The wrong wine never tasted so right

I’ve been really lax about updating the blog. But really now, it is summer and I am trying to get out and enjoy! I have been fortunate enough to have been a part of a few different tastings and BBQs as well. Its been a grape (pun intended) July for me so far.

Just last night I was having a dinner of Chicken, Tabouli, and roasted carrots with some friends – it was yum. I was excited to bring over and open the Cameron 2006 Willamette Valley Chardonnay to have with. About 1/4 of the way through the bottle I realized I had grabbed the Cameron 2006 Columbia Valley Chardonnay! Augh wrong wine! I’m not even sure if you can find the Columbia Valley Chardonnay but still we all enjoyed it so much and I remembered much of what I thought when I first had it quite a bit ago.

Cameron 2006 Columbia Valley Chardonnay – John Paul you mad genius! As with others of his this wine is classic rock on a warm summer evening. It’s like the 70’s and 80’s rock alive in a glass. Kansas, Eagles, KISS… This is quite simply a wonderful Chardonnay. Its not likely to make you weak in the knees, nor give up a love of a layered flavor, mineral finish character of white Burgundy… however, this is an expression of Chardonnay that some may not expect, and that I think is simply quite right. It had a beautiful golden yellow color in the glass that swirled the rays of the evening sun. It had a very clean nose of golden apples and what one person noted as a hint of white grape jelly. While smelling off dry, on the palate it had golden lightly tart apples that faded to a mild talc and chalk dust flavor. Oak? What oak? We certainly couldn’t distinguish discernible oaky overtones as many think of in Chardonnay. This is a classic clean style wine in the form of French whites I've had. It may not have the length or some of the terrior of those wines, nor make you abandon any French favorites you have, but it also doesn’t have the cost. Serve lightly chilled, stare into the brilliant golden hue, and serve with your favorite Oregon summer dishes. John Paul, for those about to rock we salute you. $

To parry the inexpensive Cameron and to mention a wine I recently had again but appreciated all the more this time I am going to go across the pond. I was so ecstatic to have this wine again. Simply the BEST Burgogne Blanc I have ever had. I opened a 375ml with a friend to celebrate his arrival home from France. He too, was won over and amazed by this expression of Chardonnay grapes. In fact he declared it better than the French Chardonnay he had from a barrel while abroad. Okay onto the tasting notes and the wine.

Francois Jobard 2005 Meursault “En La Barre” – Did you see my first tasting notes on this wine when I started this blog? I repeat the sentiment. I would sell my soul for a case of this wine. Any takers? Brilliant golden in the glass, the moment lifted near the nose all sorts of notes jump forward. White smoke, tart green apples, sour mash, vanilla, wet gravel, and all long and clean. It’s hard to keep this wine in the glass to taste thoroughly as its so grand! One sip and I’d swear I could speak French and want to move there just to have wine like this more often. Lengthy layered flavors of apples with undertones of citrus that move to chalk and wet gravel wash over the palate and tumble through the mouth. Perhaps more impressive is the balance and length of this Meursault. The acid is bright and brilliant in the tastes and the flavors accordingly run the length of the tongue all the way to the back of the mouth. I could continue to taste the apples and rocks for minutes after a mouthful. I wonder if Jobard is just a brilliant vintner or if he made a deal with Bacchus or some wine devil to produce this wonderful wine. Perhaps that explains the smoke in the wine. ;) I have yet to have a better glass of Chardonnay and unfortunately rarely will, as the cost of such is somewhat impeding. $$$$

Salud!