Attributes:

Chateau Saint Jean

Sonoma County, United States

Fume Blanc

750 ML

2002: WineSpectator Rating: 88

fat

grass, melon, toasty oak, vanilla

2002: WineAdvocate Rating: 87

crisp

light, medium-bodied

nuanced

delicious, fragrant

good concentration, ripe

2002: WineEnthusiast Rating: 85

crisp

pleasant

herbs, honey

sweet

2002: CGCW Rating: 88

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 88

spicy

2001: WineSpectator Rating: 85

floral

2001: WineEnthusiast Rating: 87

clean

light

pleasant

lime, melon, mocha, vanilla

2001: WineAdvocate Rating: 87

floral

light, medium-bodied

delicious, fragrant

citrus, herb flavors, melon, mineral, peach

Food Matches:

Like its neighbor Napa, Sonoma is a small area filled with independent wineries and characterized by microclimates that vary according to the topography. The coolest parts of Sonoma are the fog-filled south, where the grape varieties are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Northwards up the valley the climate warms and provides a good base for Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. In general Sonoma wines are less dramatically flavorful than those of Napa. Cabernet Sauvignon is relatively soft, with blackcurrant fruit, minty and eucalyptus perfume, and some soft buttery oak. Zinfandel ranges from soft and gulpable to massive bramble and pepper styles. Chardonnay is rich and juicy, especially from the Russian River, and Sauvignon Blanc can be zingy and grassy. Most Sonoma wines have a freshness and a soft edge which makes them very suitable for drinking on their own, however they partner well with strongly flavored fish and meat dishes. The old-style Zinfandels are delicious with spicy cuisine.

Attributes:

Mitolo

Barossa Valley, Australia/New Zealand

Syrah / Shiraz

750 ML

2005: WineAdvocate Rating: 94

2003: WineAdvocate Rating: (95-99)

2002: WineAdvocate Rating: (94-96)

floral

full-bodied

deep

well-balanced

oak

sweet

2001: Tanzer Rating: 85

blackberry, cassis, cedar, cherry, currant, jammy, plum, prune, raspberry

2001: WineAdvocate Rating: 89

medium-bodied

sweet

Food Matches:

North of Adelaide, this relatively warm region of South Australia is home to Australia’s largest winery. It is famous for its robust Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as rich Sémillon and Riesling (both of which are grown in the cooler hills).

Originally grown in France’s Northern Rhône Valley (where it is a noble variety) this grape has spread to Australia, California, Washington, Italy and Spain. In the Rhone region this grape produces deeply colored wines with full body and firm tannin, however in Australia, where it is known as Shiraz, the wines are lighter and fruitier. Aromas and flavors for these wines vary as much as their geographical breadth suggests: berries, smoked meat, bell peppers, even tar.

Australian name for the grape known as Syrah in France.

Attributes:

Cartlidge and Browne

Lake County, United States

Sauvignon Blanc

750 ML

2006: WineAdvocate Rating: 89

crisp

medium-bodied

Food Matches:

Comes mostly from California, France, New Zealand, and South Africa. Its highly acidic wines are often suggestive of herbs or grass. Light to medium bodied and usually dry, European versions are generally not oaky while California Sauvignon Blanc can take on many of the qualities of Chardonnay. France has two classic wine regions for the Sauvignon Blanc gape: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley The Bordeaux wine is called Bordeaux Blanc and the two best known of the Loire wines are called Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé. In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes blended with Sémillon.

Lake County is one of the smaller inland wine regions in California. Surrounded to the west by Mendocino and Sonoma Counties, and to the south by Napa Valley, Lake County's small concentration of vineyards lie in the Clear Lake AVA. The vineyard's here are nestled between steep hills to the west the lake shore. Main varieties grown in this area are Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.