AJ’s Fine Foods

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008:  A real zinger with sharp acidity and aromas of gooseberry and lime; some herbal notes, as well.  Lively  finish…….great wine……..$29.99

Kim Crawford:

Dry Riesling 2006:  A little like a cross between a New Zealand  Sauvignon Blanc and a Riesling with minerally apple and lime notes.  Refreshing……….$15.99

Sauvignon Blanc 2008:  Somehow, this wine always impresses both in quality and price; racy and acidic with grapefruit, lime and guava character and accents of wet stone and grass…..all for $19.99.   Try this with shellfish, summer salads, vegetable dishes accented with lemon, asparagus and roasted or grilled chicken……..or as a stand alone on a hot day!

Sauvignon Blanc SP (special parcel) 2006:  The SP wines are their flagship line, resourced from select grapes from very small parcels.  The wine has a very pale green color.  It’s aromas and flavors remind me of a blend between a classic New Zealand and California style with sharp gooseberry and herbal aromas wrapped in a medley 
tropical fruits……$25.99

Chardonnay 2007 (unoaked):  Not one of my favorites, reminds me a little of a Sauvignon Blanc rounded by a hint of pear or vanilla…$21.99
        
Pinot Noir 2007:  black cherry, wild berry and oak notes, has a tangy yet not overpowering spice character….$21.99

Pinot Noir Central Otago SP Rise and Shine Creek 2006:  From their flagship line, more earthy with leathery tannins and aromas of dried berries…….$36.99

Chardonnay 2006:  Pear, peach and some ? vanilla notes with a classic streak of lemon…..$33.99

Sauvignon Blanc 2008:  A classic representation New Zealand’s best with waves of gooseberry and lime and hints of wet stone….$29.99

Pinot Noir 2006:  filled with plum, spice and berry flavors and a little oaky character to boot…..nice wine but a little pricey at $44.99.

Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc 2007: Classic SB with racy grapefruit  and lime notes intermingling with wet stone and grassy elements…$20.99

Matua Sauvignon Blanc 2008:  A simple wine: pleasant and punctuated by faint peach and herbal notes…$13.99

Starborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008:  A pleasant surprise for me as I had not tasted this wine before.  A nice tart acidity with lime and perhaps a hint of pear and all for…..$17.99……..wonderful  summertime wine!

Seifried Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2007:  Another surprise for me…..flavors of apple, lime and pear with subdued acidity….refreshing……$20.99

Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2006:  As an SB, this is getting a little long in the tooth for age…….I would prefer to wait for the ’08 which looks nice.

Pastiche

Matua Sauvignon Blanc 2007:  $11.99; See description below

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2007:  Nicely balanced fruit and acidity; grapefruit, apple and lime highlight the flavors with a classic stony and grass scent…..all for an affordable $13.99

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2008; $14.99;  See above description

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2007:  A real treat……a great balance of fruit, herbs and acidity.  Initial hit of zesty lime and grapefruit riding a wave of acidity; freshly cut grass, perhaps even some sweet pea with…..would you believe it…… a sprig of salt?  $31.99.  Keep an eyout for the ’08 as well.

Beverage House

Babich Sauvignon Blanc 2007:  A solid effort with typical grapefruit,  apple, cut grass and stone…and at an affordable $15.99

Brancott Sauvignon Blanc 2007: Another classic New Zealand SB with streaks of lime, lemon and grapefruit and hints of stone: $11.99

Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2007: lime, grapefruit, tangerine with a hint of grass swirl through a refreshing finish: $21.99

Kim Crawford (unoaked) Chardonnay 2006:  A nicer representation of this wine (vs the 2007 vintage above).  Apple, pear and lemon flavors; priced at $19.19

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2008:  See above description: $19.19

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008:  See above description: $30.49

Matua Sauvignon Blanc 2007:  A bright wine characterized by lively acidity and scents of lime, grass and stone; hints of apricot and peach.  Great price for this wine….$11.69.  Look for the ’08 when available…..it looks to be equally good

Total Wines

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2008:  See above description: $12.47

Starborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008:  See above description: $10.99

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008:  A typical zesty SB with a lemon- lime element and tropical citrus aromas.  A nice refreshing yet subdued acidity………$12.09

Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2008: A zesty wine with lime and notes of pear and apricot with a lively finish…….$16.99

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008: See description above: $19.99

Drylands Sauvignon Blanc 2008: A nicely tart wine reflecting brisk acidity with lime, peach and grapefruit notes.  A lovely refreshing  finish…….priced at $12.69

Babich Sauvignon Blanc 2007:  See above description: $11.49

Amisfield Pinot Noir Central Otago 2006:  A really nice representation of the intensity and expression of Central Otago PN.  Lots black cherry and plum aromas supported by tight tannins and cedar.  A lingering spice noted at the finish.  A lovely wine..$28.99

Brancott Reserve Pinot Noir Marlborough 2005: A nicely balanced wine with currant and deep plum fruits, some herbal notes and a pleasant cedar spice which lingers on the finish….$16.99

Oyster Bay Pinot Noir Marlborough 2006:  A rather tight wine portraying dried berries and herbs.  I prefer the Amisfield…$16.99

BevMo

Starborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007: A nice, grassy representation of a NZ SB with lime and quince flavors….$17.99

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2007:  See above description…$23.99

Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2007:  A very nice wine with zingy acidity and minerality and typical flavors and aromas of gooseberry, grass, wet stone and lime and grapefruit….great quality for value at 
$15.99.  Better still, pick up the ’08 if you see it…..it will be more fresh.

Omaka Springs Sauvignon Blanc 2007:  Another great wine with slightly different characteristics from the Spy Valley.  Offers flavors of guava and peach with grassy and some herbal notes…good value 
 at $14.99

Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2008:  Sour lime and pear notes, nice acidity and minerality with a zesty finish…..$17.99

Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc 2006:  The ’06 is getting a little long in the tooth at this point as most SB’s are meant to be consumed within the first year of release.  I would prefer to keep my eye peeled for the  ’08 which supposed to be a zingy and lively wine and should be priced in the mid to high teens.

Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc 2006:  As above, this wine is now three years old….risking some loss of its vibrancy.  The’08 is described as a simply wonderful wine with crisp notes of grapefruit, apple and pear.  I would rather put my money on this one………$15-20.

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008:  See description above…$15.99

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2008: See description above..$12.99

Brancott Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2006:  Too much age on this…better yet…search for the ’08 which should be a fantastic wineat $~20.00

Matua Sauvignon Blanc 2008:  a lovely wine for the money with notes of grass, herb and peach for a very affordable $8.99

Brancott Sauvignon Blanc 2007: See description above…..$8.99

Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2007: A delightful wine from beginning to end with nice minerality and fruit of lemon-lime and guava

Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc Regional Collection 2008:  Nice blend of lime and grapefruit with typical grassy and stony elements…$8.99

Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2006: Pear, peach and lemon notes well framed by oak and toast…….$27.99