VIVI WINES - 2009

Two new wines from Southern Italy. Vivi means "to live" in Italian.

VIVI FALANGHINA - 2009

100% Falanghina. 13% alcohol. Aged 5 months in stainless steel.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale gold color with citrus lemon and floral notes on the nose. Dry with apple, tart acidity, minerality and honey on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

84 PTS

For $9.99 a bottle this is an entry level wine with good acidity for food pairing. I was yearning for more vibrant fruit on the palate but serviceable.

VIVI PRIMITIVO - 2009

100% Primitivo. 13% alcohol. Aged 5 months in stainless steel.

TASTING NOTES:

Medium red color with aromas and flavors of black cherry, raisins, dried herbs and spice. Dry with minerality and some creaminess on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

Primitivo is nearly identical to red Zinfandel, although this varietal has its own distinct characteristics primarily driven by terroir. At $9.99 a bottle this is a decent entry level wine with Italian flare.

WATERSTONE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 2006

79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc. 14.9% Alcohol. Napa Valley.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with aromas of charred, cedar oak, creme-de-cassis and black fruit. On the palate there is ample plum, black cherry, cocoa and black currant flavors. Nicely integrated alcohol given its near whopping 15%. Balanced with good length.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

A very solid mid-level Cabernet with composure, structure and depth. Retails for around $20 - $24. Stylistically this leans into the oak, but not in an overwhelming fashion.

FRANCISCAN CHARDONNAY - 2009

Napa Valley 100% Chardonnay with 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Light yellow color with a butter, popcorn and citrus nose. On the palate, flavors of citrus-pear with creamy, toasty, vanilla oak. Minerality on the smooth finish. Good length and structure.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

A crisp, balanced effort with still a significant amount of oak showing through despite the fact that only 20% new oak was used. Retails for around $18 a bottle.

FRANCISCAN SAUVIGNON BLANC - 2009

100% Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc with 12.8% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale yellow color with lime and grapefruit upfront. Melon, grass, vanilla oak, minerals and banana on the mid-palate. Wonderful sweet lime and petrol notes on the finish. Zesty, refreshing, and complex.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

I've been pretty tough on California Sauvignon Blanc. It is hard not to be when the price and quality coming out of New Zealand has revolutionized the varietal. I was pleasantly surprised to taste this wine. It had all the balance, complexity, and lively acidity that I love from Sauvignon Blanc. A really nice wine that retails for around $17 making it only slightly more expensive than New Zealand counterparts. Worth buying.

PETER LEHMANN LAYERS ADELAIDE - 2010

5 grapes: 36% Barossa grown Semillon, 20% Adelaide Plains & SA Riverland Muscat, 20% Barossa Gewurztraminer & Adelaide Hills, 20% Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris, 4% Barossa Chardonnay. 11.5% alcohol. Fermented in Stainless Steel.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale yellow color with aromas and flavors of lemon, peach, banana, grapefruit and melon. Amazing balance. Silky smooth, soft and lush. Crisp, tart, Jolly Rancher apple candy on the finish with a hint of minerality. Great structure and refreshing.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90+ PTS

Awesome! This is the kind of wine that as soon as I taste it, I can't wait to write and talk about it. I've tasted every vintage of the Layers and it never disappoints. So few wines deliver this kind of quality year after year. Low alcohol. Tremendous flavor. Elegant and vibrant. I love this wine! Retails for around $16 a bottle. Find this one. It is a hidden gem.