CALIFORNIA
WHITE BLENDS
93 Margerum 2018 M5 Reserve Margerum Estate Vineyard (Los Olivos District). Pleasantly restrained aromas of Meyer lemon pith, light nectarine and fresh honeysuckle show on the nose of this blend of 60% Roussanne, 20% Marsanne, 10% Grenache Blanc, 9% Viognier and 1% Picpoul Blanc. It’s tightly wound on the palate, where white rocks provide a mineral backbone to the flavors of yellow and green apple, light mango and pineapple. —M.K.
abv: 13.6% Price: $36
93 Tablas Creek 2018 Côtes de Tablas Blanc (Adelaida District). For full review see page 124. Editors’ Choice.
abv: 13.5% Price: $30
92 Le Casque 2018 Adrian (Sierra Foothills). This full-bodied wine shows excellent depth of flavor and breadth of texture as it unfolds ripe pear, honeydew melon and vanilla flavors. Blended from Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Picpoul Blanc, it is mouthfilling, nicely viscous and retains fruit and baking spice nuances on the finish. —J.G.
abv: 14.3% Price: $30
92 Margerum 2018 M5 White Margerum Estate Vineyard (Los Olivos District). Very clean lines of lemon juice, freshly cut Asian pear and lightly colored melon show on the nose of this blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 22% Roussanne, 15% Marsanne, 12% Viognier and 1% Picpoul Blanc. There is great grip to the sip, where lime pith, honeysuckle and jasmine flavors converge. —M.K.
abv: 13.7% Price: $21
92 Tablas Creek 2018 Esprit Blanc de Tablas (Adelaida District). Baked pear, seal salt, yellow peach and daffodil aromas arise on the nose of this ageworthy blend of 68% Roussanne, 17% Grenache Blanc, 7% Picpoul Blanc, 4% Clairette Blanche and 4% Picardin. There’s a good sizzle of acidity to the sip, where botanical flavors meet with zesty lemon-lime elements. Drink now–2028. Cellar Selection. —M.K.
abv: 13% Price: $45
Fresh grapefruit and ripe apple make for a
