Chalone Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Chalone Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Monterey County, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.8%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $6.99

Our review: A pale silver-green, this wine has distinct aromas of fresh cut grass, bell pepper, and herbs with slight floral notes. Crisp and clean on the palate, the flavors initially lean more towards citrus, with a tropical fruit and mineral characteristics developing later. The finish is quite complex, evolving slowly and smoothly yet, unfortunately, diminishing rather rapidly.

Our rating: Another wine found in the bargain bin, priced 50% off. At $7 it represents a very nice wine at a terrific price. It's well-balanced and would be quite versatile as a pairing partner on the dinner table. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "On the nose aromas of lemongrass and mouthwatering tropical fruits, guava and passion fruit, mingle with a hint of lemon zest and grapefruit. Flavors of citrus, melon and spice delight the palette and senses."

Winery website: Chalone Vineyard.

Primosic "I Classici" Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Primosic "I Classici" Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Origin: Oslavia, Collio, Italy
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $8.99

Our review: Yellow-gold in color, this wine exhibits aromas of green apple, bell pepper, and sweet aromatic herbs. Of light- to medium-body on the palate, the flavors are similar to those noted on the nose accompanied by a mild acidity. The finish has a slight chalk-like character that's somewhat unpleasant.

Our rating: We served this wine with chicken sandwiches, and we think it would pair well with many poultry dishes. It lacks, however, the depth and complexity necessary to elevate it into the top tier of this varietal; we rate it at best just Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Straw-yellow with greenish shades, finely aromatic, delicate and dry wine. Both the bouquet and the taste recall yellow pepper, gooseberry, tomato leaf. Quite high alcoholic content, fair acidity, dry with a pleasant aftertaste."

Winery website: Primosic Wines.

Rondel Cava Pura Raza Semi Seco NV

Rondel Cava Pura Raza Semi Seco NV
Origin: Catalunya, Spain
Blend: Macabeo, Xarello, Parellada (unknown percentages)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $7.99

Our review: Gold in color with pleasant aromas of peach, mango, and honey, this wine is gently sparkling on the palate. There is a nice balance between fruit flavors and acidity, with a slight amount of sweetness developing into the finish.

Our rating: We served our bottle with a fruit salad, and saved some to create a delicious mimosa. It is a safe wine to serve with brunch, but also inexpensive enough to act as a mixer. It is best when well-chilled. We rate it about Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

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Anything But Chardonnay ("ABC") Wine Reviews periodically provides our readers with current promotions that offer discounts or other incentives for purchasing wine or wine-related products and services through our partner websites. Below is an offer we recently received that we're pleased to pass on at this time.

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Coyote Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Coyote Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Origin: Santa Rosa, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $6.99

Our review: Pale yellow and lightly fragrant, with aromas of gooseberry and herbs with slight grassy notes. There's a good balance between the fruit flavors, but the acidity quickly dissipates leaving the palate slightly sweet. The finish is overly astringent with stone, or slate, characteristics.

Our rating: We served this wine with sandwiches and snacks, which was fine. For pairing, though, it would be better with poultry dishes. Priced about right, it's nonetheless on the low side of Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Coyote Creek Wines, a division of Alder Fels Winery. Though the image was taken from the winery website, no information about the wine could be found there.

Monte Clavijo Rioja Viura 2007

Monte Clavijo Rioja Viura 2007
Origin: Rioja, Spain
Blend: Viura (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $8.99

Our review: The color of straw, this wine exhibits aromas of tree fruit (notably peaches) with distinct floral notes. There is a good balance of fruit flavors and acidity on the palate but the finish is somewhat incongruous, with a nutty, almost earthy character, not unpleasant but rather unexpected.

Our rating: We served this wine with a soup course with which it paired quite nicely, but believe it is best paired with seafood dishes. We rate it about Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Save $50 on 6 or more Bottles during Wine.com's Cellar Sale

Anything But Chardonnay ("ABC") Wine Reviews periodically provides our readers with current promotions that offer discounts or other incentives for purchasing wine or wine-related products and services through our partner websites. Below is an offer we recently received that we're pleased to pass on at this time.

Save $50 off an order of 6 or more wines featured in Wine.com's Cellar Sale. These are ultra-premium wines that were bought at great prices and Wine.com is passing the savings on to customers. With any 6 or more wines from this Cellar Sale, shoppers save $50 when they enter the code FIFTY at checkout. Hurry, this offer ends Friday, June 5th, 2009, and selection is limited!