10 wines in 50 minutes! WAT.
Urban Legends Cellars 2013 Grenache Blanc: oodles of lime, floral notes, quite a whang on the palate with honeydew and lazy peach, not as much of the acidity I was looking for. Fermented stainless with some lees stirring in tank.
Uproot 2012 Grenache Blanc: trying to attract 20somethings, funny little card showing flavors. Kick-ass opulent stone fruit nose here, with pretty high alcohol. Good melon and lemon on the palate. Not completely off-balance, but it tilts much farther away from acid than Urban Legends did.
Charles Krug 2013 Sauvignon Blanc: WOW. Seductive muscat and passionfruit on this nose, addicting. Crisp and bright on the palate with melon and lime notes and a long, caressing finish. About $18 retail. Stainless fermented, with about 18,000 cases made. This wine has the widest distribution in their portfolio. BEST WINE OF THE TASTING.
Oro Bello 2103 Chardonnay: 80% fruit from monterrey with malolactic, 20% from napa in stainless. Under $20 retail. Big oak and butter on the nose, with some Granny Smith also. Buttery appley palate but not heavy. Good mouthfeel (lees aging), long finish.
Maryhill 2012 Aurelia: Meyer lemon and nectarine with some forward white flowers on the nose. I don’t love Marsanne’s palate, honestly, but this is variety-correct: peaches, white nectarine, with that dirty acidity I associate with white Rhones.
Yorkville Callars Cuvee Brut: strong strawberry and mineral on the nose, great petillance, tart, fresh apple on the palate with a light yeastiness on the finish. Over two years on the lees.
Gypsy Canyon Winery NV Ancient Vines Angelica: burnt sugar and stewed golden raisins on the nose. Amber color, with a palate of caramel, baked apples, and a bit of preserved lemon and walnut. Longer finish. 100% Mission grapes.
Aridus 2012 Chardonnay: grown in Santa Barbara, vinified in Arizona! Nothing wrong with it — apples and lime zest on the nose, pears and good acidity on the palate. For $35 per bottle, I’d expect a slight bit more, but I’m a cheapskate.
Bianchi 2012 Pinot Grigio: Santa Barbara! Pretty nose of honeysuckle and mineral, with some margherita limeyness. I’m tired of tasting wines now. 🙂