Summertime: cue weekend barbecues, days at the pool and lots of white wine. Barndiva was back at it again this weekend with another party for the books – this one centered around white and sparkling wine. This party had it all: caviar, magnums of Cristal, platters of french fries and more wine than you could possibly drink. While I am more of a red wine drinker, it’s still safe to say I was in heaven. Picking a Top 10 was seriously difficult work, but, without further ado, here is the list I came up with:
- Senses BA Theriot Chardonnay, $82: An absolute show-stopper, this wine piqued my interest when I heard it was available for $40 by the glass at arguably Napa Valley’s most famous restaurant, the French Laundry. Acclaimed winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown is behind the scenes on this wine and it shows in the wine’s beautiful balance. I revisted this one twice.
- Medlock Ames Sauvignon Blanc, $29: I had the pleasure of visiting Medlock Ames’ Bell Mountain Estate back in June and, despite the amazing red wines they produce, this was the wine that had my heart. It’s got some lovely lime and tangerine notes and, because the Medlock Ames table was located right when you walked in, was the perfect way to set the bar for the rest of the wines for the day.
- Reeve the Prism Riesling, $30: This wine is the wine that convinced Vivek to join the wine club for a birthday present for me this year. We love spicy foods, but we do not have the right wines to pair with them. Enter this Riesling. It has tropical fruit and lemony notes that make it fun to sip on its own, but even better with food. I have a bottle in my fridge, but Vivek loves it so much he will not let us drink it until we have another as backup.
- Pax Buddha’s Dharma Chenin Blanc, $26: I had been dying to try Pax wines, mostly because all the cool kids drink Pax wines. Even though it was a stupid reason that had me rushing to the Pax table, it was a smart reason that had me staying there (hint: it’s because the wine was awesome.) Pax makes a skin fermented chenin blanc that is very mineral riven and practically begging to be paired with oysters.
- La Pitchoune La Bombe Chenin Blanc, $24: This wine is a serious steal and such a beauty, much to do with finding amazing grapes. La Pitchoune tasted Napa and Sonoma chenin blanc and did not find the exact right site, so they headed further east to the Clarksburg area. It’s crisp and dry now, but, as is the case with all La Pitchoune wines, you could easily also age this a couple years.
- Smith Story Sauvignon Blanc, $25: I have said before that Smith Story rosé is my vacation wine. Well, I’m calling Smith Story sauv blanc my all-the-time wine. This wine, a blend of three different Sauv Blanc vineyards from three AVAs, has a beautiful acidity and is perfect with a raw platter at one of my favorite Healdsburg restaurants, Willi’s Seafood. Not venturing to Healdsburg anytime soon? Don’t sweat it – this is also a spectacular wine to sip on its own.
- Copain Picpoul Blanc, $46: I love everything Copain makes and this picpoul is no exception. It’s intensely aromatic and a tart and refreshing choice for when the temperatures in Healdsburg creep over the 100 degree mark (which, thankfully, it didn’t on Sunday).
- Kosta Browne Chardonnay, $89: The funny thing about this chardonnay is a lot of people, including allocation list members, do not know that Kosta Browne even makes chardonnay. Everyone fixates on their pinot (which, fair, their pinot is incredible) and seems to pass by this in the list. That would be a mistake because this one is a lovely wine, brought up in 1/3 new French oak, that has all the characteristics of a Chardonnay even an ABC drinker would appreciate.
- Guthrie Family Picpoul, $22: At pink party, Guthrie flipped the script by bringing a carbonic carignan that blew my mind (and I am not even someone who often loves carbonic wines.) Well, they did that again with this super bright clean picpoul. Yes, there were only two Picpouls poured that day, yes I put them both on my list because they were so different and that good.
- Read Holland Peter Martin Ray Chardonnay, $70: I first discovered Read Holland wines at the Anderson Valley Pinot Noir festival and re-discovered Read Holland Pinot Noir on a recent trip to Campo Fina. Both times I was super impressed, so imagine my excitement when I learned they make beautiful Chardonnay as well. This one has lovely melon notes. Only 65 cases were produced, so I highly recommend getting your hands on some before they sell out.
Intrigued by the wines I had and want to join the party yourself? Barndiva will back for round 3 in November with their Fete Rouge, centered around red wines. Thank you to Barndiva Wine Director, Chappy Cottrell, for inviting me and I cannot wait to get back there soon!
