VINA ROBLES - WHITE4

Vintage: 2008
Price Range: $15
Producer: Vina Robles
Region & Country: San Miguel, California
Grape Variety: White Wine (Verdelho 41%; Vermentino 26%; Sauvignon Blanc 22%; Viognier 11%)
Recommended By: Wine Club

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 9/10/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 3/18/2010

Appearance: Clear with a tinge of yellow; brilliant clear and shines; full-bodied
Nose: Light, full floral scent, apple & lemon; creamy
Taste: Bold, full-flavor; creamy; fair taste of lemon; creamy tartness
Finish: Lingers sweet with lemon
Overall Impression: Fresh white, but still a little tart.  Unfortunately, this wine did not pair well with spicy food.  It is definitely creamy though and a great blend, but it tends to be a bit average.  Nothing really stuck out that made it better than others I've had.
 
Overall Rating: 88/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars

THE WOLFTRAP - ROSE

Vintage: 2008
Price Range: $15
Producer: Boekenhoutskloof
Region & Country: Franschhoek, South Africa
Grape Variety: Rosé (Syrah 75%; Cinsault 15%; Grenache Noir 10%)
Recommended By: Wine Club

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 7/6/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 3/16/2010

Appearance: Watered down cranberry juice; full-bodied
Nose: Non-candy sour apple scent; sweet floral scents
Taste: Sweet with a sour side; acidic citrus; tart
Finish: Sweetness lingers
Overall Impression: First, I have to admit that I'm not a fan of Rosé wines...not even at a wedding.  This one was too tart for my liking.  It wasn't very flavorful to begin with and I thought it would get better.  You know how I feel about "critter wines."  If it has an animal on it, it probably will taste different.
Overall Rating: 75/100
Overall Value: **.5 / 5 Stars

BAGLIO DI PIANETTO - FICILIGNO

Vintage: 2007
Price Range: $18
Producer: Baglio Di Pianetto
Region & Country: Sicily, Italy
Grape Variety: Ficiligno (Viognier 50% / Insolia 50%)
Recommended By: Wine Club

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 7/6/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 7/30/2009

Appearance: Very light in color; full-bodied; color similar to the pulp of a lemon
Nose: Smells ashy like champagne; chalk, apple, floral
Taste: Sweeter than the scent; lots of sweet fruit flavor; slightly acidic with a vague champagne taste
Finish: Dry, but the sweetness lingers in a good way
Overall Impression: If you have never liked champagnes that much, but enjoy a white wine, this is for you. The smell, color and some taste is exactly like a champagne, but without the bubbles! It also has a yummy sweetness and not that ashy taste that most champagnes tend to have.

Overall Rating: 92/100
Overall Value: **.5 / 5 Stars