White Wine Notes

2005 McManis California Chardonnay - Somewhat tart and a little old tasting, perhaps it was not stored properly somewhere in the supply chain. Definitely not a cocktail wine, it would be better with food.

2004 Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Santa Maria Chardonnay - The earthquake certainly didn't make this wine any more dynamic. In fact, it is another surprisingly tart wine that is nowhere near as good as previous vintages. Another food wine.

2005 Merryvale "Starmont" Napa Valley Chardonnay - This wine hasn't been on sale for while. The 2005 is balanced, but leaning toward tartness. Am I noticing a trend away from oak and tropical fruit toward a more European style? Another food wine, although it is drinkable on it's own.

2004 Pouilly Fuisse Louis Latour - The price has come down since the Pouilly Fuisse craze of the 1980s to the point where it is reasonable. The wine is definitely a hybrid with the European stony flintiness of metal blended with noticeable California style fruit. Not bad, and a great food wine.

2005 Edna Valley Chardonnay - Even though you could always tell that this was a California wine, it, too has always had a bit of a French stoniness to it. The 2005 is particularly fine and this is definitely the best of the bunch.