Franciscan Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 2010
Date Tasted: 04/03/12
Price: Suggested retail price is $17.00
From the Winery: 13% alcohol, 100% Sauvignon Blanc, 100% stainless steel tank, 50% skin contact, 6,309 cases produced
Impressions/Notes: An excellent Sauvignon Blanc with ripe citrus notes and a bit of herbaceousness. For those who like their Sauv. Blanc “sans oak”, this wine is a perfect example of letting the fruit speak for itself. For those who like a bit of oak, try this wine anyway, it won’t disappoint!
Score: 19/20
Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurztraminer, Columbia Valley, 2010
Date Tasted: 04/01/12
Price: Retails for $9.00
From the Winery: 12% alcohol, 94% Gewurztraminer/4% Muscat Canelli/ 2% Riesling.
Impressions/Notes: I believe that I’ve purchased more bottles of this wine in the last 6 months than any other. Why? It’s good, it’s cheap, and it’s a smashing value! Enticing floral aromas, with ripe nectarine, honey, and generous sweetness in the mouth with a dab of acid. I just purchased another bottle for $6.99!
Score: 18/20
Franciscan Estate has in the past (2007 Cab) impressed me, and your glowing review has caught my interest for summer sipping.
Thanks,
Dennis
Dennis,
I’ve been impressed with Franciscan’s overall lineup and very appreciative of the fact that they keep their prices reasonable. I saw that you recently reviewed the Dry Creek Fume Blanc 2010 (nice write-up by the way)–just bought that one for tasting in the upcoming month.
Thanks,
Nick
(FYI, Dennis writes some great reviews on his blog, http://www.nhwineman.blogspot.com.)
Nick, I just saw your kind words; thank you, but you are and artist compared to me, but that aside, I was just looking at your review on the Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurztraminer and realized I had bought one of these a year ago, but never got around to tasting it. Would you say that this is a wine to chill and sip on a hot day, an Aperitif, or do you pair this with a favorite dish?
Thanks,
Dennis
I’m far from an artist Dennis, but thanks for the compliment! We’ve paired the CSM Gewurzt with grilled chicken (nothing too exciting) and it fared pretty well. I think I’d be more inclined to drink this one on a hot summer day than as an aperitif. Funny though, I really enjoy drinking Gewurzt in the fall. Maybe it’s a Gewurztraminer/Germany/Oktoberfest connection.
Thanks,
Nick