When I said to stay tuned for the cheapie roundup on Tuesday, what I meant was Tuesday, August 15th, not Tuesday, August 8th. (Not really, but it sounds good, no?)
Three weeks ago, Tobias and I went to the liquor store and spend only $65 dollars on four (4) bottles of wine. This is unprecented, and very exciting. Here's how we fared with our cheapies:
Vina Casas del Bosque Pinot Noir 2005 Casablanca Valley
A bit tanniny, a bit of a sour finish, but for CDN$19.99, a good value in pinotland. A little short on fruit, but a nice cherryish, spicy pinot. Like the other Chilean reds I've tried, it may be flawed, but at least it's got heart.
Calona Vineyards Pinot Blanc Artists' Series Reserve 2004
We are so unpatriotic in our virtual ignoring of all BC wines, it's terrible. But whenever I try one, even an Okanagan Wine Festival award winning one, I feel justified in my snobbery. This pinot blanc was no exception. Like the other BC wines I've tried, it may be flawed, and it doesn't have heart. For CDN$13.49, I'm not terribly upset, but this was pretty watery-tasting to me.
Graff RIESLING KABINETT WEHLENER SONNENUHR 2002
Yikes, I can't find my tasting notes on this one. Hmm, I don't even remember what we ate with it. Terrible. But I do remember that Tobias said it was his new favourite Riesling, and that's a pretty good recommendation. It was just CDN$17.78. It was a little drier than the ones I've been drinking, and that is a welcome change. Riesling can be cloyingly sweet.
Tamaya Sauvignon Blanc 2005 from the Limari Valley
Just CDN$13! Another very slightly flawed but very enjoyable Chilean. Tasted more like an Albarino to me than a sauvignon blanc. So robust in flavour that it's amazing to me that this and the Attitude come from the same grape. Pretty neat to see the difference winemaking makes. This was light straw in colour, had peach and lots of pineapple on the nose, and lots of minerally flavour. There was a certain slight unpleasantness about the mouthfeel, which is why I said "slightly flawed" above, but for 13 bucks! Man!
