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.

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