Doña Paula "Los Cardos" Sauvignon Blanc 2010

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.

Cristóbal 1492 Verdelho 2010

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.

Mendoza Station Torrontes "Seleccion Especial" 2010

Mendoza Station Torrontes "Seleccion Especial" 2010

Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Torrontés (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Greenish-gold in color, this wine has aromas of citrus (tangerine comes to mind here) and flowers. The fruit flavor on the palate has a tart orange, maybe orange rind, character to it, but is nicely balanced. The finish, however, is slightly unbalanced, a bit astringent and incongruous.

Our rating: "Mendoza Station" is a relatively new label of inexpensive wines. The "Seleccion Especial" variant is, we suppose, intended to be a higher quality wine. But we have to say, we don't see it here. We tend to think of this varietal as being a somewhat "soft" ABC wine, but there's nothing but edges in this example. We served our bottle with an appetizer platter, and to be fair, it paired well enough with pretty much everything there. We rate it Average, but we think the "regular" version of this wine is just as good. Last year we also rated the standard 2009 vintage Average … but — and it's a big "but" — that was for a 1.5L bottle, which is priced the same as this 750ml bottle.

Taste profile from the winemaker: None

Winery website: None found.

Conquista de Argentina Torrontés 2009

Conquista de Argentina Torrontés 2009

Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Torrontés (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
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 tropical fruit with notes of honey and spice. Somewhat smoky on the palate, the flavors tend toward tree fruit (apple, pear) and their cider and perry derivatives. The finish is lengthy, and extends the characters exhibited on the palate.

Our rating: This is a rather complex wine that tastes more expensive than it is. We enjoyed our bottle with grilled tuna and vegetables, a nice if not altogether inspired pairing. We think the wine needs a more flavorful, more substantial dish to bring out its full character. The smokiness may appeal to some consumers, but it's something we tend to shy away from in our ABC wines. We rate it Average overall, but definitely worth a try at this price point. (We had forgotten we had reviewed the 2008 vintage until we were preparing this post. The reviews are surprisingly similar, though we scored the previous year's vintage Above Average. In a kind of ironic twist, we recommended that you not pair it with seafood last year, yet that's exactly the meal we chose to serve our bottle with this year.)

Taste profile from the winemaker: Aromas of apricots, honey and spices followed by a refreshing palate of tropical fruit and melon.

Winery website: None found.

Finca Los Maza Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Finca Los Maza Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.3%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $7.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: This straw-colored wine with gold highlights has aromas of tree fruit (notably apples) with strong floral and spice notes. The fruit flavor on the palate is of a similar character accompanied with a nicely balanced citrus-like tartness, with a very slight, but not unpleasant, bitterness appearing in the finish.

Our rating: We appreciate the complexity that the winemaker tried to introduce into this wine, though we thought the overall flavors were a bit flat and not quite harmonious. We suspect the brief oak cellaring softened the wine just a tad too much, rendering it somewhat muddled. Not a sipping wine, but one that pairs nicely with freshly prepared, richly flavored foods. We served our bottle with oven-fried chicken, baked potatoes and steamed vegetables, a solid pairing. (That may not seem like a "richly flavored" meal to you, but trust us, it was!) Attractively priced, and noticeably different from its cousins to the west (i.e. Chilean Sauvignon Blancs), we think it's worth checking out. We rate it on the high side of Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Color: Pale yellow with green hues. Aroma: Grapefruit along with other citric fruits. Mouth: Fresh and butters with citric notes and a well-balanced acidity.

Winery website: Finca Los Maza.

Mendoza Station "Seleccion Especial" Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Mendoza Station "Seleccion Especial" Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Citrus and lemongrass aromas with faint herbal notes are exhibited by this light golden colored wine. The citrus flavor -- more lime than lemon -- on the palate is moderately tart but nicely balanced. The finish adds a bit of orange zest and is fairly long.

Our rating: We enjoyed this wine, but in checking back on our notes from last summer on the "standard" 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, it seems this "Seleccion Especial" is a very different wine. The present wine is crafted more in the style of New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, but softer. It retains the citrus and grassy character, but with somewhat rounded edges. The hint of orange -- it was brief and could have been pineapple or something similarly tropical -- we tasted on the palate just before the finish is a nice touch. We served our bottle during an outdoor luncheon of sandwiches and salads, an admittedly uninspired meal; still, we think this wine is rather versatile and would pair particularly well with most Asian cuisines. We rate it Above Average, though at $9 we also think it slightly overpriced.

Taste profile from the winemaker: None

Winery website: None found.

Doña Paula Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Doña Paula Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: February 2011
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Very aromatic, this greenish-yellow colored wine exhibits fragrances of fresh citrus, lime zest and lemongrass. Crisp on the palate, the fruit flavors are well balanced with just the right amount of tartness. The finish is a little overly astringent and adds a dry mineral character.

Our rating: We don't often see this varietal from Argentina, and quite liked this example. We enjoyed our bottle with blackened grouper sandwiches, a very nice pairing. We think any seafood would work here; indeed, this seems to be a versatile wine, cuisine-wise. Though the rather odd finish prevents us from giving this wine top marks, we still rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Intense aromas of yellow grapefruit, lime and passionfruit that are well integrated with gooseberry and herbal notes. On the palate this is a wine with great freshness and very long aftertaste."

Winery website: Doña Paula Argentina.

Trapiche Torrontés 2008

Trapiche Torrontés 2008
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Torrontes (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: December 2010
Purchase Price: $6.99

Our review: Yellow-gold in color, this wine has a pleasant blend of citrus and tropical fruit aromas, with slight herbal and floral notes. There is a nice acidic balance at first, the fruit flavors quite expressive on the palate. But into the finish it is less harmonious, a somewhat bitter character emerging that tends to mask the other elements present.

Our rating: If it weren't for the rather odd finish on this wine, we'd have rated it quite highly. It's well-rounded, and food-friendly; we suggest serving it with Asian cuisines as it could stand up to chicken, pork, or seafood dishes, anything from mild to spicy. But the finish is really quite incongruous here, not bad necessarily, just not complimentary, knocking our score down to just Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Yellow-greenish color, with golden hints. Flower and citrus aromas. Fresh in the mouth. Elegant, well balanced wine."

Winery website: Trapiche | Argentina.

Mendoza Station Torrontes 2009

Mendoza Station Torrontes 2009
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Torrontes (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99 (1.5 L)

Our review: Quite pale, this silvery straw-colored wine has aromas of apple and green apple with slight herbal notes. Initially quite fruity on the palate, the flavors quickly become somewhat unbalanced, almost separated into multiple components that aren't harmonious. The finish has some mineral character to it.

Our rating: Wine doesn't get much cheaper than this, and while this example isn't likely to win any awards, it's not altogether terrible. It almost seems carelessly crafted, that the potential may be there but isn't realized. We consumed the bottle over three days, serving it with a variety of foods, and all paired reasonable well. And while that's usually a plus for us, here it simply reminded us of how generic this wine is. Score-wise, we were a little surprised to discover when we did the arithmetic, it rated on the very low side of Average. So maybe it's better than we think.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Conquista Torrontes 2008

Conquista Torrontes 2008
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Torrontes (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $5.99

Our review: This golden-colored wine is lightly fragrant, with notes of tropical fruit (papaya, mango) and honey. Smooth, almost creamy, on the palate, the flavor profile is similar to the nose, though a distinct spiciness is also present. The finish has an "oak" character to it, long and deep.

Our rating: This wine has many interesting facets to it … yet seems slightly flawed. The oakiness here -- and we're not even sure this one touched any oak, so we're using that term generically -- softens the wine somewhat but there's an underlying bitterness that we didn't appreciate. We'd recommend pairing it with almost any poultry dish, and even pork dishes, though we think it wouldn't do well with fish. Still, we rate it Above Average. Priced at just $6, it's definitely worth a try -- especially since this continues to be a rather unusual varietal in the US.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Aromas of apricots, honey and spices followed by a refreshing palate of tropical fruit and melon."

Winery website: None found.

Norton Torrontes 2008

Norton Torrontes 2008
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Torrontes (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: July 2010
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Medium gold in color, this wine is very floral, much more so than of fruit (a hint of peach or apricot); there's also a touch of honey in the nose. Quite smooth on the palate, the flavor has more spice character than fruit. The finish is very long and continues to develop.

Our rating: This is a deeply complex wine, one not easily broken into constituent parts. We enjoyed it, but we mis-paired it, serving it with stir-fried chicken and rice; we think pairing it with roasted poultry would be much better (though we did like it with the rice). An unusual wine and one that will probably have your guests asking more about. It's a little too "oaky" for our taste, still we rate it well Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Greenish yellow in color with tinges of golden. Very perfumed prevailing fruity and flowery aromas, such as white peach, roses and jasmine. Pleasant on the palate and well balanced."

Winery website: Bodega Norton.

Alma Mora Pinot Grigio 2008

Alma Mora Pinot Grigio 2008
Origin: San Juan, Argentina
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: July 2010
Purchase Price: $10.99

Our review: Medium yellow-gold in color, this wine has mild aromas of peach and apple with faint floral notes. Very smooth on the palate and more richly flavored than the nose might suggest; there's a good acidic balance. The finish has some mineral character to it, and develops a slight tartness.

Our rating: We are not aware of many Argentinian pinot grigios, but if this wine is typical of those from this country, it's delicious. Easily consumed as is (and we did), it should be very food friendly -- though we think it probably pairs better with meat dishes (chicken, pork) than seafood. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Mendoza Station Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Mendoza Station Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $5.99

Our review: Yellow-gold in color, this wine has aromas of fresh tropical fruit (mango, papaya) with slight honey and vegetal notes (asparagus). Very fruitful on the palate, the flavors are bright and nicely balanced with a moderating acidity. The finish is very lengthy and has some mineral character.

Our rating: This take on this varietal is ever so slightly sweeter than one might expect, distinguishing it from those of neighboring Chile, which are typically more tart and citrusy. Also in contrast to many sauvignon blancs, this one is easily consumed as an aperitif or simply enjoyed alone; it makes for a great summer wine. Best when served well-chilled. On the score sheet, it rates on the high side of Average, but priced at just $6, its value is much higher.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

La Vuelta Torrontés 2009

La Vuelta Torrontés 2009
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Torrontés (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Light golden straw in color, this wine has aromas of fresh tropical fruit (papaya, pineapple, banana) with just a hint of spice. Rich and smooth on the palate, the fruit flavors are accompanied by a mild minerality; the acid balance is just about ideal. The finish is very lengthy, rounded, with considerable depth and character.

Our rating: This is a delicious example of this characteristic Argentine varietal. Enjoy as an aperitif, serve with roasted chicken, potatoes and onions, or delight the guests at your next party with a wine they most likely haven't had before. A very good value, we rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Chalten Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Chalten Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Patagonia, Argentina
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: This wine is greenish gold in color with an aroma of citrus zest and flowers. Nicely complex on the palate, the fruit flavors are balanced with a crisp acidity with a touch of minerals. The finish is clean, though not terribly remarkable.

Our rating: Not as grassy or citrusy as many from New Zealand or even neighboring Chile, this is a good all-around "safe" choice for a sit-down dinner. The wine should pair nicely with most dishes, in particular poultry, which is how we enjoyed our bottle, accompanying sauteed chicken breasts, rice and broccoli. We rate it on the high side of Above Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

La Yunta Torrontes 2008

La Yunta Torrontes 2008
Origin: Valle de Famatina, La Rioja, Argentina
Blend: Torrontes (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: March 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Aromas of peach and candied fruit with significant spice notes, maybe even tea, are exhibited by this yellow-gold wine. Pleasant and smooth on the palate, the fruit flavors are, however, somewhat muted. A rather aggressive acidity develops then moderates into the finish, which is of considerable length and depth.

Our rating: This is a well-rounded wine that can be paired with a wide variety of dishes, but probably works best with lighter meals of poultry or even pork. Consider serving it with chicken satays, which is how we enjoyed our bottle. We rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Notably aromatic of green melon and white peach. It has balanced citrus flavor with a touch of French oak to provide a crisp yet lingering finish. Wonderful as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to seafood or poultry."

Winery website: Southern Wine Group (importers).

Tamari Reserva Torrontes 2008

Tamari Reserva Torrontes 2008
Origin: Fatima Valley, La Rioja, Argentina
Blend: Torrontes (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: February 2010
Purchase Price: $10.99

Our review: Light gold in color, this wine has expressive aromas of tropical fruit with some spice and floral notes. Nicely fruitful on the palate, there is a bit of heat (slightly unbalanced acidity) that develops into the finish, which itself is quite spicy with a hint of nuts.

Our rating: Not a wine to be served as an apertif, it is, however, reasonably food friendly. We actually enjoyed our bottle with pork, an unusual choice maybe, but not a bad one. Still, poultry is probably the best pairing for this rather robust wine. Priced a bit on the high side for what it is, we rate it just Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Color: Intense yellow with greenish hues. Aroma: Delicate and refined aromas of white grapefruit, white flowers such as jasmine, roses and orange blossom, and some fruit notes like custard apple and apricot. Taste: Excellent alcohol-acidity-sugar ratio; well balanced. It's a very flavorful wine."

Winery website: Terlato Wines International.

Maipe Torrontes 2008

Maipe Torrontes 2008
Origin: Salta, Argentina
Blend: Torrontes (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Light golden yellow with aromas of citrus, spice, and honey. The fruit flavor profile on the palate has some tropical fruit character accompanied by a somewhat aggressive acidity. The finish is slightly chalky, relatively brief but otherwise unremarkable.

Our rating: An interesting wine, but paradoxically not a memorable one. We served our bottle with grilled chicken tenderloins, and believe it could pair nicely with most mildly seasoned poultry or even pork dishes. Our rating: on the high side of Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Andeluna Torrontes 2008

Andeluna Torrontes 2008
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Torrontes (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.8%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Light green in color with expressive herbal and citrus aromas, this wine introduces a crisp acidity on the palate. There is little fruit flavor present, however, and the finish is quite spicy, even a bit hot.

Our rating: There are a number of interesting facets to this wine, but our overall impression is not altogether positive. We served our bottle with grilled fish filets, a good choice, but it might pair better with oysters or other shellfish. On balance, we rate it about Average on the scorecard, but we suspect this is a wine that people will either love or hate.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Has a very good body and a medium structure with marked freshness and acidity. Delightful aromas of white flowers, jasmine, peach, apricot and grapefruit combine with flavors of tropical fruits, citrus and spices to produce a refreshingly exquisite wine with a long finish."

Winery website: Andeluna Cellars.

San Telmo Esencia Torrontes 2009

San Telmo Esencia Torrontes 2009
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Torrontes (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Nearly colorless with straw highlights, this wine is lightly fragrant with aromas of tropical fruits. The fruit flavors on the palate are accompanied by a gentle minerality. The finish is fairly long but unremarkable.

Our rating: This is a very nice example of this varietal and at an attractive price point. Think light dishes when pairing this wine: chilled appetizers, a crisp salad, cold chicken sandwich, and the like. It's a nice change of pace from the more typical ABC wines, and we rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Intensely aromatic and refreshing, entices you with delightful floral and orange peel notes. Pale yellow hue shows soft glimmers of green. On the palate, the crisp orange, grapefruit and tropical fruit flavors are accented with jasmine and beautifully balanced with acidity."

Winery website: San Telmo Wines (a unit of Diageo Wines).