Talbott "Logan" chardonnay 2006

This is the second best chardonnay you ban buy. There, I've said it.

We mere mortals are afforded the opportunity to enjoy this one on occasion as long as price is not a consideration to you. It's not unreasonable, however, at $24.99 (although I've seen it as low as $19.99). I understand most of you chardonnay consumers are used to great offerings at much lower prices, but take a chance and see what chardonnay can really be.

When I visited Talbott in August, I'd tried 20 different chards at that point on my sojourn to California.

I was less than enthused about yet another.. but I learned that Talbott does two things and does them better than almost everyone else - chardonnay and pinot noir. All of the Talbott chardonnay offerings are outstanding. The Logan gives one the impression that they left a pineapple in the barrel during aging. Slight malolactic fermentation gives some buttery vanilla texture but not overly so. Much ripe fruits on the tongue but no sting from over alcohol content. This is the smoothest chard I've ever tried, honestly!

I'm not a chardonnay fan as you know, but this one is an honest world-class white. This and the Sleepy Hollow Vineyard are the best chards I've had. T-Scale 93. It's available, lucky us! Drink now. Other vintages offer similar taste and quality, so I can recommend all years but the 2006 shows very very well now.

Rosenblum Cellars Fess Parker Vineyard Roussanne 2007

I visited a local wine merchant and found this little number on sale at half price. The only other domestic Roussanne I've tried was the dynamite Zaca Mesa Santa Barbara County offering, so I figured, why not.

Great deal! Nice light honey nectar nose with some of the feel of a Cotes-du-Rhône - no surprise as Roussanne hails from that area. This, one like most American versions of Roussanne, yield honey and pear in the middle with a slightly oily finish on the tongue.

This is one to add to your short list of nice inexpensive whites to serve with dinner or at social gatherings. Not a bad idea for a Christmas white! I'll be serving it to my guests.

T-Scale - 90! I bought it for.... $8.99 a bottle!!! Yeah, that's half price, but I'd pay full boat for this one. Compare to the Zaca Mesa which scored 90 points in Wine Enthusiast but costs $25.00. I've been to both vineyards, and they're neighbors (both on Foxen Canyon Road in Los Olivos!)

Justin sauvignon blanc 2007

I've started a new quest to find great sauvignon blancs to compare with my so-far-favorite from Alpha Omega. I've had some fume blancs and Loire River offerings but the quest continues.

Enter Justin's contender. I tasted this at the source and was moderately pleased. I had another this week and liked it better. At $17.99, it's priced well and offers the best qualities of a sauv-blanc like a grassy nose, high citrus tongue with a medium alcohol tingle. It finishes well, but not as well as the Alpha Omega.

The Justin is a good way to venture into the world's most popular white wine. What? Did you think it was chardonnay? Surprise! My local sommelier informs me the contrary. Sauvignon is king and to my taste, it deserves the crown for whites.

The Justin is a good way to get into the California style of fume/sauvignons. Try also offerings from New Zealand, Australia, Bordeaux, or South Africa. Every one is different. I've never know a more versatile grape, really!

T-Scale 88. Good price but I've had comparable offering for less $$$. I've had better but they'll cost more.