Saula Black Label Frascati 2007

Saula Black Label Frascati 2007
Origin: Rome, Italy
Blend: 100% Frascati (typically a blend of Trebbiano, Greco and Malvasia; percentages not known)
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Bottle closure: Natural cork
Purchase date: June 2008
Purchase price: $14.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: None found.

ABC Wines review: Powerfully fragrant, this deeply yellow colored wine has aromas of citrus and tropical fruit with some honey notes. Full in the mouth, the fruit flavors are quite expressive. The incredibly long and somewhat herbal finish adds a mild acidity that is rounded out with a nut-like flavor (possibly due to oak cellaring?). Serve this wine with any fine Italian cuisine. Our score: Priced on the high side, but this is clearly a superior wine. Excellent.

Winery website: None found. Note: An image of the bottle or label could not be located.

Freie Weingartner Wachau Gruner Veltliner 2006

Freie Weingärtner Wachau Grüner Veltliner 2006
Origin: Wachau, Austria
Blend: 100% Grüner Veltliner
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Bottle closure: Screw cap
Purchase date: June 2008
Purchase price: $11.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A classic straight Grüner Veltliner with typical notes of white pepper and grapefruit. Dry, light and fruity, it is a typical Wachau."

ABC Wines review: This wine has aromas of green apple and citrus that are carried forward to the palate which adds fresh, brisk acidity. There is not much follow-through, however, in the somewhat disappointing finish. A good summer wine that can be served with a wide variety of light dishes. Our score: In general, a decent wine but rather expensive. Average at this price.

Winery website: Domäne Wachau. Note: The image of the bottle is for the 2007 vintage.

Kendall-Jackson Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Kendall-Jackson Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Origin: Primarily Lake County, California
Blend: 94.8% Sauvignon Blanc, 4.7% Semillon, 0.5% Sauvignon Musque
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Bottle closure: Synthetic cork
Purchase date: May 2008
Purchase price: $8.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Lime, melon and Anjou pears intermingle with sweet and tropical fruits such as fig and kiwi to create this delightfully refreshing wine. Hints of grapefruit highlight the mineral qualities of this wine’s suprisingly long finish."

ABC Wines review: Fragrant aromas of tropical fruits, notably pineapple and melon, are exhibited by this wine. Quite smooth on the palate, the blend of fruit flavors is balanced by a gentle minerality. The long, mildly acidic finish is nice. This is a very food-friendly wine and could easily be served with a wide variety of cuisines. Our score: Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Winery website: Kendall-Jackson Vineyard Estates. Note: An image of the bottle could not be located.

Reserve St. Martin Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Reserve St. Martin Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Origin: Languedoc, France
Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Bottle closure: Screw cap
Purchase date: June 2008
Purchase price: $7.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A wine of great finesse, lovely freshness, and citrussy notes. It is a great aperitif. Served chilled."

ABC Wines review: This wine has aromas of blended citrus with significant lime notes. The palate is quite dry, somewhat astringent, and oddly rather flavorless though with brisk acidity. The finish is quite long but not memorable. Would pair well with with a simple grilled fish or chicken dish. Our score: On the low side of average.

Winery website: None found. Imported by Pasternak Wine Imports.

Cono Sur Riesling 2007

Cono Sur Limited Release Riesling 2007
Origin: Bio-Bio Valley, Chile
Blend: 100% Riesling
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Bottle closure: Screw cap
Purchase date: July 2008
Purchase price: $9.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Bright, appealing yellow-green colour. A wine of deleicate grace and aromatic intensity. The nose is fresh and crisp, with citrus and floral notes. In mouth citric flavours like grapefruit mingle in with mineral hints. This riesling is fresh and young, with great volume and minerality."

ABC Wines review: This riesling has aromas of tree fruit, notably apple, with floral fruit blossom notes. The palate is rather complex with hints of sweetness balanced by mineral crispness. The finish is moderate and somewhat dry. An interesting wine to serve with sandwiches or to include in a picnic basket. Our score: On the high side of Average.

Winery website: Viña Cono Sur. Note: Several rieslings are mentioned on the winemaker's website, but a "limited release" was not found. The depicted bottle and the taste profile are taken for the one closest to the wine reviewed.

Ventisquero Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2005

Ventisquero Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Origin: Casablanca Valley, Chile
Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Bottle closure: Natural cork
Purchase date: July 2008
Purchase price: $9.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Colour: Pale green with silver notes. Aroma: Delicate and elegant, stands out its freshness, with fruity notes, especially citric, such as lemon and grapefruit, also pineapple and pear, some flowers, certain herbs and mineral notes. Taste: Perfect balance that stands out its freshness and mineral notes. Medium body with a smooth and fresh end that lingers in the mouth. "

ABC Wines review: Deeply colored, almost amber, this wine has an intense fragrance of honeyed, almost overripe tropical fruit. The fruit flavors are carried forward to the palate that is not exactly sweet but not particularly dry either. The finish is rather long though unremarkable. Not a sipping wine or one to be used as an aperitif, it requires a substantial meal of chicken or pork to bring out its character. Our score: There are better Chilean wines at this price point. Average at best.

Winery website: Viña Ventisquero

Colombelle White Wine 2007

Colombelle White Wine 2007
Origin: South-West France
Blend: 70% Colombard, 30% Ugni Blanc
Alcohol content: 11.5%
Bottle closure: Screw cap
Purchase date: July 2008
Purchase price: $8.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Colombard: This typical Gascogne variety lends a special fruity note to wine, a powerful and unique aroma with hints of citrus fruit, mango, pineapple or passion fruit. Ugni Blanc: This variety brings a floral bouquet, as well as vivacity and balance. "

ABC Wines review: Nearly colorless, this white wine blend has a fragrance of citrus and tropical fruit with floral notes that is carried through to the palate. Slightly sweet, the body is fairly weak, almost watery, with flavors of melon and pineapple. The finish is brief and not memorable. This wine is best served alone or with light snacks; it would make a terrific and relatively inexpensive wine to serve at gatherings of friends and family. Our score: Average to somewhat better than average.

Winery website: None found.