WHITE WINE

Idlewild's 2015 Arneis Fox Hill Vineyard is another deep, expressive wine. Varietal aromatics open up first, followed by generous orchard fruit, white peach and floral notes. Drink this inviting Arneis over the next few years. ANTONIO GALLONI

Proprietor Sam Bilbro has spent virtually a lifetime around wine. His family owns Marietta, while brothers Jake and Scot are behind the reborn Limerick Lane. At Idlewild, Sam Bilbro focuses on Italian and other less well-known varieties. In addition to these wines, I also tasted the, Arneis Fox Hill Vineyard, Vin Gris Dry Creek Valley and Grenache Gris Gibson Ranch. The best wines in this range are compelling, and point to a bright future. ANTONIO GALLONI, www.vinousmedia.com

Having had a relationship with the Bilbro family as importers of the Marietta wines some years ago we were delighted to find youngest son, Sam, was behind this new venture, Idlewild. In many ways the wines are the anitpathy of what so many believe Californian wines are supposed to be. Hunting out heritage stands of Italian and Rhone varietals (mostly in Mendocino County) Bilbro makes extremely interesting wines characterised by texture, savouriness and subtlety. Skin contact is a part of the wines as is a relatively non-interventionist approach; both indicative of the preferences of the younger brigade of Calfornia producers. PWS

The 2017 White The Bee Flora & Fauna, is a classy, polished wine to drink now and over the next few years. Green pear, mint, white flowers and light tropical overtones all grace this very pretty, expressive wine. The Muscat in particular adds an attractive aromatic flair. ANTONIO GALLONI

The 2017 Arneis Fox Hill Vineyard is very pretty. Aromatic and pliant, with lovely orchard fruit, chamomile, almond and dried flower notes, the 2017 has a lot to offer. There is a lovely element of softness that emerges with time in the glass and adds quite a bit of character. ANTONIO GALLONI

A sense of elegance, energy, and complexity with nuance. Mouth-washing acidity with a focus on freshness. Both delicious and pretty. Flavours of citrus blossom, bitter almond, and fresh melon. Accents of flint and oyster shell. Pleasant, lightly textural palate. Beautifully done. (17.5/20) JANCIS ROBINSON

Planted in 1944, this Chardonnay is one of the oldest plantings in the state. A member of the Historic Vineyard Society and CCOF certified the Lolonis Vineyard in Redwood Valley is a gem of a place. PWS

This is 100% chenin blanc from Merritt Island in Clarksburg. Clean as a whistle, fresh and bright with a poised quince and mineral streak. Crunchy and delicious. MYLES, PWS

The 2020 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is a lovely appellation-level wine. Crushed red berries, spice, floral top notes and a touch of blood orange give this tasty, ethereal Pinot a good bit of brightness and enough complexity to support fine drinking over the next few years. ANTONIO GALLONI, Vinous

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

Aromas of peach, thyme and lilies. Medium-bodied with refreshing tannins. Bright acidity, but overall pleasant, mellow presence. Fresh stone fruit and jasmine on the palate. Well balanced with a soft finish. 63% roussanne, 20% grenache blanc, 14% picpoul blanc, 3% picardan. 95 points, JAMES SUCKLING

EDITOR'S CHOICE - With a big, rich opening of toasted oak, this crowd-pleasing wine delivers tropical richness and intensity around a spicy complement of baking spice and vanilla. It is well made and balanced within a full-bodied style. VIRGINE BOOONE, Wine Enthusiast, July 2022

The 2020 Hartford Court Russian River Valley Chardonnay is sourced from a collection of small vineyards located throughout the Russian River Valley AVA: Fog Dance; Bellflower; Arrendell as well as a handful of neighbors’ vineyards located in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Barrel fermented in 100 % French Oak; 28% new for just over 9 months.

Pinot Gris 25%, Sauvignon Blanc 25%, Vermentino 25%, Verdelho 25%. All fruit sourced from organic vineyards in Lodi and San Benito (Verdelho). Each variety is fermented separately with natural yeasts in a mix of stainless steel and neutral barrels before blending. Matured for 5 months in neutral oak.

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

Hobo Wine Camp is the brainchild of Kenny Likitprakong created in 2011 with the idea to showcase the quality and diversity of Sonoma’s wine scene. Working closely with top growers often from lesser-known vineyards he produces some of the most approachable, accessible and in terms of California, stupidly affordable wine. A self-confessed surf bum, and avid skateboarder he studied winemaking at UC Davis (mainly for the surfing) and later cut his teeth working and traveling from place to place, winery to winery throughout Sonoma and abroad –  the ‘Hobo’ moniker was born.

The 2022 is 42% Tocai Friulano from Mendocino, 18% Riesling from Arroyo Seco, 17% Verdelho from Suisun Valley, 15% Albariño from Borden Ranch, and 8% Sauvignon Blanc from Potter Valley.

What a blend. This has it all too, some pretty white florals to start that gently dissapate to reveal nashi pear, mandarin, citrus peel and some light tropical hints of guava and goosberry but ever so lightly and in perfect harmony. Mid-weight feel here with pleny of zippy freshness from the riesling but stacked with a melange of citrus and tree fruits. A little textural, a little plush and a whole lot of flavour.

The skins bring in a savoriness and pseudo minerality as well as a texture and mouthfeel that is unique, but also fun and food friendly. The lack of so2 During aging lets The wine work itself out naturally, usually oxidizing a bit, but ultimately reaching a balance of acid and phenolic composition that suits itself.

Pear, fig and cashew all waft from the glass. Take a sip and the the flavours widen to include peach and pineapple too. It's a wine of rich, creamy texture that's perfectly tempered with bitter lemon and a gentle undercurrent of acidity which leaves a dusting of spice in its wake.  ALEX DOBSON, PWS

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!