Ah, if you're looking for a good priced, high quality zingy summer wine this is it. But first, let's get something out of the way. Fume Blanc is a marketing creation from the mind of Robert Mondavi to circumvent the negative image people had of wines made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape in the 1970s. In fact, in many ways we have Robert Mondavi to thank for saving this lovely varietal from the many, many insipid sweet wines that went by that name. So Mondavi's Fume Blanc wine is Sauvignon Blanc (with a splash of Semillon). Mondavi's Fume Blanc leans toward the Loire style which is a little less "ripe" than the similar Bordeaux blend, hence the opening line in this review. Now, back to this wine... lovely appearance, clean, bright, watery appearance with just a tinge of yellow. The nose is clean, crisp, loaded with fruit (citrus, orange blossoms, hints of melon and peaches). On the palate this was a little lighter in body than the Gainey and while had similar notes and tastes was more zingy and zippy (drinking it side-by-side with the Gainey would be a good Bordeaux style vs Loire style comparison) with medium (+) acidity, lime, lemon and a touch of white peach and picking up just the slightest echo of slate in the medium length finish. This wine was made for warm summer afternoons spent with friends.Number of wines reviewed in 2010: 86
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