Matassa Cuvée Marguerite Cotes Catalanes Blanc IGP 2013
Brilliant, pale golden color. The nose is wonderfully floral with both sweet and tart notes featuring pomello, red grapefruit, quince, and lemon with accents of mineral and fresh bread dough. The palate echoes the nose delivering layers of ripe citrus juice with zest and complex pithy green fruit notes supported by mineral and a rich leesy quality redolent of Champagne. This is a wonderfully vibrant wine with a rich and layered center that delivers perfect balance with long trailing tart fruit notes. $25 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Domaine le Vieux Chene Cotes Catalanes Blanc IGP 2014
Brilliant, pale straw color. The nose is subtle and fresh with scents of wild spring flowers with ripe peaches, green apple, and crisp citrus notes. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a vibrant, tart fruit core with bright lemon zest and mineral accents being totally dry. It's medium-bodied with zesty green fruits and great balance offering bright citrus notes. $12 – 3.5 Stars – 87 points
Dom. Brial Chateau Les Pins Muscat De Rivesaltes 2012
Brilliant straw color with hints of gold. The nose is wonderfully intense and complex with layers of ripe peach, apricot, orange zest, lemon, and mint with accents of honey, and white flowers. The palate is equal to the nose delivering waves of ripe orchard fruits with supporting tropical fruits, fresh herbs, and bright citrus elements. It's beautifully layered with complex fruit notes and a perfect dose of citrus juice to keep it fresh and compelling. $18 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Chateau de Jau Muscat De Rivesaltes 2010
Brilliant, deep golden color. The nose is simply beautiful with bright notes of honey, apricot, lush and sweet tropical fruits with loads of wild flowers accents of mineral and mango. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a rich and silky fruit core with enough acid to keep it clean with notes of fresh herbs emerging on the finish. Beautifully intense with a rich, chewy center and a crisp line of acidity that runs from head to toe. $19 – 4 Stars – 92 points
Deneufbourg le muscat Muscat De Rivesaltes 2012
Brilliant, pale straw cololr. The nose reveals an intensely fruity wine with layers of baked peach, pineapple, apple, and star fruit with hints of candied ginger. The palate echoes the nose delivering a very sweet and fruity core with lingering notes of cotton candy and concentrated pear juice. This is a very sweet wine that's stuffed with fruit but I would love to see a bit more citrus-like acid to add a lift and a vibrant edge. $12 – 3 Stars – 85 points
Santa Cristina Campogrande Orvieto Classico 2014
Brilliant, pale straw color. The nose is very fresh and floral with assertive citrus notes and accents of kiwi, pineapple, and green apple. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a crisp and vibrant fruit-driven core with waves of tart citrus juice and zest, ripe kiwi, gooseberry, and fresh lemon on the finish. Medium-bodied with a a very vibrant and semi-tart character. $12 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Les Dauphins Reserve, Blanc Cotes-du-Rhone 2013
Brilliant, pale straw color. The nose is fresh and floral with scents of red grapefruit, white peach, and apricot with hints of mineral and citrus zest. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a vibrant, fruit-driven core with flanking notes of mineral and crisp lemon zest. Medium-bodied and vibrant with a generous dose of crisp acidity. Made with a classic blend of 65% Grenache Blanc, 15% Marsanne, 10% Clairette, and 10% Viognier. $12.99 – 4 Stars – 90 points
Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc Napa Valley 2013
Brilliant pale straw color. The nose is amazingly complex with citrus and green melon scents in the lead with accents of fresh cut grass, gooseberry, red grapefruit, star fruit, spring flowers, and fiddlehead fern tips. The palate mirrors the nose with big fruit flavors at the core supported by notes of green herbs, citrus and oak. It is surely a big style of Sauvignon Blanc with a firm oak note that adds weight and length. $20 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc Reserve Napa Valley 2012
Pale gold color with loads of legs showing its weight. Rich and intense nose with waves of peach and nectarine supported by notes of mineral, bread dough, lemon curd, thyme, and kiwi. The palate echoes the nose with a silky, fruit-driven core with accents of oak, mineral, and a champagne like yeasty backdrop. This is a big and rich Sauvignon Blanc with evident oak influence. $40 – 3 Stars – 86 points
Kennedy Shah Picnic White Columbia Valley 2013
Bright, pale straw color. The nose offers delicate floral notes with scents of hay, citrus, pomello, mineral, and green apple. The palate is in full agreement with the nose offering fresh and vibrant flavors. Soft and crisp this is a a beautiful, medium weight wine ready to drink. $14 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
