June 29th, 2009
Before reviewing a wine, the Wine Witch usually checks out the winery’s website. Always find it a bit amusing to compare my tasting notes against the “official” notes put out by the winery, especially when I do not particulary like the wine. Anyway, this one is a hoot - all done in Flash. There is this theme about goddesses which for the life of me I cannot figure out what it has to do with the wine. It is also pretty sparse on information. Note to Five Rivers: love your wine, but find the site pretty pointless. Most substance please.
Continue reading Five Rivers Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 California $10
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To me there are two fairly distinct styles of New World Sauvignon Blanc. This is the Wine Witch’s own classification, based on personal experience. True oenophiles would probably be horrified. I’ll call the first the California style - a bit more restrained - tasting of melons and peaches with a bit of grass. The other is the New Zealand style - nothing subtle about it with a predominant citrus, often grapefruit, flavor profile.
The Wine Witch loves Viognier. It is usually a real party in a glass kind of wine. Sadly, it is a lot like Pinot Noir - a real finicky grape which makes finding $10 values difficult. I have liked all the offerings from Smooking Loon (part of the Sebastiani empire) to date. Also, this Viognier came recommended from somebody whose tastes usually aligns with mine. So I opened this bottle with probably too high an expectation. It turned out to be just OK.
The Wine Witch is still in the middle of her Spring Fling with Rose. Paul at my local wine shop had recommended two from France. About two weeks ago I reviewed his personal favorite, a Minervois. I like it and gave it a 4. I am beginning to get a sense of Paul’s palate. He likes his wines a bit more austere, while I like a little more fruit forward style. The Chateau de Bonhoste fulfills my need for fruit.
inger is a well recognized name in California wine making. However, they have many labels under this brand so pay attention to the California Collection part. It is their entry label, but there are some good values to be had here. I am still holding true to my New Year’s resolution to drink more Cabs and so far it is working out for me.
Take a look at the bottle on the right. The name and the bottle certainly do not suggest France - Languedoc Roussillon to be exact. When I first picked up this bottle I assumed it was from California. The French almost always name their wines by place and do not employ clever monikers. It sounded like it might be fun.
Argentina is coming on strong in the U.S. Most of you have probably experienced a Malbec by now, which is Argentina’s signature red. Less well known is their signature white, Torrontes. I happen to like Torrontes a great deal. They usually have an explosive floral nose and a complex flavor palate that can be a challenge to unravel. Unfortunately, all I can say about the Alamos Torrontes is that it is OK.
Nothing says Spring more to the Wine Witch than a Rose. Again, you White Zinfandel lovers out there need to understand that this is a whole other thing. The color may be close, but that’s where it ends. White Zinfandels are lighter weight and farily sweet. If this is your thing, I would recommend Beringer. I know Sutter Home pretty much invited White Zin, but the Beringer is much better.
Here is another wine name that is a bit of a pun. Sawbuck is a slang word for $10 and the wines from this vineyard sell in that range. OK - got that one. However, the real reason for the name is the owners were down to their last $10 before they started achieving some success. Their philosophy is to “make wines we want to drink at a price we are willing to pay”. They also describe themselves as left of center of the mainstream. Attitudes like this warm the Wine Witch’s heart.
I hear you now. There she goes again with another wine with a cheeky name. I admit - I am hopeless and simply cannot resist. I have to tell you though except for a Reisling named Polka Dot (trust me I never got that name) I have seldom been disappointed. I guess you have to be really confident in your product to take a chance like this.
This one will be pretty brief. There is nothing wrong with this wine, but there is not a whole lot right about it either. Santa Rita is one of the larger producers in Chile. This wine is from their 120 label, which I believe is the entry level. Here is the Wine Witch’s advice - for $4 or $5 more get the Reserva. So much better.