Spencer Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Spencer Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: August 2010
Suggested Retail Price: $9.99

Our review: Greenish gold in color, this wine has fresh aromas of citrus (gooseberry, lemon grass) with notes of green apple and spice. Very smooth on the palate, the fruit flavors continue to evolve and develop into the finish, which is a little on the dry, astringent side but otherwise complex and of interest.

Our rating: This is probably not a sipping wine, but a terrific food-friendly one. Crisp enough to accompany most seafood dishes, but well-rounded to the point that it would work well with most poultry and pork dishes. We think it might best be paired with Asian cuisines, which is how we enjoyed our bottle. We're generally not fond of the typically over-oaked sauvignon blancs from California, but this one has a very nice balance to it, and we rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent. The price indicated is suggested retail; if coupled with a package deal, it is less, in which case this wine is an excellent value.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Frei Brothers Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Frei Brothers Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Russian River Valley, California
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.9%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: August 2010
Suggested Retail Price: $15.99

Our review: Light straw gold in color, this wine has citrus aromas coupled with grassy and spice notes. The flavor profile on the palate is similar, perfectly balanced, and creamy smooth. The finish has a touch of heat and adds some spicy elements.

Our rating: This is a very nice wine, one that deserves to be served with flavorful poultry or even pork dishes; it doesn't strike us pairing well with seafood or shellfish. Very complex, it's hard to discern all of the various contributing elements, but it's worth taking the time to explore them. We rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Lively acidity is complemented with aromas of citrus, melon, and fresh cut grass with hints of vanilla and cream. The aromas extend through to the palate and culminate in a crisp, light, enduring finish."

Winery website: Frei Brothers.

La Petite Tour Classic White Table Wine 2009

La Petite Tour Classic White Table Wine 2009
Origin: California
Blend: Unknown
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: August 2010
Suggested Retail Price: $9.99

Our review: Light golden yellow in color, this wine has aromas of citrus and lemon grass with slight floral notes. The fruit flavors, which are more tropical in character, are full and rounded on the palate with a good acidic balance. The finish has a very slight sweetness to it.

Our rating: We could not find any information about the grapes used in this white wine blend (which seems to be exclusive to Wine Insiders), but the citrus (and to a lesser extent tree fruit) character suggests that it may be primarily (or mostly) pinot grigio. We enjoyed its full flavor, and served it with an appetizer platter, with which it paired quite nicely. Overall, we rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent. The price indicated is suggested retail; if coupled with a package deal, it is less, in which case this wine is a very good value.

Taste profile from the vendor: "Delicately aromatic with flavors of ripe pear and surprisingly bright citrus notes in a medium bodied, delicious to the last drop quaffer."

Winery website: None found.

Big House White Wine 2009 3L Box

Big House White Wine 2009 3L Box
Origin: California
Blend: "A varying mixture of Mediterranean varieties" and believed to include Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Marsanne, Malvasia Bianca, Orange Muscat, and Muscat Canelli
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: 3L Box
Purchase Date: July 2010
Purchase Price: $17.99

Our review: Light gold in color, this was has aromas of tree fruit (apple, peaches) with significant notes of citrus. Relatively light-bodied, the fruit flavor is smooth on the palate, is primarily apple, and is nicely balanced. The finish, however, isn't all that harmonious and is slightly unpleasant, astringent with too much minerality.

Our rating: We served this wine as we think is intended, straight from the refrigerator. And our review is based on the wine at this temperature. But we found that it tends to get better as it warms up a bit, becoming slightly more floral and sweet with an improved finish. We reviewed the Big House White 2007 in a bottle a year or so ago, rating it Average. We think this 3 liter box isn't quite as good, but still rate it Average. (Note: we couldn't find the exact blend of grapes used in this wine, and simply copied the general description from the winery's website.)

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Big House Wine.

Cupcake Pinot Grigio 2009

Cupcake Pinot Grigio 2009
Origin: Trentino, Italy
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2010
Suggested Retail Price: $14.00

Our review: Light gold in color with aromas of freshly cut golden delicious apples with notes of citrus flowers. The fruit flavors on the palate are more tropical in character, notably pineapple, with a crisp balancing citric acidity. The finish is clean and refreshing.

Our rating: This wine has a lot of complexity to it, with intriguing nuances from the nose to the finish. It is probably best enjoyed alone on a lazy afternoon, though it is also quite food friendly. We enjoyed our bottle outdoors with grilled skewers of chicken and vegetables. An most interesting take on this varietal, we rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A nose that shows hints of pineapple, pears, and sweet lemons. The body is full and gives way to a creamy mid-palate, integrating tropical fruits, with the vibrant zing of citrus fruits. It is reminiscent of a pineapple upside down cupcake."

Winery website: Cupcake Vineyards.

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Kiwi Cuvee Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Kiwi Cuvee Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Loire Valley, France
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: July 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Light straw in color with silver highlights, this wine has light citrus scents with fresh, grassy notes. A bit tart on the palate, the flavors lean toward gooseberry and lime. A balancing acidity quickly develops but is slightly excessive, leaving the finish to be somewhat astringent.

Our rating: Though the word "kiwi" is on the label, this isn't a New Zealand wine, but it is made in that rather distinctive style. Best served with seafood, and most particularly broiled or grilled white fish filets, this wine can also accompany any meal that has a significant vegetable component. This is a credible effort, and with wines from New Zealand rapidly becoming over-priced, this is definitely worth a try. We rate it Above Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.