When I first was talking with friends about bringing back Utah wine, the response I go was pretty universal: “Wait?  You’re going to transport wine out of Utah?  You know most people are doing the opposite right?”  Yes, yes, Utah has one of the strictest sets of alcohol control in the country, but just like every other state, they’re home to several wineries.

Now, it’s important to note that when this idea started, I actually had bottles from other wineries.  As are the perils of air travel,  not all of them made it.  However, most of the Castle Creek ones did, so Utah week, is also mostly Castle Creek week.  Leading off is Castle Creek Uintah Blanc.

Sight: A pale straw color with watery edges.

Smell:  Pineapples and lemon pop out.  Starfruit, minerality, and papaya all come into play adding to a massive tropical fruit salad. There’s a huge brightness, and that wet stone comes in from time to time and flattens it out.

Sip:  A very mild sweetness comes into the start, and keeps things leveled with the massive brightness that builds.  A light body keeps things lively, as flavors of pineapple, passionfruit, and papaya all work in.  A lemony citrus and a touch of pith create a slight bitterness with just a bit of gaminess.

Savor:  The ending is very short, and leaves behind some minerality, lemon pith, and pineapple.

Castle Creek Uintah Blanc is surprisingly bright and lively with a great amount of fruit.  While it certainly wouldn’t be what I would expect from Utah’s wine scene, the flavors are like a Vouvray with a California fruit salad thrown in.  Despite this, some of the stone and pith notes get out of hand as you go, so it isn’t perfect.  Still, a great showing from Castle Creek Uintah Blanc that makes it worth a try, if you can find it.

Verdict:  Pineapple, Passionfruit, Minerality, Bright
Rating: 83
Price: $12
Moab, Utah