Wines and Beyond

White Wine by Hartford Court from Sonoma County, California. Although this inaugural vintage of Hartford Court Four Hearts Chardonnay has a weighty texture with spicy and layered flavors, it finishes with a brightness that reflects the cool climate origins of the stellar vineyards that comprise this new release. Complex aromas and flavors of white peach, citrus blossom, Asian pear and candied lemon give way to a rich and weighty mid-palate, followed by a very long, exotic spice-infused finish.

White Wine by Jermann from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy. Pure Pinot Gris, a grape particularly at home in northeastern Italy. In typically Jermann style, its character, flavors and aromas appear to shine through in focused intensity. Silvio Jermann's magic combines with that of Friulian soil to elicit every Pinot Grigio nuance in well balanced elegance.

White Wine by Hirtzberger from Austria, European. Harvested November 8-10 from the steepest terraces of the Rotes Tor (adjacent to Singerriedel), Hirtzberger's 2005 Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Rotes Tor smells of sweet pea, citrus, and rhubarb. It comes onto the palate with creamy texture yet loads of juicy fruit and positively shimmering wet stone, salty mineral expression. Like its Federspeiel counterpart, this exhibits great clarity of fruit, even though one can detect accents of honey and brown spice attributable to botrytis. A brothy, rich meld of stone, spice, and fruit pours itself into a long, evocative finish that outdistances all but a handful of other Gruner Veltliner from this vintage. I would be unafraid to stash some of this in my cellar for a decade or more - indeed I would regret not doing so, and while I was at it I would track some bottles of the Federspiel as well. -Wine Advocate

White Wine by Grgich Hills from Napa Valley, California. The Wine News Chardonnay of the Year! A classy Chardonnay in every respect, offering enticing aromas of acacia blossom, ripe Meyer lemon, honeysuckle, a touch of minerality and a modest dusting of French oak. Full bodied and elegant on the palate with excellent acid balance and expansive flavors of citrus, pear, quince, green apple and spice, this crisp, complex, food-friendly wine remains lively in the mouth, thanks to the absence of malolactic fermentation and the judicious use of French oak (one-third new); long, lemony close. This is the first vintage that our Chardonnay is estate grown, meaning we control everything from the vineyard to the bottle. The grapes were grown organically at our American Canyon and Carneros vineyards, where the coolness allows the grapes to develop complex flavors while maintaining a pleasing natural acidity. We do not allow the Chardonnay to undergo malolactic fermentation. This preserves the wine's crispness and acidity to balance its concentrated fruit. Our full-bodied, elegant Chardonnay has fresh aromas of acacia and citrus flowers, honey and a touch of mineral. All of our vineyards are biodynamically farmed, an agricultural philosophy that incorporates all of the elements of organic farming, using no artificial pesticides, fertilizers, or fungicides. Additionally, it treats the Earth as a living organism and utilizes nature's basic life forces to bring about balance between the grapevines and the Earth.

White Wine by Maximin Grunhauser from Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany. Extremely spicy and fruity smell of peach and hints of black currant - typical for wines from the Abtsberg in great years. A wine packed with fruit and minerality, powerful and elegant at the same time. Food pairings: An excellent accompaniment to pates and other savory foods as well as desserts, such as souffles of fresh fruits, e.g. strawberries, raspberries or rhubarb.

White Wine by Philip Shaw from Australia. A brilliant clear gold color with green highlights. Complex aromas of lemon, spring blossom, and dried fig with notes of grapefruit. Delightfully refreshing! The palate delivers racey fruit with a mineral spine, creamy oak, cashews, and pear with a long elegant lemon acidity. Firm but not hard, velvet. She is a gorgeous elegant young lady, sure to age gracefully. No.11 is my dream Chardonnay plot. It slopes to the south, away from the sun making it one of the coolest sites in the vineyard - ideal for Chardonnay. - Philip Shaw

White Wine by Catena from Argentina, South America. In an effort to produce a super premium wine, the winemaking team of Catena began in depth investigations into the yields within each of their specially selected, high altitude vineyards, identifying those lots which produce the best fruit. These vines undergo a careful thinning process, leaving only a select few clusters, resulting in remarkably complex, aromatic and flavorful fruit. Through the application of natural, gentle vinification techniques, these grapes are transformed into Catena Alta. The 2005 Catena Alta Chardonnay has a bright yellow - greenish color. The nose offers white stone fruits with a touch of banana and mango, notes of sweet spice and pan grille. The mouthfeel is full and rich, but with wonderful freshness, showing ripe pear and fig flavors with light notes of tropical fruit and delicate floral tones. The finish is long and lingering with wonderful minerality and clean, crisp acidity.

White Wine by Matanzas Creek from Sonoma County, California. A first glimpse of the wine reveals a pale, straw color, quite typical for a sophisticated Chardonnay. The first nose brings a delicate blend of green apple, white peach, and acacia flower, with a surprising addition of the autumn fruits pear and quince. After a swirl, the second nose reveals a more mineral note of crushed stones, the mark of an exceptional Chardonnay. The palate is round and velvety with a prolonged, flavorful finish of honey and melon. There is also a unique and subtle hint of smoke, derived from basalt, an ancient ocean floor rock found in Bennett Valley's soil. Although this Chardonnay was crafted with 95% malolactic fermentation, it is far from a heavy, buttery wine. Fran?ois strives to create an elegant wine which is expressly crafted to complement the food. In addition, he is able to preserve the fullest potential of the Chardonnay fruit by employing a Champagne-style vinification that is gentle on the fruit during crush and prevents any bitter note in the finish. If allowed to age, this wine promises to further increase in minerality and develop a luscious, butterscotch character.

White Wine by Chateau St. Jean from Sonoma County, California. Classic winemaking techniques such as sur lie aging for 17 months are used for this wine. Each lot is kept separate throughout the winemaking process and aged in 100% French oak (57% new). A barrel selection from each lot is made to craft the final blend. Due to the large percentage of Robert Young Vineyard Chardonnay in this blend, only 50% of the final blend underwent malolactic fermentation as the Robert Young Chardonnay component is kept a nonmalolactic wine. This medium-bodied Reserve Chardonnay opens with pleasing aromas of Bosc pear, lemon candy and nutmeg. Unctuous notes of creamy lemon bar and kiwi fruit are backed by subtle hints hazelnut, baking spice and mineral characters. The well-balanced acidity and complexity of flavors lead to a lengthy lemon oil finish. - Margo Van Staaveren, Winemaker

White Wine by Tablas Creek from Central Coast, California. Blend: 70% Roussanne, 25% Grenache Blanc, 5% Picpoul Blanc The 2005 Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc is a vibrant expression of the terroir of Tablas Creek. It shows aromas of honeysuckle, mint, lemon peel and spice, with rich Roussanne flavors of honey, rose petals, pear, petrol and white flowers, excellent breadth, cleansing acidity and great length. It should drink well when young but will also reward time in bottle; it is expected to show beautifully for at least the next 5-7 years. Food pairings: Cooked shellfish (lobster, softshell crab, shrimp); roasted or grilled vegetables (eggplant, asparagus, peppers); foods cooked with garlic and olive oil; rich fish dishes (i.e., salmon, swordfish); Asian stir fry

White Wine by Tablas Creek from Central Coast, California. Blend: 65% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 5% Picpoul Blanc The 2004 Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc is a vibrant expression of the terroir of Tablas Creek, with aromas of honeysuckle, pear, spice and mineral, flavors of caramel apple, lemon peel and honey, excellent breadth and a long clean finish. It will drink well when young but should also show beautifully for at least the next 5-7 years. Food pairings: Cooked shellfish (lobster, softshell crab, shrimp); roasted or grilled vegetables (eggplant, asparagus, peppers); foods cooked with garlic and olive oil; rich fish dishes (salmon, swordfish); Asian stir fry

White Wine by Rochioli from Russian River, California. This Sauvignon Blanc possesses the typical Rochioli character and the classic Russian River Valley charm. Fifty-eight percent is from their sixteen-year-old hillside vineyard and twenty-eight percent is from their newest planting of a very special and rare clone. Only twenty percent of this blend is barrel fermented which gives this wine its complexity and round texture. The rest is tank fermented to preserve its intense varietal character and firm acidity Color: Pale, creamy yellow. Aroma: Aromas of grapefruit with a touch of grass and flinty characteristics. Taste:An intense, complex and richly flavored wine. Green-gold. Racy, sharply focused aromas of lime, orange zest and talc, with a zesty, peppery accent. Medium-bodied and chewy, with concentrated orange and Meyer lemon flavors and a lush, round quality on the lengthy finish. These vines were planted in 1959, according to Rochioli, and that's why it always has real body and texture in addition to the usual freshness I like in sauvignon blanc. -International Wine Cellar

White Wine by Argyle from Willamette Valley, Oregon. This Nuthouse Chardonnay made from Dijon clone fruit grown primarily at a low elevation vineyard on a Dundee Hill southern slope, ensures big fruit ripeness even in cooler vintages. The aroma is of melon fruit while the flavor is unctuous, viscous and of very sweet fruit. The finish is huge and long, of fruit and vanilla bean.

White Wine by d'Arenberg from South Australia, Australia. Since 1912 the Osborn family has tended the 19th century vineyards at their d'Arenberg winery, located in South Australia, where the family often procures top quality fruit from the cool climate Adelaide Hills region, which has become one of Australia's finest Chardonnay districts. During the summer months, native Bearded Dragon Lizards sun themselves on the vineyard posts and watch out for potential prey. Occasionally during harvest, these lizards are dislodged and find their way into a load of grapes headed for the winery. Lucky for these lizards, d'Arenberg uses a very gentle Demoisy crusher, which allows these lizards to pass through the ordeal slightly shaken, yet unharmed. The gentleness of the crusher also plays an important role in retaining the delicate fruit flavors. After excellent winter rains and then a warm wet spring, the vineyards were set for a good start to vintage. Flowering was consistent, and in general crop loads were higher than normal. McLaren Vale experienced the coldest January for 12 years followed by a warm February which provided perfect ripening conditions and the result was fruit of outstanding character, concentration and excellent natural acidity. The success of this wine is put down to the evenness of the ripening period leading up to picking in the early autumn and extremely protective handling in the winery to preserve the wonderful fruit characters. The nose is immediately inviting with volumes of pear, pineapple, tropical fruits, guava, hints of peach, green melon, citrus and very fine sweet toasted oaks. Medium to full in style with the level of ripeness in perfect balance with the elevated acidity and the characteristic cool climate flowery Granny Smith apples that linger to the end with fine oak spices, and citric passionfruit character. Probably the best Lucky Lizard yet.

White Wine by Testarossa from Central Coast, California. Pale straw color. Initial aromas of honey, lemon, orange blossom, fig, and banana jump readily out of the glass. Layers of citrus, honey, and creme brulee flavor the palate, surrounded by lively acidity. The finish starts subtle, yet focused then begins it's ascent to a lengthy, multi-dimensional finish of fruit and spice. Drink now through 2013.

White Wine by Stag's Leap Wine Cellars from Napa Valley, California. The name KARIA (kar'-ee-ah) is derived from a Greek word meaning graceful, and it is this very character that Stag's Leap Wine Cellars seek most in this wine. With stylistic inspiration coming specifically from their Arcadia Vineyard Chardonnay, the wine is refreshing, light and graceful on the palate, with bright acidity supporting ripe fruit flavors and a butterfly kiss of oak. Inviting aromas of white peach, apple, spiced pear, and citrus join with floral notes of honeysuckle and roses to create a beautiful bouquet. The fruity aromas carry over to the palate and marry with a subtle creaminess and a touch of warm brioche. This delicate richness makes the 2006 KARIA Chardonnay a versatile wine at the dinner table. Try it with chicken piccata, corn risotto, or a warm goat cheese salad.

White Wine by Joseph Drouhin from Chablis, France - regions. Chablis Premier Cru has very attractive and intense aromas reminiscent of coriander, orange, lemon and many other intriguing flavours. Generous, round and long on the palate, it is also full bodied with refreshing vivacity. The wine can be kept 7 to 8 years in the cellar, or even more in a good vintage. It is also pleasant at 3 or 4 years of age. The essence of chardonnay, this bright wine offers flavors at the intersection of peach, pear and the flinty spice of limestone. The texture is luscious, yet the flavors have a laserlike precision and tightness, a mouthwatering fruitiness-as if derived from sucking on a stone. This should be best six to eight years from the vintage. -Wine & Spirits

White Wine by Jacob's Creek from Barossa Valley, Australia. The Riesling grapes were allowed to ripen fully and were only picked when the flavors of rich flowery limes were achieved, and when the supporting mineral acid balance was at its optimum. The Jacob's Creek Steingarten Riesling preserves the delicate lemon-lime citrus fruit and the very soft, but mineral-like flavors which typify the varietal fruit characteristics of a classic Cool Climate Riesling. The ripening of the grapes was monitored with regular berry tasting by winemakers in the vineyard, to ensure the grapes were harvested at maximum flavor concentration. Color: Pale straw with green hues Bouquet: Apple and citrus blossom notes, enhanced with an attractive lemon fragrance and a subtle toasty bottle development nuance. Palate: Very delicate lime and lemon fruit flavors overlain with soft toasty lemon butter complexity, and balanced by a long chalky natural acidity which provides great length and structure to the finish of the wine.

White Wine by Chalk Hill from Sonoma County, California. A rich and elegant wine is the goal of Chalk Hill Sauvignon Blanc/ Although capable of expressing many different personalities, our Sauvignon Blanc captures the uniqueness of our land.? Our terrior and clonal diversity is brought to like in this beautiful vintagee and exemplifies the great lengths to which we will go to create a perfect wine. ? Rich and elegant, with lush aromas of grapefruit, honeysuckle and exotic spice are met by a vibrant band of tropical fruit and mineral flavors.? The wine is lengthy and persistent, a classic effort.?

White Wine by Chalk Hill from Sonoma County, California. Blend: 88% Sauvignon Blanc, 6% Semillon, 6% Sauvignon Gris Chalk Hill's Sauvignon Blanc captures the personality of their land and harnesses the capricious nature of the grape. They tend eleven clones of Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Semillon. Every cluster was inspected for defects. After being whole-cluster pressed, this wine was 100% barrel fermented; 20% of the total saw stainless steel barrels, while 80% was in French oak. Both rich and elegant, the lush floral aromas of honey suckle and kaffir lime combine with a vibrant band of gooseberries and tropical fruit. The wine is lengthy, persistent, and represents an evolutionary leap in winemaking.

White Wine by Chalk Hill from Sonoma County, California.

White Wine by Brancott from Marlborough, New Zealand. Through careful vineyard selection and hand-crafted winemaking, this Sauvignon Blanc is Brancott's finest expression of Marlborough's most famous variety. This wine shows vibrant fruit flavors, a hint of barrel fermentation and a complex, concentrated palate. Color: Pale straw with green hints. Aromas: Lifted capsicum and fresh herb aromas, coupled with intense, ripe stone fruit. Palate: The palate shows rich, concentrated fruit flavors with tropical fruits as well as an underlying fresh herb note. The oily palate is balanced with a lively acidity and subtle, complex, barrel-fermented notes. It is fabulous with rich seafood dishes, especially scallops, clams and crab, or with fresh green leafy salads.

White Wine by Green Point from Yarra Valley, Australia. Fruit for the Reserve Yarra Valley Chardonnay was sourced largely from vineyards on the Yarra Valley floor where the alluvial soils and growing conditions provide Chardonnay with great richness. Fruit was also sourced from vineyards in the Upper Yarra where the cooler conditions provide more delicate and fragrant characteristics with greater acid structure. A vibrant pale straw with a green hue. The wine has a fragrant aroma of white peach, lemon butter and honeydew enhanced by subtle, fresh roasted hazelnut and cashew aromas derived from barrel fermentation. On the palate, lemon, grapefruit and white peach flavors provide a racy, fresh entry before leading to a creamy and smooth mid palate. Extended maturation in fine grained French oak barriques adds structure and length to the finish.

White Wine by Buena Vista from Carneros, California. True to its Carneros terroir, the wine exhibits aromas of apple, asian pear, citrus rind, mineral, hazelnut and brioche. This wine continues with flavors of lemon custard, nectarine, with subtle tropical, wet stone minerality and vanilla cream in the finish. The 2004 Ramal Vineyard Chardonnay has complexity with its multiple clonal selections, showing bright acidity and great fruit intensity along with richness and lush texture.

White Wine by Buena Vista from Carneros, California. Buena Vista's EVS wines showcase individual clones or blocks that perform exceptionally well in any given vintage. This wine exhibits aromas of steely minerality, lemon drop, clove, pear aromas and subtle matchstick. The 2004 Dijon Clones Chardonnay continues with rich flavors of oily bright citrus, focused peach, mandarin orange and candied ginger. Try it with a lemon dill poached salmon in a beurre blanc sauce.

White Wine by Groth from Napa Valley, California. Long, cool fermentation in a mixture of old and new barrels gives this Chardonnay layers of fruitiness and complexity that result in a wine that is very enjoyable when young or after several years of bottle age. This method of fermentation, in conjunction with whole cluster pressing and sur lie aging add layers of toastiness and creaminess to the wine. Together these components meld together harmoniously to create a balanced wine that is both lively and rich in aroma and flavor. Seared Halibut or any shellfish is a natural with this crisp, well balanced wine. I like to serve the Halibut on a bed of couscous with a saffron-fennel broth. -Kimball Jones, Culinary Director

White Wine by Trefethen from Napa Valley, California. Trefethen's primary estate vineyard is located in the heart of the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA, which occupies an ideal climate zone between Napa's warmer up-valley districts and its cool southern tip. The marine influence of nearby San Pablo Bay allows their estate Chardonnay grapes to ripen slowly and evenly, developing concentrated flavors while retaining high levels of acidity. Trefethen 2005 Chardonnay exudes beguiling ripe, yellow apple, peach, honeyed citrus and light butter scents, with intriguing hints of anise and tarragon. On the beautifully structured palate, its bright apple, lemon and pineapple flavors boast a refreshing minerality that persists throughout the wine's long, clean finish. This Chardonnay makes a wonderful match for dishes with bold citrus and tarragon flavors. Roasted chicken, veal piccata, lemon fettuccini Alfredo and succulent pork loin are just a few examples.