More wines from the Oregon trip:
2014 Quintessa 'Illumination', Napa
Beth's bottle. Holy majoly, what a wine. Didn't think you could make an SB this intricate and forceful in Napa Valley. Complex, clean mouthfilling fruit with melon, pear, grapefruit, and gooseberry with tarragon and lemon grass. Loved it.
2014 Beringer Vineyards Chardonnay 'Luminus' Oak Knoll
I know I'm not supposed to like big oak chardonnays, but I do when they're not sweet and tropical. This fills the bill: bright yellow, concentrated flavors, and better balance than the 13 I own has ever had. Nice vintage.
2015 DeLille Cellars 'Chaleur' Estate Blanc Columbia Valley Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
I brought this one. The blend shows perfectly now and remains the best, most balanced vintage of Chaleur I can remember. Can compete with any white Bordeaux.