Other White Wines: Seismo-Zombie Reviews

Konrad Mendocino Glacier (50% gewurztraminer, 50% chardonnay) (no year on label, bought 1997) New!

SD: Grassy bouquet. Rather nice flavor -- the gewurz zing but with chardonnay substance. Creamy base overliad with tropical fruit lifesavers. A little sweet. B-

Von Wilhelm Haus (Germany) Rudesheimer Rosengarten Kabinett - Nahe, 1993

BW: This unusual white tastes flat and has an unpleasant rusty or mediciney taste. The finish is less objectionable, but the overall impression is disappointing. D+
SD: Rich amber color. Powerful and unusual bouquet: pumpkin? melon rind? acorn squash? Definitely an autumn aura. I admit to being unfamiliar with this wine -- which makes me perhaps unqualified to rate it -- but it certainly is distinctive. The flavor exhibits the same fall colors as the nose; the closest comparison is pulp of a pumpkin. Pehraps it is not as crisp as a notable white should be, for it falls a bit flat. The finish speaks of grapefruits without the acidity. C-

Kunde "Fred's White" Sonoma Valley Table Wine, 1992
80% chardonnay, 20% semillon

BW: Color is a lovely clear golden yellow. Enjoyable floral bouquet. The oak seems overdone, overwhelming the fruit flavors. C+

Daniel Gehrs Le Cheniere (Dry Barrel fermented Chenin Blanc), Mountery County Carmel Vineyard,1994

BW: This wine has a pretty bouquet with hints of apple and vanilla. The flavor is refreshing but a bit harsh, biting at the back of the throat. Still, it's enjoyable, quite dry, and nicely fizzy on the tongue. B-
SD: Bouquet is wonderful! -- Chilled pears and figs in a delicious spread. Crisp and tart, simple and refreshing. Great with buttery crackers. I taste syrup of pears and apples. Not the driest of the dry, but maybe that's just me -- I'm partial to desert. But the finish is rather loud and cloying. B-

Gallo Livingstone Cellars Chenin Blanc of California (no year on label, bought 2/96)

BW: The Gallo chenin blanc is practically odorless, with a pale yellow golden appearance. The flavor is muddled, slightly foxy, flat, lacking in acid. No zing. Ultra boring but drinkable. D+
SD: Nice color, refreshing bouquet. Downhill from there: weak, mushy, adequate but cloying. Syrupy and lifeless. D

Thomas Family Winery (Madison, Indiana) Seyval Blanc (no year on label, bought 4/96)

BW: Fresh scents of apples and pears welcome you to taste this pretty, pale-lemon white. There's a nice spritz and lots of apple flavor. After the first glass I'm wishing for more depth, but if you're looking for a pleasing and refreshing summer wine, this one is a good bet. B
SD: Fruity, grassy bouquet, reminiscent of a sauvignon blanc with pears in the nose. Light and dry, refreshing but flavorful: sliced apples and unrefined sugar without the sweetness. Excellent development, with a fresh and savory attitude. B+

Thomas Family Winery (Madison, Indiana) Vidal Blanc, 1995

BW: This wine has spritz you can see! On the tongue, it starts with spritz and ends with butter. Cool! In between lots of appley fruit. Highly recommended. B+
SD: A clear pale golden delicious, with a sparkly cider tingle. A very light, gentle wine for a Spring afternoon, with overtones of apricot and rose petals. A light spritz helps compensate for its soft, humble manner. B

Schneider's Winery, West Virginia Seyval, 1990

SD: Amber yellow, slightly murky. A little flat, past its peak, but with hints of a former tang that still bring a little pleasure to the palate. Unripe green apples are the key note speaker in this session, but it's already closing up and the audience leaving for the day. (C)

Lanthier Winery (Madison, Indiana) Cellar Reserve Florence White (no year on label, bought 6/96)

BW: This refreshing, semi-dry white is wonderfully fruity and floral, but needs a bit of spritz to lighten it up and relieve the sweetness. B-
SD: Semi-dry pear and pineapple. Soft and tasty, but sugar somewhat overpowers the acidity and flavor. C+
BU: The wine is good. B+
SC: Bridges the gap between semi-sweet and semi-dry. Pleasant, refreshing bouquet.

Madison Vineyards (Indiana) Petit Blanc (no year on label, bought 9/96)

BW: The bouquet is a succulent blend of honeysuckle and roses. This is a full-flavored white wine with a tart finish. Nicely rounded and refined. B
SD: A clear amber wine with a fruity bouquet, the aroma is reminiscent of a sauvignon blanc. This wine seemed so refreshing and crisp when I tasted it earlier but now has a buttery undertone that tends to coat the tongue. Could use a little spritz to give it some zing, but otherwise a nice dry summery wine. B-.