Dry Creek Vineyard is a family owned winery that is the namesake vineyard of their appellation as well as stunningly consistent producer of fine wines. Whether you’re looking for everyday values, appellation specific offerings or single vineyard wines, Dry Creek Vineyard has something to offer. They absolutely kill it when it comes to Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel, the two key grapes of Dry Creek Valley. But they do so much more. Here’s a look at the current vintage of one of their best value wines.
The Dry Creek Vineyard 2012 Dry Chenin Blanc was produced entirely from fruit sourced in the Clarksburg region of California. This offering is 100% Chenin Blanc. The vines these grapes came from had an average age of 10 years when this harvest occurred. Fermentation took place over 28 days in temperature controlled stainless steel. Just more than 13,000 cases of this wine were produced and it has a suggested retail price of $12. This wine has an ostentatious nose that simply leaps from the glass with white peach and Lychee fruit aromas dominating. Apricot and mango flavors are prominent on the palate along with a bit of spice. There is a fruity edge to the mellifluous finish which gives the impression of sweetness as is persists and lingers on the back of the throat.
This wine from Dry Creek Vineyard has been remarkably consistent in quality and value year after year. Their Dry Chenin Blanc offering represents one of the very best examples of the grape being produced in California. It also happens to be one of great and most reliable picnic wines out there. If you shop around you’re going to find this wine for less than $10. That’s an absolutely excellent value for a wine this is refreshing, pairs well with casual foods and is just fun to drink. For several vintages now they have been finishing this wine in screw cap, which is another advantage for this wine being a great on the go choice. Fresh, vibrant wines, made for consumption in their youth are perfect for screw cap and the Dry Chenin Blanc fits all the criteria. The bottom line for me is that I love this wine; year after year it represents a really well made example of Chenin Blanc that is also an outstanding value. If you’re not yet familiar with it, you’re missing out on a truly lovely bargain.