Broadbent - Vinho Verde (NV)

Tasted on: October 23, 2009
Purchased for: $7.99


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 9%
• Residual Sugar: Unknown, but likely below 2.5%
  

Wine Awards and Ratings:

• 86 points - Wine Spectator

Tasting:

Appearance: Very clear. slight green tint.

Aroma: Very aromatic with citrus notes. Simple, yet delightful bouquet.

Taste / Texture: The slight carbonation gives it a tingly mouth feel. The blood orange note is clear. The wine has a medium body. The flavors work harmonious towards a generously flavorful taste.

Aftertaste: Lasting, somewhat coating, and quite pleasant on the tongue.

Decision: Excellent, excellent wine. It would pair great with a salad or white meat summer dish. Also a great wine to drink by itself. As a fan of champagne, I love bubbles and their tingling taste on the tongue. Definitely a keeper. 90/100

Raats - 2008 Chenin Blanc (Non-NY)

Tasted on: October 17, 2009
Purchased for: $10.50


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 13.5%
• Residual Sugar: 2.2 g/L
  
• pH: 3.45
• Total acid: 6 g/L

Wine Awards and Ratings:

• 88 points - Wine Spectator

Tasting:

Appearance: Very clear, slight straw color

Aroma: Complex, sweet, and fruity aroma. Intense.

Taste / Texture: Mineral taste with fruity tones. Light-medium mouth feel. Flavors taste a bit disjointed - the mineral overwhelms the fruitiness when slightly chilled.

Aftertaste: Tongue retains some flavor, but is not coated. Pleasant after-taste.

Decision: The wine is layered with minerality and fruit notes that are a bit out of sync. The residual sugar seems high to me because the sweetness isn't overwhelming. Pleasant taste, but a bit too subdued. This vintage was not aged in oak - perhaps that would have changed its flaovring and added taste value to the wine. Would probably not buy again, but not a terrible wine. 75/100

Penguin Bay - 2007 Rose of Chambourcin

Tasted on: October 9, 2009
Purchased for: $7.99


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 11.7%
• Residual Sugar: 0.25%

Wine Awards:

• Gold Medal Florida State Fair Int'l, FL 2/09
• Double Gold Medal San Francisco Chronicle Competition, CA 1/09
• Gold Medal Golden Nose Wine Competition, NY 5/08
• Gold Medal Indy Int'l, IN 6/08

Tasting:

Appearance: A beautiful ruby red with a medium intensity. No particulates or haziness. Mostly transparent.

Aroma: Strongly aromatic - sitting about two feet away from my opened bottle, I can smell it. Strawberry note is the easiest to detect

Taste / Texture: Thin bodied, full of flavor. Again, the strawberry note drowns out any other flavor for detection. Great dryness and acidity.

Aftertaste: Moderate-short length for the finish. Remaining flavors are pleasing.

Decision: Wine has a great balance of acidity, sweetness, and alcohol. Though simple, the flavors are very enjoyable. Would recommend and buy again. An easy wine to like. 85/100

Long Point Winery - 2006 Zinfandel

Tasted on: October 2, 2009
Purchased for: $12.99


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 14.7%
• Residual Sugar: unknown, but dry (probably < 0.5%)
  

Tasting:

Appearance: Dark, deep red. Not translucent. Almost black. Be VERY careful around furniture and rugs. I have a feeling that this wine could leave a nasty stain.

Aroma: Complex bouquet. I can smell the liquorice / anise note. My nose isn't very sophisticated at picking out smells. I'm sure that over time this will develop.

Taste / Texture: Smooth and strong. The flavor is complex with a hint of coffee, anise, and dark chocolate. Of course I could taste these once I read the winery's description of the bottle.

Aftertaste: Lingers on the tongue. Residual taste is somewhat appealing. Leaves a quite bit of a bite of bitterness and dryness at the end.

Decision: For a red wine, I am very impressed with the quality of this wine. The aroma and flavors are very complex. I would likely buy it again should a red wine mood strike me. 85/100