Tasting - Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay

 

Name: Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay 

Variety: 100% Chardonnay 

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State  

Country: United States

Year: 2021

Price: $15

Wine Critic Review:  "Aromas of corn on the cob, melon and herb lead to just off-dry drinking flavors. The concentration seems lacking. Corn notes linger on the finish" (Sean P. Sullivan). 

Wine Folly: pg 96: One of the world’s most popular grapes, Chardonnay is made in a wide range of styles from sparkling Blanc de Blancs to rich, creamy white wines aged in oak.  Chardonnay pairs best with subtle spices and flavors. For example, try matching it with creamy, buttery flavors and soft textures. Lobster is a winning match.

My Review: The smell was overly earthy, with the smell of pair also within it. It had a soft taste to it, with the wine tasting like a oaky pear.  

Would I Buy Again?: Yes. I liked the dryness the wine had to it. 

Tasting - Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

 

Name: Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc 

Region: Marlborough  

Country: New Zealand 

Year: 2022

Price: $12

Wine Critic Review:  "The 2022 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc is on target in its varietal category. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines with aromas and flavors of slight pungent notes, dried herbs, rustic earth, and grapefruit peel. Pair it with a dozen or two raw oysters" (Wilfred Wong)

Wine Folly: pg 165: A unique-tasting white wine with strong herbaceous flavors that are derived from compounds called methoxypyrazines. Sauvignon Blanc is a wonderful pairing partner with herb-driven sauces, salty cheeses, light meats, and last but not least, Asian food.

My Review: The wine smelled heavily floral, with green apple and blackberry the two fruit smells that I caught. It tasted like green apple heavily as well, with a lack of acidity that made it smooth to the tongue.

Would I Buy Again?: Yes. While it tasted like green apple, it wasn't super sweet or acidic, two qualities that were actually pretty nice about this wine. 

Tasting - Gazela Vinho Verde

Name: Gazela Vinho Verde

Variety: 100% Vinho Verde 

Region: Vinho Verde 

Country: Portugal 

Year: 2022

Price: $10

Wine Critic Review: "Perfect patio pour for the dog days of summer; light and easy; bright, light lemony fizz and lower alcohol make for a refreshing treat, affordable for summer picnics." - Beverage Dynamics 

Wine Folly: pg 184: Vinho Verde is very acidic and very light-bodied, with some sweetness and a low amount of tannins.

My Review: The wine smelled tangy, and had large hints of lime. The taste was closer to green apple, with once again a hint of lime. The wine was also tangy and acidic. 

Would I Buy Again?: I would buy this again. The Vinho Verdes are good, and they are easy wines to drink.  

Tasting - Parcelica Chica Monastrell

Name: Parcelica Chica Monastrell

Variety: 85% Monastrell, 15% Syrah 

Region: Yecla  

Country: Spain 

Year: 2019

Price: $12

Wine Critic Review: "A very rich, juicy wine with the alcohol coming through, but there's plenty of blue fruit and polished, chewy tannins. Flavorful finish. New wood comes through. Yet, I like the opulence and the flavors here." - James Suckling 

Wine Folly: pg 133: Monastrell - a deeply bold, smoky red wine that is an essential grape in the Rhone. It is a perfect wine with smoked meats and barbeque.

pg 172: Syrah - a rich, powerful, and sometimes meaty red wine that also originated in the Rhone valley of France. Darker meats and exotic spices being out the fruit notes of Syrah. 

My Review: When sniffing the wine, I smelled cherry, licorice, and blackberry. The cherry was definitely very strong in aroma. I tasted cherry and licorice, with a hint of oak. The wine went down very smoothly.   

Would I Buy Again?: 100%. My favorite wine I have had so far. It was smooth and all the flavors perfectly complimented each other.