Tuesday, August 25, 2009

ROSE VALLEY WINERY - SAUVIGNON BLANC

Vintage: 2007
Price Range: $20
Producer: Rose Valley Winery
Region & Country: Graton, California, USA
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Recommended By: Wine Club

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 8/3/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 8/25/2009
Dinner: Scallops, various cheeses and french bread

Appearance: Brilliant, pale gold; very clean and light-bodied
Nose: Strong lemon, apple, pear, honey and floral scent
Taste: Sweet honey taste with hints of apple and pear; clean and crisp
Finish: Taste more fruit in finish; lingers slightly, but clean
Overall Impression: This wine was delicious with the scallops. I'm a huge fan! This is got to be the best summer because it's just so fruitful and light. You will love the clean and crisp taste. It just cleans your mouth.

Overall Rating: 96/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars

Friday, August 21, 2009

AGUSTINOS - CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Vintage: 2000
Price Range: $10
Producer: Agustinos Estate Vineyard
Region & Country: Cachapoal Valley, Chile
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: Alpha Food, Liquor & Gifts - Chicago, IL - 5/15/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 8/21/2009

Appearance: Very dark red - almost black; very cloudy; full-bodied
Nose: Berry jam scent, but somewhat hot
Taste: Some berries, somewhat sour and heavy
Finish: Dry and lingers slightly; the finish is the best part
Overall Impression: So I took a chance by purchasing this wine. The bottle many have not been touched for quite some time. Plus, I'm suspicious that there may have been a little cork rot. I just needed to let this one breathe... a lot! Seriously! I wasn't very impressed by it. It was just way too sour and very hot even after I gave it plenty of time to breathe.

Overall Rating
: 70/100
Overall Value: * / 5 Stars

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

CLAYHOUSE VINEYARD - ADOBE WHITE

Vintage: 2007
Price Range: $19
Producer: Clayhouse Vineyard
Region & Country: San Miguel, California, USA
Grape Variety: Adobe White (34% Chenin Blanc, 17% Chardonnay, 16% Roussanne, 11% Viognier)
Recommended By: Wine Tasting

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 1/31/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 8/18/2009
Dinner: Various cheeses and crackers

Appearance: Light, almost white gold; full-bodied
Nose: Sweet scent like peaches and honey; very floral
Taste: Sweet, smooth and clean; tastes very floral with honey
Finish: Creamy and sweet; the sweetness also lingers
Overall Impression: Awesome! Even though I had it with the cheese and crackers, I know this would be a great stand-alone wine. It's the perfect combination of white grapes. It's the perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess.

Overall Rating: 96/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars

Thursday, August 13, 2009

GRANROJO - TEMPRANILLO

Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $11
Producer: Bodegas Navarro-Lopez
Region & Country: Spain
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 5/9/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 8/13/2009


Appearance: Black, cherry red; medium-full bodied; opaque

Nose: Jam fruit, cherry, chocolate, slightly hot
Taste: Sweet berries (cherry) with acidic wash; bold but with a light texture
Finish: Dry, but causes tongue to water creating a jammy after-taste

Overall Impression: The acidity isn't so bad once you have a few tastes. The berries and jam begins to show more. I thought that this was a little sugary though. Also, you might want to drink it within 24 hours. I corked it well and after a couple days went to have a glass... Yuck. You could smell the vinegar. So, drink fast, Kids.


Overall Rating: 89/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars

Sunday, August 9, 2009

DOMAINE DE GOURNIER - VIOGNIER

Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $13
Producer: Domain De Gournier
Region & Country: Saint Anastasie, France
Grape Variety: Viognier
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 8/6/2009
Place & Date Tasted: First wine at the new apartment! - 8/9/2009

Appearance: Very bright, yet brilliant, golden yellow; medium-bodied
Nose: Sweet, tart green apples with a crispness
Taste: Crisp and sweet green apples with a creamy texture
Finish: Slightly creamy with a lingering tartness - not a bad tartness
Overall Impression: I think this Viognier would be better with food, like simple cheeses and bread, but it was still delicious. I would actually like to try it with some scallops or in a white sauce, or sitting on the back porch during the afternoon with some snacks. I think this would be the perfect snack white.

Overall Rating: 93/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars