With the exception of the sparkling, you basically just described Stony Hill. They are my favorite white wine producer. Very old world in style, but obviously they are not a hip/popular producer. Best value in white in the valley IMO.
I also have a love affair with Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru, but that’s a splurge for sure.
I certainly would not argue with those who put white Burgundy at the top of their list. I just don’t have experience with very many makers. So, on the California front, lately, I have really enjoyed Ceritas Chardonnay (from various vineyards)–mostly because they remind me of white Burgundy.
Actually, I wouldn’t argue with anybody’s list. Under the right circustance, I can appreciate any of the selections.
I wish I knew! They have one of the most experienced and longest tenured winemakers in the valley, some of the best vineyards (mountainside fruit), and it’s not overpriced.
If someone else is paying, white Burgundy, for sure.
Domestic? I like some of the Ceritas Chardonnays (the 2012 Pinnacle was quite nice the other night, especially alongside a Kistler, which is too much for me). Copain’s Laureles Grade and Brosseau have turned my head a bit. I don’t care at all for Viognier, Rousanne, that stuff. Too floral, too “sweet,” too, too much.
I do not care at all for German whites - I don’t get Riesling, for sure (apologies to Mr. Bueker). And those long, skinny bottles are a real pain in the cellar.
Funny, I don’t think of Champagne as white wine. But I do love Champagne.
Riesling, usually Spatlese, Furmint from Tokaj, and Godello are the whites I have most of and open most frequently.
But over the past couple years I’ve kind of re-discovered Chardonnay, although I don’t like it when it has too much residual sugar and a lot of honeydew melon flavors, nor when it’s overly austere and lean, in which case I’d just as soon have something from the Loire.
I am hosting an event this afternoon. So I need to go and really we shouldn’t be sidetracking this thread. There is a sea of mediocre wine from less than great sites, propped up by styling and branding that would make many marketing firms green with envy.
Austrian–Nikolaihoff, Prager, Nigl, some Pichler
Chablis
Cote de Beaune
Coulee de Serrant (polarizing, I know)
Lots of other Loire CBs also
and I am really loving Liquid Farm
and a boatload of German Riesling
southern Italian
and Alsace
Roussillon
I guess I should have just said that I am not crazy about most Sauvignon Blanc