Cairdean is breaking from convention with an alternative summer “Whites in Flight” tasting, featuring five unique wines produced from an array of international grape varieties.
Drawing inspiration from the grapes’ ancestral homes, these whites display an old world flair that will have you booking your next flight, before tasting your second sip.
Conceived by Edwin and Stacia Williams, Cairdean, meaning ‘friends’ in Scottish-Gaelic, reflects a vision for the way wine should be shared and enjoyed. This philosophy extends beyond simply producing quality wine, to a consideration of the experience of enjoying it. In other words, this flight does offer free Wi-Fi.
This “Whites in Flight” tasting passes over California wine country, with Napa Valley as its final destination.
The wines include:
Here is where we, well just Eve at the moment, must interrupt. My taste buds were definitely whetted but to get through five whites at one time – and do tasting notes – I thought I better call in some bigger guns.
Joining me for “collective tasting notes” are Simon and Shannon Mee (Owners of Newhall Refinery and Egg Plantation), Bruce and Liz Pack (“Chef Liz” has penned a few recipes for our website) and Claudia Sheridan (Owner Small Business Breakthrough, and like myself, a Level 2 Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust).
Collective Tasting
2014 Cairdean Estate Solano County Riesling (SRP $19.00)
13.1% alcohol, 100% stainless steel
Aroma
Brie, vanilla bean, jasmine and banana.
Flavor
Viscous, low acid, lemon; very opposite of the aroma which made it interesting. 89 Eve pts.
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2014 Cairdean Estate Russian River Valley Gewürztraminer (SRP $24.00)
13.8% alcohol, 100% stainless steel
Aroma
Hard candy, lemon drops, elderflower and orange zest.
Flavor
Not as sweet as indicated by the nose, orange Pellegrino water and elderflower. 90 Eve pts.
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2014 Cairdean Estate Napa Valley Picpoul Blanc (SRP $25.00)
13.4% alcohol, 100% stainless steel
Aroma
Buttered popcorn, cream, coconut, mango, honey and pear.
Flavor
Viscous, medium acid, Sauvignon Blanc-like, lemon-lime, pear and cream. 89 Eve pts.
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2012 Cairdean Estate Napa Valley Roussanne (SRP $25.00)
14.1% alcohol, 30% new French oak
Aroma
Honeydew melon, hint of pineapple, lemon Starburst candy, sweet fried dough.
Flavor
Tropical fruit, tinny on the back palate, low acid, long finish, slight floral quality. 88 Eve pts.
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2012 Cairdean Estate Napa Valley Fumé Blanc (SRP $32.00)
14.4% alcohol, 33% new French oak
Aroma
Marzipan, white peach, white pepper, lime, pear.
Flavor
Viscous, oak, lemon zest on the back palate, medium acid, crisp, herbal, lime. A favorite of Shannon’s. 89 Eve pts.
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com
