Chenin Blanc Wine Tasting Notes

2004 Pine Ridge
Clarksburg Chenin Blanc - Viognier
Score: 95.0
A magical marriage, nothing is so synergistic as Chenin and Viognier. Viognier gives Chenin more body and an extroverted personality. Chenin gives Viognier more acid and less alcohol, a certain delicacy that Viognier lacks. Together they make the perfect pair. This perfectly balanced example has aromas of white peach, guava, and melon rind. Add tangerine on the palate. Refreshing enough to quaff, complex enough to savor. 80% Chenin - 20% Viognier.

1999 Callaway Coastal
California Chenin Blanc
Score: 82.0
A bone dry Chenin with muted grassy flavors and crisp acidity.

1999 Pine Ridge
California Chenin Blanc-Viognier
Score: 97.0
"This blend of 86% Chenin Blanc and 14% Viognier is to wine what light fusion cuisine is to food; it offers surprising flavors, subtly combined. The expansive nose is a melange of grapefruit, peach and honeydew melon, while the palate adds some spicy notes. Dry and perfectly balanced, its a synergistic blend thats better balanced than most Viogniers, and more aromatic than most Chenins. Its also an absurdly easy match for fish, poultry, veal or pork."

1999 Baron Herzog
Clarksburg Chenin Blanc
Score: 93.0
"Year after year Baron Herzog makes an outstanding Chenin from the delta region of the Central Valley. The '99 is off-dry (with the addition of 7% French Colombard grape juice), and the fruit is reminiscent of honeydew laced with lime juice. Medium-bodied, the Herzog Chenin is also lively on the palate"

1998 Chappellet Dry
Napa Valley Chenin Blanc
Score: 87.0
"A bone dry Chenin offering an aromatic nose of new mown lawn, and crisp citrus fruit with that same green grass character on the palate. "

1998 Chappellet Demi Sec
Napa Valley Chenin Blanc Estate Bottled
Score: 88.0
"Chappellet is known for its dry Chenin Blancs, but in 1998 the weather conditions permitted some extra ripening, making this sweet version possible. Its a well-balanced, full-bodied wine, moderately sweet with good balancing acidity, lime and honeydew fruit and a hint of mineral. Serve chilled as an aperitif or with poultry or pasta in a cream sauce."

1998 Chappellet Old Vine Cuvee
Napa Valley [chenin blanc]
Score: 88.0
"This is barrel fermented and aged sur lie, but the citrus and fig aromas and flavors dominate, with an edge of spice and a light smokey character. Dry, with firm structure, this is a fine match for poultry or risotto."

1999 Dry Creek Vineyard
Clarksburg Chenin Blanc
Score: 93.0
"If there were 'grand cru' in California, Dry Creek Vineyard would win top honors for its Chenin Blanc, which year after year offers a top notch dry Chenin that rivals the better producers of the Loire. Silky smooth and medium-bodied, the fruit is reminiscent of peach and lime with mineral accents. Complex, balanced and well-structured. Altogether a wine that rivals and surpasses most Chardonnays, and you cant beat the price."

1998 Callaway Vineyard & Winery
Temecula Chenin Blanc
Score: 87.0
"Chenin is terribly under-appreciated, but youll enjoy this one from Callaway. Its like honeydew melon with lime, just off-dry, with a long fruity finish. A fine match for grilled chicken. Excellent value."

1999 Hogue
Columbia Valley [Washington] Chenin Blanc
Score: 90.0
"A dry Chenin that holds its own against most Chardonnays. Green grass, lime and melon flavors in fine balance, with a crisp, barely spritzy texture. Bright, tart and refreshing. A good aperitif, but it would be good with poultry, veal, pork or fish."

1998 Pine Ridge
California Chenin Blanc - Viognier
Score: 89.0
"Pine Ridge has previously put out a Viognier with a little Chenin in it. This is just the opposite; a Chenin with a little (13%) Viognier in it. Its bone dry with a floral nose and a touch of tangerine, as well as full-blown mineral character on the palate and through the finish. A fine accompaniment to fish, shellfish, poultry, veal or pork."

1998 Baron Herzog
Clarksburg Chenin Blanc WHITE WINE OF THE MONTH
Score: 93.0
"Heres a $7 Chenin thats better than most $20 Chardonnays. Hugely aromatic with attractive nectarine, grapefruit rind and chlorophyl aromas. Intense on the palate, the slight sweetness is balanced by firm acid and a pleasant bitterness. The finish lingers for minutes. Id prefer it as an aperitif or with hors doeuvres, but it would also pair well with fried rice and roasted chicken. Be careful not to overly chill this wine."

1998 Dry Creek Vineyard
Clarksburg Dry Chenin Blanc
Score: 84.0
"Spritzy and clean, the nose suggests melon rind and chlorophyll, its fresh and silky on the palate, has a dry impression and is somewhat floral on the finish. Though not up to previous versions, it will still pair well with foods like roast chicken or sand dabs."