Fess Parker Winery Pinot Blanc Santa Barbara County 2004 Reviews

Fess Parker Winery Pinot Blanc Santa Barbara County 2004 Tasting Notes

Pinot Blanc is not typically an evocative white wine that sends tingles up and down the spine of white wine drinkers. Actually, that lackluster impression may derive from the confusion about Pinot Blanc's identity and origin. Some believe it's related to Chardonnay, nice try but it's not. However, what is called Pinot Blanc in Australia may be a misnomer and in fact may be Chardonnay. Remember, the world is upside down there. Not that we've figured it out up here, apparently some of the Pinot Blanc grown in California is Melon de Bourgogne, go figure. Melon de Bourgogne originated in Burgundy and is widely grown in the Loire where it is often referred to as Muscadet, and go figure again. To clear the confusion up, some grape geneticists were intrigued enough to investigate and they determined that Pinot Blanc is actually a cousin to Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir rather than Chardonnay. That family tree notwithstanding, much of Pinot Blanc that is produced is assume to be a lightweight Chardonnay without its complex flavors. I've learned over the years that it is dangerous to assume anything. Fess Parker's Pinot Blanc reminds me less of a Chard and more of a Loire version of it, and, more importantly, an enjoyable one. Spring-like in its nose and palate, the aromatic white wine displays pear, apple, and lemon fruit mixed with a bouquet of fresh flowers and butterscotch. The finish has a pleasant velvet-honeyed texture that is reminiscent of fruit nectar. Balanced fruit and acid makes this a good choice for crab or chicken and works very well solo as an aperitif.

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