2016 Dawn's Dream Winery Pinot Noir Rosè

Most of the time people see pink wines, they probably think White Zinfandel.  And then come back flooding memories of a $9 gallon jug of brash, highly acidic and flavorless wine that you can barely choke down, only to wake up with heartburn for days.  Some much of that $3 bottle junk has turned people off of rosè wines because it's hard to get over the stigma and differentiate between junk and delicious rosè that is made from fine Pinot Noir.  So, have a seat, clear out the bad mojo and open your mind to this exquisite 2016 Dawn's Dream Winery Pinot Noir Rosè from the Santa Lucia Highlands.  Beautiful salmon colored in the glass from center to edge, this light wine presents stewed strawberries, brioche, watermelon and summer rain.  It's bright on the tongue and best served moderately chilled with very mild cranberry, strawberry and fresh bread dough in the mouth.  A cup of lobster bisque would be a great marriage, but so would a fresh vegetable platter, shrimp tempura or a number of lighter dishes.  This is absolutely stunning and one of those unfortunate times in which it is too bad you can't be here tasting this with me.  I can't say enough good things about this bottle!

ABV:  14.0%

Santa Lucia Highlands, California

Suggested retail price:  $35.00

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

2016 Dawn's Dream Chardonnay Escolle Vineyard

The 2016 Dawn's Dream Winery Chardonnay (Escolle Vineyard) is a flavorful, welcoming and refreshing Chardonnay with layers of flavors.  Medium golden in color, this wine presents nose-filling fruitful aromas of juicy pineapple, vanilla, lemon, spring flowers and........ a faintness of orange peel?  It seems like this wine changes every minute and I find it extremely intriguing and satisfying.  In the mouth it's a collaboration of flavors that include citrus flavors, lemon zest, light green grasses and brown sugar.  For such a young wine, it is drinking spot on and I (of course) sampled this around room temperature.  It's not overly oaked and not heavy at all.  I'd suggest some pasta with light cream sauce (fettuccine maybe?) or a roasted chicken dish with fresh garden vegetables as a well-paired duo.

ABV:  14.0%

Santa Lucia Highlands, California

Suggested retail price:  $30.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

2016 Galante Vineyards Wagon Wheel Sauvignon Blanc

Such incredible concentrated aromas of peach, pineapple and lemon zest, this 2016 Galante Vineyards Wagon Wheel Sauvignon Blanc is definitely now in my all-time favorite top 10 for this varietal.  A lot of Sauvignon Blanc give an almost pungent, overly strong grassy overtone on the nose, but not this one.  It is well refined, not overly acidic and is bursting with flavors of peach, slate, pineapple and lemon candies.  The wine is refreshing, bright and extremely memorable.  The back of the throat really opens up for this wine.  My biggest regret is not having a plate of soft cheeses or some bruschetta to sit back with, watch the snow fall and finish this beautiful bottle of wine.  You better hurry with this one, as the production was only 380 cases.  If you're looking for something different and delicious that will drink well over the next 3 years easily, this is it.  Thank me later.

ABV:  13.5%

Carmel Valley, California

Suggested retail price:  $35.00

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

2016 Hedges Family Estate HIP Cabernet Sauvignon

Incredibly dark, nearly black in the glass with blended aromas of dark fruits, licorice and tobacco leaf with hints of damp earth.  This 2016 Hedges Family Estate HIP Cabernet Sauvignon is medium bodied and very easy to drink with flavors of dark fruits, dark chocolate, flakes of fine pepper and cinnamon.  This wine finishes brightly and has velvety tannins that gives a welcoming and smooth feel in the mouth.  I like this wine.  The dark colors and peppery notes hint that this is a Cabernet blend, and for this price it certainly is a bargain!

ABV:  13.5%

Columbia Valley, Washington

Suggested retail price:  $17.00

Drink The Bottles score:  89/100

2016 Avalon Chardonnay

If I was able to take a thermos of lunch to work in the summer, I'd probably fill it with this 2016 Avalon Winery California Chardonnay.  Why?  Well, first of all because drinking wine at work would be fun, but mostly because this is a very easy drinking wine that represents most budget-minded California Chardonnay in a positive light.  Apple and pear on the nose, light golden color with pear and smoky cheese on the palate, and a quick finish.  This is the kind of wine that you should always have around and slightly chilled for those impromptu summer hangout with friends.  If the first glass doesn't completely make you a fan, the second one will.  Very versatile foodie wine.  I think you could even serve this with a ham and cheese sandwich (hence, the take it to work with you wine) and be completely happy!

ABV:  13.5%

Central Coast, California

Suggested retail price:   $11.99   

Drink The Bottles score:  85/100

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