Friday, September 19, 2014

Strato 2013 Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg

This wine was specially created for Lot 18 by winemakers Richard Bruno and Chris Condos, who own and operate Vinum Cellars. I got this from TWAV tasting team member Dr. J, who advised me that he was overenthusiastic purchasing wine and wanted to reduce his inventory.
I was happy to help out by buying a few bottles. We love Chenin Blanc and so this was one of my first selections. I was first introduced to the grape via the French Vouvray wines of the Loire Valley.
Clarksburg may be the best source of Chenin Blanc in California. The AVA has 10,000 acres of vines and most go to wineries outside of their region. It’s climate is cooler than Napa and Lodi.
Chenin Blanc is crisp without being crazy acidic. It has ample flavor without becoming a fruit cocktail.
The Strato is pale yellow in the glass. The aroma has a springtime freshness. On the palate there are citrus notes including lemon. It’s a juicy wine with medium acidity. On the back end it finishes with a slight herbal note.
This is a great food wine and should go well with Asian dishes that have a bit of heat as well as pork or veal.
For about $16, I consider this a great value. I’m always on the lookout for interesting whites. This fills the bill as a wine that would be enjoyable during the heat of a summer day, but also a perfect pairing with a medium bodied entrée any time of year.
Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 4 of 5
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