The connection to the movie sideways is undeniable – Lucas & Lewellen Winery had its Pinot Noir featured in the movie that destroyed merlot sales. L&L is a central-coast California winery whose founders, Louis Lucas and Royce Lewellen came together and bought some land in this fertile grape-growing region and have really done a lot to strike a claim for themselves as one of that region’s premiere wineries.

2005 Cabernet Franc: W.E.P. Rating: 40%

Technical Data:

• Vineyard: Valley View
• Composition: 100% Cabernet Franc
• Oak: 19 Months French Oak
• Fermentation: Punch down
• Bottled: April 2007
• Acidity: .70
• pH: 3.69
• Alcohol: 14.8%
• Production: 605 Cases
• Sugg. Retail: $26.00
• Release Date: July 2008

Nose: I pick some some strong eucaplyptus and cedar box on the initial pass – almost like a cedar cigar box. There’s some hints of black fruit in there somewhere, however, I have a feelin it’s going to be overpowered by oak.

Taste: Can someone get me a friggin toothpick to pick out all the wood splinters here? I mean.. really? I get that this is a California wine and that a lot of folks are used to having a piece of oak furniture in the glass with their wine – but wow. I’m gonna let this hang out to see if some of the wood blows off from it. Two hours later – the oakiness of this wine is still rather pronounced – it’s not quite as strong; however, is still not doing much for me.

This wine is a complete:

2007 “Goodchild” Chardonnay – W.E.P. Rating: 75%

Technical Data:

Nose: Pineapple, mango and peach skin – the classic vanilla hints on the nose as well. I also get subtleties of river-water stones. 

Taste: Take some pineapple, starfruit and mango – then toss in a tiny bit of butter and toasted vanilla – that’s what’s going on here. If you’re looking for a butterbomb napa charonnay, then this is not a wine for you – it’s rather crisp which shows it has little oak on ot. Good viscousness and acidity on the mouthfeel, decent fruit but a bit too hot on the backend for me.

Winery Link

Golden Kaan is the joint effort of KWV of South Africa and Racke of Germany – it’s now a global brand which pays homage to South Africa and has been getting some good press lately one some of its wines. Established in 1918, KWV has been a huge player in South African wine and has been a huge force in helping get that region “on the map” and palate of wine drinkers everywhere.

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South Africa – as a region – has really ramped it up quite a bit over the past few years and I’ve found that many folks – like myself – can easily gravitate towards a lot of the white wines coming out of it.

There’s a good sense of overall minerality in this region which reminds me of some of the whites out of places like New Zealand – and I’m diggin’ that.

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2007 Sauvignon Blanc: Price: $10 W.E.P. Score: 100%

Technical Notes:

• Alcohol vol: 12.36 % vol
• pH: 3.45
• Total acidity: 5.61 g/ l
• Sugar: 5.16 g/ l
• Climate: Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters, of approximately 600–800 mm rain per annum.
• Soil: Table Mountain sandstone and Malmesbury shale.

Nose: Mildew covered river rocks mixed with freshly-cut grass and grapefruit peel. I also pick up some cement dust and hints of apricots.

Taste: Excellent acidity/fruit combination that rips across the front and mid palate – It’s a judo-chop to the taste buds – exploding with mango and hints of kiwi and starfruit. Finishes VERY dry with little lemon drops and I’m digging that.

2005 Chardonnay: Price: $10 W.E.P. Score: 100%

Technical Notes:

• Alcohol vol: 13.53%
• pH: 3.50
• Total acidity: 5.50 g/l
• Sugar: 6.46 g/l
• Climate: Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters, of approximately 600 – 800 mm or rain per year.
• Soil: Table Mountain sandstone and Malmesbury shale.
• Vinification: Full ripe grapes were crushed and the juice fermented in a combination of second fill French oak barrels and on French oak staves in stainless steel tanks. Lees contact of about 2 months were allowed.
• Winemaker: Sterik deWet

Nose: Creamsickle component mixed in with some meyer apples and a bit of earthy minerals. Some nice floral components on the back-end of the nose help round it out – very pleasant. Ivory soap.

Taste: Very viscous mouth feel and a ton of apple coming thru which is quickly followed with lightly toasted nuts, grilled pineapple and hints of lime.

Overall Summary:
Each one of these wines brings a fun, fresh experience to their respective varieties and are wines I’d highly encourage you to seek out – you can usually find them for around the $8 mark thanks to industry post-off and retailer discounts etc.

Golden Kaan completely nailed the quality and experience these wines bring to the table – its low use of oak is always good as it helps keep the quality of the fruit dancing through on the palate.

For only $10, these are a couple of white’s i’d easily recommend to folks who are looking to get off the “Oak-bus-express” of overly oaked wines and want a good halfway-point to going to completely unoaked wines as their palate improves.

Foods I’d hit with these:
Shellfish
Sea Bass
Creamy Pastas
Clam Chowder
Roasted Chicken