevo 2004 Fiano di Avellino | [Wine Spectator: 89] The 2004 Vesevo Fiano is more than just an alternative to the usual white wine suspects it's a wine that will surprise and delight you with its lovely weight and balance. Pear, ripe melon, honey and spice aromas entice you to take a closer look. It's rich and ripe yet fresh with stone fruits, spice and a touch of citrus that keeps it tangy and clean through to the finish. The balance is superb, best served with fresh fish and pasta dishes. Vesevo is a new, innovative and ex | $9.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-WEAVRS-03 | Geoff Weaver | Geoff Weaver 2003 Riesling (w/Stelvin screwcap closure) | [Wine Spectator: 89] The essence of a great Riesling is in the gentle floral aromatics and balanced flavors of finesse and delicacy. Geoff Weaver captures the Riesling spirit with the 2003's orange blossom and mineral aromas and bright, spicy lemon and passionfruit flavors that persist to the lively finish. There is a mineral element about this wine and a wonderful capacity to fill out and grow in complexity with age. Ideal with seafood, but the 2003 can be enjoyed with a wide range of subtly fl | $19.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-WINWMC-04 | Windowrie Winery | Windowrie 2004 The Mill Chardonnay | The Mill is a decidedly delicious wine from Australia's Cowra region, dubbed Chardonnay Country.The 2004 has aromas of peach and melon, while the palate displays subtle yet intense tropical fruit, ripe peach and melon, nicely balanced by a touch of French oak. It's creamy, soft and smooth with a degree of complexity from the subtle oak. Clean, fresh and direct, it's a wonderful food wine or tasty on its own. The Cowra wine district is a relatively unknown region located in New South Wales, appro | $7.49 Compare Prices |
| WW-WITHCH-02 | Wither Hills Winery | Wither Hills 2002 Marlborough Chardonnay | [Wine Spectator: 89] The aromas of this silky, elegant wine are the core of Marlborough Chardonnay. Look for tropical fruit flavors such as pineapples, ripe melon and wonderful stone fruit characters, as well as a fine bead of acidity throughout contributing to the structure and balance so prominent in Wither Hills Chardonnay. The flavors of vanillin-roasted oak and sweet-centered hazelnut are seamless from beginning to end and will gain more complexity with time. Excellent with crab puffs, gri | $13.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-WOLFYC-05 | Wolf Blass Winery | Wolf Blass 2005 Yellow Label Chardonnay | The 2004 was on my coveted Winebuys Guy Wines of the Year last year and I think the 2005 may just deserve some early consideration for this year's awards. It's a deliciously affordable wine and a prime example of why the Aussies are kickin' butt when it comes to producing a damn fine Chardonnay without breakin' into your kid's education fund. The aromas of grapefruit and nectarine lead the way to the wine's full, rich and elegant palate. This is a smooth-as-silk wine that lets you know you're d | $8.99 Compare Prices |
| WW-YOSESB-03 | Yosemite View Winery | Yosemite View 2003 Sauvignon Blanc | A deliciously fun little slammer jammer that drinks surprisingly well considering its meager price. It has excellent balance with pear and ripe apple flavors with just a bit of oak. Try it with barbecued jumbo shrimp, salads and most anything to do with first course selections.I nearly passed on this wine only because, well, never heard of it before. Thankfully my lovely and talented supplier insisted and I just couldn't resist snappin' up a few cases. Michael Leven, whose resume reads like a Wh | $10.49 Compare Prices |