Stoutridge Vineyard Seyval Blanc 2008

when ever we have visitors or friends who like to taste wine, we always make a stop at stoutridge vineyard in marlboro, ny. stoutridge is located on the shawangunk wine trail. they produce some really nice wines from grapes that are native to new york. all are made in old world style and are unfiltered and will age quite a while. (we have a couple bottles of their whites that are now 10 years old and are excellent). their seyval blanc is lower in alcohol (12.5%) and has a nose of citrus, a little apple, honeysuckle and some earth notes. the palate is a very interesting combination of the same characteristics that you find on the nose. there is a zing on the tongue that almost makes you feel like you are drinking champagne. lots of citrus and honeysuckle notes. i got some nice earth notes too. good wine for seafood (i think lobster or shrimp would be best). sells for about $15.

Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2008

always a fan of kendall-jackson wines, i picked this one up at a recent wine shopping trip. i have had the vintner's, but never had the grand reserve. this one sources grapes from both monterey and santa barbera and sells for about $15. the nose had some nice tropical fruit aromas as well as some nice floral and spice notes. the palate had plenty of nice pineapple, tropical fruit and spice notes, along with honeysuckle, butterscotch and a little lemon zest. nice, long, creamy finish. try this one with some chicken or salmon.

Raats Original Chenin Blanc 2009

i am returning to south africa for this enticing chenin blanc from winemaker bruwer raats. this wine sees no oak, thus the 'original' title. the nose is grassy, with lemon peel and melon notes. the palate is somewhat like a sauv blanc, with some tropical fruit notes (minus the new zealand grapefruit flavor), some nice peach, mineral notes, and honeysuckle, all in a really nice crisp finish. sells for about $13-14 and if you like sushi, this wine is perfect for that. this could easily replace some of the slightly more expensive sauv blanc patio pounders that i like so much.

Stoutridge Glen Vidal Blanc 2001

i have been very excited about the wines of new york lately and this one is no exception. the stoutridge winery (http://www.stoutridge.com/index.php) produces old world style wines and this vidal blanc is no exception. still excellent at this advanced age for a white wine, it has a nose of peaches, honeysuckle, and a little pear. the palate is fruit sweet but not overpoweringly so, it tastes of the peach and honeysuckle you get on the nose. i also got some nice floral notes as well. works well with fish and seafood dinners and sells for about $16 and can be purchased at the winery. well worth the stop if you are in the new york area.

Funf German Riesling

i noticed i had been hitting the red wines pretty hard so i will throw a few white wine reviews in. i tend to drink more reds during the cooler weather, so i neglect the white wines during this time. the comely brunette and i got this bottle as a gift from a friend. i have blogged on 10 rieslings previously and had mixed feelings on a few. this one falls into that arena. the nose was white peaches and honeysuckle. very sweet and floral on the nose at first pour. on the palate, an almost syrupy mouth feel and a sweet, almost cloying taste. flavors of honeydew and a little honeysuckle, with a sweet grapefruit-like finish. most rieslings have some mineral notes that actually help tone down the sweetness a bit. not this one. way too sweet, almost dessert wine quality. and the name means 'five' in german. funf after five? not for me thanks. sells for about $6.

Francis Coppola 2008 Chardonnay Sonoma County Director's Cut

the comely brunette and i recently enjoyed this bottle of chardonnay. we don't drink very much chard, tending to gravitate towards lesser known grapes, but we had this recommended to us. the nose was full of nice citrus and floral notes. the palate was full and lush with flavors of honeysuckle and melon. i also got some very nice spicy clove notes and some vanilla. this is not a buttery chard. it is a little sweeter than i usually like, but was not cloying. it opened up nicely as we drank, and finished very nicely. this wine sells for about $16 and will pair well with seafood, chicken or a nice salad with feta cheese.

d'Arenberg The Stump Jump 2006 White Blend

poolside after a hot day out doors and this was a real thirst quencher. 64% riesling, 16% sauvignon blanc, 13% roussanne, and 7% marsanne. aroma was floral and grassy. crisp. taste was honeysuckle, lime, and some earth. had the dry characteristics of the riesling, but not overtly. a little of the sauv blanc citrus which added to a crisp, medium finish. almost an effervescent quality, which made it taste so good on this particular hot day. and the price was nice at about $9 a bottle. worth every penny.