2005 Sauvignon Republic Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley
After trying Sauvignon Republic's offerings from New Zealand and South Africa, I found this to be the best so far. Unusual for a California Sauvignon (or Fumé) Blanc, it has bright acidiy along with depth and a lingering taste. The intensity is from the fruit, not overripe nor fortified by vanillin wood as is so often the case. Its balance avoids any component of grassiness. Close-out price $11; regular price $16.2005 Chablis Premier Cru, Les Fourneaux, Corinne et Jean-Pierre Grossot, France
Rating: Very Good
More of a true chablis than many in the recent past - it has the acidity and some of the flintiness that a good chablis should have. Medium-bodied, with a fairly long taste. There could be a bit more fruit and wood to give it more of the white burgundy character. Close-out price $21; regular price $30.2005 Lagrein Rosé, Cantina Terlan, Alto Adige, Italy
Rating: Very Good -
Light-bodied and light-colored, dry, with good acidity, but low flavor interest. There's some raspberry and it's moderately long, but not enough to taste. Way overpriced at $16, tolerable at the close-out price of $8.2005 Vinsobres, Les Cornuds, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Perrin, France
Rating:Good -
There's 65% syrah and 35% grenache. Fairly dark color, some sour cherry fruit and acidity. Medium-bodied. with moderately long taste. Some firmness but light on wood and tannin. A new appellation to me - this example is flavorful but not heavy. Close-out price $14; regular price $20.2006 Peirano Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, The Heritage Collection, Lodi
Rating: Good ++
Juicy, with lots of flavor, soft and mellow with just a touch of backbone and some cabernet character. Moderately long taste. Price not known.2005 Sancerre "La Croix du Roi", Lucien Crochet, France
Rating: Good +
Great balance with intensity and some depth, and a long taste. Not as austere as white bordeaux nor as acidic as some fresh Sancerres, yet without softness. Very enjoyable for sipping and with the meal. Restaurant price $60 at Abba in Orleans on Cape Cod.2005 Casa Lapostolle Merlot, Cuvée Alexandre, Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile
Rating: Very Good
Deep dark red, lots of depth from extracted of black- and blueberry flavors, moderate acidity. Tending toward full-bodied, with structure from some wood and tannin, though not excessive. Fairly long taste. Robust rather than elegant - good with strongly flavored food. Close-out price $15; regular price $22.2005 Domaine Chandon Pinot Noir, Carneros Appellation
Rating: Good ++
Very well structured, with good acidity, medium body and fairly long taste. Some perfume in the aroma, raspberry fruit, subdued wood and tannin, with a bit of firmness. Not a powerhouse, but has a certain elegance. Close-out price $21; regular price $30.NV Barefoot Chardonnay, California
Rating: Very Good
Mass-produced and inexpensive, but not a bad bottle in the California style. Low to moderate acidity, good fruitiness with some varietal character, softness and some residual sugar. Moderately long taste. Carries a sticker "Official Wine of Pro Beach Volleyball 2007" - those folks sure know how to live it up! Regular price unknown; probably under $10.2005 Laetitia Pinot Noir, Estate, Arroyo Grande Valley
Rating: Good
Medium-bodied, without moderate intensity and not much depth; taste not too long. Some perfume in raspberry fruit, good acidity, and a bit of firmness. Close-out price $12; regular price $17 (half-bottle).2004 WillaKenzie Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Rating: Good +
Fuller than medium-bodied, with moderate acidity, good intensity and a fairly long taste. Lots of flavor, with wood kept under control. A good match for grilled tuna. Close-out price $13; regular price $20.2005 Saintsbury Chardonnay, Unfiltered, Carneros
Rating: Good ++
Like too many California chardonnays: soft and low-acidity, perhaps with a trace of residual sugar. Not over-oaked, but lacking some firmness to give it structure. Medium-bodied with moderately long taste. The 2004 version was considerably better. Close-out price $15; regular price $22.2007 Bopparder Hamm Feuerlay Riesling Kabinett, August Perll, Mittelrhein
Rating: Good +
Very fresh and young, with a bit of acetone in the aroma often characteristic of a young German white. Flowery, with some spice to go with the riesling flavors. Sweetness approaching Spätlese, very good acidity, and a long taste. This wine should age well, but is delicious now. Regular price $15.2001 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, Meulenhof, M-S-R
Rating: Very Good
Has held up and developed very well, acquiring some depth and complexity to go with very good acidity and a long taste. Lovely riesling character, with sweetness appropriate to an aged Spätlese. Regular price $16.
Rating: Very Good
Red-tag close-out sales this month:Whites:
2005 Saintsbury Chardonnay, Unfiltered, Carneros ($15, orig. $22) 2005 Sauvignon Republic Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley ($11, orig. $16) 2005 Jardin Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa ($9, orig. $13) 2004 Santenay Clos de Malte, Louis Jadot, France ($21, orig. $28) 2005 Chablis Premier Cru, Les Fourneaux, Corinne et Jean-Pierre Grossot, France ($21, orig. $30)
Reds:
2006 Laetitia Pinot Noir, Estate, Arroyo Grande Valley ($12, orig. $17)
[Half-bottle]2005 Domaine Chandon Pinot Noir, Carneros Appellation ($21, orig. $30) 2003 Dierberg Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley ($25, orig. $50) 2005 Elk Cove Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon ($10, orig. $16)
Half-bottle]2005 Vinsobres Les Cornuds, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Perrin & Fils, France ($14, orig. $20) 2001 Panzanello Chianti Classic Riserva, Italy ($20, orig. $40) 2005 Lagrein Rosé, Cantina Terlan, Alto Adige, Italy ($8, orig. $16) 2005 Casa Lapostolle Merlot, Cuvée Alexandre, Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile ($15, orig. $22)
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