Au Bon Climat
Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2023
Au Bon Climat — Chardonnay 2023
Santa Barbara County, California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A classic Santa Barbara County Chardonnay from Au Bon Climat, reflecting the restrained, balanced style that made Jim Clendenen’s wines such benchmarks for the region. This is Chardonnay without unnecessary theatrics: cool-climate freshness, measured richness, and an easygoing personality that still carries plenty of character.
Aromas & Flavors
Fresh apple, pear, lemon, white peach, and citrus blossom, with subtle vanilla, mineral, and lightly toasted nuances adding complexity without dominating the fruit.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, fresh, and beautifully balanced. The acidity provides just the right amount of tension, while a subtle creamy texture rounds the palate. Clean, composed, and remarkably easy to enjoy.
Food Pairings
Grilled fish, roasted chicken, shrimp, crab cakes, creamy pasta, or simply enjoyed on its own.
Verdict
A solid representation of what Santa Barbara Chardonnay does so well. It has freshness without austerity, texture without heaviness, and enough complexity to remain interesting while being completely approachable. A terrific casual Chardonnay.
Did You Know?
Au Bon Climat was founded by Jim Clendenen in 1982 and became one of the defining producers of cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County, favoring balance and restraint long before those qualities became fashionable in California.
🍷 Personal Pick
This is what I want a casual Santa Barbara Chardonnay to taste like. Affable, balanced, subtly textured, and carrying just enough tension to keep every sip fresh. Nothing overdone and nothing missing. It has officially earned a spot among my New World Chardonnay staples. — 13 days ago
South Mist
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2025
South Mist Regional Reserve Parcel — Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Wairau Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Overview
An elevated expression of South Mist Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from a select parcel in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. Compared with the original bottling, this shows greater structure, concentration, and refinement while retaining the vibrant personality that makes Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc so immediately recognizable.
Aromas & Flavors
Highly aromatic yet beautifully controlled, with grapefruit, lime, passion fruit, guava, and fresh herbs. The tropical character is expressive without becoming overwhelming, allowing citrus and subtle green notes to provide freshness and definition.
Mouthfeel
Light- to medium-bodied with crisp, zesty acidity and considerably more structure than the standard bottling. Vibrant and energetic through the mid-palate, yet polished and delicate, leading to an exceptionally clean and persistent finish.
Food Pairings
Oysters, grilled shrimp, ceviche, goat cheese, fresh salads, sushi, or simply grilled white fish.
Verdict
A noticeable step up from the original South Mist. It keeps the aromatic exuberance Marlborough lovers expect but adds finesse, structure, and a more composed finish. Particularly impressive considering the approachable price point.
Did You Know?
The Wairau Valley is Marlborough’s historic heartland and is particularly celebrated for Sauvignon Blanc. Its abundant sunshine, cool nights, and free-draining soils help produce wines with intense aromatics while preserving the vibrant acidity that defines the region.
🍷 Personal Pick
This is where South Mist becomes considerably more interesting for me. The aromatics are still through the roof, but everything feels better controlled—more structure, more finesse, and a lovely lingering finish. Delicious, affordable, and ridiculously easy to keep around; a terrific everyday cellar staple. — 21 days ago
il Poggiarello
Come Il Vento Sauvignon
Il Poggiarello — Come il Vento Sauvignon 2024 Emilia IGT, Italy 🇮🇹
Overview
100% Sauvignon Blanc from Il Poggiarello in Emilia, showing a surprisingly refined cool-climate personality. This is Sauvignon Blanc stripped of excess aromatics and built around finesse, freshness, and precision. An Italian expression that could easily make you forget where it came from in a blind tasting.
Aromas & Flavors
Quince, kumquat, citrus peel, and delicate lemon curd, joined by subtle floral and mineral nuances. Expressive but never loud, with the fruit remaining beautifully restrained.
Mouthfeel
Light- to medium-bodied, bone dry, and wonderfully agile. Bright acidity provides tension while a subtle saline edge adds dimension. Delicate in texture yet persistent, with a clean, precise, refreshing finish.
Food Pairings
Oysters, grilled shrimp, crudo, sushi, white fish, fresh goat cheese, or light seafood pasta.
Verdict
One of the most impressive cool-climate Italian Sauvignon Blancs I’ve tasted. Its finesse is the star—delicate, precise, saline, and remarkably composed. Nothing feels exaggerated, and the bottle disappears dangerously fast.
Did You Know?
While Sauvignon Blanc in Italy is more commonly associated with northeastern regions such as Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Alto Adige, Emilia offers a far less obvious home for the variety. That makes a refined expression like this particularly interesting, and a reminder of how versatile Italian viticulture can be.
🍷 Personal Pick
This completely caught me off guard. The quince, kumquat, subtle lemon curd, bone-dry finish, and touch of salinity were simply lovely. So delicate and effortless that the bottle practically evaporated from the table. This has officially become my new Old World casual Sauvignon Blanc cellar staple. — 13 days ago
Chemin du Vieux Preche
Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc
Chemin du Vieux Prêche — Sancerre 2024
Sancerre AOP, Loire Valley, France 🇫🇷
Overview
100% Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, delivering a bright, precise, and refreshingly uncomplicated expression of the appellation. Delicate rather than showy, with freshness, minerality, and tension taking center stage. An excellent everyday introduction to Sancerre at an approachable price point.
Aromas & Flavors
Fresh citrus, lemon zest, green apple, and subtle white fruit, with light herbal and flinty nuances adding definition.
Mouthfeel
Light-bodied, crisp, and sharply refreshing. Uplifting acidity drives the palate alongside a distinct mineral character and a lovely touch of tartness. The finish is moderately long, persistent enough to satisfy without overstaying its welcome.
Food Pairings
Oysters, fresh goat cheese, grilled white fish, shrimp, sushi, asparagus, or a simple green salad.
Verdict
Delicate, bright, and deliciously crisp. This isn’t trying to be an intellectual heavyweight; it simply delivers the freshness, minerality, and precision expected from Sancerre while remaining wonderfully casual and affordable.
Did You Know?
Sancerre’s distinctive personality comes partly from its diverse soils, particularly limestone, clay-limestone, and flint. These differences can give Sauvignon Blanc expressions ranging from delicate and citrus-driven to broader, more structured, or distinctly mineral.
🍷 Personal Pick
Exactly the kind of Sancerre I like having around for casual drinking. Bright, mineral-driven, wonderfully crisp, and generous with acidity, followed by that little kiss of tartness that keeps you reaching for another sip. Delicious without needing to make a big statement. — 13 days ago
Albino Armani
Trentino Gewürztraminer 2024
Albino Armani 1607 — Gewürztraminer 2024, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy 🇮🇹
Overview
A lovely northern Italian interpretation of Gewürztraminer, grown in the cool conditions of Trentino. Albino Armani gives this naturally expressive variety plenty of aromatic personality while maintaining freshness and structure. Rather than becoming excessively perfumed or soft, the wine shows layers, savory character, and enough weight to make it compelling from the first glass.
Aromas & Flavors
Lychee, ripe peach, apricot, rose petal, citrus peel, and delicate tropical fruit unfold alongside subtle spice and floral notes. There is plenty happening aromatically, but the profile remains composed rather than overwhelmingly exotic.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied and beautifully textured, with freshness balancing the wine’s aromatic richness. There is a savory quality through the mid-palate, followed by a surprisingly substantial, flavorful finish that gives this considerably more presence than a simple aromatic white.
Food Pairings
Thai curry, Vietnamese dishes, spicy noodles, sushi, grilled shrimp, aromatic chicken dishes, or mildly spicy Indian cuisine. Asian food practically screams for this bottle.
Verdict
An expressive yet remarkably balanced Gewürztraminer that should impress both newcomers and more sophisticated palates. It delivers everything one hopes for from the variety—aromatics, texture, spice, and personality—without becoming heavy or excessively flamboyant.
Did You Know?
Although Gewürztraminer is strongly associated with Alsace, it has deep historical connections to northeastern Italy as well. The variety’s name is traditionally linked to the village of Tramin/Termeno in Alto Adige, making northern Italy an especially fascinating place to explore its identity.
🍷 Personal Pick
This is exactly the kind of Gewürztraminer I enjoy: multilayered, savory, beautifully aromatic, but still fresh and composed. The cool-climate personality is there, yet the finish packs considerably more flavor and substance than expected. Put Asian food on the table and this bottle suddenly knows exactly why it showed up. — 21 days ago
Kudos
White Pinot Noir 2025
Kudos — White Pinot Noir 2025
Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A decidedly different expression of Pinot Noir, vinified as a white wine with minimal skin influence rather than in its familiar red form. It trades Pinot’s red-fruit and earthy personality for a much more floral, fruit-forward style. An interesting comfort-zone experiment, even if the result won’t resonate with every palate.
Aromas & Flavors
Pear, white peach, sweet citrus, and ripe orchard fruit lead the way, accompanied by pronounced honeysuckle and floral notes. Generous, aromatic, and distinctly fruit-driven.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, mellow, and lush, with bright acidity providing some freshness. The fruit and floral character builds quickly across the palate, creating a richer and more saturating impression than the nearly colorless appearance might suggest.
Food Pairings
Soft cheeses, lightly spiced Asian dishes, roasted chicken, fruit-based salads, or mildly sweet-and-savory dishes.
Verdict
An intriguing alternative expression of Pinot Noir and certainly worth tasting for the experience. Fruity, floral, and approachable, it should appeal particularly to those who enjoy softer and more aromatic white wines. For palates seeking minerality, tension, and a sharper profile, it may become tiring rather quickly.
Did You Know?
Pinot Noir has clear juice despite its dark skins. By pressing the grapes quickly and minimizing skin contact, winemakers can produce a white wine from this classic red variety—a technique also fundamental to Blanc de Noirs Champagne.
🍷 Personal Pick
Definitely outside my usual comfort zone. I didn’t dislike it, and I can see the appeal for someone looking for a fruity, mellow white loaded with florals and honeysuckle. For me, though, the richness saturated my palate fairly quickly. One glass was enough, and sometimes discovering what isn’t your style is part of the fun. — 13 days ago
Château Rieussec
R Bordeaux Blanc Sec Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2020
Château Rieussec — R de Rieussec 2020
Bordeaux AOC, France 🇫🇷
Overview
A seriously over-delivering dry white from Château Rieussec, the celebrated Sauternes estate of Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite. The 2020 is 57% Sauvignon Blanc and 43% Sémillon, combining Sauvignon’s freshness and energy with the texture and richness of Sémillon.
Aromas & Flavors
Passion fruit, citrus, grapefruit, ripe peach, and tropical fruit lead into subtle smoky and mineral nuances. Expressive and succulent without losing its Bordeaux identity.
Mouthfeel
Smooth and beautifully balanced, with enough volume from the Sémillon to give the wine substance while Sauvignon Blanc provides a sharp, refreshing backbone. Generous through the mid-palate, yet precise and lively through the finish.
Food Pairings
Oysters, grilled shrimp, scallops, crab, white fish, or seafood pasta. Equally enjoyable on its own.
Verdict
A hidden gem that punches considerably above its weight. Fresh, layered, succulent, and remarkably approachable, yet with enough structure and complexity to reveal its serious Bordeaux pedigree. One glass becomes two remarkably easily.
Did You Know?
Although 2020 may not be a headline vintage for white Bordeaux, R de Rieussec was a successful individual performer. The year was unusually warm and early, but Rieussec’s limestone-marl soils handled the dry summer well, with Sauvignon Blanc harvested exceptionally early in August to retain freshness.
🍷 Personal Pick
It took me a while to find other favorable vintages of this white, and I wasn’t sure 2020 would deliver, but I gave it a shot—and I’m glad I did. Succulent tropical fruit, beautiful balance, precision, and a sharp refreshing finish. Affordable enough to open casually, yet sophisticated enough to make you pay attention. Standalone or with seafood, this is exactly the kind of overlooked Bordeaux Blanc I love discovering. — 21 days ago
Santo Wines
Santorini Assyrtiko 2025
Santo Wines — Santorini Assyrtiko 2025
Santorini PDO, Greece 🇬🇷
Overview
100% Assyrtiko from selected mountain vineyards on Santorini, grown in the island’s arid, volcanic, low-yielding conditions. This is a particularly graceful expression of the variety—less about sheer intensity and more about finesse, freshness, and that unmistakable Santorini personality.
Aromas & Flavors
Fresh lemon, citrus peel, green apple, and delicate white fruit, with subtle herbal notes and a distinctly stony, volcanic character.
Mouthfeel
Light- to medium-bodied, agile, and beautifully vibrant. Crisp acidity drives the palate, while pronounced minerality and a subtle saline edge add dimension. There is even a very distant suggestion of fizz that gives the wine extra energy without distracting from its refinement.
Food Pairings
Grilled octopus, fresh fish, oysters, shrimp, Greek salads, lemon-herb chicken, or simply grilled Mediterranean vegetables.
Verdict
One of the most delicious Santorini Assyrtikos I’ve tasted recently. Delicate yet expressive, mineral-driven without becoming austere, and wonderfully refreshing. It captures Assyrtiko’s serious side while remaining incredibly inviting from the first sip.
Did You Know?
Santorini’s Assyrtiko vines are traditionally grown in basket-shaped kouloura, protecting the grapes from the island’s fierce winds and intense sun. Many vineyards are also ungrafted, rooted directly into the island’s volcanic soils.
🍷 Personal Pick
A little Santorini jewel. The finesse grabbed me immediately, but it’s the combination of stony minerality, salinity, freshness, and effortless energy that makes me want this in my cellar many times over. — 2 months ago
San Marzano
Edda Chardonnay
San Marzano EDDA — Bianco 2022
Salento IGP, Puglia, Italy 🇮🇹
Overview
A true IGP-minded blend of 60% Chardonnay, 20% Fiano, and 20% White Moscatel, bringing international and native varieties together with purpose. Chardonnay provides the backbone, Fiano contributes Mediterranean character and tension, while White Moscatel adds aromatic lift. A cerebral southern Italian white with considerably more going on than the first sip suggests.
Aromas & Flavors
Ripe peach, apricot, yellow apple, citrus, and delicate floral notes unfold into subtle tropical and aromatic nuances. The fruit is generous but never one-dimensional.
Mouthfeel
Medium- to full-bodied, layered, and textured, with enough acidity and tension to keep the richness controlled. Aging in French barriques on the lees adds depth and roundness, while the Fiano helps maintain freshness and character.
Food Pairings
Grilled fish, roasted chicken, seafood risotto, creamy pasta, grilled vegetables, or richer Mediterranean dishes.
Verdict
Not a patio pounder—and that is precisely its charm. EDDA has structure, personality, and enough layers to make you slow down and pay attention. A thoughtful blend that uses Chardonnay as its foundation without allowing Chardonnay to dominate the conversation.
Did You Know?
“Edda” means “she” in the local Puglian dialect. Its unconventional blend and Salento IGP designation give San Marzano considerable freedom to combine Chardonnay with the distinctly southern Italian personality of Fiano and aromatic White Moscatel.
🍷 Personal Pick
This is my kind of cerebral white: stone-fruited, layered, textured, and carrying just enough tension to activate the senses. It isn’t asking to disappear quickly from the glass, it wants you to think about what you’re drinking. — 2 months ago
Freddy R. Troya
Kisvin — Koshu Réserve 2021
Yamanashi, Japan 🇯🇵
Overview
100% Koshu from Yamanashi, given an unusually serious treatment through late harvesting and barrel aging. The result moves well beyond the typically delicate, light-bodied expression of Koshu, delivering greater concentration, texture, and personality while preserving the grape’s natural freshness.
Aromas & Flavors
Ripe pear, citrus, yellow apple, and subtle honey unfold alongside gentle oak spice and vanilla. The fruit feels concentrated yet refined, with the barrel influence adding complexity rather than masking Koshu’s delicate character.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied and noticeably creamier than typical Koshu, with additional weight and texture across the palate. Fresh acidity keeps everything composed, leading to a clean, structured, and persistent finish.
Food Pairings
Sushi, sashimi, grilled scallops, miso-glazed fish, tempura, roasted poultry, or richer Japanese seafood preparations.
Verdict
A premium, intellectual Koshu, simple as that. Where many examples emphasize delicacy and subtlety, this has genuine presence and character. The added weight and oak influence make it a fascinating demonstration of how serious Koshu can become without sacrificing its identity.
Did You Know?
Koshu is Japan’s signature native wine grape and is particularly associated with Yamanashi, its historic heartland. Its naturally subtle character makes richer interpretations like this Réserve especially unusual, showing an entirely different dimension of the variety.
🍷 Personal Pick
This is Koshu with some muscle—and I loved it. The pear, honey, citrus, creamy texture, and restrained oak give it far more personality and weight than expected, yet it remains unmistakably refined. Unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult to find in the U.S.; if I see another bottle, I’m not leaving it behind. — 13 days ago