The Chalone Vineyard in Monterey County California

This week I am trying a Sauvignon Blanc from the Chalone Vineyard from the Monterey County in California.  California wine is something we drink in our house often.  My husband travels to California for his work and ships wine back to our house.

Chalone Vinyard was establised in 1966 by a man named Graff.  The Chalone Estate have properties in Edna Valley Vineyards in San Luis Obispo County, Carmenet in Sonoma County, Jade Mountain on Mount Veeder, Acacia Winery in Carneros, and Canoe Ridge in Washington.  This wine came from the their oldest producing vineyard in Monterey County on the northern slop of Chalone Peak.  The vineyard sets on the Gavilan Mountain range which is at the base of an extinct volcano bordering the Pinnacles National Monument.  Chalone Vineyard has a limestone based soil, which is one of the few wineries in the United States growing grapes in this type of soil. There are marinia influnce to the help create a special features to the grapes.  The cool winds and fog that is brought down from the Salines Valelly from the Monterey Bay allowing the grapes to ripen slower. This helps create a fresher acids and enhancing the flavors. Their name not only came from the Chalone Peak but also a Native American Tribe the Chalone or Chollen.  You can read more about the vineyards at their website Chalone Vineyard.

Lets look at the label of the Sauvignon Blanc

• First we see that the wine is from the Chalone Vineyard.
• Next we see the wine is from the Monterey County in California.
• THen we see the year of the wine, 2008 and thepe of wine, Sauvigon Blanc.
• Right below that we see once again its from the Monterey County in California.
• Next it tells us "The pioneer in Monterey since 1966"

Lets smell the wine.  Remember to always smell from the top of the glass after swirling the wine.  There are strong aromas of lemongrass, passion fruit and grapefruit.  The Saubignon Blanc has a strong citrus, herb, lemon and melon taste.

This wine is great paired with salads topped with seafood.  I had it with a salad topped with ahi tuna.  This wine would also go great with any seafood and chicken.  I think the lemongrass will work well with any leafy greens.

 Here is Amy Corron Power gives her review for the Chalone Sauvignon Blanc 2008 for her blog Another Wine Blog.

Rich and creamy with bright tropical and citrus notes, this is perfect for those who don’t like the average Sauvignon Blanc. Flavors of lemongrass and passion fruit, dancing with hints of lemon zest and grapefruit, this is a perfectly delightful wine to go with a fresh summer salad or flavorful Thai food. Joe had prepared a Southwest Spinach Salad with avocado, grilled, cumin-rubbed chicken breast, queso fresco, and a cilantro and lime dressing, and we needed a wine for pairing. When I called out the list of white wines in the chiller, the Sauvignon Blanc seemed like the only possible choice.

Wow I agree with her.  It is like I read her review before I paired the Chalone Sauvignon Blanc 2008 with my ahi tuna salad.  I did not read her review till after I wrote mine.  This is the only review I can find about this wine.  The only thing I can disagree with is the creamy taste.  Just dont see creamy in a wine especially a dry white wine.