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Wine Review: Summer heralds white wines

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Summertime seems to engender a desire for white wines.

We believe one of the reasons is the turn away from heavy winter foods for lighter summer fare. With that in mind, many wineries send out their lighter wines early while allowing their heavier reds to get some extra aging.

Franciscan Estate Winery is no exception and has released two white wines, both of which adhere to the wineries tradition of only offering the best of the best.

Franciscan Estate Napa Valley 2014 Equilibrium White Wine ($23)
This interesting blend comprises 72 percent savignon blanc, 17 percent chardonnay and 11 percent muscat. Because of this rather novel blending, this wine exhibits a host of flavors and aromas not often found in a single variety white wine.

The small amount of muscat offers the aromas of jasmine, orange blossoms and honeysuckle, with a background of lychee and passion fruit. The savignon blanc contributes its familiar lemongrass and grapefruit - all reinforced by the elegance of the chardonnay. The flavor is also no slouch, exhibiting orange blossom, honeysuckle and lime, which continue on to a clean and fruity finish.

Franciscan Estate Napa Valley 2014 Savignon Blanc ($18)
For those who prefer the tried and true, there is also the Franciscan Estate Napa Valley 2014 Savignon Blanc, which is about as tried and true as they come. When making this wine, 50 percent was fermented on the skins, which is not a normal process for white wines but does add an extra power to the flavors and aromas.

The aroma displays lime, grapefruit zest and lemongrass, which follow through to the flavor and then on to the finish. There is also an interesting mineral component to this wine that adds to its enjoyment.

Wagner Family Conundrum 2013 California White Wine Blend ($22)
Chuck Wagner of Wagner Family of Wine uses the term conundrum to describe what his father did when dining with wine lovers. At a time when single variety wines were the “in” thing, his father would mix wines to the consternation of his guests. Thus was born the idea behind the Conundrum wines.

The blend is basically made of chardonnay for its weight and complexity, savignon blanc and semillon for crisp acidity, muscat canelli for its floral qualities and viognier for lush texture. The aroma is resplendent with peaches, mango, guava and coconut, while the flavor takes a different turn with apricot, pear, orange and a hint of oaky vanilla. This is a great wine for any of today’s modern foods, from sushi to chicken to pork-based dishes.

Wagner Family Conundrum 2012 California Red Wine Blend ($22)
We are not sure what grapes were blended to make this wine, but they certainly do work well together. Once you think you can identify a component, the darn thing changes on you. Our suggestion is that you do not try to second guess and just enjoy this wine. Iit displays all of the flavors and aromas one seeks in a red wine and presents them in an enjoyable blast of flavor and aroma.

Nixa resident Bennet Bodenstein is a wine columnist and manages ArticlesOnWine.com. He can be reached at frojhe@suddenlink.net.

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