Thursday, November 8, 2012

Schmitt Söhne Liebfraumilch 2010

Schmitt Söhne Liebfraumilch 2010 (wine review and rating)

Schmitt Söhne Liebfraumilch 2010

Origin: Rhine Region, Germany
Blend: Riesling, Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau and Kerner (unknown percentages)
Alcohol Content: 9.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2012
Purchase Price: $4.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Light straw-gold in color, this wine has aromas of peach and flowers, with notes of orange. Soft on the palate, the fruit flavors — and orange seems to be the primary one here — tend to be on the sweet side but there's a nice moderating acidity that balances the sweetness. The finish is quite clean.

Our rating: We had forgotten that two years ago we reviewed the 2008 vintage of this wine. It wasn't until we were preparing this review that we found our previous one … and obviously we were not altogether impressed back then. However, that's not at all what we think of this bottle, which we found delightfully refreshing. We elected to enjoy it as an aperitif, a simple end-of-afternoon/pre-dinner glass, and found it just about perfect as such. Indeed, we think it would make for an ideal friends and family gathering-style wine, one to serve with appetizers or hors d'oeuvres, a wine that would pair well with almost any food. Overall, we rate it well Above Average and, given its very attractive price, highly recommended.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Schmitt Söhne GmbH.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Villa Pozzi Pinot Grigio 2011

Villa Pozzi Pinot Grigio 2011 (wine review and rating)

Villa Pozzi Pinot Grigio 2011

Origin: Sicilia, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: October 2012
Suggested Retail Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Light yellow-gold in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (notably peaches) with notes of spice. On the palate the wine is soft, almost creamy, with flavors of apple, perry, and citrus zest. The slightly aggressive finish has quite a bit of mineral character to it, though it tapers off nicely.

Our rating: We chose to enjoy our bottle with a meal of chicken tenders, asparagus, and farfalle tossed in a bit of olive oil, with which it paired very well. Unlike Pinot Grigios from northern Italy, which tend to be lighter and can typically be enjoyed alone or as aperitifs, this wine needs food to bring out its best qualities, and is probably best served with relatively simple, lightly seasoned poultry and/or vegetable dishes. (We don't see it pairing as well with seafood or with spicy cuisines.) A good family dinner-style wine, we rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Bright aromas of peach and cream, apple and nougat with a silky dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a crisp, orange, melon, and straw accented finish. Delicious and balanced.

Winery website: None found.

This bottle of wine was received as a sample for review. No promise was given or implied that it would be the subject of an endorsement or review, either positive or negative.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Jean-Claude Debeaune "Special Selection" Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Jean-Claude Debeaune

Jean-Claude Debeaune "Special Selection" Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Origin: Pays d'Oc, France
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: August 2012
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Light yellow with significant tints of green, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit — mango, banana, pineapple — with just a hint of spice (vanilla). Rather crisp on the palate, the flavor profile is similar to that of the nose, with maybe some green apple blended in. The finish is slightly astringent with a bit of an earthy character.

Our rating: This is an interesting example of this varietal. We enjoyed our bottle with grilled fish fillets, with which it paired nicely, though possibly not as well as some of the more citrusy examples from New Zealand or Chile. We think Asian cuisines might be a better pairing overall. The finish was a bit disharmonious, lowering it score a bit, but still we rate it Above Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Saladini Pilastri Falerio dei Colli Ascolani 2011

Saladini Pilastri Falerio dei Colli Ascolani 2011 (wine review and rating)

Saladini Pilastri Falerio dei Colli Ascolani 2011

Origin: Italy
Blend: Chardonnay (50%), a blend of Pecorino, Sauvignon Blanc, Fiano, Pinot Biano, and Falanghina (50%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: September 2012
Suggested Retail Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Light golden yellow in color with green highlights, this wine has aromas of apples and other tree fruit (notably pears) with just a hint of citrus zest. Crisp on the palate, the flavor profile is a cross between a Granny Smith and a Gala apple, some tartness balanced with a touch of sweetness. An earthy, almost smoky character develops into the moderately long finish.

Our rating: We're bending one of our rules here, reviewing a wine that has as its dominant grape Chardonnay. We typically limit its presence in wine we review to 30% or less, but we were unfamiliar with this Italian blend and agreed to accept a sample for review. We assumed — incorrectly — that it would consist primarily of more typical Italian grapes. (As an aside, we do drink Chardonnay on occasion, and would never refuse a glass if offered, but prefer ABC-style wines.)

We guessed right and enjoyed our bottle with roasted chicken. This is not a delicate wine by any means, and can hold its own against a more substantial meal. We suspect it would pair well with most roasted meats, in particular turkey or pork, though we don't see it as a seafood wine at all. We liked the depth exhibited here, but knocked off a couple of points for the rather heavy and somewhat intrusive finish. Overall, we consider this family dinner-style wine to be Above Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Saladini Pilastri. This wine is made with organic grapes. Though this wine is mentioned on the winery's website, the sample we reviewed is very different from that described on the website (as of the date of this review). We're guessing that this is one of those blended wines that receives a different composition every year, depending on the quality of the available grapes.

This bottle of wine was received as a sample for review. No promise was given or implied that it would be the subject of an endorsement or review, either positive or negative.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Bellini Frascati 2011

Bellini Frascati 2011 (wine review and rating)

Bellini Frascati 2011

Origin: Italy
Blend: Malvasia Bianca di Candia (50%), Trebbiano Toscano (40%), Malvasia del Lazio (10%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: August 2012
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Pale greenish yellow in color, this wine has aromas of green apple, citrus zest, and a hint of spice. Nicely balanced on the palate, the fruit flavors are crisp and just slightly tart, and lean very much towards apple in character. The lengthy finish adds a soft touch minerality.

Our rating: This is a very nice wine, light and refreshing. The blend may be slightly different than that indicated above as we took it from a previous vintage, but it strikes a lot of right notes. We chose to serve our bottle with grilled chicken and vegetables, and found it paired very well. We think lighter dishes probably are best here: salads, vegetarian meals, simply prepared chicken or fish. Overall, we score it well Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: A crisp, fresh white with vibrant acidity, brimming with notes of melon, apple and quince. Easy to enjoy, this crowd-pleasing Italian blend will enhance shellfish, light pasta dishes and fresh salads.

Winery website: Cantine Fratelli Bellini. This wine is not mentioned on the winery website.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Hermes Roditis 2011

Hermes Roditis 2011 (wine review and rating)

Hermes Roditis 2011

Origin: Patras, Greece
Blend: Roditis (100%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: August 2012
Purchase Price: $7.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Exceptionally pale straw in color, this wine is very lightly scented, with aromas of tree fruit (apple and pear) and possibly a hint of spice. The palate seems very thin at first, with almost no flavor whatsoever … and it really doesn't develop much afterwards, reminiscent at its peak of weak cider or perry. A slight smokiness appears in the finish, nothing too dramatic, but definitely present.

Our rating: We're not quite sure what to make of this wine. We served our bottle with a simply prepared chicken dish, which was fine but the wine did little to add to the meal nor did the meal enhance the wine in any way. We'd be hard pressed to say what we think would pair well here. The wine is light and dry and really rather timid. We didn't not like it, we simply didn't find it memorable in any way. We score it on the very low side of Average, but we're wondering if that's being generous.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Soft and fresh with subtle flavor and hints of creamy finish. A gentle wine with attractive body.

Winery website: None found.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Forever Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Forever Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (wine review and rating)

Forever Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Origin: Monterey, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: August 2012
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Straw in color with gold highlights, this wine has aromas of lemon and citrus zest, with fainter notes of grass and tree fruit, notably pears. The initial sensation on the palate is one of sweetness but that is rapidly replaced with a rounded citrus character, not quite tart but not sweet either. There isn't much of a finish.

Our rating: This is an unusual example of a California Sauvignon Blanc. It has received no oak yet it has a softness that gives it depth. It is really quite flavorful, but the flavors vanish almost as quickly as they develop. We enjoyed our bottle with simply prepared chicken, which in terms of protein we think is the right choice here, though we're guessing it would have been better had it been an Asian-inspired meal. We can also see serving it at a brunch, where a variety of foods might be available. The bottom line is, it's quite versatile, more so than with many others from this region. We rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Beautifully balanced with flavors of lemon, citrus and pear. Aromas of lemon meringue and grapefruit carry through to the palate for a juicy finish. Pairs perfectly with fruits, cheeses, seafood and poultry.

Winery website: Forever Vineyards.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Voga Italia Pinot Grigio 2011

Voga Italia Pinot Grigio 2011 (wine review and rating)

Voga Italia Pinot Grigio 2011

Origin: Trentino and Veneto, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: August 2012
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Pale greenish-gold in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (notably apples) with very soft hints of flowers, maybe even vanilla. The fruit flavors on the palate are similar to that of the nose, and with a bit more body than one might expect. The finish is relatively brief, and has a bit of apple zest to it.

Our rating: This wine comes in a cylindrical shaped bottle, the cork hidden behind a cap that is screwed off. The marketing clearly suggests the wine is modern but in some ways it quite traditional. Initially we were expecting a light, summer-type wine but we were surprised at the depth of character here. It can easily be consumed on its own, but we'd suggest pairing it with something light, sandwiches or salads, or an appetizer platter. It is very food friendly and should go well with most any dish. We rate it Above Average, maybe a tad higher.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Full and rich, with fresh ripe apple and pear aromas, and delicious juicy flavors.

Winery website: Voga Italia.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Porta Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Porta Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (wine review and rating)

Porta Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Origin: Bio Bio Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2012
Purchase Price: $6.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Lemon yellow in color with straw highlights, this wine has aromas of citrus (grapefruit), tropical fruit (mango), and lemongrass with faint notes of orange blossom. The fruit flavors are very smooth and nicely blended on the palate, dissipating slowly and leaving a relatively soft, slate-like minerality in their place, which is accompanied by a hint of citrus zest.

Our rating: This is a very nice wine that evokes images of a candelit dinner, with whitefish and asparagus grilled with a bit of olive oil and served on elegant china. OK, so we're getting a little carried away with our imagery here, but this we did enjoy this wine with the referenced meal, if minus the candles and china. We've come to be partial to Chilean Sauvignon Blancs, and this one is a very good example of such. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent, the same rating we applied to the 2009 vintage.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Brilliant light greenish-gold in color with a zesty bouquet of lime and gooseberries. The palate is full of appetizing and lively fruit flavors, and the finish is clean and refreshing.

Winery website: Porta Winery • Chile.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

New Age White Wine NV

New Age White Wine NV (wine review and rating)

New Age White Wine NV

Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Torrontés (90%), Sauvignon Blanc (10%)
Alcohol Content: 9.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2012
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Pale stray gold in color, this wine has aromas of apples, caramel, and candied fruit. Slightly fizzy and rather sweet on the palate, the fruit flavors tend towards apple and pear, having an almost juice-like character to them. There is no finish.

Our rating: We don't always get it, but we're usually prepared for one element to strike us as unusual in a bottle of wine. But this one hit us with two: fizzy and sweet, neither of which we associate at all with Torrontés, the primary grape in this wine. As such, we would consider this far more of a party-style wine than a food one … though we can see serving it at a Sunday brunch. We didn't dislike it but then again we were totally unprepared for it as well. We score it about Average. (Note: We noticed afterwards that the wine as being marketed more as a cocktail, called the "Tincho", served over ice with a wedge of lime.)

Taste profile from the winemaker: A light yellow-green colored wine, with fruity and floral aromas of great intensity. Balanced acidity leads to soft, semi-sweet and slightly effervescent flavors and mouth feel.

Winery website: Quintessential Wines: New Age.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

flipflop Sauvignon Blanc NV

flipflop Sauvignon Blanc NV (wine review and rating)

flipflop Sauvignon Blanc NV

Origin: Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2012
Purchase Price: $5.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Light lemon yellow in color, this wine has aromas of freshly squeezed lemons and lemon zest with faint notes of tropical fruit. The palate is similar, reminiscent of lemonade, with crisp tartness a good acidic balance. The finish is clean, though relatively brief.

Our rating: The "flipflop" concept to this brand suggests this is a casual wine and we agree: it does have a light, summer, fun character to it. Versatile enough to accompany almost any cuisine, we'd suggest pairing it with something cooked outdoors, such as grilled chicken or shrimp, and vegetable kabobs. Or maybe something a bit more adventurous, like kielbasa. It's a simple, straight-forward wine, nothing too fancy but, then again, it's not intended to be. We rate it Above Average … and certainly one of the better examples of this varietal at this price point.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Light-bodied, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc with exuberant grapefruit and key lime notes, and a zesty, refreshing finish.

Winery website: flipflop: to each, their own.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

AlVerdi Pinot Grigio 2010

AlVerdi Pinot Grigio 2010 (wine review and rating)

AlVerdi Pinot Grigio 2010

Origin: Terre degli Osci, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2012
Purchase Price: $6.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Light golden yellow in color, this wine has very pleasant aromas of apples and pears coupled with notes of sweet pineapple and a hint of banana. Very smooth on the palate with soft edges, the fruit flavors tend more towards tropical in character; there is a sensation of sweetness, though it is actually rather dry. It finishes by simply allowing the flavors of the palate to slowly diminish.

Our rating: This is an elegantly crafted and quite delicious wine, and not at all like most of this varietal from Italy. There is a lot of structure here, all the components of which work well together. We had planned on serving our bottle with chicken and risotto; only a small amount actually made it to the table as we consumed most it during the meal preparations. We disagreed a bit on what the minor flaws were, but did agree that this is just shy of an Excellent wine. And an absolutely incredible value at just $7.

Taste profile from the winemaker: A fresh, floral nose with notes of acacia flowers. On the palate it is dry and well-balanced with lively fruit flavors.

Winery website: None found.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (wine review and rating)

Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: June 2012
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Pale silver-straw in color with green highlights, this wine has strong aromas of citrus (grapefruit, lime), lemongrass, and orange zest. The acidity from the citrus fruit flavors is nicely balanced on the palate, crisp but not tart. The grassiness initially present evolves into a more mineral character on the finish, which is lengthy.

Our rating: This wine is very typical of a New Zealand crafting of this varietal, though better than most. The harsh edges that could have been dominant are nicely softened here, resulting in a well structured wine. We paired our bottle with freshly grilled whitefish, something we usually do with Sauvignon Blancs, and found it a very nice match, though we think it could be served with most any seafood or dishes that have a significant vegetable element to them. We previously rated the 2009 vintage Excellent and the 2010 vintage Above Average to Excellent; we think the present wine is just between the two, but scores slightly closer to the latter.

Taste profile from the winemaker: The wine possesses a light straw colour and tropical aromas of citrus and white peach. The palate exhibits the same fine flavours followed by a crisp, dry, flinty finish.

Winery website: Clifford Bay: New Zealand Wine.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Castellana Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2011

Castellana Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2011 (wine review and rating)

Castellana Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2011

Origin: d'Abruzzo, Italy
Blend: Trebbiano (100%)
Alcohol Content: 11.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: June 2012
Purchase Price: $6.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Medium gold in color, this wine has aromas of apple, pear, honey and spices, with softer notes of almonds. The palate is similar to the nose, though the earthy, woodsy character seems more dominant here. The finish is persistent and has a slightly chalky minerality to it.

Our rating: This is most definitely a wine to serve with food and probably one that should be opened early and consumed later; we don't think it works all that well on its own. It's reasonably food friendly, though, probably best paired with roasted poultry or barbecue pork dishes. We can't say we're enthusiastic about this wine, but we didn't mind it either. A nice change of pace, but all in all, we score it just Average. We've reviewed this wine twice in the past, apparently enjoying those bottles more than we did this one: We rated the 2007 vintage and the 2008 vintage both Above Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Concannon "Selected Vineyards" Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Concannon

Concannon "Selected Vineyards" Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Origin: Central Coast, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (98%), Riesling (2%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: June 2012
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Straw in color with silver highlights, this wine has aromas of lemongrass and sweet bell pepper with citrus zest and vegetal (asparagus) notes. Light-bodied on the palate with a very slight creamy texture, the flavors are similar to the nose, with a somewhat more pronounced tart citrus character. The finish is very clean, adds some minerality, and is of moderate length.

Our rating: There are several interesting aspects to this wine. It's tart yet not quite crisp. There is considerable depth to the flavors yet they seem light, almost airy. These aren't negative qualities by any means; the complexity exhibited here is rather difficult to describe in simple terms. And yet it's not quite harmonious, though it's hard to pin down exactly why. We think this wine would pair well with most seafood dishes; we would lean more towards fish fillets or steaks than shellfish. We previously rated the Concannon Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Average; we rate the present wine a bit better, Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: This wine has a brilliant straw hue with notes of gooseberry. The palate is slightly tropical with a good depth of fruit. Cool stainless steel fermentation keeps the flavors bright and lively, and the medium body is slightly rounded in feel, leading to a crisp finish.

Winery website: Concannon Vineyards.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Recaş Pinot Grigio 2011

Recaş Pinot Grigio 2011 (wine review and rating)

Recaş Pinot Grigio 2011

Origin: Romania
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: June 2012
Purchase Price: $6.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A pale greenish straw in color, this wine has aromas of apples with faint notes of cider. Very crisp with a pleasant tartness, the apple cider-like flavor has a hint of smokiness to it. The merest suggestion of sweetness presents itself into the finish, but is gone in a flash. The finish itself is lengthy but lacks discernable flavor, and seems muddled overall.

Our rating: This is an interesting wine, but not one we'd probably buy again. We think it fairly versatile, and would suggest pairing it with chicken — which is what we did — or even pork. Still, the finish really bothered us, and made us forget about the strengths that preceded it. Overall, we score the wine Below Average, but those who enjoy a smoky, earthy finish to their wines may enjoy this one more than we did.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Cramele Recaş. We could not locate this wine on the company's website, though we are guessing based on the label that it is part of its "Castle Rock" brand, which is also not listed there.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Kirkland Signature Pinot Grigio 2011

Kirkland Signature Pinot Grigio 2011 (wine review and rating)

Kirkland Signature Pinot Grigio 2011

Origin: Friuli, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2012
Purchase Price: $6.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Lightly scented with aromas of tree fruit (apples, pears), this exceptionally pale, straw-colored wine is very smooth on the palate, with flavors of apple — a nice blend of golden delicious and tart green — cider and a bit of citrus zest. A moderately aggressive minerality develops into the finish, but doesn't overwhelm.

Our rating: While there isn't much depth to this wine, we appreciate it for its versatility, from being a simple sipping wine to one that could be paired with almost any cuisine. We enjoyed our bottle with a pasta dish — actually Swedish meatballs — and it worked out just fine. Available exclusively from Costco, we typically pick up several bottles to have on hand for those situations when we're being particularly indecisive about what to serve; this is a safe "go to" wine in that regard. We rate it Above Average and at just $7 a very good value.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Ecco Domani Italia Moscato 2011

Ecco Domani Italia Moscato 2011 (wine review and rating)

Ecco Domani Italia Moscato 2011

Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Moscato (100%)
Alcohol Content: 8.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2012
Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A barely noticeable effervescence appears upon pouring this pale gold wine with silver highlights. It exhibits aromas of sweet tropical fruit with distinctive notes of freshly cut oranges. Silky smooth on the palate, the fruit flavors — juicy pear is what first came to mind — are sweet but not aggressively so. Indeed, the initial sweetness is tempered almost immediately by a balancing acidity. The finish adds some soft minerality but is otherwise rather brief.

Our rating: This stylish wine is delicious on its own, which is how we enjoyed our bottle, sitting on the balcony watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico. We struggled a bit trying deciding how to pair it, eventually settling on serving it on our weekly "appetizer" night, a meal consisting of nothing but, well, appetizers. (We often do that in restaurants as well, ordering 3-4 appetizers instead of two meals between us.) We believe it would have paired nicely with our eclectic mix of foods … had it lasted that long. Which it didn't. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent, and a fine choice while spending a simple, quiet night at home. (We're also going to keep this in mind for our next social gathering. Its versatility and low alcohol content also makes it the perfect party wine. The attractive cobalt blue bottle doesn't hurt, either!)

Taste profile from the winemaker: Lovely aromas of peach, apricot and mandarin orange entice the nose, while the slightly off-dry palate has bright acidity to make this wine so refreshing.

Winery website: Ecco Domani.

This bottle of wine was received as a sample for review. No promise was given or implied that it would be the subject of an endorsement or review, either positive or negative.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Smart Cookie Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Smart Cookie Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (wine review and rating)

Smart Cookie Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2012
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Golden straw in color, this wine has typical varietal aromas of gooseberry, green pepper and citrus zest with just a hint of orange blossoms. Very smooth on the palate, the citrus flavors are very well balanced, slightly tart with a touch of vegetal sweetness. Some grassiness is present in the persistent finish.

Our rating: We often serve Sauvignon Blancs with seafood, in particular grilled or broiled whitefish filets, but we have to confess this bottle didn't make it to the table. It is absolutely delicious and we enjoyed it while preparing dinner, somewhat surprising ourselves that when it came time to sit down there was none left. That was our loss, as we believe it would have paired beautifully with the meal. Clearly it works just fine on its own, and we think it would pair well with most light dishes. Striking all the right notes in all the right ways, we rate it Excellent, one of the best of this varietal we've had in a long time.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Bright and zesty with aromas of freshly baked lemon cookies. Citrus and tropical fruit flavors fill your palate and finishes refreshingly long.

Winery website: None found.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Cielo "1908" Pinot Grigio 2011

Cielo 1908 Pinot Grigio 2011 (wine review and rating)

Cielo "1908" Pinot Grigio 2011

Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2012
Purchase Price: $7.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Light straw in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (peach, apple) with a very slight note of earthiness. Of moderate body on the palate, the flavors are similar to the characteristics of the nose with a good acidic balance. That earthy, now almost nut-like, note becomes slightly more prominent in the finish.

Our rating: We've taken to replacing our standard pasta with whole grain pasta, which has a somewhat more hearty character and flavor to it. And this wine paired very nicely with our most recent dish, which included chicken as the protein. We believe it is probably best enjoyed with a meal, and not necessarily a light one, where it can easily hold its own. We previously rated the 2008 Cielo Pinot Grigio Average, but we think this vintage markedly better, at least Above Average and maybe a little higher. (A follow up note: We always write our reviews before reading what the winemaker has to say. And we have to admit, after reading that they use the term "bread crust" to describe the bouquet, what we called "earthiness" is actually probably more of a yeasty character. We'll have to add "bread crust" to our list of potential adjectives for future use!)

Taste profile from the winemaker: Colour: Straw yellow with green reflections. Bouquet: Bread crust and green apple. Taste: Fresh and drinkable.

Winery website: Cielo e Terra.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Vera Vinho Verde 2010

Vera Vinho Verde 2010 (wine review and rating)

Vera Vinho Verde 2010

Origin: Portugal
Blend: Arinto (60%), Azal (30%), Loureiro (10%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: February 2012
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A greenish-yellow in color, this very slightly sparkling wine has aromas of green apple and citrus with faint notes of peaches or apricots. The fruit flavors are somewhat muted at first, but develop quickly on the palate, a little tart in character with significant minerality. There isn't much of a finish.

Our rating: We like "green wines" for their versatility, the ability to stand alone as a aperitif or to serve with a wide variety of simply prepared foods. This is a good one, probably best enjoyed with appetizers or a brunch buffet, where it is likely to pair well with almost anything present. The rather strong mineral element may not be to everyone's liking, but we think it works within the context of this wine, rating it Above Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Bibi Graetz Bianco di Casamatta 2009

Bibi Graetz Bianco di Casamatta 2009 (wine review and rating)

Bibi Graetz Bianco di Casamatta 2009

Origin: Toscana, Italy
Blend: Vermentino (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: February 2012
Purchase Price: $3.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Medium- to dark-gold in color, this wine has aromas of apple and cider with strong notes of honey. The flavors on the palate are similar to the nose, with a significant cider-like character accompanied by some earthy bitterness. The finish is rather smooth, more so than would otherwise be expected.

Our rating: A note first about the price paid. This wine was specially priced when we purchased it, $5 off its regular $8.99 price. We appreciated the complexity exhibited by this wine, but simply didn't enjoy it. Most definitely a food-required wine, we served ours with roasted chicken and potatoes, not a bad choice considering. Still, we didn't care for the overall bitterness of this wine, which we simply could not get past. Vermentinos are meant to be consumed young, so maybe this example was simply well past its prime, but we rate it Below Average to Inferior and not recommended, even at the price we paid.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Paso a Paso Verdejo 2010

Paso a Paso Verdejo 2010 (wine review and rating)

Paso a Paso Verdejo 2010

Origin: La Mancha, Spain
Blend: Verdejo (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: January 2012
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A light lemon yellow in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (peaches, apples) with light, almost sweet tropical fruit notes. The flavors on the palate are similar, tree fruit accompanied by a bit of earthiness, herbs and nuts. The finish is persistent though a little astringent.

Our rating: We served our bottle with a mildly spicy chicken and rice dish — not quite Spanish but close — with which it paired nicely. We think poultry is probably the best choice here, but pork dishes would also work well. It doesn't seem like much of a seafood wine to us. The earthiness of the wine troubled us a bit, but not so much that we didn't enjoy our bottle. Still, we score it on the high side of Average. We rated last year's vintage, Paso a Paso Verdejo 2009, which was produced from grapes grown in a different region of Spain, much higher … but we can't say whether or not this change is responsible for our lower score this year.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Doña Paula "Los Cardos" Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Doña Paula Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (wine review and rating)

Doña Paula "Los Cardos" Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Origin: Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: February 2012
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Grassy, citrusy aromas are exhibited by this straw-gold wine; there is also an unexpected hint of flowers present. The citrus flavors on the palate are crisp and quickly develop a significant tartness. The finish adds a touch of slate minerality as it retains much of the wine's tart character.

Our rating: We probably mispaired this wine, serving it with grilled chicken when we probably should have chosen grilled halibut. It is quite tart, almost one note tart, when a little balance is called for. Food seems to help soften it a bit, but not much. We previously rated the Doña Paula Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Above Average, but we didn't enjoy this vintage as much, rating it just Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Pale yellow color. Very intense aromas of passion fruit, grapefruit, lime, and white peach. In the mouth, this is a fresh, balanced, highly vivacious and persistent wine.

Winery website: Doña Paula Argentina.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Acrobat Pinot Gris 2010

Acrobat Pinot Gris 2010 (wine review and rating)

Acrobat Pinot Gris 2010

Origin: Oregon
Blend: Pinot Gris (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2012
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Light golden straw in color, this wine has aromas of peaches, apricots, and other tree fruits with significant tropical fruit notes. Very fruity on the palate, the flavors tend towards a blend of citrus and tropical. The finish has a very slight chalk-light minerality.

Our rating: This wine has a summer feel to it, one to be enjoyed as is on the deck. It would also pair well with barbecued grilled meats, which coincidentally is how we enjoyed our bottle, with spicy BBQ chicken. Though there is a nice blend of fruit flavors, there isn't much more in terms of complexity to this wine. We rate it about Average overall, but also think it's a bit overpriced for what it is, basically a fun summertime wine.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Color: Pale straw with golden highlights. Nose: Fresh pear, citrus, honeydew melon. Flavors: Mandarin orange, lemon, kiwi, pear, spice. Mouthfeel: Round entry with nice balance between acidity and residual sugar, clean refreshing finish.

Winery website: King's Estate, Oregon Wines.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Bogle Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Bogle Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (wine review and rating)

Bogle Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Origin: Monterey and Russian River Valley, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: February 2012
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A very pale gold in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (peaches, pears, apricots), some citrus and flowers. The palate exhibits flavors of crisp green apple, cider and herbs. The finish is of moderate length and depth and well balanced.

Our rating: Even though there was some cripsness to the palate, this wine reminded us of a softer version of a French Sauvignon Blanc — a nice achievement as this wine received no oak cellaring. We typically choose seafood or grilled chicken to serve with this varietal, and believe these are appropriate here as well, though it would pair just as nicely with a chef's salad. We previously rated the Bogle Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Above Average and believe this vintage rates just about the same.

Taste profile from the winemaker: The first scents include lemon zest and freshly mowed grass with clean and refreshing crispness of the citrus fruit paired with just a tiny hint of spring sweet peas. The mouthfeel, bracing with acidity, remains laced with touches of richer tropical pineapple fruit. Finishing lean and satisfying.

Winery website: Bogle Vineyards.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Campogrande Orvieto Classico 2010

Campogrande Orvieto Classico 2010 (wine review and rating)

Campogrande Orvieto Classico 2010

Origin: Orvieto, Italy
Blend: Procanico (40%), Grechetto (40%), Verdello (15%), Drupeggio and Malvasia (5%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: January 2012
Purchase Price: $7.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A very pale silver-green in color, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit (pineapple, banana) with faint notes of citrus flowers. The flavors on the palate are similar though have a slightly bitter, almost nut-like character to them. The finish is remarkably similar to the palate, so much so that there is virtually no transition to make note of.

Our rating: We chose to pair this wine with a simple pasta dish with a side salad, but think it may be better served with a more robust meal. There's a fair amount of complexity to this wine, but we're not convinced it is all that harmonious. It is very different from the everyday ABC wine and we didn't dislike it by any means, but we're not sure we'd rush out to buy another bottle. We previously reviewed the Campogrande Orvieto 2006 and apparently enjoyed that vintage much more than the present one, rating it Above Average. We would rate this bottle Average at best.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Straw yellow with green highlights, the wine shows aromas which recall bananas, pineapple, and flowers. Full on the palate, savory and soft, it is a pleasurable, easy-drinking wine.

Winery website: Santa Cristina.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Tariquet Classic Ugni Blanc Colombard 2010

Tariquet Classic Ugni Blanc Colombard 2010 (wine review and rating)

Tariquet Classic Ugni Blanc Colombard 2010

Origin: Côtes de Gascogne, France
Blend: Ugni Blanc (70%), Colombard (30%)
Alcohol Content: 11.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2012
Purchase Price: $7.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Medium yellow/gold in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (notably peaches and apricots) with notes of flowers. Very smooth on the palate, the fruit flavors are similar to the nose, nicely balanced at first, though a little too acidic as the finish develops, which has some unusual notes of under-ripened fruit.

Our rating: This is a rather complex wine, but most definitely not a sipping one. It seems to need food to help round out the various elements present. We served our bottle with roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes and steamed green vegetables, a good if safe choice. Poultry seems like the best pairing here, but we could easily see it accompanying pork dishes as well. We previously reviewed the Tariquet Classic Ugni Blanc-Colombard 2008, emphatically stating that it was really a seafood wine not to be paired with poultry, quite the opposite of what we're suggesting here! Nevertheless, we rated the 2008 vintage as Above Average, about the same as we rate this year's bottle.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Chateau du Tariquet.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (wine review and rating)

Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: February 2012
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Pale gold with silver highlights, this wine has aromas of grapefruit, gooseberry, and grass with notes of green vegetables and herbs. The citrus flavor on the palate is crisp but not tart, followed by a slight but brisk minerality that develops into the finish. The finish itself is a little flat and ever so slightly bitter.

Our rating: This is a refined wine with good structure and balance. Very typical of this varietal from New Zealand, it is moderately aggressive but doesn't cross any boundaries. We served our bottle with simply prepared white fish, a nice choice. We were slightly disappointed in the finish, which some might consider "racy" but reminded us of citrus zest used in excess. We previously rated the Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Excellent and the present vintage is close but doesn't quite deserve the same rating; we rate it Above Average, Nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: The wine possesses a light straw colour and tropical aromas of guava, melon and citrus. The palate exhibits the same fine flavours followed by a crisp, dry, flinty finish.

Winery website: Clifford Bay: New Zealand Wine.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Terranoble Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Terranoble Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (wine review and rating)

Terranoble Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Origin: Central Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: February 2012
Purchase Price: $7.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A pale greenish-yellow in color, this wine has very strong aromas of freshly cut tropical fruit (pineapple, mango, banana) with slight citrus notes. The citrus makes more of an appearance on the palate, which is crisp and fairly tart though a little thin on flavor. The finish adds some citrus zest and is moderately long.

Our rating: Chile continues to distinguish itself by crafting Sauvignon Blancs in a very approachable manner, and different from its cousins in France, New Zealand, and the US. This example is typical of the region, maybe not one of its better efforts, but very drinkable and readily paired with a wide variety of cuisines. We would suggest seafood as a first choice with which to serve this wine, but it is by no means limited to this. We rate it a bit better than Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: An attractive pale yellow color with greenish tones, it has intense aromas of tropical fruits, especially pineapple. Is a very fresh wine, dry and equilibrated. It has a good structure and a nice natural acidity which has a long permanence in mouth.

Winery website: None found.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Telmo Rodríguez Basa Blanco Rueda 2009

Telmo Rodríguez Basa Blanco Rueda 2009 (wine review and rating)

Telmo Rodríguez Basa Blanco Rueda 2009

Origin: Rueda, Spain
Blend: Verdejo (85%), Viura (10%), Sauvignon Blanc (5%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: February 2012
Purchase Price: $7.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A light lemon yellow in color with gold highlights, this wine has aromas of green apple accompanied by slight grassy notes. A crisp apple character is also present on the palate, but quickly and somewhat surprisingly softens. There is a good acid balance into the finish, which adds a touch of minerality and is relatively short but very clean.

Our rating: We served our bottle with a mildly spicy chicken and rice dish, with which it paired quite nicely. We think most simply prepared meals with poultry or pork would be enhanced with this wine; we don't see seafood as a good match. We're guessing the small amounts of Viura and Sauvignon Blanc added some depth and interest to this wine that wouldn't otherwise be there. We really enjoyed it, and rate it Above Average, Nearly Excellent … and at just $8, a very good value.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Compañía de Vinos Telmo Rodríguez.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Stella Pinot Grigio 2010

Stella Pinot Grigio 2010 (wine review and rating)

Stella Pinot Grigio 2010

Origin: Umbria, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2012
Purchase Price: $7.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A pale golden-green in color, this wine has aromas of citrus and herbs with some vegetal (bell pepper) notes. The flavor profile has a nice acidic balance, with citrus being the dominant character and maybe a touch of something tropical for a hint of sweetness. A bit of crisp minerality is introduced into the finish, which is of moderate length.

Our rating: This is a very versatile wine, from one that can be enjoyed as is to one paired with a wide variety of dishes and cuisines. We chose lighter fare to serve our bottle with, cold roasted turkey sandwiches, freshly sliced tomatoes, and home-made potato chips, and found it to be a refreshing addition to the meal. We previously rated the Stella Pinot Grigio 2007 to be about Average, but we think this effort is much better, rating it on the very high side of Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Aromas of lemon-lime citrus combine with zesty acidity and hints of mineratlity to create a light refreshing wine.

Winery website: None found. Wine information take from US distributor's website.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Dry Creek Fumé Blanc 2010

Dry Creek Fumé Blanc 2010 (wine review and rating)

Dry Creek Fumé Blanc 2010

Origin: Sonoma County, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: January 2012
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: This wine has light aromas of citrus, bell pepper and asparagus. The palate exhibits a similar flavor profile, maybe leaning a bit towards the citrus (grapefruit, lime). A slight minerality develops into the relatively brief finish.

Our rating: We are often a bit suspicious of California Sauvignon Blancs, especially those marketed as "fumé blancs", as these tend to be so overly oaked that they are almost undrinkable. But this wine "harkens back to the early days of Fumé Blanc at Dry Creek Vineyard" and received no oak … and it shows … and we appreciate it. We served our bottle with a meal of grilled chicken and asparagus, a good choice. We think it could pair well with most simply prepared poultry, seafood, or vegetarian dishes. We faulted it for being a little thin and lacking depth, but overall, we rate it well Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: At first swirl, pungent grassy aromas framed by kaffir limes leap from the glass. On the palate, the wine displays racy citrus characters along with granny smith apples, Meyer lemon and orange zest. The grassy elements repeat on the finish with acidity that is both refreshing and brisk.

Winery website: Dry Creek Vineyard.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Château de la Bouyère Bordeaux Blanc 2010

Château de la Bouyère Bordeaux Blanc 2010 (wine review and rating)

Château de la Bouyère Bordeaux Blanc 2010

Origin: France
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (80%), Semillon (20%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: January 2012
Purchase Price: $7.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A light golden yellow in color, this wine has mild aromas of tropical fruit with notes of citrus and citrus flowers. There is a nice balance of acidity to the dry-ish fruit flavors on the palate, though the acidity does increase a bit into the finish, which has, somewhat paradoxically, an interesting softness to it.

Our rating: This is a very nice wine, one with some simple elements to it yet seems complex at the same time. Perfectly adequate for sipping on the deck watching the sunset, it improves a bit when consumed with food. We would suggest lighter fare — broiled chicken or white fish filets with steamed vegetables, for example — or possibly as an accompaniment to an appetizer platter. We rate it on the very high side of Above Average, and for the price we paid, a very good value.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Lovely pale golden colour with a little hints of green. This wine has an expressive nose and offers fragrances of citrus fruits that evolve towards nuances of tropical fruits. Besides the initial aromas already perceived by the nose, the mouth is harmonious and fruity. It delivers a great amplitude and roundness to the wine due to the ageing on fine lees.

Winery website: None found.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Six Hats Viognier 2010

Six Hats Viognier 2010 (wine review and rating)

Six Hats Viognier 2010

Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Viognier (100%)
Alcohol Content: 14.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2012
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Greenish gold in color, this wine has aromas of peaches, apricots and tropical fruits (mango, banana). Smooth, almost creamy, on the palate, the fruit flavors are nicely balanced with a moderating acidity, which increases markedly into the finish. A slight mineral character also develops at this point.

Our rating: This is not a sipping wine, but a good, food-friendly one. We enjoyed our bottle with a pasta dish, but we think it versatile enough to pair with just about any poultry or seafood dish, and if purchased again we would lean towards serving it with Southeast Asian cuisines. Regular readers know that we are not fans of overly-oaked wines, but we do understand that oaking can polish some of the rough edges … and that's what we think may have helped here. (The winery website indicates this varietal was made with stainless steel.) We rate it Above Average, but believe with some additional crafting it could have been a really refined wine.

Taste profile from the winemaker: A bold, expressive wine with dried peach flavors and a tropical finish.

Winery website: Citrusdal Wines. This wine is Fair Trade Certified. The bottle image is slightly different from the one we purchased.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Tavernello Vino Bianco D'Italia NV

Tavernello Vino Bianco D'Italia NV (wine review and rating)

Tavernello Vino Bianco D'Italia NV

Origin: Italy
Blend: Unknown
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2012
Purchase Price: $4.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Pale green with gold highlights, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (apples, peaches) with notes of citrus and flowers. The fruit flavors on the palate tend more towards citrus, crisp but a little unbalanced, sour rather than tart, with some lemon zest character developing into the brief finish.

Our rating: We didn't care much for this table wine, the blend of which is unknown to us. (No information about it is available on the company's website.) Inexpensive to be sure, but we've had much better wines at comparable price points. We served our bottle with a vegetarian pizza; food tended to smooth out some of the rough edges, but we simply couldn't get past the sourness that develops — and persists — into the finish, even when consumed with food. We rate it Below Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: This crisp white wine has fresh floral aromas and is pleasantly fruity on the palate. Try it with roast white meats or simply on its own.

Winery website: Tavernello.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Cristóbal 1492 Verdelho 2010

Cristóbal 1492 Verdelho 2010 (wine review and rating)

Cristóbal 1492 Verdelho 2010

Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Verdelho (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: January 2012
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A medium yellow-gold in color, this wine has a strong tropical fruit aroma (pineapple, banana, mango) with some very slight notes of spice (vanilla). There is a lot of body to the palate, full of flavors similar to the nose, with a somewhat earthy, musky character developing into the finish, which itself is lengthy and tapers off cleanly.

Our rating: This is our first — we think — Verdelho, a Portugese grape, and what an unusual treat it is. Incredibly complex, each sip seems to reveal something new. Having said that, it's not really a sipping wine, and is best served with food. We served ours with roasted chicken, a nice if possibly uninspired choice on our part. But we considered poultry a good match, and believe it would also pair well with most richly-flavored white meats, including pork. Though we found it interesting, we didn't quite enjoy — or maybe we simply didn't appreciate — the rather abrupt transition between tropical and earthy, but still rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Characterized by its fruity aromas with floral tones and its freshness highlighted by its balanced acidy in the mouth.

Winery website: Don Cristobal 1492 Winery.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Rooiberg Chenin Blanc 2010

Rooiberg Chenin Blanc 2010 (wine review and rating)

Rooiberg Chenin Blanc 2010

Origin: Robertson, South Africa
Blend: Chenin Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: December 2011
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A light lemon yellow in color, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit with notes of spice. The palate flavors tend more towards tree fruit (apple, pear) though some tropical character remains together with cider-like quality. The finish adds some minerality, but is rather flat overall.

Our rating: We chose to serve this wine with lunch (sandwich, soup and salad), which seemed appropriate. It would probably also pair well with a mild whitefish, but it doesn't seem like it would hold its own against a more substantial meal. It has an interesting complexity to it, but in the end we scored it just Average due mostly to its somewhat muddled finish.

Taste profile from the winemaker: A dry white wine that reveals pleasant pineapple and fruit salad flavours, with some delightful citrus notes and charms of dried apples and musk. Well balanced with a quinsy, fresh, zesty finish.

Winery website: Rooiberg Winery.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...