My backlog of notes continues (hey its Spring Break after all). Here we have a whole bunch of whites, many of which are excellent, some of which are interesting, some of which are surprising, and some of which are just outright bizarre.
The interesting
Stone Haven, Riesling, Winemaker's Selection, South Australia 2006
My first Australian Riesling. Nose of stone fruits, but dominated by pungent petrol and cloves. On the palate, stone fruits, passion fruit/musky floral notes, with strong petrol and clove notes. Full bodied, and completely dry. Very interesting style, like and aged dry German Riesling. Not all will like it, but to me, it demonstrates the potential of Australian Riesling. Very Good / Excellent (86 - 88) [12/12/09]
Dona Paula, Chardonnay, Luzon de Cujo, Mendoza 2006
Peach, pinapple, mango, and a hint of toasted coconut. Little personality at first, showing mostly its high alcohol (14%), but much better as it warms. Doesn't completely hide its alcohol, but a fresh, rich, and nice wine. Very Good (85 - 87) [12/24/09]
L'Isola dei Profumi, il Bianco, Sicilia IGT 2007
Lemon, hints of honeydew melon (perhaps notes of gelatin as well), with honey, and hints of pears, all with a strong influence of vegetal notes. Medium bodied, and fresh. Good seafood wine. Very Good / Excellent (86 - 88) [12/26/09]
Barking Sheep, Chardonnay - Chenin Blanc, Mendoza 2007
Nice golden color. On the nose and palate, personality of very fresh peach, pinnapple, flower nectar, honey, and mineral. Full bodied and ripe. The citrus/pinnapple becomes more prominent as it opens. Like a ripe white burgundy, perhaps having just a shadow of the character of Puligny. Quite nice. Drink now. Very Good / Excellent (86 - 88) [2/13/10]
The very good
Thornbury, Pinot Gris, Marlborough 2006
Citrus, apricot, white flowers, mineral, and a faint hint of strawberry as it warms. Ripe sweet fruit, almost steely acidity, hides 14% alcohol well. Excellent (87 - 90) [12/17/09]
Iris Hill, Pinot Gris, Oregon 2006
Nice rich, slightly floral nose. Lime/orange citrus upfront on the palate, with peach, a hint of melon, notes of honey and floral/orange blossom nectar, and a touch of minerals. Full bodied and rich. Delightfully satisfying. Excellent (87 - 90) [12/23/09]
Chateau Mayne Pergade, Bordeaux 2007
Nice nectary nose. Citrus, orange blossom nectar, melon, hints of fig/honey, and cloves. Nice. Very Good (85 - 87) [12/24/09]
The bizarre
Sawyer Cellars, Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford 2006
Light golden yellow. Nice, fresh, ripe nose of stone fruits, vanilla, honey, and floral notes. Similar character on the palate, with notably very little citrus, perhaps a bit of tangerine upfront. Full bodied, extremely ripe, and not really hiding its 14.1% alcohol. Identifiable as SB, but pushing the limits. A high quality and impressive wine. I like it, but not necssary as a SB, andd not for more than a glass. Excellent (87 - 90) [11/16/09]
Champagne Vranken, La Demoiselle de Champagne, Brut Rose, Champagne NV
A bottle 10 years past release, having been kept at room temperature. Darkened salmon/gold toward orange/amber. Nice, mature, rich, yeasty nose. Red berries and blood orange on the palate, but with corky flavors (not cork taint, but flavors imparted by the cork) marring what would otherwise be a pleasant albeit overmature and slightly funky wine. A bit maderized, medium-full bodied, with medium-light sparkle left. Has some mature depth, but also some weakness from age. Clearly a quality wine. Would be Pleasant (80 - 83) if not for the corky flavors. Worth drinking, if perhaps as a curiosity. Fair-plus (75 - 80) [1/1/10]
Flat Creek Estate, Pinot Grigio, Texas 2008
Light color. Nice, fruity, floral, slightly oaky nose. Pear, green apple, citrus/pinapple/tropicals, and oak. Medium-full bodied. Very nice. Distinctive and original. Better than any Pinot Grigio I've had from California. Excellent (87 - 90) [1/28/10]