Sunday, June 27, 2010

Vinařství Valtické podzemí Grand Cuvée Pinot 2008 pozdní sběr

Variety: 50% Pinot Gris, 30% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Mikulov sub appellation
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Residual sugar: 7,4g/l
Acidity: 6,2g/l
Color: light yellow
Bouquet: very expressive green apple, pineapple, bit of bread tones
Taste: medium body, zesty acidity, similar characteristics as in bouquet, green apple, pineapple, lime, grapefruit, medium finish
Recommended food pairing: fish
Overall score: 82
Price: CZK 229
Stopper: Plastic cork
Nice bouquet invites you to try the taste which does not disappoint you at all.

Leaping Horse Chardonnay 2005

Variety: Chardonnay
Country of origin: California, USA
Wine appellation: Lodi valley, California
Vintage: 2005  
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Residual sugar: n/a
Acidity: n/a
Color: medium yellow
Bouquet: green mellon, green apple, hint of pear
Taste: medium body, predominant green apple, accompanied by light taste of pineapple with round acidity and longer finish, slightly lacks complexity
Recommended food pairing: turkey, chicken
Overall score: 81
Price: CZK 150 in 2008
Stopper: Plastic cork
Reasonable chardonnay from California, the oak is almost invisible, contrary to the expectation. It shows some nice rounded mature tones in the taste with acidity which is quite pleasant.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Rosemount Estate Verdelho, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay 2005

Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Country of origin: Australia
Wine appellation: South Eastern Australia
Vintage: 2005
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Color: straw yellow
Bouquet: canned peach, canned gooseberry
Taste: medium body, canned gooseberry flavor accompanied by tropical fruit tones, medium finish
Recommended food pairing: pasta with cream sauce
Overall score: 80
Price: CZK 200 in 2009
Stopper: Plastic cork
Ordinary Cuvee, nothing extra but goes down nicely with food.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Znovín Znojmo Ryzlink rýnský 2002 pozdní sběr

Variety: 100% Rhine Riesling
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Znojmo sub-appellation, Podmolí village, Šobes vineyard
Vintage: 2002
Alcohol content: 12.4%
Residual sugar: 3.1g/l
Acidity: 5.4g/l
Color: straw yellow
Bouquet: expressive, minerality, dry linden tree flowers,
Taste: medium body, excellent opulent taste with very round profile and vibrating acidity accompanied by nice matured tones of proper Riesling, dry apricot, medium to long finish
Recommended food pairing: elaborated dishes of fish
Overall score: 86
Price: CZK 220 in 2006
Stopper: cork
Excellent example of properly aged mineral and lively Riesling. Very complex, rather food wine with proper color, all embracing bouquet and surprisingly complex and taste with vibrant acidity.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Undurraga Aliwen Reserva Chardonnay 2009

Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Country of origin: Chille
Wine appellation: Curico Valley
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol content: 14.0%
Color: very pale
Bouquet: subtle tones of white peach, hazelnut
Taste: medium body, green melon, light oaky nutty tones, pleasant acidity, medium finish
Recommended food pairing: see food, fish
Overall score: 81
Price: CZK 149
Stopper: cork
Reasonable oak aged Chardonnay for the price.