Sunday, August 30, 2009

Melini Orvieto Classico Secco 2007

Melini Orvieto Classico Secco 2007
Origin: Umbria, Italy
Blend: Procanico / Trebbiano (65%), Verdello (20%), Drupeggio (15%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Golden straw with aromas of tree fruit and notes of apple blossom. Crisp and refreshing on the palate, a considerable spice (maybe nut-like) character develops accompanied by some heat that dissipates somewhat into the finish, which is complex and long lasting.

Our rating: We enjoyed this wine; it's very different from the typical white wines found in the US, and one worth trying. We're typically not fans of nutty wines, as it were, but here the character comes through more as spice than nut. We served our bottle with a chicken and pasta dish. Quite interesting overall, we rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "label: It has a light straw color, a fresh, subtle, delicate bouquet, and a dry, pleasant hint of almonds in the finish."

Winery website: None found.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Coastline Pinot Grigio 2007

Coastline Pinot Grigio 2007
Origin: Monterey County, California
Blend: Pinot Grigio (90%), Chenin Blanc (7%), Sauvignon Blanc (2%), Mixed White Varietals (1%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Golden straw in color, this wine has aromas of citrus and spice. The fruit flavors seem to cascade over the palate, a nice sensation. The finish, though, isn't all that memorable, brief and rather flat.

Our rating: This is a pleasant summer wine, good for a picnic or a lunch at an outdoor café. We served ours with a crisp green salad and fresh vegetables, a nice choice. Not a good value at this price; look for it a couple of dollars less. We rate it on the high side of Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "On the nose, citrus aromas of lemongrass complement melon and pear notes. The wine was tank fermented at cooler temperatures to retain these bright aromatics. The palate showcases bright fruit flavors of melon, pear and pineapple, focused mineral notes and a crisp finish."

Winery website: Adler Fels Winery.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Fess Parker White Riesling 2007

Fess Parker White Riesling 2007
Origin: Santa Barbara, California
Blend: Riesling (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $11.99

Our review: Crystal yellow in color with aromas of apricot and sweet plum and notes of honey and spice. Of moderate body, the palate is sweet but not cloying, and somewhat surprisingly lacking in distinct fruit flavor. The finish is pleasant, though relatively brief.

Our rating: This wine's complexity improves somewhat if served just slightly chilled. We served our bottle with a lunch of grilled chicken atop fresh summer greens and a sweet sun-dried tomato vinaigrette, a good pairing. It would work equally well with Asian cuisines. We rate it on the high side of Average. We previously rated the Fess Parker White Riesling 2006 vintage Below Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "While it is a slightly off-dry wine, it retains a bright, crisp acidity, and is perfectly matched to a wide array of foods. The aromatics and flavor profile are exotic and inviting, with mysterious notes of Lychee Nut and Tupelo honey on the nose and mouth."

Winery website: Fess Parker Winery.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Mountain View Monterey Highlands White NV

Mountain View Monterey Highlands White NV
Origin: California
Blend: French Colombard, Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer (percentages unknown)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: August 2009
Purchase Price: $4.99

Our review: Light yellow in color with aromas of tropical fruit and spice. Little fruit flavor on the palate; rather a chalky, mineral taste is most notable. The finish is brief, thin, and without character.

Our rating: Sometimes an inexpensive (read "cheap") wine tastes inexpensive (read "cheap"), and this is an example. There is little to recommend here. Despite a pleasant aroma, there is virtually no flavor to this wine and it's hard to imagine a food pairing that would improve it. We scored it Below Average, nearly Inferior. (Though the blend percentages are not known, we're inferring from the website that the wine is primarily Colombard and Chenin Blanc, with only a small amount of Gewurztraminer.)

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Mountain View Wines.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Folio Pinot Grigio 2007

Folio Pinot Grigio 2007
Origin: Veneto, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (85%), Pinot Grigio delle Venezie (15%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: A strong aroma of golden delicious apple and peach (maybe apricot?) is exhibited by this yellow-gold wine. The fruit flavors are muddled on the palate though, and accompanied by a flat, unpleasant chalk-like character. The finish is completely unbalanced and really quite distasteful.

Our rating: We're not sure what went wrong here, but there is little to recommend this wine. We tried different temperatures, with food and without, to no avail. It was one of the few bottles that we couldn't finish. From a scoring perspective, not undrinkable, but very, very close.

Taste profile from the bottle label: "Colour: Straw yellow with greenish shades. Bouquet: Vinuous, delicate, fruity. Taste: Dry, medium body, slightly bitter."

Winery website: None found.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc "The Fumé" 2008

Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc "The Fumé" 2008
Origin: Sonoma County, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Pale green with silver highlights, this wine has a surprisingly light fragrance for a "fumé blanc", with citrus and grass aromas being most discernable though there are definitely some interesting spice notes. Crisp on the palate, the fruit flavors are balanced with clean minerality, and the moderately long finish adds some complexity with just a touch of smokiness.

Our rating: American wineries are finally realizing that sauvignon blancs don't need excessive oak cellaring to produce a memorable wine. This one is particularly nice, the oak coming out in subtle, yet distinctive ways. We paired our bottle with chicken and risotto, a perfect choice. We rate it Above Average, maybe even a bit better.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Boasts flavors and aromas of citrus and tropical fruits expressed over a bright, yet rich mouthfeel. The wine was predominately fermented in stainless steel to retain the fruit aromatics and a portion was barrel fermented to increase the texture of the wine. A clone of Sauvignon Blanc called Sauvignon Musqué was used to add a hint of orange blossom and tangerine."

Winery website: Murphy-Goode Winery.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Finca Flichman Misterio Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Finca Flichman Misterio Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Green tinted straw in color with citrus and lemongrass aromas and very slight floral notes, this wine has a wonderful balance of fruit flavors and acidity on the palate. The grassy character is rather subdued here, adding interest and depth. The finish seems relatively brief, though tends to linger on the palate for an extended period of time.

Our rating: This is a rather nice wine, crisp and refreshing. Very food friendly, it probably best pairs with seafood (shellfish) though you could confidently serve it with most any dish. We actually served ours with a first course and it was delicious. Attractively priced, we rate it Above Average, Nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Yellow colour with greenish highlights. Citric aromas of lime and green aple. Notes of vegetable hints at the nose. Fresh in the mouth with good acidity and body."

Winery website: Finca Flichman.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Quivira Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Quivira Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Dry Creek Valley, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.9%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: July 2009
Suggested Retail Price: $18.00

Our review: Pale straw in color with silver highlights. A pleasing bouquet of tropical fruit with notes of orange blossom and just a hint of grass. Very fruitful on the palate and of medium body, there's a slight tingling sensation as the wine's flavors develop. A nice mineral balance is added into the finish, which is long and complex with an unexpected touch of spice.

Our rating: We greatly enjoyed this elegant and sophisticated wine, which we served with oven fried chicken and fresh garden vegetables; it can readily be paired with a wide variety of poultry, pork or seafood dishes. Its depth and complexity, as well as the gentle spice in the finish, suggests an oak presence though the wine received only stainless steel aging; a remarkable achievement. We heartily recommend this Excellent wine, which we believe is even better than the previous year's vintage, the Quivira Sauvignon Blanc 2007, a wine we rated just shy of Excellent.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Quivira Wine.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Firesteed Pinot Gris 2007

Firesteed Pinot Gris 2007
Origin: Oregon
Blend: Pinot Gris (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.4%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $11.99

Our review: Silver-gold in color with green tints, this wine exhibits a strong fragrance of green apple with citrus notes. Initially there's a sweet sensation on the palate but this is quickly replaced with tart, though well-balanced, fruit flavors. The finish is clean with a touch of spice, but otherwise relatively brief.

Our rating: This pleasant wine has an old-world style to it. Complex but not intimidating. We enjoyed it and suggest you set aside a bottle for that special Italian meal you've been planning. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Generously aromatic combination of Northwest coastal breezes and definitive orange-blossom, rose water and ripe peaches. Accents of the perfect perfume of gardenias and sweet spices. Richly textured and flavorful, the wine delivers weight on the palate that is nicely balanced by citrus notes and fresh acidity."

Winery website: Firesteed Wines.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Castano Macabeo Chardonnay 2007

Castano Macabeo Chardonnay 2007
Origin: Yecla, Spain
Blend: Macabeo (50%), Chardonnay (50%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $10.99

Our review: Deep gold, this wine has rich aroma of tropical fruit and sweet spice. It is of moderate body on the palate, full flavored. The finish is only slightly unpleasant, just a bit too chalky.

Our rating: Sometimes we err and pick up a bottle of white wine blend with over 30% chardonnay (our typical cut-off for this blog). So this entry is an anomaly. Still, we rather enjoyed this wine, despite (and almost certainly not because of) the chardonnay. Quite complex, this wine would best pair with (somewhat ironically) a simple dish, like roasted chicken with potatoes and onions. Our score: Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Clean and shiny to the eye. Subtle and delicate nose which stands out by its intensity. White fruit (apples and melons) and nuts aromas, gentle smoked reminders of its brief barrel aging and somehow tropical. On the palate it is silky, wide, with a slight bitter impression which provides it with consistence."

Winery website: Bodega Castano.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Phebus Torrontes 2008

Phebus Torrontes 2008
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Torrontes (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Yellow-gold in color, this wine has a primary citrus aroma with distinct herbal and spice notes. Rather tart on the palate, the citrus flavors are accompanied with a brisk minerality. The finish is lengthy, but possibly a little too dry.

Our rating: This would make for a fine dinner wine, which can confidently be paired with a wide variety of cuisines, though it probably works best with poultry. We previously rated the Phebus Torrontes 2007 Excellent; this particular vintage rates slightly lower, Above Average nearly Excellent, and is a great value at this price.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Light yellow colour. Delicate aromas of white peach, grapefruit and jasmine. On the palate the wine is fresh and very elegant. "

Winery website: Fabre Montmayou.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Kemblefield Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Kemblefield Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $9.99

Our review: This wine has a very nice bouquet of citrus and gooseberry with fresh grass notes. The fruit flavors are bright and clean on the palate, to which is added a brisk mineral character. The finish has an interesting subtlety to it, though a grapefruit flavor may be just a little too strong in the end.

Our rating: We enjoy New Zealand sauvignon blancs and this is one of the better ones. They really need to accompany a meal to bring out their full potential. We served ours with a vegetable risotto course, but it should pair nicely with a wide variety of dishes, especially vegetarian or seafood. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Kemblefield Estate Winery.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Abbeyville Fume Blanc 2007

Abbeyville Fume Blanc 2007
Origin: Napa Valley, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: This yellow-gold wine exhibits aromas of tropical fruit, honey, and spice. Though nicely balanced on the palate, there isn't much depth to the fruit flavors, which tend to feel flat rather than refined. The finish, in contrast, is far more complex with just a touch of smokiness.

Our rating: We're delighted that California wineries that insist on oak cellaring their sauvignon blancs are finally toning down the oakiness of the resulting wines. Though many still don't allow the subtle characteristics of this varietal to shine, it's a step in the right direction and an improvement over many other fume blancs we've tried over the years. Still, the disappointing palate here keeps this wine from being anything better than Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Chateau de Nages Reserve White 2007

Chateau de Nages Reserve White 2007
Origin: Costieres de Nimes, France
Blend: Grenache Blanc (60%), Roussane (40%)
Alcohol Content: 14.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: This wine is medium gold in color with aromas of apple and pear with citrus floral notes. Nicely smooth on the palate, the fruit flavors take on a tropical blend character. A brisk acidity develops in the extended finish that add a touch of heat.

Our rating: We served this wine with a selection of cold appetizers, but it would equally do well with grilled fish filets. The depth and complexity we found were unexpected in a $10 bottle of wine. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker (from the label): This unoaked blend is deliciously aromatic and displays white flowers, citrus and honey characters, good minerality, and a long crisp finish."

Winery website: None found.

Monday, August 3, 2009

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Sunday, August 2, 2009

Courtney Benham Gewurztraminer 2007

Courtney Benham Gewurztraminer 2007
Origin: Mendocino County, California
Blend: Gewurztraminer (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: This wine exhibits a bouquet of tree fruit and apricot aromas with significant floral and spice notes. The fruit flavors are full on the palate, decidedly sweet but tempered with some citric acidity. The finish has a smoked honey, distinctly spicy character to it, marred only slightly by some residual chalkiness.

Our rating: We'd recommend pairing this wine with a scoop of chicken salad on a bed fresh garden greens, or with a cold buffet of sliced meats and cheeses. This is a nicely refined example of this varietal; we rate it Above Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Martin Ray Winery.
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