A short month, February, but a month long on wines, as we are now in the midst of new release season, especially for wineries in the northern hemisphere. Some of the more interesting wines now available include Sauvignon Blancs from 2003; Chardonnays from 2002; and Cabernet Sauvignons (and blends) from 2001. These are the wine types I am focusing on this month, with one Pinot Blanc included for good measure. To highlight differences among these wines and have a more enjoyable tasting, I encourage you to try at least two of these wines side by side. Some suggested groupings: * The Everett Ridge and the Merryvale Starmont Sauvignon Blancs: note the delicacy of the Everett Ridge, and the subtle yet richer flavors of the Merryvale. * The Artesa Pinot Blanc with the Chalone Chardonnay: note the complexity of the Pinot Blanc, which is nevertheless a bit lighter in texture than the Chalone. * The Bernardus Chardonnay with the Vine Cliff Bien Nacido Chardonnay: the Bernardus is supple and complex; the Vine Cliff a bit finer in flavor and longer on the finish. * The Gallo Cabernet with the Franciscan Cabernet: note complexity yet drinkability of both—with the Gallo being a bit lighter and less oaky, the Franciscan richer but also showing more oak complexity. * The Buehler Cabernet with The Firestone Vineyard Reserve (not designated Cabernet on the label): the Buehler is firm and medium rich (needing more age), the Firestone fleshier, richer, and a bit oakier. California Sauvignon Blanc Reviews CHARLES KRUG, 2003 SAUVIGNON BLANC, NAPA VALLEY, $16-$18 Fresh and fruity in style, this is an excellent wine, tasting of melon, lemon grass, pear, and grapefruit aromas/flavors. Medium long finish. 6,400 cases. Drink through 2005. EVERETT RIDGE, 2003 SAUVIGNON BLANC, POWERHOUSE VINEYARD, MENDOCINO COUNTY, $14-$16 A delicately flavored Sauvignon, which is full bodied, supple in texture (with a hint of residual sugar), crisp, and medium long on the finish. It tastes of apple, lemon peel, pineapple, and roasted nut. Organic. 483 cases. Drink through 2005. MERRYVALE, 2003 STARMONT SAUVIGNON BLANC, NAPA VALLEY, $16-$18 Excellent Sauvignon, in a ripe, fruity, well balanced style. It is grapey and fruity in aroma (tropical fruit, with floral, lemon grass overtones), supple and long on the palate, with a smooth, harmonious finish. 6% Semillon. No ML. 4,875 cases. Drink through 2005. SIMI, 2003 SAUVIGNON BLANC, SONOMA COUNTY, $14-$16 A distinct, well balanced, full bodied Sauvignon, with a distinctive herbal edge. It is crisp, well balanced, and medium long on the finish; it tastes of apple, lime, and lemon grass. Drink through 2005. California Pinot Blanc Review ARTESA, 2002 PINOT BLANC, CARNEROS, $16-$18 Supple and lightly oaky in style, this is a complex Pinot Blanc, with layers of flavor (baked apple, lemon, vanilla, butterscotch, toast, oak). Long aftertaste. 262 cases. Drink through 2005. California Chardonnay Reviews BERNARDUS, 2002 CHARDONNAY, MONTEREY COUNTY, $19-$21 Fleshy and full bodied, this is a generously flavored Chardonnay, with light oakiness and a medium long finish. It tastes of pineapple, roasted nut, pear, and lemon peel. 19,675 cases. Drink through 2005. CHALONE VINEYARD, 2002 CHARDONNAY, CHALONE, $29-$31 A finely flavored, well balanced, somewhat restrained Chardonnay, with good balance and length. It tastes of roasted nut, lemon peel, toast, pineapple, and candied lemon. 24,800 cases. Drink through 2005. MINER, 2002 CHARDONNAY, NAPA VALLEY, $25-$27 Full bodied and complex in style, this is a supple Chardonnay, with moderate richness, and evident oakiness. It tastes of butterscotch, roasted nut, vanilla, baked apple, and lemon peel. 3,293 cases. Drink through 2005. TREFETHEN, 2002 CHARDONNAY, NAPA VALLEY, $26-$28 Excellent Chardonnay, in a supple, full bodied, moderately complex style. It tastes of baked pear, peach, vanilla, toast, butterscotch, and oak. 23,000 cases. Drink through 2005. VINE CLIFF WINERY * 2002 CHARDONNAY, BIEN NACIDO VINEYARD, SANTA MARIA VALLEY, $36-$38 * 2002 CHARDONNAY, PROPRIETRESS RESERVE, SANTA MARIA VALLEY, $48-$50 Much improved Chardonnays from this producer. The Bien Nacido is quite elegant in style: full bodied, round on the palate, moderately intense in flavor, and well balanced. Long finish, tasting of pear, vanilla, roasted nut, and lemon. Unfiltered. 699 cases. The Proprietress Reserve is the best version yet: richly flavored, velvety in texture, full bodied, and very well balanced; a Chardonnay combining intensity with complexity. Very long finish. Unfiltered. 383 cases. Drink through 2006. California Cabernet Sauvignon (and Blends) BUEHLER VINEYARDS, 2001 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, ESTATE, NAPA VALLEY, $30-$32 A supple, richly flavored Cabernet, with moderate oakiness, and good balance. It tastes of blackberry, cedar, toast, and vanilla. Long finish. 2,100 cases. Drink through 2009. BUONCRISTIANI, 2001 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY, $60-$62 Fleshy and richly flavored, this is a fairly powerful wine, with strong oak character yet intense fruit to match. Long, rich finish, tasting of black currant, cherry, toast, tobacco, and spicy oak. 15% alcohol. 12% MB, 3% ME. 240 cases. Drink through 2012. FRANCISCAN, 2001 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY, $26-$28 Complex and full bodied, this is a medium rich, well balanced Cabernet, with layers of spicy oak aromas/flavors and overtones of plum, black currant, and cherry. 19% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc. 97,000 cases. Drink through 2007. GALLO OF SONOMA, 2001 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, RESERVE, SONOMA COUNTY, $13-$15 Delicious Cabernet: supple, full bodied, moderately rich, and well balanced; a Cabernet tasting of cherry, toast, blueberry, and oak. 6.3% Merlot, 1.4% Cabernet Franc. 74,000 cases. Drink through 2006. 707.431.5678 SEBASTIANI, 2001 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, SECOLO, SONOMA COUNTY, $30-$32 FIRST RELEASE. A rich, complex Cabernet-based wine, which is concentrated, full bodied, and long on the palate, with a persistent finish. It tastes of toasted oak, tobacco, cherry, black currant, cedar, and vanilla. Very long finish. 15% Merlot, 1% Malbec. 850 cases. Drink through 2011. SEBASTIANI, 2001 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CHERRYBLOCK, SONOMA VALLEY, $73-$75 Fleshy and complex, this is an impressive Cabernet, with medium richness, layers of flavor (blackberry, toast, roasted nut, oak, cherry), and a long, smooth finish. 22% Merlot, 2% Malbec. 2,000 cases. Drink through 2010. THE FIRESTONE VINEYARD, 2001 RESERVE, SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, $30-$32 Excellent blend: supple, richly flavored, and somewhat toasty and oaky in style; it is smooth and long on the palate, with a long finish, tasting of plum, toast, cedar, and black currant. 29% Cabernet Franc, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 14% Petit Verdot, 9% Malbec. 1,026 cases. Drink through 2008.