Every so often I head to Esquin and blind-buy a few inexpensive wines. Since I've been on a non-Chardonnay white kick, I picked up a few random Sauvignon Blancs. Normally this is hit and miss, although I have to admit to more hits than misses. That might be more indicative or my palate being crappy than Esquin only selling good wines, but who knows.
The nose is slightly tropical, with hints of green apples and grapefruit. I also get a floral that is hard to pinpoint. Quite complex on the nose for a $12 blind buy.
The palate has quite a bit of complexity as well. Green apples, honey, and grapefruit in the mid palate. A bit of subtle grassiness at the finish, with a slightly bitter, citrus-rind type of bitterness.
It isn't acidic enough to hold up to a lot of foods, but it is a nice refreshing white with a surprising bit of complexity. Can't go wrong for the price. I think I'll pick up a few more...
Showing posts with label Esquin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Esquin. Show all posts
Monday, January 12, 2009
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
2007 Root: 1 Cabernet Sauvignon
This is a continuation of the Purple experience from Monday night. We had tasted the Root: 1 Cabernet Sauvignon and really liked it. We were lucky to grab a bottle at Esquin for $10.99. I've had it open for about 30 minutes, so it has breathed a bit, but I suspect it will get a bit better over the next hour or so.
The nose is different than I remember it. Perhaps because it needs to breathe more, but I get nice black fruit and marinated meat. The marinated meat had me smelling it over and over trying to identify the aroma. But I fine it to be reminiscent of Korean kalbi. I also get alcohol in the nose, perhaps again because it needs to breathe.
On the palate I get fruit and tanins. I'm thinking sweet fruit. Like current jam, with a nice finish into a sweet mocha. There is a small amount of acid that seems well balanced. As much as I think it needs to breathe to open up the nose, it is really nice on the palate for a $10 wine. I can't imagine saving it. It seems ready to drink now. Overall, quite a find for $10. I'll try and give it an hour and update. Really, I mean try. Honestly I don't know if it will make it that long without being finished off...
~~
OK, revisit. The nose has opened up slightly and is more fruity. I get more blackberry aroma, but the marinated meat is still there. The palate has become a bit more fruity as the tannins dye out a bit. Still a drink now wine. Still quite a value at $10 a bottle.
The nose is different than I remember it. Perhaps because it needs to breathe more, but I get nice black fruit and marinated meat. The marinated meat had me smelling it over and over trying to identify the aroma. But I fine it to be reminiscent of Korean kalbi. I also get alcohol in the nose, perhaps again because it needs to breathe.
On the palate I get fruit and tanins. I'm thinking sweet fruit. Like current jam, with a nice finish into a sweet mocha. There is a small amount of acid that seems well balanced. As much as I think it needs to breathe to open up the nose, it is really nice on the palate for a $10 wine. I can't imagine saving it. It seems ready to drink now. Overall, quite a find for $10. I'll try and give it an hour and update. Really, I mean try. Honestly I don't know if it will make it that long without being finished off...
~~
OK, revisit. The nose has opened up slightly and is more fruity. I get more blackberry aroma, but the marinated meat is still there. The palate has become a bit more fruity as the tannins dye out a bit. Still a drink now wine. Still quite a value at $10 a bottle.
Monday, November 10, 2008
2007 Vina Chocalan Carmenere
Tonight the wife and I went to Purple Wine Bar in Seattle and drank our way through two flights. There were several stand out wines, and that prompted a trip to Esquin on the way home. We arrived right after they closed, but Esquin being the great company they are let us in for a quick buy. The were sold out of the Carmenere we went in for, but they recommended the Vina Chocalan. At $10.99 a bottle, it was hard to say no.
Carmenere is a very interesting grape. It always seems to really reflect the terroir, with bold and interesting aromas and flavors. This one didn't fail to impress.
The nose is green. Grassy, and herby (basil, oregano), with a slight gasoline aroma. A second sniff gives me a bit of clothes dye and manure. None of this is bad, despite what you might think!
The wine has a surprisingly fruity mid-palate. It has a nice note of red fruits. I think of ripe raspberries. It has nice tannins and a definite, pronounced bitterness. A second taste keeps the fruit, but has a definite pepper and herb component.
This reminds me that I don't drink enough Carmenere. it is a lovely grape and seems to run such a wide gamut of flavors and aromas. I can't praise the Vina Chocalan enough. At its price point, it is a fantastic buy for a very fun wine.
Carmenere is a very interesting grape. It always seems to really reflect the terroir, with bold and interesting aromas and flavors. This one didn't fail to impress.
The nose is green. Grassy, and herby (basil, oregano), with a slight gasoline aroma. A second sniff gives me a bit of clothes dye and manure. None of this is bad, despite what you might think!
The wine has a surprisingly fruity mid-palate. It has a nice note of red fruits. I think of ripe raspberries. It has nice tannins and a definite, pronounced bitterness. A second taste keeps the fruit, but has a definite pepper and herb component.
This reminds me that I don't drink enough Carmenere. it is a lovely grape and seems to run such a wide gamut of flavors and aromas. I can't praise the Vina Chocalan enough. At its price point, it is a fantastic buy for a very fun wine.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
2005 Marigny-Neuf Sauvignon Blanc
Lately I've been on a bit of a Sauvignon Blanc kick. It started with a search for a good spicy food wine, and the typical high-acid of an SB seemed appropriate. With their relatively-low alcohol, they make for a great daily drinker. I've found the variety you get, from grapefruity to tropical and their price point (typically I can find good ones under $15) makes them a fun wine to drink.
I've been drinking a lot of New Zealand, Australian, and South African SBs, so I have grown to expect a nose with lots of citrus or flowers. The Marigny-Neuf was completely different. The nose seemed a bit tight, and there was no standout aroma. On the palate, I got a lot of minerality. The fruit was is the background, like a glass of grapefruit juice that had been watered down. I could feel the acid on my tongue more than I could taste it. The finish was long, with just a touch of honey moving to a lime-peel bitterness.
Weird thing is that this is not at all what I typically am looking for in an SB, but I found it strangely compelling.
I had it paired with fajitas. Seemed like a good combo to my palate.
I picked it up for $8, so I can't complain too much. A decent wine, but I've had wines I like a lot more at this price range.
I've been drinking a lot of New Zealand, Australian, and South African SBs, so I have grown to expect a nose with lots of citrus or flowers. The Marigny-Neuf was completely different. The nose seemed a bit tight, and there was no standout aroma. On the palate, I got a lot of minerality. The fruit was is the background, like a glass of grapefruit juice that had been watered down. I could feel the acid on my tongue more than I could taste it. The finish was long, with just a touch of honey moving to a lime-peel bitterness.
Weird thing is that this is not at all what I typically am looking for in an SB, but I found it strangely compelling.
I had it paired with fajitas. Seemed like a good combo to my palate.
I picked it up for $8, so I can't complain too much. A decent wine, but I've had wines I like a lot more at this price range.
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