Domaine Henri Naudin-Ferrand, Hautes Côtes de Beaune AOC, Burgundy, France 2005

Dry white wine from the Beaune region in Burgundy, France.

Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay, vintage 2005, aged for 6 months in French oak barrels.

Description: Beautiful bright honey-gold color. This wine is exceptionally well balanced. Showcasing a floral bouquet with honey, almond flowers and honeysuckle layered with apricot and candied fruits. The palate is reminiscent of its nose with the addition of mineral notes laced with some smokiness and vanilla/oak hints. Full bodied Chardonnay. The finish is expressing a slight spiciness. Very supple wine, all in finesse and quite harmonious which has a long lasting finish.

Food Pairing & Service: To be enjoyed now chilled with a nice piece of salmon or paired with shellfish such as scallops.

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: Ready to drink now

Price as seen on DC shelf: usually around $25-$28

Importer/Distributor: Comete Wines from Silver Spring MD

Clotilde Davenne, Les Temps Perdus, AOC Saint-Bris, Burgundy, France 2010

Dry white wine from the Chablis Region in Burgundy, France

Technical Data: 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Hand harvested. Underwent 100% malolactic fermentation. On the lees for several months. Very elegant wine, from the only AOC (Saint-Bris) from Burgundy allowed to produce a Sauvignon Blanc wine. No oak to preserve the freshness and "terroir-like" characteristic of this wine.

Description: Bright light gold color. On the nose, the wine exudes tropical fruits and stone fruits mingled with mineral aromas. Quite complex. The palate is an “explosion” of flavors with to name only a few, peach, citrus zest, flint-stone and white flowers followed by only a hint of spice. Very long lasting.

Food Pairing & Service: Enjoy chilled with seafood, fish as well as goat cheese.

Score: 9/10. One of the best Saint-Bris I ever tasted. This particular wine & vintage has received a tones of accolades since its release. Clotilde Davenne has been voted the best Winemaker of the year 2005 in Stockholm! Look for her wines, they are all beautifully crafted. Also very important, because the area of production of this small AOC in Burgundy, there is only a handful of producers whom can indeed make Saint-Bris wines, if memory serves me right, right now, there should be only about 10 to 12 producers of Saint-Bris AOC.

Ageing Potential: Made to be drunk in its youth to preserve its delightful freshness. Drink now and for 2 more year.

Price as seen on DC shelf: usually around $15-$18

Importer/Distributor: Comete Wines from Silver Spring MD

Château Mukhrani, Muscat Fortified Dessert Wine NV, Kartli, Georgia (Rep. of)

Sweet Dessert Wine, although I have tasted it with real food also and I must say, to say it is a dessert wine only will not do it justice! This is the kind of Muscat that when you have tasted it once you want to find any excuse to drink it again...It is that good. And if it wasn’t enough, on top of that is its packaging, the bottle is completely gorgeous with a luxous perfume bottle feel.

Technical Data: 100% White Muscat fortified with Château Mukhrani Chacha Spirit. 18% vol.

Description: Bright honey gold color. Exuberant nose expressing dried fruits and floral aromas. Rich and luscious palate for a full bodied sweet wine. Honey and dried apricot are mingled with figs, and spicy flavors backed up by soft oak notes. Extremely well balanced for a wine of such intensity. Long lasting unforgettable finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Although it is a sweet wine, Château Mukhrani Muscat is very versatile, consume by itself as an aperitif, with spicy Asian dishes, or fruity salads. It is exquisite with dark chocolate and figs. It will also accompany extremely well Foie Gras. Drink preferably chilled (Best at 12-14 degree Celsius), but can also be served at room temperature to suit individual taste.

Score: 9.5/10.

Ageing Potential: Enjoy anytime

Price as seen on DC shelf: Not available at the moment.

Château Mukhrani, Goruli Mtsvane 2009, Kartli, Georgia (Rep.of)

Dry white wine from the Kartli region (surrounding Tbilisi the capital) in Georgia. Mtsvane grape is a world-class grape variety endemic to Georgia. There are 4 different Mtsvane variety in Georgia, each coming from a different region and with their own characteristic. This amazing wine has been awarded a Bronze Medal at the Hong Kong Wine and Spirit International Competition in late October 2011.

Technical Data: 85% Goruli Mtsvane, which is endemic to the region of Kartli and 15% Chinuri (a white grape with red freckles) which is another Georgian endemic variety. Hand harvested. On the lies. Aged a minimum of 4 months and up to 7 months prior bottling depending of the vintage. 12% vol.

Description: Bright light gold with greenish hues. Its nose shows, at first, fresh white plum enticed with citrussy aromas and stone fruits, then follows peppery notes and flowery aromas. The palate expresses a generous plummy taste backed up by peach and honeysuckle with a pinch of black pepper. The wine is crisp and full body but somehow still manage to be round with a nice intensity & acidity for a good lengthy finish.

Food Pairing & Service: I personally enjoy this wine with fish, shellfish or a big salad. It also pairs quite well with a salad with pear and walnut. Could be enjoyed by itself as an aperitif as well. Best enjoyed chilled.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Made to be drunk in its youth. Drink now and for 2 more year.

Price as seen on DC shelf: Soon available in MD and DC wine stores and Restaurants.

Château Mukhrani, Rkatsiteli, Kartli region 2009, Georgia (Rep. of )

Dry white wine from the Kartli Region (surrounding Tbilisi the capital) in Georgia. Rkatsiteli variety is a world-class grape variety endemic to Georgia.

Technical Data: 100% Rkatsiteli. Hand harvested. On the lies. Aged a minimum of 4 months and up to 7 months prior bottling depending of the vintage. 12% vol.

Description: Bright light gold color. Its nose expresses at first pear and gooseberry/mulberry aromas followed by light tropical fruits. The palate is echoing its nose with a lot of pear flavors mingled with fresh citrus and light tropical fruits. The wine is crisp and medium bodied, well balanced with a nice acidity and a medium length finish.

Food Pairing & Service: To be paired with light fares as well as roasted chicken, salad and Fiscalini cheese. Could also be consumed by itself.

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: Made to be drunk in its youth. Drink now and for 2 more year.

Price as seen on DC shelf: Soon available in MD and DC wine stores and Restaurants.

Back to business

After a long 9 months of absence (due to a difficult pregnancy) I am glad to report that I will be back in business and ready to taste again beginning in September!

Also, I am pleased to announced the launch of my very own company, Destination Wine LLC. I will be offering Wine Services in DC, VA and MD. A sister Website to my wineblog will turn up soon, keep an eye here as I will advertise it!

Fetzer Gewurztraminer 2009, CA, USA

Technical Data:

Description:

Food Pairing & Service:

Score: 7/10.

Ageing Potential: Made to be drunk in its youth. Drink now and for 1 more year.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $14.99

Domaine du Tariquet White 2008, VDP Côtes de Gascogne, France

A white Vin de Pays "Country Wine" also called VDP from the SouthWest region in France.

Technical Data: 75% Chenin Blanc and 25% Chardonnay. This wine was aged a few months only in French oak barrel. Imported by Bobby Kacher Selections in DC Area.

Description: Pale gold color. Medium intensity nose showing off minerality, herbal notes and tropical fruits aromas backed up by oak and spice. Crisp palate with a nice acidity and medium-body. The wine exudes mango fruits as well as citrussy ones entwined with a nice minerality, and a hint of both green bell pepper and oak. Creamy clean finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Paired by Angela with an Ash-Ripened (poplar wood ash) Goat Cheese called Bonne-Bouche “Good Mouthful” made in the heart of Vermont. vermontcreamery.com

Score: 7/10. Good everyday wine value, Stack it up to enjoy year around!

Ageing Potential: Made to be drunk in its youth. Drink now and for 1 more year.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $12.29

Domaine Joël Delaunay, Le Bois Martin 2009, Touraine AOC, Loire Valley, France

A crisp and delightful Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine AOC from the Loire Valley in France.

Technical Data: 100% Sauvignon Blanc. This wine was aged on the lees 3 months in French oak barrel.

Description: Pale greenish robe with yellow hues. Distinctive nose of "cat's pee" aromas and freshly cut grass. On the palate, the wine is crisp and full-bodied with fruits flavors first with apricot and grapefruit then followed by grassy flavors as well as the typical "cat's pee" you usually found in Loire Valley's Sauvignon Blanc. The finish is long lasting, extremely well balanced with tropical fruits and spices.

Food Pairing & Service: Paired by Angela with an Ash-Ripened (poplar wood ash) Goat Cheese called Bonne-Bouche "Good Mouthful" made in the heart of Vermont. vermontcreamery.com

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: cellar up to 2 years

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.99

St Francis Sonoma Chardonnay 2008, CA, USA

Creamy style Chardonnay from CA

Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay, aged 6 months in a combination of French and American oak. This wine underwent full malolactic fermentation.

Description: Bright gold color. Creamy aromas mingled with pear and baked apple followed by grapefruit notes, oak and spices. Crisp and creamy palate for a buttery full-bodied Chardonnay expressing, as an echo of its nose, baked apple and pear flavors backed up by pepper, smokiness, oak and a toffee/caramel like finish.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair extremely well with a wide range of food. Angela and Treva paired it with the French cheese called Petit Basque Istara, which is a 100% sheep's milk cheese.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and for 2 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $20.49

Clos du Bois California Pinot Grigio 2008, CA, USA

A light to medium-bodied very fruity Pinot Grigio from CA.

Technical Data: 100% Pinot Grigio. Stainless steel only in order to preserve its freshness.

Description: Bright pale straw color. On the nose the wine exudes tropical fruits aromas and white peaches. On the palate, this Pinot Grigio expresses first tropical fruits and white peach then on the mid palate it follows up with a touch of minerality and white flowers flavors to finish with lime. Nice and crisp palate for a medium length wine.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair extremely well with light fares and starters or even white meats in tomato sauce or grilled. Can also be enjoyed with a picnic or by the glass alone.

Score: 7/10.

Ageing Potential: This wine was made to be drunk young.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.99

Clos du Bois North Coast Chardonnay 2008, CA, USA

A full-bodied rich and creamy Chardonnay from the North Coast area in CA, one of my "to-go" Californian Chard!

Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay. Aged 6 months on the lees in a combination of French and American oak barrels.

Description: Bright gold color. Creamy/buttery nose showing off aromas of pear and baked apple enticed with caramel from its aging. Its palate is quite and echo of its nose with the addition of oaky flavors. The wine has a rich mouthfeel and is textured. A long lasting finish and a good acidity will complete the picture.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair well with pasta in cream sauce and luscious fare...as well as with Latin American cuisine or Asian spicy food. I could most definitely enjoy this wine by the glass or even pair it with a French cheese called Petit Pont L'Évêque, if I am not mistaken, this cheese is from the category called soft ripened cheese with washed rind.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and up to 2 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.99

Murphy Goode Chardonnay 2008, Sonoma County, CA, USA

A full-bodied creamy Chardonnay from Sonoma in CA.

Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay. Aged a few months in French and American oak barrels, 10% new.

Description: Bright medium gold color. Nose of good intensity expressing, at first, aromas of baked apples, tropical fruits and stone fruits, backed up by oak, yeast and cream. The palate is alluring, well balanced and long lasting, mingling together pear and white pepper flavors to oak, buttery notes and minerality. Quite creamy thru and thru with a nice touch of pineapple at the very end of the palate.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair well with salmon, crab meat, pasta with Shrimps in white sauce and scallops... I could also see this chardonnay to be paired with a cheese called "Bonne Bouche", an Ash-Ripened (creamy) Goat Cheese by Vermont Butter and Cheese Creamery.

Score: 7/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and up to 2 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $19.99

Murphy Good The Fumé 2008, North Coast, CA, USA

A medium to full-bodied crisp Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma in CA.

Technical Data: 100% Sauvignon Blanc also known as Fumé. A small portion of the wine was aged on oak, 57% French and 43% American, 6% new.

Description: Light bright gold color. Nose of medium intensity, showing off tangerine, citrus fruits and spices. Quite floral at the very end. The palate is quite an echo of its nose, with flavors of tangerine, orange zest and white flowers interwoven with white peach, white pepper and a touch of oak.

Food Pairing & Service: Will pair with a wide range of food, from spicy food, quesadillas with chicken, seafood, salad with blackened shrimp, to a bowl of fruits's salad.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Drink now and up to 3 more years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $14.99

Torrontés Riojano Grape

It is not the same grape as the Torrontés found in Spain. Torrontés Riojano is indigenous of Argentina. It is believed to be a crossing between a dry grape called Mission (also known as Criolla Chica) and a sweet grape, Muscat of Alexandria. Although this grape is dry, it has the distinctive slightly sweet bouquet of the Muscat of Alexandria, expressing most of the time apricot, jasmine and muscat aromas.

It exist 3 different type of Torrontés in Argentina, Torrontés Riojano being the most commonly planted.

Rodney Strong Sonoma County Chardonnay2008, Sonoma County, USA

A full-bodied creamy style Chardonnay from Sonoma County.

Technical Data: 100% Chardonnay, 60% of the wine was aged 4 months only in French oak to add some creaminess to it.

Description: Bright gold color. Clean nose with aromas of baked apple, lemon, pear and soft oak. On the mouth, full-bodied creamy style Chardonnay expressing flavors of pear, baked apple, a pinch of pineapple entwined with some spicy notes and a touch of toasty oak. Very long lasting finish with a well balanced acidity.

Food Pairing & Service: A crisp and refreshing wine which will pair well with a creamy style cheese, try the one recommended to me by one of my friends from the “Cheese Fromagerie” Department from the store I was tasting in, the Cheese is from Burgundy in France and is called Délice de Bourgogne, this pairing will delights you! Of course, this wine can be sip by itself as well, if like me, you like a flavorful and full bodied Chard. You could also paired this wine with creamy dishes, strong fish and shellfish. Serve chilled.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: This wine should be drunk now or over the next couple of years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $17.79

Rodney Strong Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Sonoma County, USA

A medium-bodied crisp and fruit forwards Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County.

Technical Data: 100% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% of the wine was aged a few months only in oak. twist off cap, no cork.

Description: Light gold color. Intense nose of tropical and green fruits aromas. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and shows some minerality and herbaceousness along with fruity flavors such as pear, citrus and pineapple. Crisp and refreshing with a nice acidity.

Food Pairing & Service: A crisp and refreshing wine which will pair well with a Goat cheese, try the one recommended to me by one of my friends from the “Cheese Fromagerie” Department from the store I was tasting in, the Cheese is from Vermont and is called Coupole, this pairing will knocks you socks off I guarantee it! Of course, this wine can be sip by itself as well, or paired with salad and mild fish. Serve chilled.

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: This wine should be drunk in its youth.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $16.29

Martin Codax Albariño 2008, Rias Baixas, Spain

A full-bodied Albariño from the Northwestern part of Spain, not far from the border with Portugal.

Technical Data: 100% Albariño grape. Stainless steel only.

Description: Light greenish yellow in color. Fragrant nose displaying aromas of citrus, pear, apple and apricot. Crisp and refreshing, elegant wine showing off flavors of apricot, green apples, pear, white peach, honeysuckle and grass.

Food Pairing & Service: Sip by itself or pair with fish and shellfish. Serve chilled. Quite a delightful wine.

Score: 9/10.

Ageing Potential: Up to 3 years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $18.99

Jacob's Creek Reserves Riesling 2009, South Australia

A dry Riesling with lots of personality from South Australia Region.

Technical Data: 100% Riesling. Stainless steel only.

Description: Bright pale gold color with greenish hues. The nose shows aromas of pear, lime, citrus and lemon backed up by minerality. Crisp and refreshing Riesling, intricate palate displaying minerality as well as fruity/flowery flavors. The wine exudes of jasmine, lime, pear and grapefruits flavors laced with minerality and a nicely balanced acidity. Long lasting finish which make you cry for more.

Food Pairing & Service: Will accompany really well the French cheese called Morbier as suggested by my friends from the "Cheese Fromagerie" Department from the store I was tasting in. I love this wine by itself, and of course, it could do wonders with some spicy Asian/Indian dishes or even oysters and shellfish. Serve chilled.

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: Can be definitely drunk now, but can also be stored in cellar without a doubt for up to 5-6 years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $17.99

Franciscan Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Napa Valley, USA

Light to medium-bodied Napa Sauvignon Blanc from the Famous Franciscan Winery. Quite a surprising Sauvignon Blanc, reminiscent of one from New Zealand for the flavors it displays.

Technical Data: 100% Sauvignon Blanc. A very small portion of the fruit was fermented in neutral French oak barrels on the lees for a very short time to lend more texture to the wine.

Description: Pale straw yellow in color. Intricate nose exuding grapefruits and lemon zest aromas. Crisp and delicate palate for this refreshing Sauvignon Blanc showing off grapefruits flavors well mingled with lemon zest, grass, lime and limestone. A bit of minerality, a nice acidity, some texture and a good balanced round up this wine.

Food Pairing & Service: A crisp and zingy Sauvignon Blanc to pair with a goat cheese, try the one recommended to me by one of my friends from the "Cheese Fromagerie" Department from the store I was tasting in, the Cheese is from Poitou region in France and is called Chabichou du Poitou, I could never have enough of that pairing! Of course, this wine can be sip by itself as well, or paired with light spicy food, creamy linguine and the usual shellfish and mild fish. Serve chilled.

Score: 8/10.

Ageing Potential: Up to 3 years.

Price as seen on DC shelf: $22.49