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 White. Show all posts
Showing posts with label White. Show all posts
Monday, January 12, 2009
Friday, November 7, 2008
2006 Hudson-Shaw Riesling
I came across Woodhouse Family Cellars quite by accident. Costco (who doesn't love Costco for whine) had a lovely Kennedy Shaw Tempranillo what had me completely fascinated. When I learned that they were in Woodinville, a trip was in order.
Unfortunately, they were not tasting the Tempranillo or the Petit Verdot, which I was dying to try. Instead they had a focus on their whites. After the round of tasting, the 2006 Hudson-Shaw Riesling stood out as a real winner.
It is always good when a bottle of wine lives up to your memories of the tasting. As I'm sure many can relate, sometimes you get "tasting fever" (e.g. drunk) and lose your ability to discrimitate. A simple sniff of the wine told me this wasn't an unjustified purchase. The nose has a lovely melon-apple smell with overtones of honey. It is fairly low alchohol at 12.4% so I don't get it in the nose. On the palate, it is slightly sweet with honey and apple flavors, finishing to a nice ripe melon. I think honeydew melon. The acid is complimentary, although a bit in the background. The finish is long with a nice sweetness, although this definitely isn't a dessert wine.
If you like your rieslings sweet, but not raisin-y, you should give it a try. Overall a nice wine. We paired it with a vegetarian casserole with kidney beans, tomatoes, zuchini and a corn bread crust.
Lovely.
Unfortunately, they were not tasting the Tempranillo or the Petit Verdot, which I was dying to try. Instead they had a focus on their whites. After the round of tasting, the 2006 Hudson-Shaw Riesling stood out as a real winner.
It is always good when a bottle of wine lives up to your memories of the tasting. As I'm sure many can relate, sometimes you get "tasting fever" (e.g. drunk) and lose your ability to discrimitate. A simple sniff of the wine told me this wasn't an unjustified purchase. The nose has a lovely melon-apple smell with overtones of honey. It is fairly low alchohol at 12.4% so I don't get it in the nose. On the palate, it is slightly sweet with honey and apple flavors, finishing to a nice ripe melon. I think honeydew melon. The acid is complimentary, although a bit in the background. The finish is long with a nice sweetness, although this definitely isn't a dessert wine.
If you like your rieslings sweet, but not raisin-y, you should give it a try. Overall a nice wine. We paired it with a vegetarian casserole with kidney beans, tomatoes, zuchini and a corn bread crust.
Lovely.
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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