Wine Reviews & Recommendations

Low-Oak White Wines for
the Holidays, Under $30

I would like to bring to your attention this month some refreshing white wines, and specifically some I have chosen to accompany holiday meals. Here is an assortment of unoaked and modestly oaked wines, from several grape varieties, produced in
California and Washington. In keeping with
my focus on value, all but one are priced
under $30.

As usual, I have listed the wines here in approximate order of their weight and
flavor intensity, within each group,
proceeding from lighter to fuller. Happy holidays.

Pinot Grigio Wine Recommendations

CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE, 2006 PINOT GRIS, COLUMBIA VALLEY, WASHINGTON, $13-$14.50

Round, full bodied, off dry, and distinct in character (lemon peel, almond, roasted nut, apple, pear), with a medium long finish. Excellent value. 6% Viognier. Drink through summer, 2008.

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PAVI, 2006 PINOT GRIGIO, NAPA VALLEY, $15-$17

Exceptional: supple and complex in style, with full body, good balance, and a very long finish, tasting of roasted nut, pear, lemon peel, lime, and pink grapefruit. Great value. Drink through summer, 2008.

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Sauvignon Blanc Recommendations

TRINCHERO FAMILY, 2006 SAUVIGNON BLANC, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, $11-$13

An excellent Sauvignon at the price: supple in texture, full bodied, and citrusy in character (lime, grapefruit), with pear overtones. Medium long finish. 40,000 cases. Drink through summer, 2008.

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KENDALL-JACKSON, 2006 SAUVIGNON BLANC, VINTNER'S RESERVE, CALIFORNIA, $10-$12

Round and full bodied, this is a fruity wine, with pineapple, lemon grass, grapefruit, honey, and peach aromas/flavors. Excellent. 4.7% Semillon. Drink through summer, 2008.

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KUNDE ESTATE, 2006 SAUVIGNON BLANC, MAGNOLIA LANE, SONOMA VALLEY, $16-$18

Screw cap. A fruity style of Sauvignon, with melon and peach aromas/flavors, and overtones of pineapple, lime, and grapefruit overtones. Long finish. Drink through summer, 2008.

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Rhone Varietals & Blends

TABLAS CREEK VINEYARD, 2005 GRENACHE BLANC, PASO ROBLES, $28-$30

Screw cap. Outstanding version of Grenache Blanc. Full, supple, ripely flavored (yet very subtle): ripe grape, lemon peel, apple, strawberry. Smooth and long on the palate, with a hint of oak complexity. Drink through summer, 2008.

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TABLAS CREEK VINEYARD, 2005 ESPRIT DE BEAUCASTEL, PASO ROBLES, $36-$38

Round and moderately rich, this is an excellent blend, with good balance, some oak complexity, and a long finish, tasting of peach, clove, roasted nut, and cherimoya. 70% Roussanne, 25% Grenache Blanc, 5% Picpoul Blanc. Drink through summer, 2008.

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Chardonnay Wine Recommendations

CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE, 2005 CHARDONNAY, COLUMBIA VALLEY, WASHINGTON, $11-$13

Great value: a round, full bodied Chardonnay, with some complexity (roasted nut, lemon peel, apple, vanilla, toast). Medium long finish. Drink through summer, 2008.

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HESS, 2006 SHIRTAIL CREEK VINEYARD, MONTEREY, $13-$14

Screw cap. Excellent quality and value: full bodied and somewhat supple in texture, but with firm acidity, good balance, and a long crisp finish, with aromas/flavors reminiscent of pear, lemon peel, roasted nut, and lime. Drink through summer, 2008.

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PELLEGRINI, 2006 UNOAKED, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, $15-$17

A delicious Chardonnay: fragrant and fruity, full bodied, crisp, and long on the palate, with a zesty finish, tasting of peach, lemon peel, roasted nut, and pineapple. Drink through summer, 2008.

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DOMAINE CHANDON, 2006 UNOAKED, SONOMA COUNTY, $19-$20

Screw cap. Excellent: aromatic and intensely fruity, yet crisp and long on the palate, with fine balance and length. It tastes of peach, pineapple, lime, and pear. Drink through the end of 2008.

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ALMA ROSA, 2005 EL JABALI VINEYARD, SANTA RITA HILLS, $31-$33

Screw cap. A supple, elegant Chardonnay, in a full, crisp style. It is long on the palate, with a persistent finish, tasting of roasted nut, peach, toasted oak, cherimoya, and vanilla. Drink through the end of 2008.

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WILD HORSE, 2005 CENTRAL COAST, $16-$18

Supple and full bodied, this is a luscious Chardonnay, with moderate richness, good balance, and a medium long finish, tasting of pineapple, peach, lemon peel, roasted nut, and vanilla. 50,255 cases. Drink through summer, 2008.

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CHATEAU ST. JEAN, 2005 BELLE TERRE VINEYARD, ALEXANDER VALLEY, $21-$23

Supple and complex in style, this is a full boded, moderately intense wine, with evident oak complexity (toast, vanilla, roasted nut, cedar), and delicate peach and citrus fruit character. Well balanced; long finish. One of the best versions of this wine yet. 4,517 cases. Drink through the end of 2008.

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CLOS DU BOIS, 2005 CALCAIRE, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, $25-$27

Elegantly styled, full bodied, crisp, and well balanced, with intense fruitiness (pineapple, lemon), and overtones of roasted nut, vanilla, and orange blossom. 7,500 cases. Drink through the end of 2008.

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LANDMARK, 2005 OVERLOOK, 74% SONOMA, 16% SANTA BARBARA, 10% MONTEREY COUNTIES, $26-$28

Full bodied, intensely flavored, well balanced, and moderately complex in style; an outstanding wine at the price. It is very long on the finish, and tastes of lemon peel, orange blossom, apple, vanilla, roasted nut, and spicy oak. 18,000 cases. Drink through the end of 2008.

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-- RW

Related Wine Resources If you enjoyed these wine reviews, you might also find the following wine resources to be useful: October '07: Dry Rose Wine Reviews Glossary of Wine Terms Types of Wine Around the World How to Serve Wine Choosing Wine Glasses