Bonny Doon Pacific Rim Chenin Blanc 2004
Region: Santa Cruz, California, United States
Winery: Bonny Doon Vineyard
Variety: Chenin Blanc

This wine was no good. It was lacking in flavor. Lacking in aroma (though a bit of cat piss smell, which isn't always bad). Keep this wine away from your back taste buds at all cost; it was very bitter.

I had tried the Pacific Rim Riesling 2004 (Pacific Rim Dry Riesling 2004) and didn't like that either. Someone suggested the Chenin Blanc was better, so I thought I would try it and see. It's hard to remember back to the summer, but I think the Riesling was actually better.

Two stories quick.

(1)After my first glass of this wine, I was ready to rate it a 1. But after sitting out for a bit and getting a little warmer it tasted more like a 2. We think as a rule to chill white wines and drink reds at room temperature. This is a good rule of thumb, but make sure that your whites are not too cold. You probably don't want to serve them right out of the fridge. The aromas and flavors will be strong as the wine warms up a bit.

(2)While out at the wine shop on a previous trip I saw a couple thinking about purchasing the Pacific Rim Riesling. I recalled how a wine logger had said the Chenin Blanc was better and suggested this to the couple. I even helped them find the bottle. But they decided to go with the Riesling instead. They said they were looking specifically for a Riesling, which is a good excuse. But secretly I spited them for not taking my advice ;) Well anyway, good thing they didn't. They would have drunk this wine and blamed me for it. Now they'll drink that other bad stuff and blame themselves or maybe even think of me: "We should have listened to that creepy guy at the wine shop."

Posted by jason on February 1st, 2007 at 4:33pm | report comment