2016 Readers Chardonnay

This Columbia Valley Chardonnay from Bookwalter Winery is a straight forward, fun  sipping wine that presents lemon, pear, dried grasses and hints of mineral throughout the nose.  It's not overly aromatic, but the flavors are the stars here.  The blending of Viognier helps make this sweet and bright.  Flavors of candied lemon, pear and honey on the tongue and all the way through the finish.  Although I taste and drink most of my white wines at room temperature, I think this wine would be incredibly refreshing served very cool and with oysters on the half shell or with a cobb salad.  For the price point, it would be easy to have 2 or 3 bottles around all of the time.  This wine is 76% Chardonnay and 24% Viognier.

ABV:  13.6%

Columbia Valley, Washington

Suggested retail price:  $20.00

Drink The Bottles score:  88/100

2016 Dawn's Dream Winery Alyssa Pinot Noir

Dawn's Dream Winery offers several Pinot Noir selections, each with a distinct flavor profile and tasting experience.  The 2016 Alyssa Pinot Noir pulls you in with incredible aromas of red raspberry and ripe plum.  I thought originally this was going to be a very delicate wine, but the fruit forward flavors of the berries, sweet cherries and orange gumdrop create a wine that holds it's own and finishes very strong.  It's bright and as smooth as glass.  This wine is drinking beautifully and would compliment a grilled duck breast with risotto and asparagus.

ABV:  13.5%

Santa Lucia Highlands, California

Suggested retail price:  $40.00

Drink The Bottles Score:  90/100