Any offering from Kendall-Jackson bearing the Vintner’s Reserve designation will offer much more quality than its humble price suggests. A new addition to the portfolio is the 2009 Vintner’s Reserve Summation, an intriguing blend of 33% Sauvignon Blanc, 27% Viognier, 15% Chardonnay and the rest Semillon, Roussanne, Pinot Blanc, Riesling and Muscat Cannelli, all largely fermented in stainless steel and neutral oak. It is a terrific perfumed, juicy white displaying a rainbow of tropical fruits in addition to crisp acids, medium body, a dry, flavorful mid-palate and lots of purity. This is a pleasure-giving, exciting, dry white that sells for a song. The only problem is that it needs to be consumed over the next 12 months, before they release the 2010. Kendall-Jackson enjoys a well-deserved reputation for over-delivering quality vis a vis price for its wines.Tel. (800) 769-3649; www.kj.com

The winery tells us this is a blend of Loire and Rhone varieties. It’s crisp in the attack and followup, then shows its ripe fruit wit jammy apricots and citrus fruits. The finish is rather sweet.——S.H.(9/1/2010)—— 85