Steele Pinot Blanc

Pinot Blanc is a mutant clone (great title for a horror flick) of Pinot Gris, which in turn is a Pinot Noir clone.  Capiche?  The Northern Italians grow a fair amount of this odd grape (called Pinot Bianco in Italian) as do the Germans (who call it Weissburgunder).  Steele is the only U.S. winery from which I've tasted a P.Blanc.  It's an interesting, if slightly over-priced, wine:

The Skinny
Steele Pinot Blanc, Santa Barbara, '02 ($16.50)
Fair gold in color
Scents of green apple, pineapple, peach and pear along with vanilla (telltale oak hint)
A fairly heavy white wine with equally hefty acidity.  An interesting fruity, crisp feeling in the mouth.  Quite unique.
*** (3 stars out of 5)

Try it with Asian stir fry, pulled-pork or barbeque