Stone Creek Vineyards – Chenin Blanc 1978

Tasted as part of a 45th birthday celebration featuring several wines from the 1978 vintage, the Chenin Blanc 1978 from Stone Creek Vineyards was a delicate wine with a beautiful nose and only 10.5% alcohol. Stone Creek was a California brand originally registered in 1977 by Sonoma Vineyards (Rodney Strong) and later taken over by L. Foppiano Wine Co.; this particular bottling came from Stone Creek Cellars in Geyserville. Alongside the Round Hill Vineyards Chardonnay 1978, which impressed more with its structure thanks to oak and higher alcohol (13.9%), the Chenin Blanc held its own as a graceful, lighter-styled white. Both Californian whites were tasted before moving on to two Bordeaux legends – Château Mouton Rothschild 1978 and Château Margaux 1978 – as well as a surprisingly excellent Nemea 1978 from Cavino and a stunning Flagman Vintage Port 1978. At 87 points, the Stone Creek Chenin Blanc proved that even a modest California white can age with charm over more than four decades, though of course at that age one can only speak of good bottles rather than good wines.