Tuesday, November 30, 2010

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Monday, November 29, 2010

Helfrich "Noble Varieties" Pinot Gris 2008

Helfrich "Noble Varieties" Pinot Gris 2008
Origin: Alsace, France
Blend: Pinot Gris (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: October 2010
Suggested Retail Price: $14.99

Our review: Ripe apple, honey, and orange blossom aromas are exhibited by this light amber-colored wine. The fruit flavors (pineapple, melon, other tropical fruit) on the palate are smooth rather sweet, though a bit of complementing tartness develops into the finish, which is relatively brief but pleasing.

Our rating: This is a bold, aromatic wine, one that has a dominant, though well-balanced, tropical fruit character. We were a little surprised at first (expecting something a little -- OK, a lot -- less assertive), but by the time we poured the last glass, were enjoying it quite a bit. We mispaired it slightly, serving it with a meal of chicken and rice; we think it would do better with certain Asian cuisines, and even some north African dishes. We rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "This wine starts rich and full with a round and opulent mouth. There are flavors of soft generous tree fruits such as apple, fig, peaches that linger with a silky yet refreshing finish. "

Winery website: None found.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Ventisquero "Reserva" Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Ventisquero "Reserva" Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Casablanca Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Straw in color, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit (melon, kiwi) with light citrus, floral, and a hint of herbal notes. Very fruitful on the palate, the flavors are well balanced; there is a slight lemongrass-like character that develops into the finish, which is pleasant but relatively brief.

Our rating: This is a delicious wine, and though the more typical citrus/grassy character of this varietal is not so dominant here, we certainly enjoyed it and think others would as well. It is well rounded, flavorful, and best of all, exceptionally food-friendly. (We served our bottle with a vegetarian pizza, but to be honest, it was mostly gone by the time the pie came out of the oven.) We rate Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Fresh fruit such as pineapple, grapefruit, papaya, lime, white peach, melon and pear together with mineral notes and nice acidity. Long and clean finish."

Winery website: Viña Ventisquero.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Poema Cava Brut NV

Poema Cava Brut NV
Origin: Penedès, Spain
Blend: Macabeo (40%), Xarel-lo (40%), Parellada (20%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: August 2010
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Lightly sparkling and pure gold in color, this wine has aromas of sweet tree fruit (peaches, pears) with some contrasting citrus herbal notes. Rather dry on the palate, the slightly tart fruit flavors take on a toasty character. The finish is surprisingly long.

Our rating: This is a very nice cava, one we enjoyed with a light lunch. We'd suggest serving it as we did, or as an aperitif or with appetizers. One of the better examples of this sparkling wine we've had recently, we rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent. And priced at just $8, it is an exceptional value.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Vibrant aromas of ripe peaches, pears and toasted bread with a hint of spice fill the nose. The palate is dry with a rich, creamy texture. Layers of flavor include orange rind and spice that persists through an elegant finish."

Winery website: None found.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The Royal Chenin Blanc 2009

The Royal Chenin Blanc 2009
Origin: Swartland, South Africa
Blend: Chenin Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Light gold in color, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit (mango, kiwi, a little banana) with notes of citrus and flowers. The fruit flavors are a little tart on the palate, though reasonably well balanced, with a little bitter honey emerging into the finish.

Our rating: This is an interesting wine, though not a complex one. We think it would pair well with a wide variety of cuisines, especially Asian inspired dishes, but we were a little put off by the bitterness of the finish here, giving it a harshness that seemed a bit incongruous with the rest of the wine's profile. Rounding the edges would have helped considerably here. Still, overall we still rate it Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Packed with upfront melon fruit, the nose charms with an abundance of guava and gooseberries as well as the signature hint of honey. The palate follows through with fruit flavors balanced by a crisp acid to ensure a fresh and fruity style of wine."

Winery website: Riebeek Cellars.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Starling Castle Gewurztraminer 2008

Starling Castle Gewurztraminer 2008
Origin: Germany
Blend: Gewurztraminer (100%)
Alcohol Content: 11.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Medium yellow gold in color with aromas of tropical fruit and floral notes with honey. The flavors on the palate are rather sweet and rich -- melon, banana, and blood orange -- with a full finish that adds a touch of spicy bitterness.

Our rating: We don't typically purchase this varietal, but occasionally we try to remember why that is. This particular bottle has some interesting complexity to it, but it almost seems overwhelming. The finish here is also a bit discordant. We rate it just Below Average, but admit, we may not fully appreciate what it brings to the table.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A soft, golden hue with fresh aromas of rose petals and apricots. It is semi sweet with a hint of spice and mild acidity."

Winery website: None found.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Bottega Vinaia Pinot Grigio 2009

Bottega Vinaia Pinot Grigio 2009
Origin: Trentino, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: This wine is straw-colored with gold highlights. The intense aromas are of tree fruit (apples, peaches, pears) with significant floral notes and maybe a touch of citrus (orange). Smooth on the palate, the fruit flavors are well balanced with a moderating acidity. The finish is somewhat one note and a little too dry, almost astringent.

Our rating: This is an elegant wine, with considerable complexity and depth. Very food friendly (there's really nothing that we think wouldn't pair well here), we consumed our bottle with turkey and all the trimmings -- a test run for Thanksgiving! (Truth be told, the bottle was half gone by the time the dinner was served, enjoyed with a small plate of appetizers.) Keep an eye out for this wine, which we rate Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Color: Pale straw gold. Bouquet: Alluring floral perfume of an intensity and persistence rare in a Pinot Grigio. Taste: Fresh, dry and flavorful with a firm structure leading into a lingering finish, it displays character and finesse."

Winery website: None found.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc 2009

The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: A pale silver-green in color, this wine has aromas of gooseberry and lemongrass with slight vegetal or herbal notes. The citrus flavors take a moment or two to develop on the palate, and are nicely balanced with just the right amount of tartness. Surprisingly, there's also a faint tingling sensation present. There is some minerality in the relatively short finish.

Our rating: Maybe it's our imagination, but it seems recent vintages of New Zealand sauvignon blancs have not been as aggressively citrusy as older ones. This one is quite pleasant, if a bit thin. We'd suggest serving it with most any seafood, or with a light lunch (which is how we enjoyed our bottle). We previously rated The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Above Average, which is about how we rate this vintage; it may be even better. However, the 2005 was priced nearly twice what we paid for the 2009; hence this is a much better value.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Colour: Vibrant with a crisp and subtle green hue. Bouquet: Dried herb and gunflint compliment gooseberry, passionfruit and pungent grassy aromas. Palate: Lime zest and white floral notes are framed by a structured yet supple mid palate. Mouth-watering acidity with the Awatere’s signature mineral background complete the persistent finish."

Winery website: The Crossings.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Winzer Krems Grüner Veltliner 2009

Winzer Krems Grüner Veltliner 2009
Origin: Austria
Blend: Grüner Veltliner (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: July 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Light straw in color with lightly scented apple and pear aromas. Crisp on the palate with a slight sensation of effervescence. The flavor profile is one of citrus, not too tart with a nice acidic balance. There is little finish.

Our rating: This is a fairly neutral wine that seems readily adaptable to many light dishes of a variety of cuisines. It's not a sipping wine, though. We served our bottle with lunch, which we think is probably most appropriate, and rate it about Average. (There is no mention of this particular wine, which has a surprisingly generic label, on the winery website; we previously rated the Winzer Krems Grüner Veltliner "Ried Sandgrube" 2006 Average as well.)

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Winzer Krems.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Rodney Strong "Charlotte's Home" Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Rodney Strong "Charlotte's Home" Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Northern Sonoma, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.8%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $10.99

Our review: Greenish straw-colored, this wine has a pleasing herbal citrus aroma with a little grassiness (maybe lemongrass). Initially quite smooth on the palate, the citrus flavors have a slight tropical character to them before increasing in tartness into the finish, which is nice and adds a little minerality but is otherwise unremarkable.

Our rating: We enjoyed this wine, serving our bottle with an Asian-inspired chicken dish. We think it may pair slightly better with seafood, though. 10% of the production was cellared in oak, which seems to have contributed to the wine's smoothness and added some depth. We previously rated the Rodney Strong "Charlotte's Home" Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Average, but we think this is a much better effort, rating it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Light, crisp, and highly aromatic, the warmer climate Alexander Valley fruit gives the wine ripe pear and melon character, while the ocean cooled Russian River fruit offers citrus, mineral, and traditional herbaceous qualities."

Winery website: Rodney Strong Vineyards.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Lagaria Pinot Grigio 2009

Lagaria Pinot Grigio 2009
Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Straw in color, this wine has aromas of ripe tree fruit (apple, pear). The fruit flavors are crisp and clean on the palate, where they are accompanied by a mild minerality. A citrus-like tartness develops into the finish, which is brief and lacks depth.

Our rating: This wine is light enough to be served with most lunches, chicken salad in particular, or with an appetizer platter of shellfish. But it also seems a little thin to us; had it been priced in the $5-$6 range, we would have characterized it as a "picnic wine", but it's far too expensive for that. We previously rated the Lagaria Pinot Grigio 2006 just Average, and we apply a similar Average rating to this vintage.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A brilliant, smooth, medium-bodied, fresh and well balanced wine; extremely eclectic with food."

Winery website: None found.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Mendoza Station Torrontes 2009

Mendoza Station Torrontes 2009
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Torrontes (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99 (1.5 L)

Our review: Quite pale, this silvery straw-colored wine has aromas of apple and green apple with slight herbal notes. Initially quite fruity on the palate, the flavors quickly become somewhat unbalanced, almost separated into multiple components that aren't harmonious. The finish has some mineral character to it.

Our rating: Wine doesn't get much cheaper than this, and while this example isn't likely to win any awards, it's not altogether terrible. It almost seems carelessly crafted, that the potential may be there but isn't realized. We consumed the bottle over three days, serving it with a variety of foods, and all paired reasonable well. And while that's usually a plus for us, here it simply reminded us of how generic this wine is. Score-wise, we were a little surprised to discover when we did the arithmetic, it rated on the very low side of Average. So maybe it's better than we think.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Great Thanksgiving Wines from Wine.com

Wine.com: Thanksgiving Wines

The Thanksgiving table is a smorgasbord of foods, flavors and family members. It’s a time worthy of some delicious wine picks as well. But what wine goes with what food? What’s good for a big family with an aunt who only drinks white wines and an uncle who will only drink Merlot? Choosing the right wine can be overwhelming, but Wine.com is here to help. Shop now for great Thanksgiving wines by clicking on the banner above.

For even more savings throughout the month, use one of the following November coupon codes during check-out:

NOV75: Save $5 on orders of $75 or more;
NOV300: Save $20 on orders of $300 or more;
NOVGIFT: Save 5% on any gift basket.

Coupon codes may not be combined on one order, and expire November 30, 2010.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Antica Corte Garganega / Pinot Grigio 2009

Antica Corte Garganega / Pinot Grigio 2009
Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Garganega (80%), Pinot Grigio (20%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $13.99 (1.5 L)

Our review: Light golden straw with somewhat subdued aromas of citrus, maybe a touch of tropical fruit, even lemongrass. The fruit flavors on the palate are slightly harsh, and have considerable mineral character, which is carried through into the long, but flat finish.

Our rating: We think the main advantage of this wine is its versatility, one that can be paired with a wide variety of foods. We served our bottle with mildly spicy chicken tenders and fried rice, not a bad choice but something a little more earthy would have probably been preferable. We previously rated the Antica Corte Garganega / Pinot Grigio 2007 on the high side of Average; we think this vintage is somewhat lower, though still Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Citra Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2008

Citra Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2008
Origin: Italy
Blend: Trebbiano (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $4.99

Our review: Greenish gold in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (peaches notably) and some citrus and citrus blossom. A bit thin, flavor-wise, on the palate, the fruit character develops somewhat into the finish, which adds a touch of minerality.

Our rating: This is not a remarkable wine by any means, but it's hard not to point out that it is a most credible wine at this price point. Sufficiently different from other standard ABC fare, we'd definitely keep a bottle or two on hand to serve with a light lunch, if only to keep things interesting. Though we rate it just Average, we think it's overall value is much higher.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Color: Straw gold with delicate greenish tints. Bouquet: Fresh and pleasant, with lingering citrus notes. Taste: Full, crisp, dry and harmonious."

Winery website: Citra Wines.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Pinot Evil Pinot Grigio NV

Pinot Evil Pinot Grigio NV
Origin: Hungary
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: 3L Box
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $17.99

Our review: Medium gold, nearly amber in color with aromas of apple, honey and spice, with faint floral notes. The flavor profile on the palate is similar, of spiced apples -- but there's also some initial bitterness that gradually fades ... but never entirely, extending into the rather undistinguished finish.

Our rating: We didn't enjoy this wine (and we had nearly three litres of it that we tossed, if that gives you any idea what we thought of it). If it were in a bottle, we'd almost say it was corked, but it is really its earthy spiciness that overwhelms here. Nearly undrinkable alone, its harsher characteristics are subdued a little -- a very little -- when consumed with food. It scores a few points for its nose, but otherwise, we rate it Inferior and do not recommend it.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Octavin Home Wine Bar.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Santa Rita Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Santa Rita Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Casablanca Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Light straw in color, with citrus (sweet grapefruit, orange) and lemongrass aromas. Very fruity on the palate, there's also a good acidic balance. There isn't much of a finish, though.

Our rating: We typically enjoy this varietal from Chile, and this example confirms our opinion. It embraces all the facets we've come to expect, but does so in a balanced, pleasing manner. We suggest serving with any fish or poultry dish, or even early in the evening with appetizers. We previously rated this winery's Santa Rita 120 Sauvignon Blanc 2007 just Average, but the present wine is a clear step up from this (and only $1 more), rating Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A brilliant yellow color with green hues. Its intense aroma is a fragrant blend of citrus fruit and maracuya with a herbaceous backdrop typical of this variety. On the palate, it is concentrated, with a pleasant acidity that highlights its freshness, firm structure and excellent persistence."

Winery website: Viñas Santa Rita.
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