13 August 2011 2010 Brancott Marlborough Pinot Noir

2010 Brancott Marlborough Pinot Noir

August 13, 2011 By

Loving a big mouthful of ripe cherries with velvety feel and a smooth finish, I’m naturally a huge fan of Pinot Noir.  The 2010 Brancott Marlborough Pinot Noir is not that kind of Pinot.  What it is, is a bright, light-bodied Pinot Noir showing pleasantly tart raspberries with a slightly smoky finish.  Do I enjoy this type of Pinot Noir from New Zealand?  Yes – with a roasted chicken sitting on my deck on a warm summer night!

This Marlborough New Zealand wine is a dark strawberry color in the glass with tons of brightness and fragrant rose aromas.

A Pinot Noir for summer.

Around $10.

Filed Under: New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
11 August 2011 2010 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc

2010 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc

August 11, 2011 By

This Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand displays what is typical of the region for this varietal – burst of bright fruit with a tangy finish.

I first sampled this Brancott Estate wine when it was really cold and some of its aromas and flavors were masked.  As it warmed up a bit, the nose was bright pink grapefruit.  For those wine drinkers who can’t easily identify aromas displayed by certain wines, the grapefruit is prominent and easy to pinpoint on this Sauvignon Blanc.  The citrus notes continue in the mouth with lemon and lime flavors that finish with zippy acidity.

Great summer white at a very affordable price point.

Around $12.

Filed Under: New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
5 July 2011 2009 Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Noir

2009 Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Noir

July 5, 2011 By

This Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand’s most acclaimed winemaking region, is a dark garnet color in the glass and offers a slightly spicy, stone fruits and ripe cherries nose.  In the mouth, I get tons of juicy, ripe dark raspberries and currents.

I served this affordable and approachable wine at my 4th of July party and it paired well with many of the dishes I was serving from blue cheese-topped sirloin burgers to sharp cheddar macaroni and cheese.

From around $14.

Filed Under: New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
8 June 2011 2010 Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

2010 Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

June 8, 2011 By

Paired this New Zealand white wine with some seared scallops and a shrimp salad and it was fabulous.  This Sauvignon Blanc is bright, young and fresh and perfect for any summer parties.

The nose on this pale green wine is citrusy – Meyer lemons and pink grapefruit.  On the palate, this isn’t your typical ultra-light Sauvignon Blanc but a bit more substantial wine with tart flavors of honeydew melons, key limes and other tropical fruits.  The finish is zesty, mouth-watering and medium in length with bright acidity.

Around $10.

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I’m adding to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
12 March 2011 2009 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc

2009 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc

March 12, 2011 By

This affordable New Zealand wine is bigger and bolder than I anticipated.  On the nose, it’s ripe, caramelized ruby grapefruit.  The palate offers fresh-cut grass, Meyer lemon, juicy peach and passion fruit with spicy notes on the finish.  Nice Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at a great price point.

90 Points Wine Spectator.

Around $11.

Filed Under: New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
16 February 2011 2006 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva

2006 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva

February 16, 2011 By

Made of three varietals, Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo, this Rioja is dark cherry ruby with a pale ring in the glass that reminds me of some of my favorite California Pinot Noirs.  On the nose are aromas of wet wood, stone fruits and vanilla.  On the palate, this lighter-bodied Spanish wine offers cherries, some rosy notes and a creamy, velvety mouthfeel with a slightly spicy, smooth, long finish.

Had this wine with a platter of cured meats and it was super.  Would be great with grilled meats such as pork or chicken and with heartier fish like swordfish.

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I’m adding to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Pairings: Grilled meats, lasagna bolognese

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo

Region: Rioja, Spain

Price: $10

Filed Under: Red Wine, Rioja, Spain, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
19 June 2010 2009 Santiago Ruiz Rias Baixas

2009 Santiago Ruiz Rias Baixas

June 19, 2010 By

The 2009 Santiago Ruiz is a blend of 70% albarino, 20% loureiro and 10% treixadura. This wine is straw yellow in the glass and offers a vibrant floral nose full ripe peach and lemons.  It is a well-balanced wine with many layers of intensity that could serve as an aperitif and also pair well with heavier shellfish.  This wine has a long and strong mineral finish.

Santiago Ruiz is known to many as the “Father of Albarino” and the 2009 is a great example of Albarino that’s affordable enough to be a go-to every day wine.

Around $20.

Filed Under: Albarino, Spain, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
18 June 2010 2009 Pazo Senorans Albarino

2009 Pazo Senorans Albarino

June 18, 2010 By

’09 Pazo Senorans

Although light in color, this wine from Rias Baixas is anything but that in bouquet and aroma.  Party in a glass is what you get from the first sniff.  Nose is vibrant and screams of honey, tropical notes with lemony undertones. The 2009 Pazo Senorans Albarino is intense, creamy and well-balanced with an enjoyable crisp finish.

Around $20.

Filed Under: Albarino, Spain, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
25 May 2010 2006 St Supery Virtu Napa Valley White Meritage

2006 St Supery Virtu Napa Valley White Meritage

May 25, 2010 By
2006 St Supery Virtu

2006 St Supery Virtu

Virtu is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (52%) and Semillon (48%). This wine offered a juicy mouthful of peach with an enjoyable mineral finish.  This rich, medium-bodied wine would be great with grilled scallops and a slightly oily grilled fish.

Pairings: Fish, seafood, especially seared scallops

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 52% Sauvignon Blancm 48% Semillon

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Price: $27

Filed Under: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
5 May 2010 2007 Honig Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

2007 Honig Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

May 5, 2010 By
Honig Late Harvest

Honig Late Harvest

Had the pleasure of sampling this wine at the Honig Vineyards and absolutely loved it. The nose on this luscious wine is pure honey and the look of it is syrupy and golden.

The 2007 Honig Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc is a mouthful of succulent sweet melon, dried apricot and rich caramel panna cotta. Great acidity and minerality for this type of wine. Aged in new French oak, this dessert wine’s alcohol level is 11%.

Great, great dessert wine.

Pairings: Cheese plate drizzled with honey, custard-based desserts

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Price: $50

 

 

 

Filed Under: Dessert Wine, Sauvignon Blanc, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
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