Winery: Banfi
Vintage: 2007
Appellation: Chianti Classico
Winery website
Rating: B+
We've generally stuck to the chocolate/beer/coffee tack lately on Critical Tastings, but today I have some tasting notes on a Chianti I enjoyed recently. The Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva is made almost exclusively from Sangiovese grapes and is aged for 2 years in oak before bottling. It is a deep reddish purple in color, looking like pomegranate juice crossed with a black plum. The nose detects fruit notes of cherries and blackberries, vanilla/oak and a touch of grass.
The palate detects oak on the tip of the tongue. Fruit notes of Bing cherries and ripe blackberries are notable. Pomegranate is here as the arils are detectable in the acidity and the seeds in the tannins. The juicy fruit softens the oakiness a bit, but not completely. There is a hint of leather here as well. The mouthfeel is slightly tannic with some juiciness. The finish has lingering oak and jammy fruit.
The Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva is a nice fruity Chianti that I really enjoyed. My only quibble here is the oak seems to be just a bit too much for the amount of fruitiness here. If they rolled back the oak a hair, then this would be perfect. I've always been a fan of Banfi's Chiantis and this is another one that I would happily serve my guests with pasta or even grilled meat.
Showing posts with label Wine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wine. Show all posts
Friday, February 18, 2011
Monday, January 11, 2010
S. A. Prüm "Essence" Riesling
Keywords:
Riesling,
S. A. Prüm,
Wine
Winery: S. A. Prüm
Varietal: Riesling
Appellation: Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
Winery website
Rating: B+
Last night I enjoyed a fantastic dinner for my wife's birthday at Ruth's Chris Steak House. I wasn't in a steak mood so I ordered a Riesling to match the lighter fare I was ordering. My wife was nice enough to let me interrupt our dinner for a few minutes to jot down some notes as I tasted my wine.
The Essence Riesling by S. A. Prüm (aka SA Pruem) is a very light, clear honey-straw color. The nose is rather light with graprefruit and herbal notes. On the palate this Riesling is slightly sweet with tangy grapefruit as the dominant flavor. There are also some mineral and herbal notes. There is a slight fizziness and a very juicy mouthfeel. The acidity gives a pleasant zing on the tip of the tongue. The Essence Riesling leaves a fairly long citrus finish.
While the "Essence" is fairly one-dimensional, it has a lot going for it. The acidity and slight fizz make it easy and fun to drink. It has a light grapefruit-spritzer quality that makes it a great aperitif and pairs with seafood quite well. It was just sweet enough without being too syrupy and would be a good choice served ice cold on a hot summer day.
Varietal: Riesling
Appellation: Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
Winery website
Rating: B+
Last night I enjoyed a fantastic dinner for my wife's birthday at Ruth's Chris Steak House. I wasn't in a steak mood so I ordered a Riesling to match the lighter fare I was ordering. My wife was nice enough to let me interrupt our dinner for a few minutes to jot down some notes as I tasted my wine.
The Essence Riesling by S. A. Prüm (aka SA Pruem) is a very light, clear honey-straw color. The nose is rather light with graprefruit and herbal notes. On the palate this Riesling is slightly sweet with tangy grapefruit as the dominant flavor. There are also some mineral and herbal notes. There is a slight fizziness and a very juicy mouthfeel. The acidity gives a pleasant zing on the tip of the tongue. The Essence Riesling leaves a fairly long citrus finish.
While the "Essence" is fairly one-dimensional, it has a lot going for it. The acidity and slight fizz make it easy and fun to drink. It has a light grapefruit-spritzer quality that makes it a great aperitif and pairs with seafood quite well. It was just sweet enough without being too syrupy and would be a good choice served ice cold on a hot summer day.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Firestone Vineyard 2007 Gewurztraminer
Keywords:
2007 Vintage,
Firestone Vineyard,
Gewurztraminer,
Wine
Vineyard: Firestone Vineyard
Varietal: Gewurztraminer
Vintage: 2007
Vineyard Website
Rating: A-
Some friends came over for dinner tonight and were kind enough to bring over a bottle of the Firestone Vineyard 2007 Gewurztraminer. To the best of my recollection, this was my first experience with Firestone Vineyard, and I was quite impressed with this wine.
This Gewurztraminer is golden honey yellow in color. The nose has citrus and herbal notes, with a hint of fruity sweetness.
The Firestone Gewurztraminer has a tangy citrus acidity and a juicy mouthfeel. Soft herbal notes and spiciness compliment the citrus. There is a hint of honey-sweetness as well. The finish has a pleasant juiciness with some lingering spice. Overall, this is a very drinkable wine that even those who shy away from Gewurztraminers should enjoy.
Varietal: Gewurztraminer
Vintage: 2007
Vineyard Website
Rating: A-
Some friends came over for dinner tonight and were kind enough to bring over a bottle of the Firestone Vineyard 2007 Gewurztraminer. To the best of my recollection, this was my first experience with Firestone Vineyard, and I was quite impressed with this wine.
This Gewurztraminer is golden honey yellow in color. The nose has citrus and herbal notes, with a hint of fruity sweetness.
The Firestone Gewurztraminer has a tangy citrus acidity and a juicy mouthfeel. Soft herbal notes and spiciness compliment the citrus. There is a hint of honey-sweetness as well. The finish has a pleasant juiciness with some lingering spice. Overall, this is a very drinkable wine that even those who shy away from Gewurztraminers should enjoy.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Truro Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
Keywords:
Sauvignon Blanc,
Truro Vineyards,
Wine
Vineyard: Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard Website
Rating: C
The Truro Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc is a very light, almost clear straw color with a slight green hue. The nose has a strong floral aroma with hints of melon and citrus.
On the palate, the floral notes again take the lead. There are undertones of cantaloupe and green peppers. I pick up a strong alcohol taste that doesn't seem to combine well with the strong floral character. The mouthfeel is thin and watery. The finish was surprisingly long and the floral notes seemed to come into balance with the melon flavors after a second or two.
A few side notes on this one: There was no vintage indicated on the bottle, but I have been sitting on this one for about a year, so my guess is the majority is from the 2007 harvest. Also, I am just not a big fan of Sauvignon Blancs with a strong floral flavor. If this is your cup of tea, then you will probably enjoy this wine a lot more than my rating would lead you to believe.
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard Website
Rating: C
The Truro Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc is a very light, almost clear straw color with a slight green hue. The nose has a strong floral aroma with hints of melon and citrus.
On the palate, the floral notes again take the lead. There are undertones of cantaloupe and green peppers. I pick up a strong alcohol taste that doesn't seem to combine well with the strong floral character. The mouthfeel is thin and watery. The finish was surprisingly long and the floral notes seemed to come into balance with the melon flavors after a second or two.
A few side notes on this one: There was no vintage indicated on the bottle, but I have been sitting on this one for about a year, so my guess is the majority is from the 2007 harvest. Also, I am just not a big fan of Sauvignon Blancs with a strong floral flavor. If this is your cup of tea, then you will probably enjoy this wine a lot more than my rating would lead you to believe.
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