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.

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