Wanted a white last night, so cracked:
1. Foxen CheninBlanc OldVines ErnestoWickendenVnyd/SantaMariaVlly (14.2%; www.FoxenVineyard.com) 2015: Med.gold color; very strong ripe pear/CB/lightly floral slight herbal/burlap sack bit saline quite attractive nose; quite tart/tangy/metallic totally dry fairly rich strong CB/ripe pear/floral slight spicy/nutmeg bit old-timey Calif CB flavor; very long strong CB/floral/ripe pear/spicy/poached pear slight mineral/chalky finish; totally unlike a Loire CB and more like an old-timey Calif CB w/ more richness & texture; some like the last Chalone OV CB but w/ no obvious oak; quite a tasty/unique CB. $26.00 (KK)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Many/most of the old-time Calif CB's that I recall seemed to have a slightly sweet/tutti-fruiti character to them. However, there were a few dry ones that didn't have that character. I recall a Souverain dry CB made by LeeStewart that I liked a lot. Long time ago. This Foxen reminded me of some of those.
Tom