Leonard Oakes - 2009 Chardonnay

Tasted on :Friday & Saturday September 16th & 17th, 2011
Purchased for: $15  

This won't be a typical structured review because, well, because I said so. I first tasted this wine at the South Wedge Farmer's Market and immediately loved it. It's a dry white chardonnay, but that doesn't inhibit it from having a wonderfully full flavor. I would definitely buy this wine again. 90/100.

Wagner - Reserve White

Tasted on : November 27, 2010
Purchased for: $5.99

Tasting:

Appearance: Clear, pale, pale straw. Nice legs.

Aroma: Playful apple aroma.

Taste / Texture: Nice, fairly bold taste. Smooth, but neither thin nor thick. Apple note is at the forefront and I cannot detect other flavors.

Aftertaste: Pleasant aftertaste despite a relatively short finish.

Decision: Great value wine! Not only is it tasty and pleasant, it is affordable. 85/100

Treleaven - 2008 Dry Riesling

Tasted on :November 20, 2010
Purchased for: $12.99
Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 10.9%
• Residual Sugar: unknown, dry
  

Wine Awards and Ratings:

• 2009 Wine Spectator - 85 points
  

Tasting:
Appearance: Clear, pale straw. Bubbles are adhering to the sides of the wine glass.

Aroma: Nice, delicate bouquet. Hard to place exact notes aside from "fruity".

Taste / Texture: Excellent mouthfeel. Wonderful flavor. Crisp fruit notes.

Aftertaste: A lingering lemon on the sides of the tongue after swallowing. This note lasts longer than the taste on top of the tongue. Medium finish on the top of the tongue, medium-long on the sides.

Decision: Very respectable Riesling wine. Interesting flavor notes on different parts of the tongue. 85/100

Swedish Hill - Viking White

Tasted on : October 29, 2010
Purchased for: $6.99Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 12%
• Residual Sugar: 0.5%

Wine Awards and Ratings:

• Gold medal NY Wine & Food Classic, NY 8/09
• Gold medal LA Int'l, CA 5/09
• Gold medal Indy Int'l, IN 6/09

Tasting:
Appearance: Very clear, light straw-colored. Nice legs.
Aroma: Crisp apple aroma. Subdued such that it does not flit across the room to ensnare the nose.
Taste / Texture: My immediate reaction isn't very favorable. The taste of the wine is akin to a pinot grigio. There is a mineral or other type of note that completely overwhelms the taste.
Aftertaste: The aftertaste is the best part, funnily enough. The taste is nice and the finish is rather short.
Decision: I've had better wines in this price range, so I wouldn't buy this again. 70/100

Leonard Oakes - 2008 White Oakes

Tasted on: August 07, 2010
Purchased for: $11.49
Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 11%
• Residual Sugar: 0.6%

Tasting:

Appearance: One of the palest white wines I've encountered. The palest of yellows. Nearly colorless.

Aroma: Lovely bouquet. Not the most aromatic wine, but the notes that are there are pleasant. I cannot place the aromatic notes through smell. Perhaps the chill has dampened them (and my allergy-afflicted nose doesn't help!).

Taste / Texture: Very smooth texture. Interesting flavor. Fruit note... pear? No. The winery describes it as apple. Yes, I can agree with that. The winery also notes an allspice component, but I can't tease that apart from the flavor as a whole.

Aftertaste: Medium finish on the tongue. Aftertaste flavor is pleasant.

Decision: Very nice, mild wine. I might not buy it for myself again, but I would not turn down an offered glass or two. 80/100

Fox Run Chardonnay

Tasted on: 07/30/10
Purchased for: $11.99

Wine Data: 2007 Vintage

• Alcohol Content: 12%
• Residual Sugar: low
  

Wine Awards and Ratings:

• Awards

Tasting:
Appearance: Clear light straw coloring

Aroma: Subtle citrus and pear/apple scented

Taste / Texture: Medium body with explosive lemony/orangy punch that evaporates quickly leaving a slight overtone

Aftertaste: pleasant citrus tones that gently remind without being overbearing

Decision: 95/100

Swedish Hill - 2008 Dry Riesling

Tasted on: June 18, 2010
Purchased for: $11.99

Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 12%
• Residual Sugar: 0.5%

Wine Awards and Ratings:

• Gold Medal NY Wine & Food Classic, NY 8/09

Tasting:
Appearance: Light green and clear. No particulates

Aroma: Nice, strong riesling bouquet. Strong fruit notes, particularly pear; however, the description indicates that they are floral notes. I can see how I confused the two. Definitely clean and uncomplicated.

Taste / Texture: Great initial taste. Smooth texture with a punch of dryness, especially after eating something salty. The exact notes of flavor are difficult for me to separate out this evening, especially after my nose led me astray earlier. I'll just say that whatever the flavors, they're very nice.

Aftertaste: Medium-short finish. Nice lingering taste.

Decision: Very agreeable dry riesling. The notes are pleasant and the dryness doesn't over- or underwhelm the wine. I'd definitely buy this one again. 85/100.

Dr. Konstantin Frank - 2007 Rkatsiteli

Tasted on: May 28, 2010
Purchased for: $15.99
Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 12%
• Residual Sugar: 0.75
• pH: 3.43
  

Wine Awards and Ratings:

• 2007 - Best of Appellation: Double Gold
• 2007 - Amenti del Vino Competition: Double Gold

Tasting:
Appearance: Nice and clear. Tinged with a straw color.

Aroma: Very full bouquet. A mysterious fruity note. After reading the description, I can identify the mango and pineapple aromas.

Taste / Texture: Surprisingly sweet for the residual sugar amount. Unassuming flavor, but complex with a medium body. Each taste is interesting.

Aftertaste: Medium finish time. The aftertaste is pleasant and does not overly coat the tongue. Finishes a tad drier than it starts, but not by much.

Decision:
I tried this wine since rkatsiteli is one of the oldest vinifera grape varieties. The wine, as made by Dr. Frank, is pleasant and interesting to drink, though it doesn't wow. Regardless of sugar content, it's a little too sweet and falls somewhere between dry and off-dry. I wouldn't turn down a glass of it, but I probably won't buy another bottle for myself. 75/100

2007 - Keuka Lake Estate White

Tasted on: March 27, 2010
Purchased for: $9.99


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 10.5%


• Residual Sugar: unknown
  

Tasting:

Appearance: Clear. Light green-yellow tint.

Aroma: Fruity bouquet.

Taste / Texture: Unique taste. I'm getting a note that I haven't experienced before, but it's hard to describe. Almost smoky. Lovely mouthfeel.

Aftertaste: Medium-long finish with lingering flavors being pleasant for the tongue.

Decision: A nice value wine. I don't have much more than that to say about it. 75/100.

Four Chimneys - Kingdom White

Tasted on: February 20, 2010
Purchased for: $9.99

Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 12%


• Residual Sugar: unknown

Tasting:

Appearance: Lovely light, pale yellow. No particulates.

Aroma: Strong fruity and oaked bouquet.

Taste / Texture: Initially thin and lacking flavor, but the taste quickly catches up and is well-balanced and flavorful. I can't distinguish the notes very well in this wine, but they seem to go together very well.

Aftertaste: Quick finish. Pleasant aftertaste.

Decision: First of all, I need to point out that this is an organically-produced wine. This is a novelty, especially in the Finger Lakes. The taste doesn't compare to some other FL dry white blends that I've had, but it is definitely respectable. I think that over chilling it will dull the flavor, so I would be careful with that. 80/100

Red Tail Ridge - Dry Riesling

Tasted on: December 23, 2009
Purchased for: Unknown


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 12.5%
  


• Residual Sugar: 0.7%
  

Tasting:

Appearance: Clear, medium-intense straw color

Aroma: Wonderful bouquet. I'm a little stuffed up, so I can't really distinguish the aroma notes. I'm going to rely on the tasting notes for this - lemon and lime aromas are concentrated in this wine.

Taste / Texture: I can taste a minerality and lemon/lime notes. Thin-bodied, but the flavors seem to work with it.

Aftertaste: Nice finish that is neither short nor overstaying. It leaves a pleasant taste and the dryness is cloying against the palette.

Decision: Not the best riesling wine that I've had, but definitely okay. It gets better as I drink more. 85/100

Wagner 2006 Dry Riesling

Tasted on: December 4, 2009
Purchased for: ~$12.00 as a TGIF mood enhancer

Wine Data: Wagner Vineyards located on Seneca Lake, New York

• Alcohol Content: 11.5
  


• Residual Sugar: 0.23
  

Wine Awards and Ratings:

• Score: 83

Tasting:

Appearance: Clear faint straw color with light-medium body

Aroma: Pleasant melodic scent of pear, melon and peach with a subtle citrus essence duly noted.

Taste / Texture: Burst of tart lemon/lime upon entry which smoothly dissipates into a mellow slightly fruity finish. Mineral notes are expressed throughout the tasting.

Aftertaste: Crisp, citrus after-tones that quickly leave creating a dry finale.

Decision: A nice change of pace wine that is light on the tongue as well as the wallet. Serve this wine with seafood and white meats preferrably prepared with herbs as not to overwhelm the delicacy of the wine. I would purchase this wine again if given the opportunity.

Ravines - 2007 Keuka Village

Tasted on: December 04, 2009
Purchased for: ~$15


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 12%


• Residual Sugar: 0.8%

Tasting:

Appearance: Remarkably clear with a yellow, light gold tinge. Nice legs.

Aroma: Bouquet isn't that strong, probably due to the chilling. I can detect a strong melon note.

Taste / Texture: Nice mouth feel. Strong melon note, slight minerality. Thin body. Very dry.

Aftertaste: Moderate finish with rather balanced taste. Simple with few nuances.

Decision: A nice wine, but not a favorite. The body is too thin and the flavors are too subtle to thoroughly enjoy it. 80/100

Fulkerson - 2005 Delaware

Tasted on: November 20, 2009
Purchased for: <$10


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 12%
• Residual Sugar: 4.5%
  

Tasting:

Appearance: Very clear. very slight straw tinge.

Aroma: Wonderful bouquet. Fruit notes are the strongest. Pear, perhaps?

Taste / Texture: Boy howdy, is there sugar. The sweetness almost overwhelms the flavor, but not completely. The sugar comes first and then the taste of the grapes. I can't pinpoint the flavor.

Aftertaste: Lasting and coating on the tongue (probably due to the sugar).

Decision: Way too sweet for my tastes. 65/100

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

Atwater Estate Vineyards - 2007 Riesling

Tasted on: September 26, 2009
Purchased for: $9.99


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 12%
• Residual Sugar: 2.2%
• Acidity: 0.74%
• pH: 2.76

Wine Awards and Grades:

• 91 points from Wine & Spirits
• Gold at New York Wine & Food Classic

Tasting:

Appearance: Straw-colored and clear. Very subtle green hue.

Aroma: The first thing I smelled was the sweetness of the wine. Perhaps a fruit note.

Taste / Texture: Sweetier than I usually taste, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed the flavors. The sugar does not shield the taste of the grapes. Robust, complex flavors are present, but I am having trouble separating the different flavor notes. Smooth and medium-bodied.

Aftertaste: A nice, but not overbearing, coating of the tongue. Flavor doesn't overstay its welcome.

Decision: For a sweeter wine than I am used to, it does have a magnificent flavor. I would definitely buy this again. 85/100

Fulkerson Winery - 2007 Dry Riesling

Tasted on: August 27, 2009
Purchased for: $8

Wine Data:

• Alcohol: 12%
• Residual Sugar: 0.7%

Wine Awards and Grades:

• 85 Points Wine Enthusiast

Tasting:

Appearance: Clear and very pale straw

Aroma: Not very aromatic. Smells sweet and of melon.

Taste/Texture: Medium-bodied. Dry finish. Not bursting with flavor. Mellow. Mineral finish.

Aftertaste: Clean finish, slight coating of tongue with mineral and melon notes.

Decision: 70/100. Not bad. Might or might not buy again.

Dr. Konstantin Frank - 2006 Dry Riesling

Tasted on: August 14, 2009
Purchased for: $14
Wine Data:

• Alcohol: 12%
• Residual Sugar: 0.9%
• pH: 2.97
• Acid: 0.8%

Wine Grades and Awards:

• Many, many, many

Tasting:

Appearance: Clear straw colored. No particulates or cloudiness.

Aroma: Strong and complex bouquet of primarily fruity aromas. Can smell the citrus.

Taste/Texture: Smooth. Not too thin. Nice flavor, slight bitterness (minerality?). Can really taste the pear.

Aftertaste: Not fleeting, but not coating. Pleasant.

Decision: Rather good. 85/100. Would probably buy again.

Chateau Lafayette Reneau - 2007 Dry Riesling

Tasted on: August 06, 2009
Purchased for: about $14

Wine Data:

• Alcohol: 12%
• Residual Sugar: Dry, exact % unknown

Tasting:
Appearance: Very clear. No particulates. Very light straw color.

Aroma: Very aromatic and clean. Complex and fruity.

Taste/Texture: Nice body and melon flavor. Biting end.

Aftertaste: Pleasant. Does not coat the tongue or last very long.

Decision: 90/100. Excellent and would definitely buy again