This week’s wine reviews. All wines were received as press samples. Wines were tasted sighted, due to the unusual nature of the wines.
2011 Recuerdo Torrontés
Argentina, Mendoza
SRP: $15. Nose shows bright, ripe citrus fruits, lime-favored chewy candies, and white flowers. On the palate, simple and extremely ripe, with a slightly awkward finish. (86 pts.)
2010 Trumpeter (Familia Rutini) Torrontés
Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, Tupungato
SRP: $12. Restrained nose of ripe white peaches, cantaloupe, and fresh flowers. Balanced and lively on the palate with mouth-watering acidity. (88 pts.)
2011 Bodega Colomé Torrontés
Argentina, Salta, Calchaquies
SRP: $15. Nose explodes with fresh citrus fruits, grapefruit, kiwi, and white flowers. Ripe, lush, and clean on the palate, with refreshing acidity. A simple but delightful wine. (88 pts.)
2010 Vionta Albariño Rías Baixas
Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
SRP: $15. A fascinating nose of banana and limes, backed by a hint of seawater. Refreshing on the palate, with notes that match up with the nose. A fun, refreshing wine. (89 pts.)
2011 Rosa D’Oro Muscat Canelli
USA, California, Central Valley, Yolo County
SRP: $16. A grapey nose of marked by oranges, pineapple, and honey. Slightly sweet on the palate, with a fat, awkward finish. (85 pts.)
2011 Murrieta’s Well The Whip
USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley
SRP: $20. A fascinating blend of 39% Chardonnay; 26% Semillon; 13% Gewurztraminer; 9% Orange Muscat; 7% Viognier; and 6% Sauvignon Blanc. On the nose, toast, white peaches, honeydew melon, and ripe melons – as if a simple Riesling were blended with a New World Chardonnay. Simple but refreshing. (87 pts.)
2008 Saxon-Brown Sémillon Cricket Creek
USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
SRP: $18. A delicate, seductive nose of ripe apples, melon, and a hint of lime rind and lemon curd. The palate is serious and rich, although it finishes slightly bitter. (89 pts.)
2011 Bersano Gavi
Italy, Piedmont, Gavi
SRP: $19. A seductive nose of almonds, lemon curd, ripe McIntosh apples, and honey. The palate matches, but is marked by a great texture and shows some really nice minerality. (90 pts.)
2010 Beni di Batasiolo Gavi Granée
Italy, Piedmont, Gavi
SRP: $18. Restrained nose of ripe stone fruits and citrus notes. The palate shows ripe fruits, but is exceptionally balanced and refreshing. (90 pts.)
2009 Bastianich Vespa Bianco Venezia Giulia IGT
Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia IGT
SRP: $36. A blend of 45% Chardonnay; 45% Sauvignon Blanc; and 10% Picolit. A beautiful nose of fleshy stone fruits, ripe limes, almond, and a hint of honey. The palate shows remarkable depth and richness, but it remains refreshing and light on its feet. A fantastic wine. (93 pts.)
2010 Bastianich Colli Orientali del Friuli Friulano “Adriatico”
Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Colli Orientali del Friuli
SRP: $16. An exceptionally aromatic nose of ginger, pears, and fresh-cut grass. The palate shows impressive concentration and has a lingering, lively finish. (90 pts.)
2011 Troon Vineyard Vermentino
USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Applegate Valley
SRP: $18. A seductive nose of lime rind, lemon curd, and green apple that draws you in. The palate is remarkably juicy, with fantastic acid, a great mouth feel, and a long finish. Delightful. (92 pts.)
2011 Peltier Station Vermentino Hybrid
USA, California, Lodi
SRP: $8. A blend of 90% Vermentino; 5% Pinot Grigio; and 5% Sauvignon Blanc. A grassy, citrus-heavy nose that’s indistinguishable from Sauvignon Blanc. That said, it’s certainly an enjoyable, refreshing wine. 85
2011 Seghesio Family Vineyards Arneis
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $22. A fun nose of pear, apricot, and slate. The palate is full-bodied but balanced by crisp acidity and a fun, fruity finish. (91 pts.)
2011 Cusumano Insolia Sicilia IGT
Italy, Sicily, Sicilia IGT
SRP: $12. A highly fragrant nose of ripe pineapples and other tropical fruit, baked by a fascinating note of Nilla Wafers. The palate is shows both ripe and tart fruits, but somehow seems harmonious. A terrific value. (90 pts.)
2010 Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde Fonte
Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
SRP: $6. A simple nose of ripe limes and green apples. The palate is simple, slightly sweet, and refreshing. (85 pts.)
2010 Great Sense Vinho Verde
Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
SRP: $6. A simple nose of ripe limes and green apples. The palate is simple, slightly sweet, and refreshing. 85
Wines scoring less than 85 points.
2010 Double Decker Pinot Grigio
USA, California
SRP: $10. A simple nose of green apples and lime. Very light on the palate, with minimal flavor.
2011 Jacuzzi Family Vineyard Arneis Paicines
USA, California, Central Coast, Paicines
SRP: $16. A simple nose that shows a hint of citrus fruits, but little else. The palate is slightly sweet, with harsh, unenjoyable flavors.
N.V. Broadbent Vinho Verde
Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
SRP: $9. Fresh and fruity on the nose, with a spritzy, chemically palate.
N.V. Cruzeiro Branco Vinho Verde
Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
SRP: $9. An odd, smoky nose with some citrus fruits. Palate is very strange.