What a weekend for whites! First came the Grgich Hills Chardonnay 2007 on Friday and then the Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc 2004 on Saturday.
It's been some time since I've enjoyed Mike Grgich's famous grape juice so this was quite a treat. Even see Bottle Shock? Grgich was the winemaker at Chateau Montelena in 1973 when the famous Chardonnay took the world championship at the Paris tasting. So if you want to taste a world champ, this is the one.
Seeking a better made Chardonnay is an act of futility. The nose is light and lemony. The taste is perfection, almost too perfect. One doesn't detect any offensive oak or bitter citrus. The creamy pear and peach flavors roll off the tongue like silk. Few Chardonnays have this amazing quality! Unfortunately, it's fairly high dollar. If it wasn't, we'd be drinking it every night, correct?
So I've been eyeing that Telegraphe blanc in my father in law's wine cooler for about a year now. Saturday came the evening of truth. I've been fortunate enough to sample their red, now I get the little sister white. It's really good!
I'm not sure about the exact composition, but the 2008 is 40% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc, 15% Roussanne, and 15% Bourboulenc. I can taste and smell the Roussanne influence with the slightly flowery nose. The taste is somewhat mineral with soft creamy lemons and honey in the middle. The finish is medium-bodied and lasting. Overall, much above average for Rhone blended whites.
T-Scale: Grgich Hills - 92 ($34 - 42); Telegraphe 90 ($23 - $40). Both are outstanding medium-bodied whites for fall. Let me know if you find either of these on the lower end of the price scale. As you can see, the price for both of these varies widely!
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