Mas des Bressades Cuvée Tradition 2017, Costières De Nîmes, Rhône A.P., France: Produced by Cyril Marès, prop.-vigneron in the Costières de Nîmes region where only 7% of wine made is white. This area is the southernmost appellation in the Rhône, and therefore summers are very hot, with more than 2,700 hours of sunshine every year, moderated only by cool breezes from the river delta called the Petite Camargue where the Rhône River meets the Mediterranean. Dry, crisp and clean and excellently priced! If you like pinot grigio, give this white a try. Some terrific floral notes on the finish. In the early twentieth-century, the Marès family started making wine in Algeria, but later moved to Bordeaux to start Château Puy Castéra and then on to the Rhone in the Costières de Nîmes region for this coveted winery. This wine is a zesty blend of Grenache Blanc and Roussanne grapes. Try is with fresh seafood. Drink: 2018-2022. 701094 13.50% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. July 7, 2018
Best Value White Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full ReviewJoseph Cattin Pinot Gris 2016, Alsace A.C., France: The Cattin family has been making wine in Alsace since the 1850s. The lovely white wine finishes with green apple and baking spices. Perfect for Indian dishes, especially mild to medium spicy ones. A classic Alsatian Pinot Gris with spiced peach aromas and flavours. This off-dry French white wine from the northern region of Alsace won a Gold Medal at the 2013 Concours Général Agricole wine competition in Paris. Peach and wet stone aromas mingle on the nose in a hedonistic blend. Refreshing zesty acidity on the palate as an aperitif or with cold chicken sandwiches. Pair with pate or foie gras. Drink: 2018-2020. 196956 13% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. July 7, 2018
Best Value White Wine. Calm Curry Wine Full ReviewHamilton Russell Chardonnay 2017, Hemel-En-Aarde Valley, Walker Bay W.O., South Africa: The 2017 vintage of the Hamilton Russell is a cool-climate Chardonnay from Hemel-En-Aarde Valley, Walker Bay wine region. This vintage is fresh with great acidity after receiving only partial malolactic conversion. The wine was matured in 40% new oak barrel for over nine months. Hamilton Russel Vineyards sees the strongest maritime influence of any winegrowing area in South Africa. At less than two kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean's Walker Bay, the cooling influence of the cold Benguela current flowing up from Antarctica flows over the vineyard with the prevailing southeast winds allowing for cooler days but warmer nights and warmer winters. The overall climate is Mediterranean. A chardonnay lover's chardonnay. Rich, concentrated and hedonistic, yet with a nervy edge in this South African Chardonnay. A concentrated vein of tree fruit and minerality. Perfectly balanced between luscious ripe peach and green apple, toasty oak and a nervy seam of acidity for a range of dishes, from roast chicken to seafood. Highly recommended. Drink now and for the next 10 years. Drink: 2018-2025. 931006 13% XD 750 mL $44.95 Score: 95/100. July 7, 2018
Top Rated White Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full Review