While Castle Creek Uintah Blanc provided a similar label experience to Cyndi Lauper, there Chenin Blanc is a little more restrained.  Most of the climates where Chenin grows well aren’t high heat, so does Castle Creek Chenin Blanc buck the trend, or is it best to stick to cool climate?

Sight:   A deep, full gold

Smell:   Light smells of vanilla, apple, and pear waft out.  Other hints of fruit and stone come in, but the nose is very subtle.

Sip:  A mild sweetness starts things off, and hangs around as the body looks like it’s going for brightness, before just getting full on fat.   Notes of pineapple, almonds, honey, and cream all appear vaguely, with bits of minerality, before fading away.

Savor:  The ending leaves a sort of creaminess and touch of pineapple, but is almost oily in texture.

Castle Creek Chenin Blanc is so far past flabby, it’s gone fat.  If there were a brightness to back things up here, it might make more sense, but it’s not sweet enough to be dessert, and it’s not lively enough to scream for food.  All things considered, this seems like a fairly confused effort.  If you’re going for Chenin Blanc, skip Castle Creek Chenin Blanc, and head for South Africa or France.  If you have to stay Utah, try their Uintah Blanc.

Verdict:  Fat, Pineapple, Creamy, Oily
Rating: 54
Price: $12
Moab, Utah