White Wine Domaine Eden Chardonnay 2018. Decanting time: Drink upon opening. Brilliant bright golden yellow in colour. The nose is bold and full, with plush peach, honeysuckle and tangerine aromas. The juicy yet delicate palate delivers clean flavours of lime zest, nectarine and fresh flowers. There is an array of delightfully interwoven, mature flavours that deliver a very pretty, almost creamy, mouthfeel that extends gracefully with a towards a vibrant, meticulous finish that is very lemony, feminine and carries good length. Full of personality, this wine showcases the well-known Domaine Eden’s well-crafted balance between the richness and minerality known of the region and the characteristic precision of the varietal. Yet another great Chardonnay from one of California’s oldest and arguably the original boutique” Chardonnay producer, whose wines helped place California on the map for exceptional wines 50 years ago. This is a precise Chardonnay and everything about it is pure and well-structured. Nothing is overstated here, which lends to a unique, if subdued elegance. If you like a classically clean and delicate Chardonnay, you will love this wine. Not too big, as some California Chardonnays can be. The vineyards all boast a cool, mountain-top terroir, with consistent, if sparse, yields of purity, integrity and quality. Another fleshy, generous offering from Domaine Eden. Mount Eden’s Chardonnays are known for aging extremely well, although this is very drinkable now. Serve with seafood, sushi or for a light lunch a la fresca.
2018
White Wine Domaine Eden Chardonnay 2018
White Wine Marcel Deiss Engelgarten 2018. One of the most famous terroirs in all of Alsace, Engelgarten is planted on gravelly limestone soils which drain exceptionally well and are perfectly suited to the aromatic Muscat, Riesling, and Pinot Gris varieties. Jean Michel’s vineyard here is farmed organically and planted with old vines which give an extra intensity and depth to the character of the finished wine. In the winery Jean Michel prefers to use a light touch, pressing the grapes slowly over a 12 hour period and using only wild yeasts for the fermentation. The young wine is then aged in ancient huge casks for a year to allow the personality of the blend to develop and the zingy acidity to soften slightly. Although ideal to drink now, this is a wine which will continue to develop and evolve if cellared over the next 5 years or so. On the nose there are charming notes of soft white peaches, jasmine, and ripe tropical fruit while the first sip reveals plenty of mouthwatering freshness, a smooth texture, and lingering fruit flavours. As well as making a terrific aperitif, this delicious white wine also pairs well with white fish, fresh seafood, and spicy dishes like Asian curries, salads, and noodles.
2018
White Wine Duckhorn Migration Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018. Wine & Spirits magazine has named Duckhorn one of the world’s top wineries a total of seven times, cementing the reputation of this Napa estate as one of the region’s finest. The winery has been experimenting with Bordeaux varietals in Napa ever since their very first vintage in 1978. In recent years they have also created their Migration series of wines which showcase the beautiful Sonoma Coast. Duckhorn source their fruit from the region’s finest cool climate vineyards where the ocean fog helps to cool the vines growing on the famed Goldridge sandy loam soils. This bottling is composed of fruit from the Dutton Ranch, Heintz and Running Creek Estate vineyards which is vinified and aged in French oak barrels for 10 months before bottling. This sophisticated Chardonnay clearly expresses the delicacy and intensity of Sonoma Coast fruit with fragile white blossom and bright citrus mingling with riper stone fruit notes. On the palate there’s a rich, creamy texture, medium body and streak of freshness with a pure, clean finish. Full of grace and elegance as well as intense flavours and aromas, this is a great wine to enjoy alongside roasted chicken, pan-fried salmon, creamy cheeses or a big leafy salad with goat’s cheese.
2018