White Wine The Prisoner Wine Company Blindfold 2018. No decanting necessary. With Chardonnay in mind as the base of the wine, the winemaking team began looking for unique and interesting Rhone varietals to blend into the wine. They aimed to make a white wine unlike anything made in California. With Chardonnay as the canvas, they started finding unexpected grapes to paint their painting. Chenin Blanc from Mendocino along with Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and Roussane from Santa Barbara combine with the Chardonnay to create a one-of-a-kind aromatic powerhouse. On the nose, a blast of sultry lychee gives way to a toasty peach tart. The mouthfeel is full and rich but balances the juicy citrus notes. A unique vanilla butterscotch spice balances the texture. The finish is clean and refreshing. As evidence of the winemakers’ attention to detail and thirst for trying new techniques, a wide variety of ageing methods were employed. During its 10 months of ageing, 85% of the wine sits in a combination of French and Hungarian oak barrels. Of the oak aged wine, 25% sees new oak. The remaining 15% of the wine ages in stainless steel. An impressive balance is found between all the varietals used and the ageing methods employed. When pairing with food, try a light and citrusy poultry dish or a richer seafood based dish. The unique and complex quality of the wine makes it suitable to enjoy on its own as well.
2018
White Wine The Prisoner Wine Company Blindfold 2018
White Wine Mer Soleil Silver Chardonnay 2018. Following the trend of moving away from full oak regimes, the Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay sees no time in oak whatsoever. Fermented in a combination of stainless steel and cement tanks, this wine is still a ripe and full-bodied example of California Chardonnay, but without the butter and vanilla notes that many people think overwhelm some white wines from the Golden State. Aromas of yellow apple, pear, and nectarine lead to a juicy and acidic palate that evokes Meyer lemon, passion fruit, and peach, with a bit of minerality finishing off the mouthwatering finish. Grilled octopus salad, shrimp Louie, or a lobster roll would match this wine perfectly. The juicy, tropical fruit driven essences of this wine are soft and ripe enough that a buttery and/or richly flavored seafood dish is a great pairing. Made by the Wagner family of Caymus and Meiomi fame, the Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay is fermented and aged in stainless steel and cement tanks, keeping oak flavors from the wine entirely. However, the wine does get small doses of oxygen which result in flavor development that helps mimics what oak barrels accomplish, but without adding any oak flavors. Bottled in distinct matte grey bottles that were inspired by the concrete fermenters that this wine was born in, this wine is a showstopper on the table, both in the bottle and in the glass.
2018
White Wine Orin Swift Mannequin 2018. No need to decant. This Chardonnay blend introduces five predominantly French varietals to create a unique wine unlike any other made in California. The winemaker originally conceived of this wine as a white blend, but Chardonnay from Carneros and Sonoma Valley became the dominant varietal. From these regions, the winemaker sources Chardonnay from particularly cool climate vineyards to showcase the best grapes in one of the best Chardonnay growing regions in the world. In the glass, the wine has a pale straw color and releases aromas of granny smith apple, poached pear, jasmine and orange blossom. When tasting, an assertive mouthfeel and striking acidity give way to layers of honeysuckle, white peach and tangerine. The wine is aged in 40% new French oak and aged sur lie for nine months. This brings out lovely baking spice and crème brulee notes and an intoxicatingly creamy mouthfeel. The vibrant acidity and lush mouthfeel make this a perfect accompaniment to assertive and sharp cheeses. Orin Swift Cellars is owned and operated by David Swift Phinney. After falling in love with wine on a trip to Florence, Italy, he worked as a temporary harvester for Robert Mondavi Winery before starting Orin Swift Cellars in 1998. Orin comes from his father’s middle name while Swift is his mother’s maiden name.
2018