1998 Morgan Monterey Malvasia Bianca

The 1998 Morgan Malvasia Bianca offers a pale straw, slightly golden color with brilliant clarity. The nose is quite forward, with intense aromatic qualities reminiscent of Alsatian Gewurztraminer. In the mouth, the wine conjures dry Muscat-like flavors and tangerine tones that are offset by gentle hints of peach. Rich and round on the palate, a bright citrus tang keeps the wine fresh and reminds you that this is indeed a dry wine, replete with all the finesse, delicacy and subtlety of Malvasia. True to this varietal's ancient Greek origins, the Morgan Malvasia offers the imbiber a taste of ambrosia, the heady wine of the gods - an experience not so easily forgotten. Enjoy!

With its full, ample flavors, rich fruit and aromatic qualities, we recommend the Morgan Malvasia with Asian cuisines and medium-spicy foods. Thai food and more complex Sechuan and Hunan-style Chinese dishes have proven to be especially successful with this wine. We have also enjoyed this Malvasia with roast chicken, stuffed turkey, and various pate's, including foie gras. Recently, roast duck with a peach glaze was also a hit, but the Morgan Malvasia is a wine to experiment with - so be daring! Remember, "no guts, no glory"!

Founded in 1982, the Morgan Winery produces wines of great style and distinction, primarily from the Monterey Appellation. The winemaking style at this estate emphasizes the fruit inherent in the wine as it is expressed from the vineyards with virtually no filtration for the white wines, and neither fining nor filtration for the red wines. Morgan produces a full line of expressive red and white wines. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and a rich, fry Malvasia Bianca comprise the white wine "carte". Meanwhile, pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel and a field blend called Crow's Roost round out the winery's red wine repertoire. In addition, Morgan also turns out excellent reserve bottlings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from selected barrels; each reserve bottling has sufficient structure to warrant several years of aging. In all, Morgan produces wines that offer the consumer a good dose of pleasure, as well as charm. How we wish more California wineries would adopt this estate's philosophy of producing flavorful, hedonistic wines.