Wine Tasting Week of 2.25

Name:Takutai Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Nelson region
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009

Price:$14.95

Wine Critic/Review: A juicy and vibrant wine, this delivers spiced pear and apple flavors that have a mountwatering lemony note. Shades of fresh-cut grass and herb chime in on the finish. Drink now. -MW (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg VA)

Personal Review: One of my favorite grape varieties. Clear, translucent, pale yellow-green to grassy yellow color on the glass. Some nice crisp acidic notes and green herbal scents. Not all too aggressive for a Sauvingon Blanc and a very nice white for the amateur drinker. Slightly course finish but that might of been because this was the first wine of the tasting.

With plain bread to clean palate.  

Name:Takutai Riesling

Variety:Riesling

Region: Nelson region

Country: New Zealand

Year: 2009

Price:$14.95

Wine Critic/Review: Sweet floral aromas of jasmine and honeysuckle combine with grapefruit and lemon characters underpinned by a mineral thread. With a splash of residual sweetness, this wine tickles your palate and makes you ask for more. The sweet entry is balanced by a bright acidity and retained spritziness, which give the wine crispness and "liveliness". It has great length and is at once mouth-filling and refreshing. (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg VA)

Personal Review: Pummelo, grapefruit, maybe even a little cara cara, and other fruits from the citrus family (save lime or orange). On the side of faintly sweet to semi-sweet for a Reisling. Not all too complex for a Reisling. Subtle tastes of apricots or even pear. Would serve best cold and pair well with a light spring mix salad with darker greens (kale, mustard greens, arugala, turnip greens, etc).

With plain bread to clean palate. 

Name: Takutai Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: Nelson region

Country: New Zealand

Year: 2009

Price:$14.95

Wine Critic/Review: Spicy cherry, raspberry, and wild rose aromas with toasty, licorice oak in support. On the palate the wine exhibits soft fruit tannins, delicate structure, and a good balance. A highly likeable, flavor packed wine for consumers new to the delights of the Pinot grape. (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg VA)

Personal Review: Blackened ruby color on the swirl. Black licorice with blackberry and dark berry scents. Oak, cherry wood, and other timber tastes. Strong toasted flavors at first sip. Lighter tannins than expected for a Pinot Noir. Would go well with a lighter dinner of stew, steak, or game protein.

With plain bread to clean palate.  

Name:Terra Sparkling Malbec

Variety: Malbec

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price:$13.95

Wine Critic/Review: Intense red with blue tones and a very bright, giving origin to violet bubbles. Red fruits in nose, cranberry, plums, and a touch of toasted bread and almond, which are the typical red wine aromas. It has a balanced acidity and sugar. Adorned with red fruits, a lot of greasiness and tannins that give a firm structure which characterizes the Malbec wine. (Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg VA)

Personal Review: Pleasant dark red- ruby color on the glass swirl. Dark, dry, deep with blueberry and dark fruit tones. Fairly refreshing for a red wine and with decent structure on the palate. No earthy tones present.

With plain bread to clean palate.  

Name:Ksana Bonarda

Variety: Bonarda

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2008

Price:$12.95

Wine Critic/Review: The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. To the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Bonarda. Finishes solid.

Personal Review: Ruby color on the swirl of the glass. Semi-sweet with red berry tones, with earthy highlights. Black cherry, raspberry, and sweet plum. Unique finish but not long lasting.

With plain bread to clean palate.