2009 Spier Chenin Blanc

On March 3, 2010, In White, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2009 Spier Chenin Blanc from the Stellenbosch region of South Africa. This 100% Chenin Blanc based wine was purchased for under $8.

Color

In the glass this wine is a very light color, almost clear like water.

Aroma

The first aroma showing is green apple. It is accompanied by notes of pears and a unique brie cheese component. The brie cheese note isn’t like a smelly component, it is more of what I would describe as a mineral component perhaps connected with the rind of a brie cheese. I also get a basic white grape aroma. Over all it is a very fresh nose.

Flavor

There is lemon on the attack and then honeydew and some nice grapefruit components on the mid-palate. It finishes with nice acidity and lingers with a white grape juice component. It is fresh, crisp and light. Good before a meal or as a complement to a salad.

Rating

It is difficult to beat the price of this wine as a simple dry white wine. I recommend trying it and rate it 86 points.

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2008 Doulce France Vouvray Alfio Moriconi Selection

On February 7, 2010, In White, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2008 Doulce France Vouvray by Bougrier Depuis from France. Like most Vouvray wines, this is probably made from 100% Chenin Blanc. I acquired this bottle for under $10. Although it has Doulce (Sweet) in the name the back label declares it to be “OFF-DRY”. Vouvray wines come in sec, demi-sec (off-dry), moelleux and doux levels of sweetness with sec being the most dry. So, I am excited to try this demi-sec version.

Color

In the glass this wine is a nice pale yellow straw color.

Aroma

On the nose there is a dominate lemon component. It is accompanied by green apple and pear. There is a hint of a floral component such as lilies. Overall it comes across as fresh and showing the aromas of raw fruits. Very pleasant.

Flavor

On the attack there is peach and apple. The mid-palate has some honeydew melon in the mix and it finishes with a hint of lemon and red grapefruit. This is a sweet wine. I was a little surprised at how sweet it tastes. Not a lot of acidity but will pair well with a desert that isn’t too sweet. I am thinking of a pound cake or lemon cake.

Rating

For my palate this wine was a bit too sweet and awkward. Perhaps I need to find a sec or even a sec-sec (dry-dry) Vouvray next. I rate it 82 points.

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2009 Ken Forrester Petit Chenin Blanc

On January 24, 2010, In White, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2009 Petit Chenin Blanc by Ken Forrester from the Stellenbosch region of South Africa. This 100% Chenin Blanc based wine was acquired for under $9. Ken Forrester Vineyards makes this wine in a sustainable manner and contributes to the quality of life of the local community and their employees. It comes with a screw cap closure.

Color

In the glass it is a light straw colored wine.

Aroma

On the nose there is some grapefruit and a very fresh cool water smell. Perhaps something a little like chlorine. It might sound bad, but it is actually just very fresh smelling. There is also a white grape juice component.

Flavor

On the attack there is a butter and honey component. In the mid-palate it has a slightly mineral component which reminds me of the sea. It is similar to clam shells. The mineral component is complemented by pear and lime notes and it finishes with some starfruit. Overall it tends to be fruit dominated and meanders between a dry and sweet wine. It will pair well with shellfish.

Rating

One thing that is holding this wine back a little is the low acid. It would probably pair a little better with food if it had it. I do think it is a decent value and rate it 87 points.

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2007 Noel Bougrier Vouvray

On November 21, 2009, In White, By dcpatton

Today we are tasting the 2007 Noel Bougrier Vouvray from the Loire Valley in France. This wine is probably 100% Chenin Blanc; although, Vouvray wines are occasionally blended with Arbois. In Vouvray, the Chenin Blanc wines are made with different levels of residual sugar. The categories are from driest to sweetest (percent risidual sugar in parens): Sec (0-0.4%), Demi-Sec (0.4-1.2%), Moullex (1.2-4.5%), and Doux (4.5% or more). The Doux is sometimes known as liquoreux. We did not find any labeling on the bottle to declare which category this wine is. We acquired this horribly labeled bottle for under $12.

Color

This wine is very golden in the glass.

Aroma

There is not a lot of aroma from this wine. It shows a little chemical component which reminds us of chlorine. It also shows some white grape juice component. Not a very good nose.

Flavor

Upon first sip of this wine, the syrupy sweetness is overwhelming. Keep this in mind if you are going to pair it with food. It must be in the Doux category because it is close to a dessert wine. Once you get past the sugar, there is apple, peach, clover honey and papaya components. Although the fruit is present it is underwhelming. Surprisingly, for a Chenin Blanc there is very little acid.

Rating

Because of the high residual sugar and the muted fruit, we didn’t enjoy this Vouvray. We rate it 82 points.
Question for you. Should I abandon ratings? Do they help you? There is a lot of discussion of this lately. What are your thoughts on it?

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