Thursday, June 30, 2011

Santiago Station "Devil's Back" Sauvignon Blanc Box NV

Central Valley, Chile (wine review and rating)

Santiago Station "Devil's Back" Sauvignon Blanc Box NV

Origin: Central Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: N/A
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $13.99 (3L box)

Our review: Very pale straw-gold in color, this wine has aromas of citrus zest and lemongrass, with very faint floral notes. The fruit flavors on the palate are well balanced, citrusy but not overly tart. The finish adds a touch of slate-like minerality and is quite long.

Our rating: A week ago we reviewed a bottle of Santiago Station "Devil's Back" Sauvignon Blanc NV. At the time, we mentioned that we had also purchased the 3L box version of the same wine, and would be comparing the two. This is that comparison.

We've copied our taste profile from the previous review, as it generally applies here (though we though the box had somewhat more tree fruit character). But after pouring two glasses, one from the bottle and the other from the box, there seemed to be subtle differences between them. These include: the bottled wine is ever so slightly lighter in color, with more of a silver tint; the boxed wine has a more noticeable green apple aroma; the bottled wine is initially softer on the palate, developing an edge as it progresses into the finish whereas the boxed wine has a more uniform palette character.

Of course, because these are non-vintage wines, we have absolutely no idea whether this comparison is meaningful or not. Still, with the box priced at the equivalent of $3.50 a bottle, and both rated Above Average, we think the box is an amazing bargain. And probably better for the environment too!

Taste profile from the winemaker: None

Winery website: None found.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Pepperwood Grove Pinot Grigio NV

California (wine review and rating)

Pepperwood Grove Pinot Grigio NV

Origin: California
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.1%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $5.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Straw-gold in color, this wine has aromas of green apple, pear and lemon. There's a brief sensation of sweetness on the palate, which is followed by nicely balanced citric flavors spiced with a bit of orange zest. The finish is brief but cleansing.

Our rating: Though the flavor profile of this wine might suggest that it be crisp, there's a bit of softness here that gives it the potential to pair well with a wide variety of foods. We served our bottle with a luncheon consisting of several dishes, with this wine nicely complementing it all. We also think it would work well as a party wine to serve with appetizers and hor d'oeuvres. We rate it Above Average and at just $6, a very good value.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Beginning with hints of tangerine and pear on the nose and carrying through the palate with bright, tart apple and hints of meyer lemon.

Winery website: Don Sebastiani & Sons.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Santiago Station "Devil's Back" Sauvignon Blanc NV

Central Valley, Chile (wine review and rating)

Santiago Station "Devil's Back" Sauvignon Blanc NV

Origin: Central Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $3.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Very pale straw-gold in color, this wine has aromas of citrus zest and lemongrass, with very faint floral notes. The fruit flavors on the palate are well balanced, citrusy but not overly tart. The finish adds a touch of slate-like minerality and is quite long.

Our rating: We saw this new, very inexpensive non-vintage wine in the store available as both a 750ml bottle and in a box, and will take an opportunity review the latter (and compare to the former) in a subsequent post. At present, though, this is a very impressive wine at this price point. It exhibits the typical characteristics of this varietal from Chile -- less aggressive that New Zealand wines, more fruitful than California wines -- and is food friendly too. It's not perfect, by any means, its weakest attribute probably being that there isn't much depth to it. We think it probably best pairs with seafood, though it could easily be served with most Asian cuisines, which is how we enjoyed our bottle (with stir-fried chicken and vegetables). On its own, we rate it Above Average, but considering how inexpensive it is, this is definitely a label to consider for everyday meals.

Taste profile from the winemaker: None

Winery website: None found. We believe this is a new label for The Wine Group, our only evidence being that the company received a trademark for "Santiago Station" in April 2011.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Glen Ellen Pinot Grigio 2009

California (wine review and rating)

Glen Ellen Pinot Grigio 2009

Origin: California
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $4.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Medium gold, almost amber in color, this wine has aromas of spiced tree fruit, such as apple cider and perry. There isn't much fruit flavor on the palate, and is reminiscent of watered down apple juice. The finish is somewhat spicy, but otherwise not memorable.

Our rating: Yes, this is an inexpensive wine, but as we've discovered over the years, price doesn't always correlate well to value … or enjoyment. Unfortunately, it does in this case. We're hard pressed to find something positive to say about it, and about the only thing we can come up with is, we almost finished the bottle. We don't think any food pairing would improve it. We ended up scoring it Below Average to Inferior.

Taste profile from the winemaker: A light-bodied wine that bursts with flavors and aromas of citrus, melon and apple. With a clean, crisp finish this versatile wine is a perfect partner with seafood and stands up to spicy Latin and Asian cuisine.

Winery website: Glen Ellen Proprietor's Reserve at Concannon Vineyard.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Vistamar "Brisa" Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Central Valley, Chile (wine review and rating)

Vistamar "Brisa" Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Origin: Central Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $7.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Pale yellow with silver highlights, this wine is quite aromatic, with strong notes of citrus, tropical fruit, orange zest and lemongrass. The fruit flavors on the palate are a little unbalanced, with a significant astringency building into the finish.

Our rating: We're generally fans of Chilean Sauvignon Blancs, but this isn't one of the better ones. Serving with food helps moderate the somewhat unpleasant aspects of this wine, but there are so many other -- better -- similar wines to choose from. We rate this wine Below Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: This is pale yellow in colour with greenish highlights. It possesses strong aromas of tropical fruits such as passion fruit, white flowers, such as jasmine and orange blossom and touches of citrus. It is juicy in the mouth with a delicious acidity, making it a fresh and attractive wine.

Winery website: Vistamar: Wines of Chile.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Heron Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Napa Valley, California (wine review and rating)

Heron Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Origin: Napa Valley, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $11.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A green-gold in color, this wine has a very light fragrance, with aromas of lemongrass and bell pepper with very slight orange zest notes. There isn't much fruit flavor on the palate, but what there is is citric. Rather, the profile is more vegetal and mineral in character. The finish is very smooth, but doesn't really add much otherwise.

Our rating: This is a hard wine to define … and very unlike most other Sauvignon Blancs. There's a subtle richness to it, but where one might expect some varietal crispness there are rounded edges instead. According to the winemaker, there was no oak cellaring, but there's a softness, almost a creaminess, to the wine that seems to belie this. We were initially put off a bit by the minerality on the palate and some heat in the finish, but when consumed with food -- we served our bottle with baked chicken and risotto -- these factors weren't so obvious. Score-wise, we rate it Above Average, but this is probably one of those wines that will spark some discussion -- both pro and con -- when served.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Crisp, clean, vibrant citrus notes with layers of passion fruit and minerality lead to a long, refreshing finish. This unoaked Sauvignon Blanc is handcrafted from sustainably grown Napa Valley grapes.

Winery website: Heron Wines.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Frontera Pinot Grigio 2010

Central Valley, Chile (wine review and rating)

Frontera Pinot Grigio 2010

Origin: Central Valley, Chile
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $7.99 (1.5L bottle)

Our review: Light- to medium-gold in color, this lightly scented wine has aromas of apple and pear with just a hint of flowers. The fruit flavor on the palate is of tart, barely ripened apples, though there is some balance to the acidity. The relatively brief finish is a little too harsh in comparison to what preceded it.

Our rating: This is another of our efforts to identify inexpensive 1.5 liter wines to serve at outdoor summer gatherings. This particular wine is inexpensive, to be sure, but it seems to lack versatility. We served our bottle with hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecued ribs and chicken, and it didn't seem to accompany any very well. Indeed, the Frontera Sauvignon Blanc that we reviewed earlier this year serves this purpose much better ... at the same price. Maybe we should have served both, and asked our guests what they thought! On balance, we rate this wine on the high side of Below Average, and would steer you towards this winery's Sauvignon Blanc as a more attractive alternative.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Frontera Wines. This varietal is not mentioned on the winery website.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Cantine Riondo Prosecco "Spago Nero" NV

Italy (wine review and rating)

Cantine Riondo Prosecco "Spago Nero" NV

Origin: Italy
Blend: Prosecco (100%)
Alcohol Content: 10.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: This gold and silver colored lightly sparkling wine has aromas of apple and citrus zest with slight floral notes. A similar flavor profile is exhibited on the palate, slightly sweet at first before becoming slightly tart. The somewhat toasty finish has some mineral character, clean and refreshing.

Our rating: This has been one of our most commented upon wines, both for its taste and for the difficulty associated in opening the bottle. And it now seems that the winemaker has listened, for we recently saw a bottle in the store with a screw cap and just had to pick up a bottle (or two)! (We couldn't find an online image of this particular bottle, so we're using a picture we took ourselves.) In the past, we have very much enjoyed this wine; indeed, we enjoy most proseccos and cavas, but this particular label is among the best ... especially at this price point. We first published a review of it back in 2008, and more recently in late 2009, both times rating it above average. But we're scoring this particular bottle a bit higher, Above Average nearly Excellent, and suggest you try it sometime. And with the screw cap, it's especially easy to open and serve!

Taste profile from the winemaker: Appearance: White with gold highlights, fine and persistent. Aroma: Fresh, fruity and aromatic. Taste: Elegant with soft, lingering finish.

Winery website: Cantine Riondo.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Pacific Peak Pinot Grigio Box NV

California (wine review and rating)

Pacific Peak Pinot Grigio Box NV

Origin: California
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: N/A
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $10.99 (3L cask)

Our review: Golden straw in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (apples and pears), flowers (apple blossom), and notes of citrus (tangerine). The flavor on the palate leans more towards apple than any other fruit, with a slightly sweet sensation that quickly diminishes towards a more tart apple character. The brief finish is a bit on the acidic side, not exactly crisp, but not very memorable either.

Our rating: Box wines -- or, as this vintner prefers to refer to it, cask wines -- have the distinct advantage of retaining their freshness over a relatively long period of time, and thus are appropriate to have on hand when you just want a glass to accompany a quick lunch, but don't want to consume an entire bottle (even one with a screw cap). This isn't a bad example of an inexpensive box wine, though the flavors are a little thin and a bit muddled. We think it's best suited for that quick lunch mentioned above, or maybe to tap at an informal outdoor gathering of friends and family. On balance, we rate it on the very low side of Average (it is, after all, innocuous enough to be drinkable), but we're not sure we'd ever buy it again.

Taste profile from the winemaker: This wine has aromas of green apple, citrus and pear, a crisp and refreshing mid palate followed by a long smooth finish. (From the side panel of the box.)

Winery website: None.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Cool Fish Sauvignon Blanc NV

Napa Valley, California (wine review and rating)

Cool Fish Sauvignon Blanc NV

Origin: Napa Valley, California
Blend: "A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc from the Central Coast and Chardonnay from Santa Lucia Highlands"
Alcohol Content: 13.9%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $5.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Deep gold in color with copper highlights, this wine exhibits strong aromas of spiced cider and smoked honey, reminiscent more of a liqueur than a wine. The smokiness comes through on the palate as well with flavors of dried tree fruit (apricots, dates, figs), nuts and herbs. The finish is, given what precedes it, surprisingly mild and well balanced, and quite long-lasting.

Our rating: It's no secret that we're not fans of overly smoky wines, which we equate -- fair or not -- to heavily oaked chardonnays. The deep color of this wine probably should have been our first clue that it may fall into this category. Whether you like it or not will depend almost entirely on how much "oakiness" you like in your wine. We actually appreciate some of the depth exhibited here, and for a wine with a relatively high alcohol content, it is nicely balanced. Still and all, though the roasted chicken and potatoes we served with it paired reasonably well, it's really not to our liking and we rate it Below Average ... though we readily admit we tend to be biased against ABC wines that remind us too much of chardonnays.

Taste profile from the winemaker: It is crisp and delicious with just the right balance of acidity, and flavors that make it the perfect wine for seafood and any occasion.

Winery website: Cool Fish Wines. The bottle images on the website all depict dates, though the particular bottle we sampled is undated, hence we designated it as NV.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier 2009

California (wine review and rating)

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier 2009

Origin: California
Blend: Chenin Blanc (80%), Viognier (20%)
Alcohol Content: 11.8%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $10.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Straw in color with golden highlights, this wine has aromas of peach and melon with significant floral and herbal, almost tea-like notes. Creamy on the palate, the fruit flavors have a similar profile, more soft than crisp. A slight smoky heat develops into the finish (though this wine received no oak cellaring).

Our rating: This is a nicely crafted wine, complex yet refined with a lot of subtle aspects to it. We served our bottle with a simple meal of broiled chicken and garden salad, but think this relatively rich wine deserves a more substantial meal and believe it is best paired with more robustly flavored dishes. The winemaker suggests this blend be consumed young, within 2 years or so of bottling. We rate it Above Average to Excellent. We previously rated the Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier 2008 vintage similarly (for different, though not dissimilar, reasons).

Taste profile from the winemaker: A fragrant bouquet of fresh fruit notes including Asian pear, pomelo and lychee, touched with a delicate floral layer of jasmine blossom and kaffir lime leaf. On the palate, enjoy a slightly off-dry harmony of fruit flavors including honeydew melon, ruby red grapefruit, juicy white peach and crisp golden apple. Bright acidity and a clean, refreshing finish round out this wine.

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier 2009 may be available to purchase from Wine.com.

Winery website: Pine Ridge Napa Valley Wines.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Castillo de Molina Sauvignon Blanc "Reserva" 2009

Elqui Valley, Chile (wine review and rating)

Castillo de Molina Sauvignon Blanc "Reserva" 2009

Origin: Elqui Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $7.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Light gold with green highlights, this wine has pleasing aromas of gooseberry and citrus with notes of herbs and a hint of lemongrass. There's a nice citrus balance in the fruit flavors on the palate, not overly tart or acidic. The finish is relatively brief adding a touch of minerality.

Our rating: This is a delicious wine, another prime example of how Chilean wines typically strike a good balance in crafting this varietal, between the aggressive New Zealand style and the generally rather muddled and often cringe-worthy California "fume" style. (To be fair, many recent California Sauvignon Blancs aren't oaked any more.) We intended to serve our bottle with broiled white fish, but confess it was gone long before the main course hit the table. Still, we think it relatively food friendly, though probably best suited to accompany fish and shellfish. We rate it just shy of Excellent, and at just $8, an incredible value.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Color: pale yellow, with green shades, almost transparent, clean and bright. Aroma: marked by its freshness and intensity, with present citric fruits, such as grapefruit, and citric fruit’s rind, interlaced with notes to green chili, boxwood and mineral touches to gunpowder and sea salt. Palate: a vibrant wine, fresh, fruity and with very pronounced acidity and minerality. It stands out for its identity and freshness. Its notable volume leads to a long and persistent finish.

Winery website: ViƱa San Pedro.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...