Black Box Pinot Grigio 2008

Black Box Pinot Grigio 2008
Origin: delle Venezie, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: 3L Box
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $15.99

Our review: Light lemon yellow in color, this wine has aromas of green apple with notes of citrus blossoms and spice. Initially pleasantly tart on the palate, the flavor profile is similar: green apple and lime zest. Some minerality also develops. The finish is long, but flat and uninteresting.

Our rating: This isn't a complex wine, but at the equivalent of $4 a bottle, it probably doesn't necessarily need to be one. Best suited for picnics or backyard barbecues, or even quiet evenings at home with a pizza watching television. Although it isn't bad, scoring on the low side of Average, we're not sure we'd buy it again; the Barefoot Pinot Grigio NV, for example, costs about the same (on sale), yet is a much better wine.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A bright, well-balanced wine with juicy fruit flavors. It has lovely floral aromas with notes of citrus blossoms and flavors of lemon-lime and hints of peaches. The wines goes well with barbecued chicken and grilled sea bass served with fresh fruit like pineapple and melons as well as aged, mellow cheese."

Winery website: Black Box Wines.

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.

Chateau L'Ermitage White Rhone Valley Wine 2009

Chateau L'Ermitage White Rhone Valley Wine 2009
Origin: France
Blend: Roussanne (60%), Grenache (20%), Viognier (20%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Light gold in color with aromas of peach, flowers, and honey, this medium-bodied wine has a good balance between acidity and fruit flavors on the palate. There's a touch of spice or maybe oakiness that comes through in the long finish.

Our rating: This is a mellow, very food-friendly wine, one that can easily and safely be paired with a wide variety of cuisines. We think roasted poultry would be an ideal choice, but broiled seafood or even pork should also be good choices. Serve just slightly chilled for best results. We rate it on the high side of Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "The harmony of the blending brings a smell of fresh white fruits: peaches, pears, litchis and white flowers’ pollen. The Grenache provides the richness and the Roussanne the balancing acidity."

Winery website: Château L’Ermitage.

Colle Solato Grechetto & Vermentino 2009

Colle Solato Grechetto & Vermentino 2009
Origin: Umbria, Italy
Blend: Grechetto (50%), Vermentino (50%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Straw with silver highlights, this wine has a pleasing blend of tropical fruit aromas, including melon, banana, and papaya. There is little of those fruits on the palate though, the flavors having a watery character. The finish has some body to it but is otherwise unremarkable.

Our rating: We were slightly disappointed with this wine. It did improve, however, as it warmed, so it's possible our initial reaction was based on a too cold temperature. Or maybe it needed to breathe a bit. We served our bottle with a vegetable omelet, with which it paired adequately well. We think pasta would probably have been a better choice, though. Overall, we rate it about Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Concannon Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Concannon Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Central Coast, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Classic New Zealand-style aromas of gooseberry and grass are exhibited by this light straw-colored California varietal. The flavors on the palate are citrus-based, but are rather subdued and a bit muddled. A slight amount of heat develops into the finish, which is of length and interest.

Our rating: This is a complex wine, but not an easy one to decipher -- and we're somewhat torn as to how to define it. According to the winery's website, all stainless steel was used in fermentation; that there is some apparent oakiness is a credit to the skill of the winemaker. Still, given its overall character, it's not as rounded as we might like. Consider pairing it with broiled or grilled seafood. We generally serve California sauvignon blancs with poultry, which in this case probably wasn't an ideal match. On balance, we rate it on the high side of Average, but we think it might be better had it been served with the right meal.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Brilliant straw hue with a complex nose of fig, melon, lemon and lime. Bright fruit, medium body and crisp finish."

Winery website: Concannon Vineyard.

Praia Vinho Verde NV

Praia Vinho Verde NV
Origin: Portugal
Blend: Arinto (40%), Loureiro (30%), Trajadura (20%), Azal (10%)
Alcohol Content: 10.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Aromas of fresh lemon and lime zest, with slight floral notes, accompany this lightly sparking wine. The nicely balanced citrus -- and maybe a little peach -- flavors on the palate are crisp and refreshing. There is some mineral character to the brief finish.

Our rating: This is a delightful wine to start off the summer, with a little more spritz than a typical vinho verde. Perfect for sipping on a lazy afternoon, or just sharing with friends. We enjoyed our bottle watching the sun set. It would also pair well with light dishes, such as green salads drizzled with a fresh vinaigrette or with tomatoes and mozzarella. These "green wines" are typically non-vintage, so drink soon after purchase as they are best consumed young; ours had a 2009 stamp on it. We rate it well Above Average.

Taste profile from the distributor: "Smooth and fresh wine with delicate and lovely fruity flavors. Slightly spritzy, it is well balanced and very refreshing. The wine is ideal as an aperitif or throught a meal, especially with fish, seafood, white meat and salads."

Winery website: None found.

Taking a Break for May

We'll be taking a short break from reviewing the latest ABC wines on our blog here, returning around Memorial Day. In the meantime, please add your comments to the wines we've previously reviewed. And if you have a suggestion for us to try, please drop us a line.

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