Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Montresor Trebbiano di Lugana 2008

Montresor Trebbiano di Lugana 2008
Origin: Lugana, Italy
Blend: Trebbiano di Lugana (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: August 2009
Purchase Price: $11.99

Our review: Pale gold in color, this wine has aromas of spiced fruit with hints of honey and flowers. Smooth and dry on the palate, the fruit flavors are somewhat muted, and accompanied by a soft mineral character. The finish is slightly nutty and of extended length.

Our rating: An elegant wine, its flavors are refined but rather subdued; it should pair nicely with richly flavored cuisines. We chose an oven roasted chicken and potatoes, which enhanced both the wine and the dish. Priced a bit on the high side, still, if you're unfamiliar with trebbianos this would be a fine one to try. We rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Straw pale colour with golden reflections; intense, nice nose. Dry on the palate, delicate and elegant with flavors of pear flowers."

Winery website: Cantine Montressor S.P.A..

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Casal Garcia Vinho Verde NV

Casal Garcia Vinho Verde NV
Origin: Portugal
Blend: Arinto, Azal Branco, Loureira, Treixadura (percentages unknown)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2009
Purchase Price: $5.99

Our review: Greenish silver in color, this slightly sparkling wine has aromas of citrus and peach with a touch of orange blossom. Crisp and dry on the palate, the flavor is decidedly citrusy with a distinct mineral character. The finish is brief but quite pleasant.

Our rating: This a most delightful wine, one of the best vinho verdes we've tasted recently. Though non-vintage, the serial number label indicates it was bottled this year; these wines are intended to be consumed as soon as possible. We enjoyed our bottle as an aperitif and with appetizers. At $6, it's a good value, and definitely one worth seeking out. We rate it well Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "The wine has a citrine color and a clear appearance with a very delicate and slightly fruity aroma. On the palate this is a fresh, smooth and well-balanced wine. Ideal with fish, seafood, Asian food and some white meat."

Winery website: Aveleda. Our Wine. Our Love. Our Life..

Friday, September 25, 2009

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (94%), Riesling (3%), Gewurztraminer (3%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: September 2009
Purchase Price: $11.00

Our review: Straw-green in color, this wine has aromas of citrus (notably lime), gooseberry, and hints of fresh grass. The flavors are quite smooth on the palate, the citrus (here more grapefruit) based acidity is balanced with just a touch of sweetness. The finish is rather tart but not excessively so.

Our rating: We found this wine to be very expressive, showing off many of the more subtle aspects of the varietal. It's not clear how much of the roundness of the wine comes from the blend, but we suspect it softens a bit the harsher edges of the sauvignon blanc grape. We downgraded it slightly as it seemed to lack some depth. Still, it's a very food-friendly wine, easily paired with most poultry or fish dishes, and we rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Displays varietally expressive lemon and citrus fruit aromas augmented by subtle herbal spice and banana tones. In the mouth, the wine is bright and fresh with rich mid-palate flavors of lime, grapefruit, and melon that pick up a spicy peach tone in the long, crisp, mineral-tinged finish."

Winery website: Robert Mondavi Private Selection Wines.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Montes "Limited Selection" Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Montes "Limited Selection" Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Leyda Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Very fragrant, this pale gold wine has classic varietal aromas of gooseberry and grass with slight notes of pineapple and maybe a hint of sweet asparagus. Very crisp on the palate, the flavors are more citrus-like, and accompanied by a brisk minerality. Though no oak was used to create the wine, the extended finish has an oak-like character, a little woodsy and spicy.

Our rating: Individually there would seem to be a lot to like in this wine, but overall we weren't totally impressed. The finish is the most displeasing aspect; normally a lengthy finish is an asset, but we were hoping the earthiness here would have ended a bit sooner. Or at least have been balanced with a bit of fruitiness. It's a fine pairing wine, working well with most poultry or seafood dishes, and the elegantly designed bottle would look terrific at a formal dinner party. Still, despite the disappointing finish, it scores reasonably well, and rates an Above Average from us. We previously rated the Montes "Classic Series" Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Below Average (for similar reasons).

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Very powerful. To the palate it is refreshingly crisp, sparkling with softness and sumptuous. Great complexity of tropical fruits with citric accents, high acidity and low Ph contribute to the impressive overall freshness and high minerality. An allowing edge, great name, a joyful wine which lingers and has an impressively long finish."

Winery website: Vina Montes.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Volteo Viura + Viognier + Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Volteo Viura + Viognier + Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Spain
Blend: Viura (50%), Sauvignon Blanc (35%), Viognier (10%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Silver-gold in color, this wine has a very pleasing tropical fruit and citrus blend aroma with just a hint of grass. Nicely balanced on the palate and quite smooth, the fruit flavors are accompanied by a crisp mineral character. The finish is exceptionally long but somewhat one-dimensional, lacking depth.

Our rating: We generally haven't rated viuras very highly, but this blend with sauvignon blanc and viognier is rather interesting. We served our bottle with grilled chicken and french fried potatoes, but we think seafood may be a better choice for pairing. Definitely a wine to consider when looking for something different, we rate it Above Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Volteo Wines.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

il Cortigiana Prosecco "Vino Frizzante" NV

il Cortigiana Prosecco "Vino Frizzante" NV
Origin: Veneto, Italy
Blend: Prosecco (100%)
Alcohol Content: 10.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: August 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Golden straw in color, this wine has aromas of green apple and white pear with some slight sweet, honey-like notes. Only ever so slightly sparkling, there is a lot of fruit flavor on the palate, and semi-dry (not exactly sweet, but a sensation of such). The finish is on the dry side, though, and somewhat flat.

Our rating: This is a nice prosecco, but we actually prefer the il Cortigiano Prosecco Vino Spumante, with its foamy bubbles and drier character. This wine is fine, though, for outdoor brunches or get-togethers with friends and family. We rate it on the high side of Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A bright straw-yellow colour. The typical fruity perfume is pleasant. The taste is dry, agreeable and aromatic."

Winery website: Sant'Orsola.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Line Shack Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Line Shack Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Origin: Monterey County, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.8%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: August 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Metallic straw in color and very lightly fragrant with aromas of tropical fruit and citrus. The blended fruit flavors on the palate are similar in nature, though not pronounced, and are accompanied by a clean, slate, mineral character. The finish is extended and of interest.

Our rating: This is a very nice wine, and one that can readily accompany a wide variety of dishes. For a wine with a relatively high alcohol content, it's surprisingly gentle. We served our bottle with cold sliced chicken breast and a fresh summer salad. We rate it well Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Dry and stylish, crisp and refreshing yet fuller and more generous than you expect with layers of tangy citrus, pineapple and melon aromas with a clean crisp enjoyably long finish."

Winery website: Line Shack Wine.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

La Vieille Ferme White Wine 2008

La Vieille Ferme White Wine 2008
Origin: Rhone Valley, France
Blend: Grenache Blanc (30%), Bourboulenc (30%), Ugni Blanc (30%), Roussanne (10%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2009
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Pale yellow in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (pear, apple) with distinct notes of tree nuts. The fruit and nut flavors are initially nicely balanced on the palate, but then seem to dissipate. The finish has a mineral, almost chalky character and becomes increasingly unbalanced and astringent.

Our rating: This is not a sipping wine and must be paired with the right food to bring out its best character. We served our bottle with a tomato-based dish; the acid in the food complemented the wine nicely, improving it dramatically. It also seemed to help allowing the wine to remain open for 10-15 minutes. Paired with the right cuisine, this wine would rate on the high side of Average. But alone or with the wrong dish, it's likely to be perceived as Below Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Appearance: bright pale yellow with hints of green. Nose: green fruit, corn and hazel-nuts. Palate: soft, balanced and deliciously aromatic. "

Winery website: La Vielle Ferme, Cotes du Luberon.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Montresor Soave Classico 2008

Montresor Soave Classico 2008
Origin: Soave, Italy
Blend: Garganega (80%), Trebbiano di Soave (20%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: August 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Yellow-green in color, this wine is lightly aromatic, with notes of citrus and light spice. The palate is surprisingly fruitful in contrast, clean and fresh with moderate acidity and some mineral character. The finish is lengthy with a bit of heat, but otherwise unremarkable.

Our rating: Not a complex wine, but interesting nonetheless. We enjoyed our bottle with breaded chicken tenders and stir-fried vegetables, with which it paired nicely. It seems priced a little high at $10 for what we rate an Average wine.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Clear pale yellow in colour, with greenish reflections. Fresh and slightly fruity bouquet with delicate aromas of acacia and elder blossoms. Dry, with an almond and honey aftertaste."

Winery website: Cantine Montressor S.P.A..

Friday, September 11, 2009

Brancott Pinot Grigio 2008

Brancott Pinot Grigio 2008
Origin: South Island, New Zealand
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2009
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Golden straw in color, this wine has a very pleasing bouquet of tropical fruit with sweet spice notes. Clean and crisp on the palate, the fruit flavors develop slowly, deepening into the finish, which itself has an interesting combination of spiciness and a touch of sweetness that provides a nice symmetry to the wine.

Our rating: We completely mispaired this wine when we tasted it, not expecting one of such richness and depth. Though it worked well with our sandwich and salad platter, it would excel with a more complete meal where its subtleties would really shine. We think it's quite versatile in this regard, and suggest you try it with grilled fish or chicken. Quite possibly the best of this varietal we've tasted, we rate it Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Pale straw in colour the wine exhibits aromas of fresh pear, hints of tropical fruit and subtle spice highlights. These characters follow through onto the palate where they are combined with ripe, citrus flavours and an enveloping texture. The palate is lingering and culminates with natural sweetness and balanced acidity."

Winery website: Brancott Wines, New Zealand.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

McManis Pinot Grigio 2008

McManis Pinot Grigio 2008
Origin: California
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Pale yellow in color with aromas of apple and pear with slight caramel notes. Slightly fizzy when poured, the wine is silky smooth on the palate with fruit flavors balanced with a gentle acidity. The finish has a slight citrus character and is clean and refreshing.

Our rating: This wine was an unexpected pleasure. Pinot grigios from California are rarely memorable, but this one is clearly an exception. This Excellent wine can be paired with most poultry or vegetarian dishes. At less than $10 a bottle it is an outstanding value.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Light straw in color with aromas of grapefruit, lemon lime and green apple. The wine is crisp in the mouth and finishes clear with dominating citrus flavors."

Winery website: McManis Family Vineyards.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Codorniu Original Cava NV

Codorniu Original Cava NV
Origin: Spain
Blend: Macabeo (40%), Parellada (30%), Xarel·lo (20%), Reserve wine (10%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: August 2009
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Golden yellow in color, this lightly sparkling wine has aromas of spicy apple and nuts. The flavors on the palate are similar, dry and nicely balanced though initially there is an ever so brief hint of sweetness. There isn't much finish, but it's clean and refreshing.

Our rating: We don't have much experience with cavas, this being only our 6th or 7th bottle, but it is the best we've tried so far. It has an interesting complexity that was both unexpected and welcome. We enjoyed ours with a fresh summer salad, a perfect choice. Though sparkling wines are intended to be served very cold, we found this one improved a bit once it was opened and allowed to warm slightly, albeit at the expense of fewer bubbles in the glass. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Colour: It has a bright, pale straw yellow colour. Aroma: Interesting fruity nose due to the blend of three typical grapes together with the reserve wine. Flavour: Reserve wine also adds depth and flavour to this crisp Cava."

Winery website: Codorniu: Los Origenes del Cava..

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Fish Eye Pinot Grigio 2008

Fish Eye Pinot Grigio 2008
Origin: California
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2009
Purchase Price: $6.99

Our review: Straw colored, this wine has aromas of apple and peach with slight spicy notes. A little citrusy tart on the palate, the fruit flavors are somewhat flat and not refined. The finish is slightly chalky.

Our rating: This wine may be suitable for a casual picnic lunch but little else. It's not unpleasant, merely unrefined and unmemorable. Even at $7 there are better, much better, choices. Our rating: On the very low side of Below Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "There's a spirited and fresh infusion of ripe melon, apricot and white ginger with intense citrusy notes of grapefruit and mineral that lingers on the finish."

Winery website: Fish Eye Wines.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Quinta de Azevedo Vinho Verde 2008

Quinta de Azevedo Vinho Verde 2008
Origin: Portugal
Blend: Loureiro (70%), PedernĂ£ (30%)
Alcohol Content: 10.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: August 2009
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Pale yellow with green tints and aromas of citrus and apricot and faint notes of orange blossom. A gentle effervesence accompanies the citrus-dominated fruit flavor on the palate and is nicely balanced with some mineral character. The finish is smooth and lengthy.

Our rating: Vinho Verde wines have come a long way in recent years, and it is still unusual to come across a specific vintage from a single vineyard. This particular "green" wine is quite pleasant and can easily be enjoyed as an aperitif. But to enjoy its full complexity, we suggest you pair it with an appetizer or salad course. Our score: Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A light, yellow, citrus-like hue, very clear and appealing. Its bouquet is intense and complex with notes of white fruits, tropical fruits, citrus and white flowers. In the mouth, the first impression is of a lively and stimulating wine, with good acidity and well balanced with good body. It has an intense and complex flavour with notes similar to those identified in the bouquet, and a long and lingering finish."

Winery website: Sogrape Brands.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Sauvion Muscadet Sevre et Maine 2006

Sauvion Muscadet Sevre et Maine 2006
Origin: Loire Valley, France
Blend: Melon de Bourgogne (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Lemon yellow in color, this aromatic wine exhibits distinctive tropical fruit and floral, herbal and spice notes. Quite pleasing on the palate, almost creamy, there is an abundance of fruit flavor. The finish is clean, though rather flat without much character.

Our rating: This is a good everyday meal wine, capable of pairing nicely with a wide variety of cuisines. We served our bottle at a Sunday brunch buffet that included a number of dishes. It would even work well as sipping wine on a lazy afternoon. We rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Aromas: Mint, linden flower, green apple. Style: Bone dry, fresh, crisp, snappy, clean, light, refreshing."

Winery website: Sauvion.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...