2006 Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc, Amador
Pear, kiwi fruit, grass, lemon, grapefruit and minerals. Frisky. And it reminds me a bit of the only other Amador SB I remember having, the Karly, which makes me think something in the earth there gives these sauv blancs as unique a character as the zinfandels. An excellent expression of California sauvignon blanc, $12.
2005 Pali Wine Co. Inman Olivet Vineyard, Russian River
Until just now, reading the label off the bottle, I did not realize that this was a Russian River wine. That is, nothing about drinking it last night suggested Russian River, but maybe that's because I know that Brian Loring makes these at his Lompoc winery. Too, the fruit read more raspberry than the typical Russian cherry, and it needed some coaxing. Yes there was spice, but no silk--there was an acidic astringency across the palate that never abated. Quite good nonetheless with our Asian dinner of grilled sesame chicken thighs, fried rice and baby bok choy, but this wine needs time.