2010 Quelle Estate South Eastern Australia Semillon/Chardonnay

I tried an interesting Semillon/Chardonnay blend from Australia tonight. I know nothing about this producer, but this is a solid, inexpensive wine that I enjoyed very much. The blend is 66% Semillon, 34% Chardonnay. Excellent with a garlic, lemon, and butter sauce pasta with prawns. Brief tasting notes follow.


Medium straw color. Tinged with green. Fairly closed on the nose at first, but gradually suggestive of straw or new tatami mats. Something then put me in mind of guava nectar. Maybe a hint of passion fruit, and perhaps a little caramel somewhere in the background? Has presence on the palate. Meyer lemons at first, but not just citrus tartness. The acidity is nicely balanced by a gritty, fruity sweetness. Good length. Lingering, slightly bitter flavors on the finish--even a suggestion of tannin. None of the waxiness that often comes with a healthy dose of Semillon, but a substantial cut above generic Chardonnay. I liked this wine. Very attractively priced at $4.99 a bottle at Grocery Outlet. I will go back for more of this to keep on hand for everyday consumption during the warmer weather ahead.

Wines I'm Drinking: Yorkville Cellars

On a short trip north towards Mendocino recently, I stopped in at Yorkville Cellars, in Yorkville, a little town on Highway 128, the road that connects Cloverdale and Boonville with the Pacific coast south of Mendocino. I had driven past the place before, but never stopped. What caught my eye this time were the patches of vines along the road marked "Petit Verdot" and "Carmenere." I wasn't aware that anyone in the area was growing Carmènére and was hoping to try the wine, but it was already sold out and production is so small that it usually goes only to club members. According to the friendly man in the tasting room, there are only 50 acres planted in all of California.

I tasted a crisp Sauvignon Blanc; an interesting Semillon with waxy scents and hints of anise both on the nose and the palate; a bright pink, strawberry-scented Cabernet Franc rosé; a Merlot; and a Cabernet. Most of the wines appear to be made from organically grown estate grapes. This winery is interesting for its complete range of the Bordeaux grapes, including the obscure ones--like Carmènére. Is there another winery in California that bottles Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmènére, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon? I doubt it.

I liked the 2007 Yorkville Highlands Semillon best. I picked up a bottle, although at $20 it seemed pricey after all the excellent inexpensive wine I consumed in France, Italy, and Spain over the summer (generally in the $4-8 range)--but nearly all California wine seems overpriced, so that's not a special criticism aimed at Yorkville. It was a very pleasant visit. For more information, see the Yorkville Cellars Website or drop by the tasting room (707) 894-9177. The drive from Cloverdale to Mendocino on Highway 128 is a very pretty one.