Monday, June 29, 2009

Freixenet Cordon Negro Cava Brut NV

Freixenet Gordon Negro Cava Brut NV
Origin: Spain
Blend: Macabeo (35%), Xarel-lo (25%) and Parellada (40%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $9.99

Our review: Silver-gold in color and very lightly fragrant, this sparkling wine is also lightly effervescent with very tiny bubbles. The flavors are of green apple and lime, a bit on the tart side with a bright acidity. The fruit flavors seem to intensify a bit into the finish, which is exceptionally dry and long-lasting.

Our rating: We’re not sure this cava works as well as an aperitif as it does as an accompaniment to a meal. As such, it is a very food-friendly wine. We served our bottle with a spicy vegetable omelet, soy sausages and fresh biscuits, a fine choice. We rate it on the high side of Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Crisp, clean and well balanced. The dosage is very dry, but the acidity is lower than most champagnes for a softer, smoother flavor. It is medium-bodied with apple, pear and bright citrus flavors and a moderately long and crisp, clean finish."

Winery website: Freixenet Sparkling Wines from Spain.

July Savings from Wine.com

Anything But Chardonnay ("ABC") Wine Reviews periodically provides our readers with current promotions that offer discounts or other incentives for purchasing wine or wine-related products and services through our partner websites. Below is an offer we recently received that we're pleased to pass on at this time.

From now through July 06, 2009, you can save up to 50% on great wines drastically reduced at Wine.com. Shop now for best selection as quantities are limited.

No promotion code is needed; wines priced as marked on website.

We also have two coupon code offers that provide savings through July 31, 2009:

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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Anakena Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Anakena Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Valle Central, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $7.99

Our review: Straw-colored with a very grassy aroma highlighted with gooseberry and citrus. Of medium body on the palate, this wine is very smooth with good balance between fruit and acid. The finish is quite cleansing and delicious.

Our rating: This is our third review of this winery's sauvignon blanc, and we remain enthusiastic fans. It is certainly our favorite sub-$10 bottle of the varietal, which we consider an excellent value. We previously rated the and Above Average, nearly Excellent. The 2008, possibly the best of the three, is comparable.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A delicate and crisp pale gold, this wine shows good aromatic intensity with notes of white peach and black current bud. At the palate it is elegant, fresh and with a long finish. Delicious as an aperitif or with poultry, seafood, salmon, and salads."

Winery website: Anakena Wines Chile.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Marques de Monistrol Cava Brut NV

Marques de Monistrol Cava Brut NV
Origin: Spain
Blend: Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada (percentages not known)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $9.99

Our review: Medium gold in color, this sparkling wine is lightly fragrant with aromas of tree fruit (peach and apple) with similar floral notes. The palate doesn’t quite adequately balance the fruit flavors with acidity, being slightly too acidic. There is a somewhat chalky character to the finish.

Our rating: This cava is best suited to be served with Asian appetizers like Thai chicken satays or Chinese pork potstickers. It doesn’t work quite as well as an aperitif or sipping wine. It’s interesting, but not memorable. Just Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Its tiny sparkling bubbles and enticing aromas lead to fresh fruit flavors and a silky, dry enduring finish."

Winery website: The Haciendas of Espana World.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

KWV Steen 2006

KWV Steen 2006
Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Chenin Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $8.99

Our review: Gold in color, this wine exhibits aromas of honey, tropical fruits, and flowers with a little hint of spice. Pleasantly sweet and fruitful on the palate, an acidity quickly develops that carries the flavors into the finish, which is distinctly spicy (think soft vanilla).

Our rating: A nice wine overall, but possibly a bit on the old side. We paired ours with a simple chicken and pasta dish, but think it may work even better with certain Asian cuisines. We rate it Average, maybe slightly better.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A briskly fresh and clear wine. Intense aromas with tropical fruit and floral flavours. Firm acids complements the wine well and adds to the clean style and dry finish."

Winery website: KWV.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Salute Pinot Grigio 2007

Salute Pinot Grigio 2007
Origin: Veneto, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $9.99

Our review: A mixed fruit, herbal bouquet is exhibited by this pale gold wine. Of light- to medium-body on the palate, the slightly sweeter than expected fruit flavors are weighed down by a chalk-like minerality. The finish is rather fruity, somewhat flat, but long-lasting.

Our rating: An Average, if unremarkable, pinot grigio that would pair well with most pasta dishes. At this price point, though, there are better choices.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Castle Rock Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Castle Rock Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Origin: Monterey County, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.8%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $8.99

Our review: Pale gold in color and aromas of grapefruit, melon, and honey with slight vegetal or herbal notes, this wine is incredibly smooth on the palate. The fruit flavors are initially quite prominent before a soft, spicy character (from oak cellaring?) comes through. The finish is quite complex and long-lasting, though a little too much smoky heat develops.

Our rating: We served this wine with a salad course, but think it pairs best with a vegetable risotto or a hearty poultry dish. It is a sophisticated wine that we rate Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "This elegant, medium-bodied wine is crisp and refreshing, with hints of citrus, apple, honey and melon flavors all blending into a smooth, silky, harmonious finish. It makes an ideal accompaniment for seafood, chicken, salads and vegetarian dishes."

Winery website: Castle Rock Winery.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Segura Viudas Cava Brut Reserva NV

Segura Viudas Cava Brut Reserva NV
Origin: Spain
Blend: Macabeo (50%), Parallada (35%), Xarel-lo (15%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $7.99

Our review: This sparkling wine is straw in color with aromas of citrus, butter, and herb with slight floral notes and large, long-lasting bubbles. There is surprisingly little fruit flavor on the palate, rather the flavors tend to evolve into the finish which itself is weak and somewhat flat and uninspired.

Our rating: We were disappointed with this wine. As a brut we anticipated it to be dry, which it was, but it was also unexpectedly lacking in flavor. We rate it Below Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Pale straw yellow in colour, elegant and harmonious on the nose, and fresh and well balanced on the palate, where the predominance of Macabeo is evident. Ample flavours and a persistent, fine mousse."

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva - Champagne & Sparkling is available to purchase from Wine.com.

Winery website: Segura Viudas.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Grao Vasco Dao White Wine 2008

Grao Vasco Dao White Wine 2008
Origin: Dao, Portugal
Blend: Bical, Cercial, Malvasia-Fina and Encruzado (percentages not provided)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $6.99

Our review: Greenish gold in color with aromas of citrus and tropical fruit with faint herb notes. Slightly sweet on the palate, the fruit flavors are accompanied by a subtle minerality that adds complexity. The finish, though exceptionally long, is rather flat and undistinguished.

Our rating: What a treat! We very much enjoyed this wine, which we recommend be served with seafood appetizers such as lightly fried calamari. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent, and an exceptional value.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A yellow straw hue and fine aromatic intensity with hints of white pulp and tropical fruit, as well as a mineral component that provides it with its freshness. In the mouth it is initially dry and has a lively acidity, well-balanced with the wine's fine body. Tropical fruits prevail in its suitably intense aroma. It has an elegant and lingering finish."

Winery website: Sogrape Vinhos.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

il Cortigiano Prosecco "Vino Spumante" NV

il Cortigiano Prosecco "Vino Spumante" NV
Origin: Italy
Blend: Prosecco (100%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $9.99

Our review: This lightly sparkling wine is golden straw in color with a fragrance of green and red apples with significant floral notes. Very fizzy, almost foamy, with tiny bubbles, the palate is dry and fruit forward. A slight nutty, almost oak-like, character quickly develops, not unpleasant but somewhat unexpected.

Our rating: This is a simple, but delicious wine. We served it at the high end of the recommended temperature range as it improved its overall complexity. Best as a sipping wine (we enjoyed ours watching the sun set), but would also go well with a light lunch or appetizer platter. Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Bright straw-yellow colour, white foam and a delicate and persistent perlage. The perfume is agreeable, typical and aromatic. The taste is dry, and pleasantly fruity. It is ideal as an aperitif, to serve with fish dishes or as a pleasant break during the day."

Winery website: Casa Sant'Orsola.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Chalone Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Chalone Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Monterey County, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.8%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $6.99

Our review: A pale silver-green, this wine has distinct aromas of fresh cut grass, bell pepper, and herbs with slight floral notes. Crisp and clean on the palate, the flavors initially lean more towards citrus, with a tropical fruit and mineral characteristics developing later. The finish is quite complex, evolving slowly and smoothly yet, unfortunately, diminishing rather rapidly.

Our rating: Another wine found in the bargain bin, priced 50% off. At $7 it represents a very nice wine at a terrific price. It's well-balanced and would be quite versatile as a pairing partner on the dinner table. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "On the nose aromas of lemongrass and mouthwatering tropical fruits, guava and passion fruit, mingle with a hint of lemon zest and grapefruit. Flavors of citrus, melon and spice delight the palette and senses."

Winery website: Chalone Vineyard.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Primosic "I Classici" Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Primosic "I Classici" Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Origin: Oslavia, Collio, Italy
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $8.99

Our review: Yellow-gold in color, this wine exhibits aromas of green apple, bell pepper, and sweet aromatic herbs. Of light- to medium-body on the palate, the flavors are similar to those noted on the nose accompanied by a mild acidity. The finish has a slight chalk-like character that's somewhat unpleasant.

Our rating: We served this wine with chicken sandwiches, and we think it would pair well with many poultry dishes. It lacks, however, the depth and complexity necessary to elevate it into the top tier of this varietal; we rate it at best just Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Straw-yellow with greenish shades, finely aromatic, delicate and dry wine. Both the bouquet and the taste recall yellow pepper, gooseberry, tomato leaf. Quite high alcoholic content, fair acidity, dry with a pleasant aftertaste."

Winery website: Primosic Wines.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Rondel Cava Pura Raza Semi Seco NV

Rondel Cava Pura Raza Semi Seco NV
Origin: Catalunya, Spain
Blend: Macabeo, Xarello, Parellada (unknown percentages)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $7.99

Our review: Gold in color with pleasant aromas of peach, mango, and honey, this wine is gently sparkling on the palate. There is a nice balance between fruit flavors and acidity, with a slight amount of sweetness developing into the finish.

Our rating: We served our bottle with a fruit salad, and saved some to create a delicious mimosa. It is a safe wine to serve with brunch, but also inexpensive enough to act as a mixer. It is best when well-chilled. We rate it about Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Give Dad the Gift of Wine This Year from My Wines Direct

Anything But Chardonnay ("ABC") Wine Reviews periodically provides our readers with current promotions that offer discounts or other incentives for purchasing wine or wine-related products and services through our partner websites. Below is an offer we recently received that we're pleased to pass on at this time.

Father’s Day is June 21st! Instead of a tie this year, give him a gift of wine to show just how much you care. With a multitude of 3- and 6-bottle selections from which to choose, you can find a great gift that's sure to please even the most discerning of Dads!

This year, give Dad a gift he'll truly enjoy. Enter coupon code DADS at checkout and save $5! Plus receive $0 shipping! (Offer expires 06/30/2009.)

Click on the banner link below to begin shopping for your Dad at My Wines Direct.

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Thursday, June 4, 2009

Coyote Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Coyote Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Origin: Santa Rosa, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $6.99

Our review: Pale yellow and lightly fragrant, with aromas of gooseberry and herbs with slight grassy notes. There's a good balance between the fruit flavors, but the acidity quickly dissipates leaving the palate slightly sweet. The finish is overly astringent with stone, or slate, characteristics.

Our rating: We served this wine with sandwiches and snacks, which was fine. For pairing, though, it would be better with poultry dishes. Priced about right, it's nonetheless on the low side of Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Coyote Creek Wines, a division of Alder Fels Winery. Though the image was taken from the winery website, no information about the wine could be found there.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Monte Clavijo Rioja Viura 2007

Monte Clavijo Rioja Viura 2007
Origin: Rioja, Spain
Blend: Viura (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $8.99

Our review: The color of straw, this wine exhibits aromas of tree fruit (notably peaches) with distinct floral notes. There is a good balance of fruit flavors and acidity on the palate but the finish is somewhat incongruous, with a nutty, almost earthy character, not unpleasant but rather unexpected.

Our rating: We served this wine with a soup course with which it paired quite nicely, but believe it is best paired with seafood dishes. We rate it about Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Save $50 on 6 or more Bottles during Wine.com's Cellar Sale

Anything But Chardonnay ("ABC") Wine Reviews periodically provides our readers with current promotions that offer discounts or other incentives for purchasing wine or wine-related products and services through our partner websites. Below is an offer we recently received that we're pleased to pass on at this time.

Save $50 off an order of 6 or more wines featured in Wine.com's Cellar Sale. These are ultra-premium wines that were bought at great prices and Wine.com is passing the savings on to customers. With any 6 or more wines from this Cellar Sale, shoppers save $50 when they enter the code FIFTY at checkout. Hurry, this offer ends Friday, June 5th, 2009, and selection is limited!

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