San Elias Sauvignon Blanc 2009

San Elias Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Colchagua Valley, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: This wine is light gold in color with aromas of gooseberry, sweet bell pepper, and a touch of grass. There is a good balance of acidity to fruit flavor, and the finish is very nice, clean and refreshing.

Our rating: We enjoy Chilean sauvignon blancs in part because they're frequently not as aggressive as those from New Zealand (which typically have to be served with seafood and quite honestly, sometimes we want a sauvignon blanc and aren't in the mood for seafood) and because they aren't oaky like many from California (which might as well be chardonnays, and then, what's the point). But being in the middle risks being unmemorable, and that's sort of where this wine falls. It's pleasant and safe to serve with most any cuisine, but it's simply not remarkable. Priced about right, it rates on the high side of Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Pale in color with a goosberry bouquet, apple and citrus fruits aromas, and fresh zesty flavor. Excellent aperitif or with salads, fish and poultry."

Winery website: Siegel Winery.

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.

Chateau Belingard Bergerac Sec 2009

Chateau Belingard Bergerac Sec 2009
Origin: Dordogne Valley, France
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (60%), Semillon (40%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Aromas of tropical fruit (papaya, banana) with floral citrus notes and just a touch of spice are exhibited by this light straw colored wine. The fruit flavors are initially quite pleasant on the palate, but become somewhat unbalanced, too acidic, almost strident, into the finish. The finish itself is lengthy but rather flat and without much character.

Our rating: Nearly two years ago we tasted the Chateau Belingard Bergerac Sec 2007, rating it Below Average. Sadly, the 2009 vintage isn't much better (though it does score a bit higher). It is actually fairly cuisine friendly, with food rounding some of the sharper edges. Still, we rate it on the very low side of Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Flowers, boiled sweets and exotic fruits on the nose this wine is an optimal blend; fresh on the palate with long tasting aftertaste." (Note: the website mentions a blend including Muscadelle, but neither the 2007 or the 2009 vintages include this varietal.)

Winery website: Chateau Belingard.

Porta Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Porta Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Valle Central, Chile
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $6.99

Our review: Golden straw in color, this wine has a gentle aroma of citrus zest with citrus floral notes. The dominant flavor on the palate is of grapefruit, maybe gooseberry, but it isn't aggressive; there's almost a hint of sweetness to balance the tartness present. The finish has considerable mineral character to it.

Our rating: This is a nice example of this Chilean varietal, not overly complex but versatile and enjoyable. Serve with any seafood dish, or enjoy with a light, freshly tossed salad. We rate it well Above Average … and a very good value at this price point.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Bright greenish-yellow in color with lively grapefruit, citrus and lychee aromas with soft floral and mineral notes. Well-balanced and fruity, featuring crisp acidity, with grapefruit on the palate and a fresh finish."

Winery website: PORTA.

Rex-Goliath Pinot Grigio 2009

Rex-Goliath Pinot Grigio 2009
Origin: California
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $5.99

Our review: A pale silvery green in color, this wine has bright aromas of tree fruit (peach, pear, apple) with some significant spice notes. Nicely smooth and fruitful on the palate, some citrus character is introduced that becomes more noticable in the slightly too acidic finish.

Our rating: Some wines have a seasonal feel to them, and this one says summer. It's bright and fresh and seems, well, summery. (It probably doesn't hurt that the marketing material mirrors this sentiment.) Pair a bottle with picnic food, or grilled chicken or ribs. Priced attractively at $6 a bottle, we actually picked ours up at a "buy one, get the second half off" sale. It's a rather simple wine, but it is much better than the price would indicate, and we rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Bright, juicy and floral … say howdy to our California version of this Italian classic. HRM Rex Goliath Pinot Grigio is footloose and fancy-free—perfectly suited for a sun-drenched summer afternoon. Pair with fish tacos or linguini with fresh tomato, basil and garlic."

Winery website: HRM Rex Goliath! Wines.

Patch Block Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Patch Block Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: France
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Golden yellow in color with bright tropical fruit and herbacious aromas and just a hint of vanilla. Smooth on the palate, the primarily citrus flavors are nicely balanced with a moderating acidity. The finish has a touch too much citrus and minerality to it, but otherwise is pleasing.

Our rating: A very versatile, food-friendly and likely crowd-pleasing wine. Without a lot of depth or character, it is probably best suited for appetizers or light meals such as turkey sandwiches or green salads. On the score sheet it rates just Average, but our guess is most people will enjoy this wine.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Rich fruity aromas and bright flavors of tropical fruit. It is highlighted by notes of fresh lime that give way to a long round finish."

Winery website: Patch Block Wines.

Kiwi Cuvee Pinot Grigio 2009

Kiwi Cuvee Pinot Grigio 2009
Origin: Germany
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: This wine is medium straw in color with bright aromas of tree fruit (apple, pear, peach) and a touch of spice. Initially slightly sweet on the front of the palate, the fruit flavors are quickly accompanied by a balancing acidity. The finish brings out more of the spice character initially present on the nose.

Our rating: This is an unusual find and a first for us: a pinot grigio from Germany with a New Zealand-ish name. It's really quite pleasant, robust yet with rounded edges. We weren't quite sure what to pair it with initially, so enjoyed most of our bottle with a simple salad and garlic bread. We think Asian cuisines would work best, though, and will consider another bottle with skewers of Thai chicken or maybe potstickers! We rate it Above Average, Nearly Excellent.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.