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).

Chateau La Freynelle White Bordeaux 2007

Chateau La Freynelle White Bordeaux 2007
Origin: Bordeaux, France
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (60%), Semillon (40%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $10.99

Our review: Light gold in color, this wine has aromas of peach, honey and spice with notes of grass or hay. The flavor profile on the palate is similar, not terribly pronounced, and accompanied by a flint-like minerality that extends into the rather flat finish.

Our rating: There are some individual characteristics about this wine that we liked, but overall we were disappointed. It lacks a complexity that we've come to expected from French white Bordeauxs, though we admit it seemed to improve a bit as we consumed our meal of chicken and roasted potatoes. It's certainly not a bad wine by any means, and we score it on the high side of Average, but we think there are better choices at this price point.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Gunther Schlink Pinot Blanc 2007

Gunther Schlink Pinot Blanc 2007
Origin: Germany
Blend: Pinot Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $10.99

Our review: Pale yellow, this wine has aromas of apricot, apple, and sweet spice (vanilla). Nicely flavorful and dry on the palate, the nonetheless slightly sweet fruit flavors have a slight mineral character. There isn't much of a finish.

Our rating: Versatile with food, this wine would also make a good aperitif or served with a selection of hot appetizers (which is how we enjoyed our bottle). Not otherwise remarkable in an significant way, we rate it about Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Monte Palma Verdejo-Viura 2008

Monte Palma Verdejo-Viura 2008
Origin: Rueda, Spain
Blend: Verdejo, Viura (unknown blend percentages)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Straw in color with silver highlights, this wine has aromas of fresh herbs (fennel) with notes of citrus and citrus blossoms. Smooth and rich on the palate, the flavors initially tend towards tropical fruit before evolving into a spicy sweetness that extends into the finish.

Our rating: This blend of Spanish grapes is quite delightful. Nice as an aperitif, it is also food friendly. We served our bottle with roasted chicken (and confess it was half gone by the time the meal reached the table), but next time we'll choose a spicy pasta or rice dish. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Frenzy Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Frenzy Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.6%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Nearly colorless with only a hint of greenish-silver, this wine has aromas of gooseberry, grapefruit, bell pepper and fresh herbs (basil?). There is a pleasing tartness to the palate, allowing the citrus flavor to come through without being overly acidic. The extended finish adds some minerality to the taste profile.

Our rating: This is a very typical example of this New Zealand varietal, which is to say a very nice one. Clean and crisp, we'd recommend serving this wine with shellfish, particularly seafood appetizers, though it would likely pair well with most Asian cuisines. We rate it on the very high side of Above Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Urban Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Urban Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Golden straw in color, this wine has sweet citrus and vegetal aromas with notes of flowers and spice. Crisp on the palate, the slightly tart citrus flavors tingle the tongue. The unexpectedly brief finish has a distinct spicy character.

Our rating: This is a rather unusual take on this varietal. It has a characteristic citrus and herbal profile, but seems lacking in overall depth. We served our bottle with a pork dish, possibly not the best choice as it would seem to pair better with seafood. Priced about right, still we rate this wine just Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: O. Fournier Wines.

McManis Viognier 2008

McManis Viognier 2008
Origin: California
Blend: Viognier (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Yellow-green in color, this wine has aromas of green apple and tropical fruit. The flavor profile on the palate is quite complex, of moderate body and with a good balance between acidity and fruit. The finish is exceptionally long, slightly spicy, and smooth.

Our rating: This wine is a delicious example of this varietal. A refined dinner wine, we served our bottle with turkey and herb-roasted potatoes, an excellent choice … and how we rate this wine.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Pears, apples and melon flavors are accompanied by a rich mouth feel, nice acid balance and a clean finish."

Winery website: McManis Family Vineyards.