Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/31323
Mystery Sip #17: Grapefruity Guesswork A wafting bouquet of tropical loveliness leads to a honeysuckle and pineapple palate. —Jeremy Light A white with body-plus and, whoa—what a nose! Vibrant, deli- cious with pink grapefruit far up front and grassy tones, it makes you believe it’s a Sauv Blanc with oomph. —Meridith May THE REVEAL: Pine Ridge 2010 Chenin Blanc + Viognier, Napa Valley (SRP $15). The Chenin-based sipper (79% from Clarksburg appellation) melds with Lodi Viogner. The blend, first crafted in the 1990s as an experimental bottling, turned into one of this Napa Valley winery’s most popular offerings. Crimson Wine Co. Mystery Sip #18: Peppery Puzzle A ringer for a NZ Sauv Blanc; citrus and herbs up front. Changes rapidly on the palate between green peppercorn and tropical fruit. Well-balanced. —Michael Shearin A generous bouquet of peppercorn and grapefruit. —Jeremy Light THE REVEAL: Drylands 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ (SRP $17). From the lower Rapaura area situated near the Wairau Valley; Drylands’ Sauvignon Blanc grapes hail from Marlborough’s Golden Triangle. Original-rootstock vines struggle on river beds of gravel and silt. Fermented in 100% stainless steel, the fruit remains on yeast lees for several weeks. Constellation Wines U.S. Mystery Sip #19: Could It Be California? A California Chardonnay nose: vanilla bean and coconut, with sweet peach on the palate. —Jonathan Mitchell A food-friendly style of Chardonnay: rich and creamy but a defined minerality on the back. —Caroline Styne THE REVEAL: Flora Springs 2009 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Napa Valley (SRP $30). An illusion of malolactic fermentation (only 21%) makes you think this is a big buttery boy, but the balance of rich versus acidity/minerality is a combination of four selected sustainably-farmed vineyards and aging for nine months in French oak. Mystery Sip #20: Mutual Mystification Magnificent golden hue. The nose is restrained, with a hint of lanolin, but the palate is creamy and bright. —Meridith May and Caroline Styne [Meridith and Caroline had nearly identical notes! —Ed. ] THE REVEAL: Cline Cellars 2010 Marsanne Roussanne, Sonoma Coast (SRP $16). The four acres of Marsanne that contribute to this blend are planted on Cline’s estate in Carneros, and the Roussanne is grown in the winery’s Petaluma Gap vineyards. may 201 1 / the tasting panel / 73