Friday, January 21, 2011
2009 Acacia Pinot Noir Review Score
Acacia has been making affordable quality pinot noirs for many years and I have enjoyed them the last 5 years or so. Acacia is pretty widely available and normally sells for around $15 or less. That is a very low price for what I would call "drinkable" pinot noir and this is more than drinkable. A review of this wine has to factor much of the price/availability factor.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
2009 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc
One of the best value (and best tasting) regions of the world is in Marlborough region of New Zealand. Always consistent and of great value - including the 2009 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc. New Zealand is incredibly consistant with their Sauvignon Blanc offerings. Whether it's Brancott, Kim Crawford, Nobilo, Cloudy Bay or a 1/2 dozen other top quality producers. 2009 looks like a solid vintage for Sauvignon Blanc in the Marlborough region of New Zealand.
2009 Brancott
An easy wine to like from the start. Very nice tart fruit, peaches and green apple on the nose. Tastes of lime and tropical zesty fruit. The 2009 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc is right in the wheelhouse of people looking for that under $15 white wine tasty treat! The finish is good and leaves you wanting more of this tasty NZ wine.
Always plenty on the shelves. Stock up! :)
All the best
Nick
2009 Brancott
An easy wine to like from the start. Very nice tart fruit, peaches and green apple on the nose. Tastes of lime and tropical zesty fruit. The 2009 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc is right in the wheelhouse of people looking for that under $15 white wine tasty treat! The finish is good and leaves you wanting more of this tasty NZ wine.
Always plenty on the shelves. Stock up! :)
All the best
Nick
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wine and Cheese - Pairing Wines and Cheese
One of the great combinations is good wine and good cheese. The pairing is subjective of course. Both in wines and the cheeses we like. I'd like to focus more on the cheese pairings for now. I personally like flavorfull but not overly sharp cheese when having it with red or white wine. In my opinion when the cheese is too strong, it really overpowers the wine you are drinking. Now if the wine you happen to be having is not that great - then by all means... :)
Chedder Cheese - while not "sophisticated" for some (whatever that means) really works great with red wine. Actually [don't laugh] but even good chedder snacks and crackers like Cheese-itz will hit the spot! Hey - when u got kids, you grab lol. On a more serious note, there are many quality and taste variances with cheeder. There's white chedder, traditional yellow, sharp, very sharp etc. But all in all, I think chedder cheese really pairs solidly with most wines.
Fiore Di Sardegna Cheese - A personal favorite of mine that many people are not aware of. It is condsidered a medium hard cheese in texture but has great creamy flavors. It is a wonderful Italian cheese - with or without wine. But why have it without wine? :)
Provolone Cheese - Ok, don't get all flamey on me, but I am not a big fan of hard provolone cheeses. Just not my thing. It's a little strong, the flavors don't really work for me straight up and it has an aftertaste. I love grating it over cooked food and I really love sliced provolone (as a cold cut), but for a hunk of nibble with wines - it doesn't work for me. For most it does. Again - like wine, it is subjective!
Parmesan Cheeses - Like chedder, there are many types but when I'm in the mood for a good hard salty cheese, I love them!
Ok folks - feel free to chime in. Wine and food bring great debates! Share your favorite combinations and pairings ;)
Nick
Chedder Cheese - while not "sophisticated" for some (whatever that means) really works great with red wine. Actually [don't laugh] but even good chedder snacks and crackers like Cheese-itz will hit the spot! Hey - when u got kids, you grab lol. On a more serious note, there are many quality and taste variances with cheeder. There's white chedder, traditional yellow, sharp, very sharp etc. But all in all, I think chedder cheese really pairs solidly with most wines.
Fiore Di Sardegna Cheese - A personal favorite of mine that many people are not aware of. It is condsidered a medium hard cheese in texture but has great creamy flavors. It is a wonderful Italian cheese - with or without wine. But why have it without wine? :)
Provolone Cheese - Ok, don't get all flamey on me, but I am not a big fan of hard provolone cheeses. Just not my thing. It's a little strong, the flavors don't really work for me straight up and it has an aftertaste. I love grating it over cooked food and I really love sliced provolone (as a cold cut), but for a hunk of nibble with wines - it doesn't work for me. For most it does. Again - like wine, it is subjective!
Parmesan Cheeses - Like chedder, there are many types but when I'm in the mood for a good hard salty cheese, I love them!
Ok folks - feel free to chime in. Wine and food bring great debates! Share your favorite combinations and pairings ;)
Nick
Monday, November 1, 2010
Franciscan Chardonnay 2008
A lot of white wine tastings lately! The 2008 Franciscan Chardonnay is the next one up. Fransiscan is a popular California producer. I have had their Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot many times, but this is my first dive into their Chardonnay.
No heavy hand here as the aroma and taste has good flavor but not over the top as many California Chardonnays can go. Nice aroma or fruit peel and warm butter. Flavor delivers nice vanilla, warm nuts and deep citrus undertones. The Franciscan Chardonnay 2008 is light enough to be consumed on it's own but has the depth to match strong with typical chardonnay wine food pairing.
Cold crab anyone? :)
Enjoy!
No heavy hand here as the aroma and taste has good flavor but not over the top as many California Chardonnays can go. Nice aroma or fruit peel and warm butter. Flavor delivers nice vanilla, warm nuts and deep citrus undertones. The Franciscan Chardonnay 2008 is light enough to be consumed on it's own but has the depth to match strong with typical chardonnay wine food pairing.
Cold crab anyone? :)
Enjoy!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Banfi Pinot Grigio 2009 San Angelo
Castello Banfi or just Banfi as people call it is most known for their world known classic red wines. These include Brunello di Montalcino with it's riservas, Rosso di Montalcino and other signature italian red wines. Their San Angelo pinot grigio is a delicious white wine and 2009 is another consistant wine offering.
Crisp, fresh and lively with no bitterness or harsh finish. The 2009 Castello Banfi San Angelo is a very nice pinot grigio. Only drawback is the price, which while not "pricey" (between $15-$20) - it does come in $5 or so over other pinot grigios I would consider equal. But - quality in Italy comes with a price sometimes! and like I said - $18 or so for a really nice white wine is no big deal. And who said California wasn't pricey?!
Crisp, fresh and lively with no bitterness or harsh finish. The 2009 Castello Banfi San Angelo is a very nice pinot grigio. Only drawback is the price, which while not "pricey" (between $15-$20) - it does come in $5 or so over other pinot grigios I would consider equal. But - quality in Italy comes with a price sometimes! and like I said - $18 or so for a really nice white wine is no big deal. And who said California wasn't pricey?!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Kim Crawford Pinot Noir Review 2007 - Wine Review
Kim Crawford is a consistant year in and year our producer of great value wines including Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. New Zealand is the base and posting a review for the 2007 Kim Crawford Pinot Noir is a pleasure. Tasting it is even better!
This is no light Pinot for starters with big aroma and flavors - oh and the price is under $20. Nuff said? :) Seriously - I'm done paying $50 for cult California Pinot (well mostly lol). Most do not surpass a wine like the Kim Crawford Pinot Noir and they can be twice the price. Now don't get me wrong - I LOVE a powerful Russian River Valley Pinot, but you would be VERY challenged to find a real strong one for $16 for instance.
The 2007 Kim Crawford Pinot Noir has great deep color. It looks like it will deliver great aromas and a full flavor and it does. Most wine reviews and tasting notes focus on the taste of the wine, and I agree - that should be the deciing factor but the "nose" on the wine really is great to mention when it stands out. Hey - the wine lasts longer that way! [take it all in]
The aroma and the palate both work here with delicious cherries, maple and well rounded fresh flavors deliver a great taste and very solid finish.
The 2007 Kim Crawford is a joy and a consistant bottle in our house. Oh - and twist cap too. Gotta love that since I am always losing or breaking my wine openers! :)
Wine Review Rating: 91 Points
A winner any way you cut it!
This is no light Pinot for starters with big aroma and flavors - oh and the price is under $20. Nuff said? :) Seriously - I'm done paying $50 for cult California Pinot (well mostly lol). Most do not surpass a wine like the Kim Crawford Pinot Noir and they can be twice the price. Now don't get me wrong - I LOVE a powerful Russian River Valley Pinot, but you would be VERY challenged to find a real strong one for $16 for instance.
The 2007 Kim Crawford Pinot Noir has great deep color. It looks like it will deliver great aromas and a full flavor and it does. Most wine reviews and tasting notes focus on the taste of the wine, and I agree - that should be the deciing factor but the "nose" on the wine really is great to mention when it stands out. Hey - the wine lasts longer that way! [take it all in]
The aroma and the palate both work here with delicious cherries, maple and well rounded fresh flavors deliver a great taste and very solid finish.
The 2007 Kim Crawford is a joy and a consistant bottle in our house. Oh - and twist cap too. Gotta love that since I am always losing or breaking my wine openers! :)
Wine Review Rating: 91 Points
A winner any way you cut it!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Cuvaison Chardonnay - Cuvaison 2008 Carneros
Cuvaison Chardonnay Wine Review
Hi all. A lot of white wine reviews by me lately. Guess I'm hanging on to summer :) Cuvaison Chardonnay is up next! This is a chardonnay right in my "wheel house" style wise. Balanced, Rich in Flavor but not overly oaky or buttery. It is a California Chardonnay.
This wine cries "have me with clams and shellfish" - wish I had some now!...but I will have to suffer with good Italian Fiore di Sardegna cheese and the Cuvaison.
The wine in the glass has a really nice color that hints at the full flavor, body but non syrupy or heavy chardonnay and that does become true when the aroma and taste come thru.
The nose came thru nice with pine nuts and some buttered popcorn actually! Ok - now I'm craving buttered popcorn lol
The Cuvaison has nice orunded butter and toasted almond flavors but it is not "heavy" on the palate nor any heat here. It's got a little spritz too which I like. The alcohol is fully integrated into this wine and it a young Chardonnay.
The finish is solid but not above average long and it turns a little lighter at the end. I don't mind that in a white wine as I'm looking for crispness, refreshing and flavor and the Cuvaison Chardonnay delivers there!
Cuvaison Chardonnay Price
Ahh... a very good part to this white wine and California Chardonnay is Price! Under $25 and for a strong quality California Chardonnay - that really wails. Compare this to $65 Kistlers and you'll see. And while I love Kistler, Martinelli, Dutton Goldfield and others, the pricing has gotten a little crazy the last 10 years.
2008 Cuvaison Chardonnay Wine Rating: 91 Points
Hi all. A lot of white wine reviews by me lately. Guess I'm hanging on to summer :) Cuvaison Chardonnay is up next! This is a chardonnay right in my "wheel house" style wise. Balanced, Rich in Flavor but not overly oaky or buttery. It is a California Chardonnay.
This wine cries "have me with clams and shellfish" - wish I had some now!...but I will have to suffer with good Italian Fiore di Sardegna cheese and the Cuvaison.
The wine in the glass has a really nice color that hints at the full flavor, body but non syrupy or heavy chardonnay and that does become true when the aroma and taste come thru.
The nose came thru nice with pine nuts and some buttered popcorn actually! Ok - now I'm craving buttered popcorn lol
The Cuvaison has nice orunded butter and toasted almond flavors but it is not "heavy" on the palate nor any heat here. It's got a little spritz too which I like. The alcohol is fully integrated into this wine and it a young Chardonnay.
The finish is solid but not above average long and it turns a little lighter at the end. I don't mind that in a white wine as I'm looking for crispness, refreshing and flavor and the Cuvaison Chardonnay delivers there!
Cuvaison Chardonnay Price
Ahh... a very good part to this white wine and California Chardonnay is Price! Under $25 and for a strong quality California Chardonnay - that really wails. Compare this to $65 Kistlers and you'll see. And while I love Kistler, Martinelli, Dutton Goldfield and others, the pricing has gotten a little crazy the last 10 years.
2008 Cuvaison Chardonnay Wine Rating: 91 Points
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