At the Vintner's Tasting on Saturday I chatted with Mac Macdonald of Vision Cellars and Kathy Joseph of Fiddlehead Cellars among other winemakers. Dick Ward of Saintsbury was in town but not at the events I attended. One of the pleasant half surprises of the tasting was finding several California Chardonnays that were not too oaky/buttery or tropical fruity.
Some I enjoyed:
2006 Miner Chardonnay. Lightly oaked, half new French oak, 10 1/2 months in oak.
2005 Patz and Hall Chardonnay. 35% French oak. Very food friendly and refreshing. Good for a summer sipper.
2005 Bouchaine Chardonnay. Some of the grapes are from a 25-year-old block.
I also enjoyed a 2005 Barnett Cabernet Sauvignon. Smooth tasting with blackberries or black currants on the palate. I liked this quite a lot but since a bottle costs upwards from $50 or $60 I don't see myself buying it with any frequency.
Mostly California wineries represented--a few Spanish or Italian wines. Graham and Niepoort for Portugal and some Washington names. I did attend a Bordeaux tasting and may post on that later.