25 New Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, And Other Good Things

If the new releases of wine being sent out lately are any indication, we'll be drinking a lot of sauvignon blanc and chardonnay from around the world in the months ahead. Here are some of the better new ones, along with a few other white wines worth considering and eight recently released reds.

Ferraton Samorëns Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2016 ($13). Nice, opulent floral flavors; well-structured with a good finish.

Cline Sonoma Coast Pinot Gris 2016 ($15). Floral and fruity with suggestions of strawberries and lemon and good finishing acidity.

Hillersden Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 ($15). Fruit-forward gooseberry flavors without the usual lime; well-balanced.

Bird in Hand "Two in Bush" Adelaide Hills Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc 2016 ($16). Lemon among the apples; light and zesty with some tang.

Sterling Napa Valley Chardonnay 2014 ($18). Full-bodied, with ripe apple flavor and a crisp, spicy finish.

Sidebar High Valley Lake County Sauvignon Blanc 2015 ($20). Fruity and full with a green tartness in the finish.

Super Substance "Sunset" Columbia Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014 ($21). Very creamy and full but with a crisp finish and a lingering note of moscato.

Groth Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2016 ($22). Classic green fruits — gooseberry and lime — but a pleasant, not severe, finish.

Vietti Roero Arneis 2016 ($23). Could use more definition, but bright and fruity/sweet, with some savory notes.

Gamble Yountville Sauvignon Blanc 2016 ($25). Excellent — light and elegant with lemon-lime flavors and a crisp finish.

Stewart Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2016 ($25). Very harmonious, almost creamy, but still with sauvignon blanc freshness and finishing crispness.

Ehlers Estate St. Helena Sauvignon Blanc 2016 ($30). Very nice — tart with lime and grapefruit, along with plenty of spice and light tannins.

Ramey Russian River Chardonnay 2014 ($40). Tangy with lots of zip, green herbal flavors, and a lot of citrus.

Stewart Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay 2015 ($40). A lot like a Mâcon white, fruity but not too fruity, with a hint of chalkiness and a tart finish with lots of mineral notes.

Bird in Hand "Nest Egg" Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2015 ($65). Just delicious and very complex — barrel-fermented, yet with crisp, apple acidity that blends perfectly with its well-integrated wood finish.

Ramey Hyde Ranch Napa Valley Chardonnay 2014 ($65). Tight and tangy with tart apples and lots of creamy barrel notes.

Ramey West Side Farms Russian River Chardonnay 2014 ($65). Like the Hyde (above), very tangy and intense with green herbal notes and some hints of orange.

Bridlewood Monterey Pinot Noir 2014 ($15). A nice everyday pinot with medium weight, rounded fruit, and brown savory flavors.

Bridlewood Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ($15). Lots of ripe berry flavors with a good dose of toasty oak.

Pali Huntington Santa Barbara Pinot Noir 2015 ($21). Mildly sweet/fruity with flavors of cola and root beer and some tanginess.

Esporão Quinta dos Murças Margem Douro Red 2015 ($30). A good mix of ripe cherry fruit and tart finishing acidity.

Benovia Tilton Hill Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2014 ($58). A bright-fruited pinot with good elegance, medium weight, and a crisp finish of ripe cherries.

Ramey Template Napa Valley Red Wine 2014 ($65). Quite nice — complex, with creamy fruit and well-integrated tannins — a lot like a Margaux.

Esporão Quinta dos Murças "VV47" Douro Red 2012 ($66). Bordeaux-like, with dense, dark flavors, savory notes, lots of integrated tannins, and good heft.

Ehlers Estate "1886" St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ($101). A well-knit wine, warm and generous, with good dark fruits, savory notes, mild tannins, and a long finish.

For more reviews of recent wine releases by Roger Morris, click here.