2010 Villa Maria Dry Riesling Marborough

I am a big fan of Villa Maria's Sauvignon Blanc wine so I decided to pick up their 'Dry Riesling.'  I used about a 1/4 of the wine for cooking today (Cream Chicken dish) and the rest for imbibing. 

At the nose, there's a slight hint of apricots, pears, apples and grass.  I think this is fairly typical for Chardonnay's; so I was a bit surprised given that it was a Riesling.  The first whirl of the 2010 Villa Maria Dry Riesling -- indeed, quite dry as the label suggests.  Interesting--  Had you blindfolded me I would have to say that this was a Sauvignon Blanc.  Nice balance of grapefruit, nuts, and pears. 

I'm going to give this one 3.5 stars.  A very descent, dry Riesling.  If you're looking for something on the sweeter side, this is definitely not it.  I purchased this one at Kinokuniya for Y1,680.  I did some googling and found one at Rakuten for Y1,239.  Maybe it's time to venture out a bit and start buying from online stores.

Summary: Very dry, reminds me of their Sauvignon Blanc.  Good value, but cheaper sources out there...
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Purchase Cost: Y1,680 (Kinokuniya International)
Other Japanese Retailers: Y1,239 (Rakuten website)
USA Retail Price: $12.95
Food:  Cream Chicken with white rice

2010 Andeluna Malbec

My apologies for not posting anything recently.   Today I decided to try an Argentinian wine.  I think this might be the first review for an Argentinian wine on this blog.  I really enjoy wines from South America -- good bang for your buck.  

Having some homemade pasta (bacon, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, salt/pepper to taste) I decided to open a full body red wine.  This 2010 Andeluna Malbec has aromas of blackberries, cherries, and plums at the first sniff.   The first swirl -- wow, very intense and yes, a full body red. The tannins are well balanced and the finish is slightly spicy (black pepper).   Not bad.  The second swirl was a bit alcoholic, but still spicy and a good balance.  


I am going to give this one 3.5 stars.  I think this is a great table wine and one which you could bring to a casual dinner party.  I purchased this one at Nissin World Delicatessen for Y1,440.   In my personal opinion, a good value for what you are getting.  I'd recommend letting this one open for about 30 minutes.


Summary: Full-body, good balance and slightly spicy finish.  Good value
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Purchase Cost: Y1,440 (Nissin World Delicatessen Groceries)
Other Japanese Retailers: Y1,659 (Rakuten website)
USA Retail Price: $9.95
Food:  Bacon and tomato pasta

2009 Perrin Réserve Côtes du Rhône

According to the label it is 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 20% Mourvedre (by the way, I think this is the first time for me to come across a bottle with Mourvedre).  This 2009 Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone is very good.

The hue is deep red and at the nose there are lots of blackberries.  The first swirl; I was impressed.  Good balance--the berries are definitely there with perhaps some cherries in the background.  Interestingly the finish is spicy (black pepper).  Tannins are very light on the second go around.  

I like this wine.  I am going to give this one 3.5 stars.  I would purchase this one again; however I think it might be a tad expensive (not the best value).  I paid Y2,100 at the Ebisu Gardens, Wine Market Store.  On Rakuten it is listed about 10% cheaper at  Y1,890. Regardless, a good wine with an very interesting peppery finish. 
Summary: Full-body, lots of blackberries at the nose; peppery finish 
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Purchase Cost: Y2,100 (Ebisu Gardens, Wine Market Store)
Other Japanese Retailers: Y1,890 (Rakuten website)
USA Retail Price: $12.49
Food:  NA

2008 Guy Saget Vouvray

A first review of a "Vouvray" on this blog-- I have been wanting to try this for quite some time.  This 2008 Guy Saget Vouvray was a decent wine.  Although nothing spectacular that hits it out of the ballpark; for the price and quality, I thought this was a good value.

Definitely aromas of apples, pears, and melons were present.  As the wine sits a bit, honey became more apparent. A completely dry wine, it is not.  Slightly sweet at taste, and well balanced; however the finish was slightly weak.  This one reminds me of a Sauvignon Blanc as it has some hints of citrus.  

Overall I am going to give this one 3.5 stars.  I purchased this one at the Wine Market Store in Ebisu Gardens.  A interesting find for me as the store clerk said they were out of all Vouvray's; however I managed to pick this one from their sale bin.  I paid Y1,500, where it was originally priced at Y1,890.

Summary: Medium-body, Chenin Blanc.  

Rating: 3.5 Stars
Purchase Cost: Y1,500 (Ebisu Gardens, Wine Market Store)

Other Japanese Retailers: Y1,680 (Rakuten website)

USA Retail Price: $9.95
Food:  Carnitas, and Mild Mexican soup

2007 Montepulciano D'Abruzzo Riserva

An interesting pick from my new favorite store in Ebisu, this 2007 Montepuciano D'Abruzzo was quite good.  


The aromas were filled with fruit -- berries and plums.  The overall balance was good.  Seems as though this one might have been in oak wood.  The initial taste was ever so slightly sweet followed by a nice finish. The tannins were strong, but not too much where it was bitter.  


This one was purchased at Ebisu Gardens, Wine Market Store for Y1,500 (on sale).  Overall, I am going to give this one 3.5 stars.  I'd recommend that you consume this in one day, as the wine did not stay in the fridge overnight too well (the next day it did not taste as good).  


Summary: Full-body, tannins were strong, but good balance  
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Purchase Cost: Y1,500 (Ebisu Gardens, Wine Market Store)
Other Japanese Retailers: NA
USA Retail Price: NA
Food: Ham, cheese, crackers, etc.

2010 Pacific Rim Riesling Columbia Valley

From the Washington State, USA this 2010 Riesling is fairly good.  At the nose it is full of passion fruits.  I can smell a hint of honey, mangoes, and apples.  The color is very nice too (nice yellow hue). 

First swirl-- much sweeter than I was expecting.  The wine has a very mild sparkling wine effect.  The second swirl was followed by a slight bitterness-- Perhaps the tannins are coming out a bit.  


Overall this is a good wine.  Although a bit sweeter than I was expecting the balance is okay.  I am going to rate this one 3.5 stars.  I purchased this bottle at the Ebisu Gardens, Wine Market shop.  When comparing it to other shops in Japan it is about market average, but  A bit pricey if you compare to the prices in the U.S.  That said, this Riesling is a nice one -- probably great during the summer time.  


Summary: Semi-Sweet and overall good Riesling.  Balance is good.  
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Purchase Cost: Y2,205 (Ebisu Gardens, Wine Market Store)
Other Japanese Retailers: Y2,205
USA Retail Price: $9.99
Food: Tofu Stir fry, Edamame beans, and salad

2005 Chateau Arnauld Haut-Medoc

Slightly more expensive than the other wines listed on this blog recently, I must say that I really enjoyed this 2005 Chateau Arnauld Haut-Medoc.  I could be wrong, but I think 2005 is a fairly good year for this wine and the price was reasonable.  With a hint of pine wood or perhaps cedar, this wine is deep with blackberries/blueberries fragrances (very nice).  The first swirl had a medium to full body texture where the berries were definitely present (almost added a sweetness to the wine).  The second swirl--spicy?  Yes, definitely spicy to me--wow.  It almost has a black pepper finish to the wine.  


I purchased this one at Kinokuniya International in Omotesando for Y1,850, which seems market price here in Tokyo.  I am going to give this one 3.5 stars.  Very nice and one which I would recommend to bring to a casual dinner party.


Summary: Full body, very nice color (ruby).  Has a kick at the end with some black pepper taste.
Rating:  3.5 stars
Purchase Cost: Y1,850 (Kinokuniya International)
Other Japanese Retailers: Y1,890 (Rakuten website)
USA Retail Price: $12.95
Food: Nabe (Japanese hotpot dish)