Friday, July 30, 2010

Puerto Viejo Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Puerto Viejo Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Curico Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: July 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Very pale green in color with silver highlights with light citrus aromas coupled with some herbal and vegetal notes. Crisp on the palate, the tart citric flavors have an almost steely bite to them. The finish is rather weak and flavorless.

Our rating: This wine with its distinctive wooden label isn't quite as harsh as we may have made it sound, but it is bracing. Serve with a seafood dish, especially one that includes pasta. It rather grew on us as we consumed the bottle, but we suspect many will find the citrusy character a bit too intense. We rate it just Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Pale yellow with green reflections. Plenty of citrus on the nose with a touch of vanilla. Explosive attack on the palate with an acidity which maintains the freshness throughout the finish."

Winery website: Puerto Viejo Wines LLC.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Lunetta Prosecco NV

Lunetta Prosecco NV
Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Prosecco (100%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: July 2010
Purchase Price: $10.99

Our review: Light gold in color with silver hightlights, this sparkling wine has gentle aromas of red and green apple. Crisp and lively on the palate, the flavor is of a freshly cut apple couple with a very slight herbal character. The finish is toasty but brief.

Our rating: We enjoyed this delightful prosecco, as we often do, with a mid-morning brunch. Versatile enough to accompany the wide variety of dishes typically found on a buffet, it can also be served as a simple aperitif or with a light dessert. One to seek out, we rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Enticing aromas of apple and peach give way to a palate that is refreshing, and harmonious, with crisp fruit flavors and a clean finish."

Winery website: Cavit Collection.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Natura Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Natura Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Valle Casablanca, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: July 2010
Purchase Price: $10.99

Our review: Citrus aromas coupled with significant notes of fresh herbs and bell peppers are exhibited by this wine. The palate has a similar citrusy profile, but is also unexpectedly spicy. A brisk acidity develops into the finish, which continues to evolve the flavors.

Our rating: This is a rather unusual wine, very much a sauvignon blanc but one with its own distinctive character. Quite honestly, we weren't sure we were going to like it at first, but its depth and complexity turned us around. We served our bottle with roasted pork, possibly not the ideal choice but we think it worked out fine. Consider grilled fish filets or shrimp as a better pairing. Overall, we rate it on the high side of Above Average. Note: this wine is made with organically grown grapes.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Clean, clear, light yellow in color with a complex nose that features aromas of boxwood, herbs blended with citrus fruits such as lime and grapefruit. The boxwood and grapefruit reappear on the palate to highlight its freshness. This is a bright, pleasing wine with nicely balanced acidity and good persistence."

Winery website: Emiliana Organic and Biodynamic Vineyards.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Black Box Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Black Box Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: East Coast, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: 3L Box
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $17.99

Our review: Golden straw in color, this wine has aromas of grapefruit and herbs, and maybe a little gooseberry, with some pleasing citrus (primarily orange) floral notes. The fruit flavors on the palate are not expressive, a bit flat really, and paired with a somewhat aggressive minerality. The finish is brief, too dry, and not altogether memorable.

Our rating: We were rather disappointed with this wine, considering we're fans of this varietal from New Zealand. It's possibly best paired with seafood dishes, though we probably enjoyed it most when served with a simple sandwich and salad lunch. Like many box wines, it's hard not to argue value here at the equivalent of $4.50 a bottle; to be honest, we've had worse, much worse at higher, much higher prices. We score it on the low side of Average (just a point above Below Average). Possibly because we consumed it over the course of a few days with a variety of meals and simply got used to it, it may be a bit better than it scores -- it's certainly worth a try.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A fresh and zesty wine featuring aromas of herbs and tropical fruit. This wine blends crisp acidity and a rich, fruit sweetness on the palate with a clean, dry finish. This refreshing and lively wine pairs well with most foods especially white meat and seafood dishes."

Winery website: Black Box Wines.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier 2008

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier 2008
Origin: Napa Valley, California
Blend: Chenin Blanc (81%), Viognier (19%)
Alcohol Content: 12.8%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: July 2010
Purchase Price: $11.99

Our review: Straw-colored with tints of green, this wine has aromas of a blend of tropical (kiwi, melon) and tree fruits (pear, peach) with floral citrus notes. Of medium-body on the palate, the fruit flavors come alive, ever so slightly sweet at first before quickly being balanced by a mild acidity. The finish is clean and pleasant.

Our rating: We enjoyed this white wine blend. The two varietals work well together to form a well-rounded, complex wine, which can easily be paired with many cuisines; our choice would be Asian-inspired dishes. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Pine Ridge Vineyards.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Alma Mora Pinot Grigio 2008

Alma Mora Pinot Grigio 2008
Origin: San Juan, Argentina
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: July 2010
Purchase Price: $10.99

Our review: Medium yellow-gold in color, this wine has mild aromas of peach and apple with faint floral notes. Very smooth on the palate and more richly flavored than the nose might suggest; there's a good acidic balance. The finish has some mineral character to it, and develops a slight tartness.

Our rating: We are not aware of many Argentinian pinot grigios, but if this wine is typical of those from this country, it's delicious. Easily consumed as is (and we did), it should be very food friendly -- though we think it probably pairs better with meat dishes (chicken, pork) than seafood. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Porta Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Porta Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Bio Bio Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: July 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Straw in color, the tropical fruit (kiwi, papaya) aromas of this wine are highlighted with bright citrus and herbal notes. The flavor profile on the palate is similar in character, with a bit of minerality developing into the finish, which is quite long and slightly tart.

Our rating: A month or so we reviewed the Porta Sauvignon Blanc 2009, rating it Above Average. This bottle, from the Porta Reserva line, costs $2 more but we think it may be worth it. There's a nice complexity to this wine that will complement many meals, in particular Asian cuisines. Score-wise, this wine rates Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Bright, olive-green color. Very refreshing, good aromatic intensity with layers of tropical fruit such as passion fruit and mango that mix with citric notes and aromatic herbs in the finish. Good structure, long and juicy finish."

Winery website: Porta Winery.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Casarsa Pinot Grigio / Pinot Blanc 2009

Casarsa Pinot Grigio / Pinot Blanc 2009
Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (55%), Pinot Blanc (45%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $4.99

Our review: Straw in color, this wine has aromas of ripe tropical fruit, with sweet spice notes. Quite fruitful on the palate, the flavors are nonetheless somewhat unbalanced, with a somewhat aggressive acidity developing into the finish, which has considerable mineral character to it.

Our rating: We served our bottle with cold chicken sandwiches, not a bad choice considering. This is probably a decent backyard, picnic-type wine, but not one we'd serve at dinner. Overall, a bit of a disappointment that is reflected in our rating of Below Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker (from the label): "Refreshing citrus aromas and flavors of ripe apple and pear."

Winery website: None found.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Tin Roof Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Tin Roof Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Santa Rosa, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: July 2010
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Light straw with (dare we say?) tin-colored highlights, this wine has aromas of freshly cut citrus fruit with notes of orange zest. The palate is dominated by citrus flavors, but these are nicely balanced and accompanied by a gentle minerality. There isn't much of a finish, but it has a cleansing character.

Our rating: This is a very nice wine, especially at this price point. Less aggressive than sauvignon blancs from New Zealand or Chile, but also without the oak cellaring common of this varietal from California. Food friendly, you can serve this wine as is, or with appetizers or a green salad. We previously rated the Tin Roof Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Above Average to Excellent, and this vintage rates similarly.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Offers layers of bright, juicy, citrus fruit flavors that gain elegance from a refreshing, underlying minerality. It’s an ideal match for lighter seafood dishes, roasted chicken, Caesar salad and mildly spiced Asian cuisines."

Winery website: Tin Roof Cellars.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Cister da Ribeira White Wine 2008

Cister da Ribeira White Wine 2008
Origin: Branco, Portugal
Blend: Moscatel (30%), Viosinho (20%), Arinto (20%), Fernao Pires (20%), Gouveio (10%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Light gold with green highlights, this wine has a dusky aroma of tree fruit with notes of honey and spice. Very smooth, almost creamy on the palate, the fruit flavors are initially quite bold before mellowing into the exceptionally long, evolving finish.

Our rating: This is a very interesting white wine blend, best served with grilled fish or chicken. Take the time to savor the complexity of the palate; there's really quite a lot going on. Despite the temptation to call it slightly "oaky", especially in the finish, the bottle label states the wine experienced no oak aging. We rather enjoyed our bottle, and rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent. (Last year we rated the Cister da Ribeira White Wine 2007, similar bottle but a completely different blend, just Average.)

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Quinta de Ventozelo.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Sebeka Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Sebeka Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: July 2010
Purchase Price: $5.99

Our review: Golden yellow in color, this wine has aromas of apple and peach with pleasant citrus notes. Of moderate body on the palate, the fruit flavors are nicely balanced with an acidity that increases a bit into the finish, which is a little tart.

Our rating: This is an example of a wine that is better than its price may otherwise suggest. The flavors are fresh and crisp, its overall balance good if not exactly complex. We had previously tasted this wine years ago (Sebeka Sauvignon Blanc 2006) and enjoyed it, so had some idea what to expect. Still, we think it represents a very good value for a versatile, food-friendly wine. We rate this vintage well Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: None for 2008, but from the 2007 vintage, "A bouquet of gooseberry, herbal notes, and bold tropical citrus flavors accented by subtle mineral notes, evoking rich soil undertones. With a refreshing, dry tang, its crisp taste, bright tropical fruit flavors, and satisfying texture pairs well with Asian and Indian cuisines."

Winery website: Sebeka Wines.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: 3L Box
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $17.99

Our review: Yellow-gold in color with citrus-honey aromas and slight herbal notes, this wine's tropical fruit flavors are somewhat flat and little too astringent, lacking a bit in the fresh tartness that is more characteristic of this varietal from New Zealand. The finish is brief, though clean.

Our rating: This definitely isn't a sipping wine, but one best consumed with food. We enjoyed it most when served with chicken satays and a spicy peanut sauce. Maybe we simply got used to it over the course of several days, but our overall impression was higher on the last day than it was on the first. Still, it is at best an Average sauvignon blanc, though at the equivalent of $4.50 a bottle, it's hard to argue that is isn't a very good value.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Crisp and ripe fruit flavors of kiwi, pear, and green apple with distinctive mineral and gooseberry notes prominent. The stainless steel treatment assures that the wine delivers a crisp finish and fresh structure."

Winery website: Octavin Home Wine Bar.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Viner Pinot Grigio 2007

Viner Pinot Grigio 2007
Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Medium gold in color, this wine has rich aromas of tree fruit (primarily apple) with significant notes of honey and spice. Round and full on the palate, the fruit flavors have considerable oak character, the finish adding a bit of heat (rather unusual for such a low alcohol wine).

Our rating: Pinot grigios are rarely aged in oak, but this example strongly suggests it was, from its deep color to its strong "oaky" flavors. Not a sipping wine, but one best consumed with richly flavored meals. We (fortuitously) chose roasted chicken to serve with this wine, which worked out just fine. It's definitely a different -- and unexpected -- take on this varietal, but it's also possible the wine is simply past its prime. We generally try to select pinot grigio vintages that are only a year or two old, but clearly we didn't check the label closely enough when this bottle was purchased. It's not a bad effort, however, though we rate it just Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Eguren Viura 2009

Eguren Viura 2009
Origin: La Tierra de Castilla, Spain
Blend: Viura (100%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Pale straw in color and very lightly scented, with aromas of tree fruit (apple, pear) and notes of spice. The palate has more body than might be expected based on the color and nose, and is pleasantly fruitful though a brisk, somewhat astringent, acidity develops into the extended finish.

Our rating: We paired this wine with a meal of broiled chicken and risotto, which brought out some of its more interesting characteristics. You should be able to serve this wine with most roasted or broiled poultry or fish dishes, but don't overchill. Wines made from Viura (also known as Macabeo) grapes are best enjoyed young. We rate our bottle Above Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Mendoza Station Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Mendoza Station Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $5.99

Our review: Yellow-gold in color, this wine has aromas of fresh tropical fruit (mango, papaya) with slight honey and vegetal notes (asparagus). Very fruitful on the palate, the flavors are bright and nicely balanced with a moderating acidity. The finish is very lengthy and has some mineral character.

Our rating: This take on this varietal is ever so slightly sweeter than one might expect, distinguishing it from those of neighboring Chile, which are typically more tart and citrusy. Also in contrast to many sauvignon blancs, this one is easily consumed as an aperitif or simply enjoyed alone; it makes for a great summer wine. Best when served well-chilled. On the score sheet, it rates on the high side of Average, but priced at just $6, its value is much higher.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...