2010 Caymus Conundrum White (California) – blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Canelli, Chardonnay, and Viognier grapes
The “puzzle” of Conundrum lies partly in guessing the range of grape varieties used, because its exact composition is never revealed! To create the layered flavors that go into the Conundrum blend, Sauvignon Blanc grapes were brought in from the Napa Valley, Muscat Canelli from Tulare County on the Central Coast, and Chardonnay and Viognier from Conundrum’s vineyards in Monterey County. About one quarter of the wine lots were fermented in stainless steel in order to preserve their individual fruit characteristics. The remaining lots were fermented in a combination of new and seasoned oak barrels for up to ten months. Conundrum 2006 exhibits soft tropical notes of guava and cherimoya, also peach and honeysuckle. The rich perfume is supported by concentrated and focused layers of peach and apricot nectar, pear and green melon with spicy vanilla notes. The creamy texture and balanced acidity carries through the palate for a long finish. budgetbottle.com
2008 Strub Niersteiner Riesling Kabinett (Germany) – Riesling grape
It blends two lots whose acidity and sweetness paired wonderfully; it’s one of the most savory vintages of this wine, as if you’d made a corn chowder off a shellfish stock; at the latter tasting it was starting to show an almost buttery richness. Weingut J. & H.A. Strub
2010 Starborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough (New Zealand) – Sauvignon Blanc grape
Vivid and bright, with plenty of intensity to the lime, passion fruit, melon and guava flavors. Wine Spectator
Crisp and refreshing with layers of citrus and tropical fruit and hints of fresh green characters reminiscent of the region. The wine shows flavors of passion fruit, kiwi and guava over a citrus background. 1000corks.com
2010 Julian Chivite Gran Fuedo Chardonnay Navarra (Spain) – Chardonnay grape
Founded in 1647, Bodegas Chivite is one of the oldest wine producing dynasties in Spain. Over eleven generations, the firm has grown from its original establishment in Navarra to estates in Rioja, Rueda and Ribera del Duero, and become the most important, as well as one of the most respected, producers and exporters of Navarra´s wines. www.chivite.com
2010 Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir Coastal (California) – Pinot Noir grape
Produced primarily from grapes grown along California’s marine-influenced Central Coast. Reflecting the character of a cool vintage, which fostered the development of classic varietal aromas and flavors in our Pinot Noir grapes, this vivacious red wine’s hallmark is fresh, vibrant fruit. On the nose, lovely cherry and raspberry aromas mingle with complementary scents of roasted nuts, mint, and toasty oak. Very soft with good length and richness on the palate, the wine displays round and silky strawberry and cherry cordial flavors. Enjoy this pretty Pinot Noir with grilled salmon, herb-roasted chicken, baked ham, and lighter pork and duck dishes. robertmondavi.com
2009 Piron Chenas Quartz Beaujolais (France) – Gamay grape
“Reflecting a miniscule volume due to hail, the 2009 Chenas Q Domaine Piron & Lameloise (formerly labeled ‘Quartz,’ and part of a joint venture with the Lameloise family) displays a nose unusually mingling ripe blackberry and blueberry with suggestions of roasted eggplant. A saline savor I associate with many quartzite-rich sites threads its way through the wine’s richly-fruited yet finely tannin-suffused and stimulatingly bright palate. A bittersweet low tone again reminiscent of roasted eggplant adds to the wine’s saliva-inducing, palate-staining length. This Chenas – raised one-third in older barrel, but tasted assembled – should be another candidate of its vintage for 4-6 years of fascinating bottle evolution.” Rated 91-92 The Wine Advocate