Why don't we ever talk about an old favorite?

Maybe it's boring or something.
I went up to the local pasta joint tonight and took along a bottle of Dry Creek Vineyards Chenin Blanc '07.
StupidSpreadsheet tells me that this is the 31st bottle I've consumed since September 1997.
There are probably more; I've been known to fail to enter or note a bottle or two now and then. What does surprise me is that I don't have a negative note in the lot. I do have some that never got noted, but I'm more likely to note a bad bottle than an average, acceptable bottle.

Tonight's bottle was right on the money, once again. I've noted Vouvrays and said, "I prefer Dry Creek", and others that were better.
DCV Chenin Blanc comes from Clarksburg, a San Joaquin Delta appellataion west of Lodi, basically out in the swamps. But the soil is rich, soft loam, and the weather is Californian. The wine is definitely Californian, on the rich and ripe side, and of course has no "flinty terroir" about it at all. On the other hand, it's never thin or like underripe grapefruit.

And the best thing is, it's usually about $9 retail!

John

John,
Interestingly enough, I remarked yesterday that the last Chenin Blanc I had was more than a year ago from Chateau Souverain. I have always seen the Dry Creek Vineyards one on the grocery store shelf. Your note now makes me want to pick one up!
Shaji

One of my favorites as well. If you ever see the Wilson chenin (also from Clarksburg) it's also worth a try.

I just served the 07 Dry Creek Chenin Blanc at a wine tasting where it was well received by wine geek and non-geek alike. I can't believe it's less than $8 at Total Wine.

Me too, Dry Creek CB was one of my early discoveries when I came to Canada. Will look for one although in-house probation officer thinks we/I have purchased more than enough of late...Quails Gate Okanagan, Ch Roulerie Anjou, Tukulu S Africa. There has to be more out there!!!

Maybe it's boring or something.

Or, just not cool enough for the internet.

Mike,

Wilson - is that the Wilson winery on Dry Creek Road? If so, I've generally been unimpressed with the value of their wines. The quality is Ok, but the prices don't agree with my cheapskate mentality. They've been expanding and now they own DeLorimier in the Alexander Valley, and another one whose name escapes me.

John

Mike,

Wilson - is that the Wilson winery on Dry Creek Road? If so, I've generally been unimpressed with the value of their wines. The quality is Ok, but the prices don't agree with my cheapskate mentality. They've been expanding and now they own DeLorimier in the Alexander Valley, and another one whose name escapes me.

John

I don't think they're the same outfit. The one I was talking about is Wilson Vineyards, located in Clarksburg. They make a chenin/viognier from their grapes that I've liked a lot in the past. It's around $10/bottle.

Chenin/Viognier - two grapes that except for the Viognier fad a few years ago, don't get enough respect.

I'll keep an eye out.

John

I try other more expensive (not talking Huet - level here) CBs when I find them, but always come back to Dry Creek. I'm surprised it isn't more available here. Two other CBs in my very good value category are Mulderbosch and Ken Forrester.

"Old favorites" in the sense that they are: (1) not necessarily very aged wines but I never hesitate to open one on any given day; (2) inexpensive (in terms of gross price); and, (3) do, in fact, open them quite often:

1996 de Fieuzal
1996 Pagodes de Cos (until I ran out of them, but intend to buy more)
Tempier Bandol Rosé (any vintage, anytime)
Bodegas Marco Real Homenaje Rosado (with tapas lunch)
Laxas Albariño (youngest vintages, with fresh shellfish, always have some at home)
Martin Códax Albariño (youngest vintages available, love it with steamed crab)
1999 Bodegas Olarra Cerro Añon Rioja Gran Reserva (incredibly good value Rioja)
Cerdon de Bugey Caveau de Mont St-July NV
Michel Arnould Brut Champagne NV
2006 Bott-Geyl Gewürztraminer
2001 Léon Beyer Gewürztraminer Réserve
Bodegas Beronia Rioja Reserva/Gran Reserva (opened a lot of their 1996 until I ran out)
2001 Michel Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti Nizza La Court
2001 Antinori Tenute Marchesi Chianti Classico Riserva
2001 Antinori Badia a Passignano
Etc., etc., etc.

I don't think I've seen more than one or two of those on a shelf here in California. I had a bottle of '98 Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva back in 2002, and I liked it.

John

I haven't seen the Dry Creek Chenin in a few years, but I used to think of it (and the Pine Ridge Chenin/Viognier mix, also Clarksburg I believe) as real QPR faves. Of course, they were $5-7 then!

Noel, I am impressed. All the accents in the right place!

Dale,
I expect the generic SB and the CB are cash cows for Dry Creek. Fortunately for me, they haven't done either of the "run up the price and see what happens" or "fill the bottles with junk and see what happens" things.
I like Dry Creek's "Heritage" Zin, too. It's a fully typical DCV Zin, without being overdone in any way. Great hamburger/pizza stuff.

Although I really do enjoy snazzy wines, I really like bottles that, while good, aren't too difficult, for everyday drinking. I wish I could find a $15 Chard like that.

John

John
Have you tried the Alma Rosa Chardonnay? It surprised me, not much a fan of Chardonnay, as very good for the money.

dan

Dan,
No, I can't remember seeing the brand. Where does it come from?

John

It's from Santa Barbara. Here it is at Marketview in Rochester, NY. As I remember, it got a good review in the New York Times.

Ah! http://www.almarosawinery.com/ Sanford, Santa Rita Hills. I'll have a look - I'm about due to visit BevMo and pick up a few whites.

John