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.

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