Here are our white wine tasting notes. These do not include dessert wines or white american/french hybrid reds. We drink a lot more reds than we do whites so there aren't as many of these.
About our ratings. We have used a variety of systems over the last few months. We initially started with a 100 point system, for a while, I used a 20 point system. We are now both using our own 30 point system but older tasting notes were left with whatever system we were using at the time of tasting. For a fuller explanation, please see my Understanding the Wine Ratings Page. We are now including complete scores with our tasting notes. Here are what the abbreviations stand for; AP:appearance/clarity, C:color, AR:aroma/bouquet, AC:appropriate acidity, SW:appropriate sweetness, B:body, FL:flavor, TN:appropriate tannin, AS:asescence, F:finish, GQ:general quality, T=total points.

We also use a 5 point Quality-Price-Rating (QPR), which measures our feelings about buying them again, i.e., are they a good value for the money.

• 5=definitely buy again
• 4=probably will buy again
• 3=willing to buy again
• 2=don't buy again
• 1=don't drink again even if it is free.

• Chardonnay
• Gewürtztraminer
• Rieslings
• Sauvignon Blanc and Fumé Blanc
• Semillon and Semillon Blends
• Sparkling Wines
• Other Whites

Peninsula Cellars Old Mission Peninsula Reserve 1995. $15.00

Wonderful nose, packed with apricots, figs, peaches, and citrus notes complemented by complex oaky vanilla. Crisp acidity balanced the creamy fruit and oak. Lots of apple and citrus and a hint of spice. Nice finish. Not a lot of chardonnay varietal character but delicious! The best Michigan chard we have tasted so far. Tasted on 10/17/97. QPR=4.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1.5, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:2.5, T=25

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1.5, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:4, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:3, T=26

Grand Cru California 1995. $6.00

Simple nose of peach, pear, apple notes. Slightly watery, with figs, pear, apple dominating the palate. Simple but pleasant quaff. Tasted on 9/14/97. QPR=2.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:2.5, AC:2, SW:2, B:1, FL:3, TN:3, AS:3, F:1, GQ:3, T=22.5

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3, AC:1.5, SW:2, B:1, FL:2.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2.5, T=22

Napa Ridge North Coast Coastal Vines Chardonnay 1995. $8.00

Beautiful golden color. Fruity nose of fig, apricot, apple and citrus. Slightly tart but in a very refreshing way. Creamy with apple, citrus, apricot and an hint of spice. Tasted on 9/6/97. QPR=5.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3.5, AC:2, SW:2, B:1.5, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:2, GQ:3, T=25.5

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3.5, AC:2, SW:2, B:1.5, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.51, GQ:3, T=25

Chateau Grand Traverse Limited Bottling Michigan Chardonnay 1993 Gift.

Nice but not spectacular nose of tropical fruit, apricot and creamy oak. Tart starfruit, toast, melon, and citrus flavors. Probably past its prime. Tasted on 7/18/97. QPR=2

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:1, FL:3, TN:2, AS:1.5, F:0.5, GQ:2, T=21

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1.5, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:1, FL:2.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:0.5, GQ:2, T=20

Lindeman's South Eastern Australia Bin 65 Chardonnay 1996. $7.00

Lovely straw gold color. Very nice nose of apricots, passion fruit, litchinuts and ripe apples. Apple, fig, citrus and apricot flavors dominated but the oak underlies it all. I thought the volatile acidity was on the high side but Jenny found it to be fine. Conversely, Jenny thought this one was creamy but I didn't detect that either in the nose or the mouth. Nice long finish. Tasted on 5/29/97. QPR=3.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:1, F:2, GQ:3, T=25

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:2, GQ:3, T=26

St. Jean Sonoma County Chardonnay 1994. $12.00

Nose of citrus, figs and floral notes. Well oaked and creamy with apple, apricot and citrus flavors. A very nice chard. Tasted on 5/23/97. QPR=4.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:2, GQ:3, T=25

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:4, TN:2, AS:2, F:2, GQ:3, T=25

Walnut Crest Rapel Valley Chardonnay 1996. $5.00.

Very light, pale straw color. Fruit (especially citrus) and floral nose. Very fresh fruity flavors with citrus, apricot, pineapple, papaya and pear notes. Seemingly well oaked but I suspect added oak extract. Acidity was high and just short of being objectionable. Light bodied. Pleasant finish. Overall this was better than many chards twice its price. Tasted on 5/18/97. QPR=4.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:2, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:3, T=22

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:4, AC:1, SW:2, B:1, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:2, GQ:3, T=23

Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay 1994. $12.00.

Very nice nose with floral, pear and citrus notes. Well balanced acidity with lots of tropical fruit, apricot, pear and nectarine flavors and just a touch of oak. Very clean and fresh tasting. Everything folded together very well on the short but pleasing finish. Tasted on 5/4/97. QPR=5.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:5, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:4, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:4, T=27

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:4, TN:2, AS:2, F:2, GQ:3, T=27

Villa Mt. Eden California Chardonnay 1995. $9.00.

Nose and mouthful of peaches and apricots with a hint of almonds. Just enough oak to give it some character. The high acidity demands food. Very nice value. I gave this 17/20 and Jenny gave it 87/100. Tasted on 4/6/97. QPR=4.

Estancia Monterey County Chardonnay 1994. $12.00.

Wonderful nose, loaded with good fruit, grape, nectarine and citrus flavors. Crisp acidity that went well with our baked salmon dinner. Tasted on 3/23/97. QPR=4.

Walnut Crest Rapel Valley Chardonnay 1995. $5.00.

This was a light, slightly sweet and relatively simple chard. But oh, what a wonderful floral and fruity nose it had. It was a crisp mouthful of peach/pear/pineapple flavors. Could have used a bit more acidity but it was a wonderful bargain for the price and a great table wine for everyday drinking. Tasted on 1/29/97. QPR=5. A second tasting recently seemed to have a little less nose and less body.

Glen Ellen Proprieter's Reserve Chardonnay 1995. $6.00.

Big, high alcohol chardonnay. Lots of fruit and oak (?) with nice acidity. Unfortunately there was an underlying bitterness, especially in the finish that really lowered our QPR. Tasted on 1/19/97. QPR=2.

Columbia Crest Columbia Valley Chardonnary 1995.

Good fruit and generally well balanced. I would have liked a touch more acid and oak but still a well made wine. Tasted on 12/22/96. QPR=4.

Rocky Hill Colorado Gewürtztraminer 1995. $7.00

WOW! A lovely color is just the beginning with this wine. Typical western Colorado floral nose, with loads of tree fruit, honey and spice notes. Buttery on the palate with generous fig, ginger, apple, and tropical fruit flavors. Nice spicy finish. This is a dry gewürtz in a more Alsace style and easily the best of this varietal that we have tried. Very good! Tasted on 10/18/97. QPR=5.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:3, T=26

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:4, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:3, T=26.5

Jackson-Triggs Proprietary Selection Gewürtztraminer 1993. Gift.

This Canadian wine has a nice nose of tropical fruit, apricot and ginger. These carry over to the palate. This wine is a bit watery and could use more acidity. It made a nice quaff but would have been better a hot summersday picnic wine. Tasted on 8/29/97. QPR=2.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3, AC:1, SW:1.5, B:0.5, FL:2, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:1.5, T=18.5

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3.5, AC:2, SW:2, B:1, FL:2.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:11, GQ:2, T=22

Columbia Crest Columbia Valley Gewürtztraminer 1995. $6.00

Simple nose of mandarin orange/apricots, litchi nuts and the slightest hint of spice. These carry over into the flavors, no real complexity but tropical fruit, apricot, and pear flavors. Slightly too sweet and acidic. Short but pleasant finish. Not much gewürtz character but a pleasant and refreshing quaff. Tasted on 6/23/97. QPR=3.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:3, AC:2, SW:1, B:1, FL:2.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2, T=19.5

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:3, AC:1, SW:2, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2.5, T=21.5

Rosemount Australia Traminer-Riesling 1996. $7.00.

Very nice ginger and tropical fruit nose. Packed with citrus, ginger, apricot, papaya and pineapple flavors. Long finish with all the flavors wrapping together well. Pleasantly sweet but with enough acidity to give it good balance. Very bright and clean tasting. This is a good wine to serve people who are ready to move up from white zins but are not quite ready for a big oaky chardonnay. Tasted on 5/21/97. QPR=5.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:4, AC:2, SW:1, B:2, FL:4, TN:2, AS:2, F:2, GQ:3, T=26

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3, AC:2, SW:1, B:1, FL:4, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:3, T=23

Fetzer California Gewurtztraminer 1996. $6.00.

Not a lot of nose but what there was, was pleasant. Light bodied, with ginger, pineapple, citrus and kiwi (?) flavors, perhaps a hint of almond. A trifle too sweet but with just barely enough acid to balance it. Jenny and I both gave this 16/20 although we liked it better than that rating would indicate. Tasted on 4/24/97. QPR=4.

Plum Creek Colorado Riesling 1996 $7.00.

Nose is an odd mix of apple, pear and plastic scents. Simple fruit flavors of apple, peach and leek (?). Slight metallic note. Somewhat sweet. Not horrible but generally unsatisfactory. Tasted on 11/29/97. QPR=2.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:2, AC:2, SW:2, B:1.5, FL:2, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:1.5, T=20

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:2.5, AC:2, SW:2, B:1.5, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2, T=21

Woodbury New York Riesling 1995. $7.00

Pretty. Nose blends ripe apples with a strong musty note. Spätlese sweet, the apples and mildewy/musty notes continue on the palate with an added nectarine note. Surprisingly long and pleaseant finish. Tasted on 11/19/97. QPR=2.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1.5, AR:2, AC:2, SW:1.5, B:1.5, FL:2, TN:2, AS:2, F:2, GQ:1.5, T=20

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:2, AC:2, SW:1, B:2, FL:2, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:1.5, T=20

Beringer California Johannisberg Riesling 1995), $6.00

Green apple and floral nose. A bit flabby and sweet, with apple, apricot and honey flavors dominating. Simple but tasty and refreshing. Tasted on 11/9/97. QPR=3.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3.5, AC:1.5, SW:2, B:1.5, FL:2.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2.5, T=22

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3.5, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:3, T=24.5

Bowers Harbor American Semi-Dry Riesling. $10.00

Pleasant nose of apple, figs, citrus and spice. A bit tart for a semi-dry, but tasty with flavors of citrus, starfruit, and treefruit. Good hot summer day wine. Made in Michigan from Northwest coast grapes. Tasted on 9/28/97. QPR=3.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:2.5, AC:2, SW:1.5, B:1.5, FL:2.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:2.5, T=21.5

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:2.5, AC:2, SW:2, B:1.5, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:2.5, T=23

Chateau Grand Traverse Semi-Dry Johannisberg Riesling 1996. $10.00

Pale yellow with a lovely nose of tropical fruit, peach, pear, apple, and ginger and floral notes. Lightly sweet with flavors of pineapple, lemon, tree fruit and a hint of apricot. Average finish. Delicious. Tasted on 8/10/97. QPR=4.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1,5, AR:3.5, AC:2, SW:2, B:1.5, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:3, T=24

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1.5, AR:3.5, AC:1.5, SW:2, B:2, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:2, GQ:3, T=25

Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Dry Riesling 1995 $6.00

Nice nose of apricot, citrus, almond and floral scents. Green apple, pear and citrus flavors with a touch of oak and just enough acidity. Not much finish. A pleasant quaff and a good value, especially for those of us are longing for Anything But Chardonnay. Tasted on 6/9/97. QPR=4.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:3, T=25

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3, TN:2, AS:2, F:1, GQ:3, T=26

H.J. Ernst Eltviller Sonnenberg Rheingau Riesling Kabinett 1995 . $12.00.

Loaded with lemony, citrus, pear and apricot flavors. Nice nose, crisp well balanced acidity. Finish could have been a little longer. Tasted on 3/13/97. QPR=4. Also see notes below from a winetasting.

Uerziger Wuerzgarten Riesling Spatlese 1995.

No nose worth mentioning. Thin and watery. No color. Tasted at a wine tasting and might be better under better circumstances, 1/25/97. QPR=2(?).

H.J. Ernst Eltviller Sonnenberg Rheingau Riesling Kabinett 1995. $12.00.

Wonderful nose, nice acidity and very fruity with pear/peach/apple flavors. Smooth long finish. Tasted at a wine tasting, 1/25/97. QPR=4. Also see notes above from the bottle tasting.

Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County Fumé Blanc 1994; $10.00.

Tasted at dinner party where we could not a proper evaluation but very tasty with citrus and fruit flavors. Good acidity and a nice finish. Tasted on 8/4/97. QPR=4.

Geyser Peak Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 1995. $9.00.

Very nice nose. Shows a lot of varietal character with lemongrass and citrus flavors. Good acidity and a nice finish. Tasted on 3/20/97. QPR=4.

Vendange Sauvignon Blanc Autumn Harvest 1995 $5.00.

Loaded with grassy, herbal flavors but there were a lot indistinct fruit and mineral flavors underlying these. Lacked acidity. Generally unsatisfying. Tasted on 12/23/96. QPR=2.

Sutter Home California Sauvignon Blanc 1994, $5.00.

Varietal character is not particularly pronounced but it would not be mistaken for chardonnay either. Lots of fruit with well balanced acidity. We drank this with a dinner of broiled fish and it perfectly complemented the meal. Great bargain for the price. Tasted on 12/15/96. QPR=4. We have had multiple bottles since the first tasting and this just keeps improving with age, showing more varietal character, a better nose and greater complexity.

Columbia Crest Columbia Valley Semillon-Chardonnay 1995. $6.00

Wonderful, fruit laden nose, scents of apricots, tropical fruit, ripe pear and nectarines. Unfortunately this did not carry over to the mouth. Tart, with simple green apple and citrus flavors that carry over to the finish. This one had an acidity and balance problem as well. Tasted on 6/3/97. QPR=2.

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:4, AC:2, SW:1, B:1, FL:2, TN:2, AS:1, F:1, GQ:2, T=20

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:1, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:1, FL:3, TN:2, AS:1, F:1, GQ:2, T=20

Seaview McLaren Vale Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc 1993. $10.00.

Lovely lemon yellow color and a very nice nose. Lemongrass, citrus and a touch of apricot flavors. Good acidity and a nice finish. Not a complex wine but a good choice for the stuffed trout dinner it was a part of. We both liked this a lot more than our evaluations might indicate. Jenny gave this 82/100 and I gave it 17/20. Tasted on 4/14/97. QPR=4, although we will probably not rebuy, this was a chance find on a sale shelf.

Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley NV. $14.00.

Rich, creamy mouthfull of apricot and other fruit. Dry, well balanced acid, long and smooth on the finish. Tasted on 1/1/97. QPR=5. Tasted again on 4/13/97 with similar notes.

Josef Drathen Rheinhessen Dalsheimer Burg Rodenstein Spätlese 1995, $9.00

Rich nose full of fruit; citrus, apricots, and tree fruit. A bit flabby. Very pleasant flavors the echo the nose but lack complexity. A gew¨rtz like note appears on the nice finish. Nice but not spectacular. Tasted on 11/1/97. QPR=4

Brad's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:4, AC:1, SW:2, B:2, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.5, GQ:2.5, T=24.5

Jenny's Scores. AP:2, C:2, AR:3, AC:2, SW:2, B:2, FL:3.5, TN:2, AS:2, F:1.75, GQ:3, T=25.25

Beringer Napa Valley Chenin Blanc 1995. $5.00.

Not much nose, but good acidity with lots of apricot, pear and pineapple flavors. Nice smooth finish. We both really like this as a good supermarket table white. Somewhat like a spatlese! Tasted on 1/22/97. QPR=4.

Bereich Wonnegau Rheinhessen Auslese 1993, $9.00.

Sweet and fruity, (of course), but somewhat flabby. Lacked complexity but was not unpleasant to drink. Tasted on 11/28/96. QPR=2

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