For the next two courses we had the Mondavi Fume Blanc Reserve - To-Kalon Vyd 1996. A decent, if over oaked and worked style that many of the tasters had going for France (we tasted all of the wines blind). Good length, but for me the quality of the fruit did not match up to all of the technique and oak - I much prefer the Marlborough un oaked style to this. A wine made in a similar style, but much more sucsessful to my taste is the Kumeu River (Auckland, NZ) Sauvignon which is more sophisticated and displays more vibrant fruit. This wine I would still give a very good rating, but it is not outstanding, in my view - and overpriced too. This was drunk with Celery Root Ravioli with Mushroom Filling and Red Wine reduction (Trotter) and a great Le Bernadin recipe for Grilled Salmon with Mushroom Vinigrette. An passable , though uncomfortable match with the fish, and a rather good match with the ravioli, though the oak seemed to get in the way at times.
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Hot Basement Tasting @ Howard's (Westport): Very serious Sauvignon Blanc. Lemon squirt, grapefruit, and a very long finish. This is not you're Grandfather's SB. This is the good stuff!
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7/29/1999 - Marc wrote: 88 Points
For the next two courses we had the Mondavi Fume Blanc Reserve - To-Kalon Vyd 1996. A decent, if over oaked and worked style that many of the tasters had going for France (we tasted all of the wines blind). Good length, but for me the quality of the fruit did not match up to all of the technique and oak - I much prefer the Marlborough un oaked style to this. A wine made in a similar style, but much more sucsessful to my taste is the Kumeu River (Auckland, NZ) Sauvignon which is more sophisticated and displays more vibrant fruit. This wine I would still give a very good rating, but it is not outstanding, in my view - and overpriced too. This was drunk with Celery Root Ravioli with Mushroom Filling and Red Wine reduction (Trotter) and a great Le Bernadin recipe for Grilled Salmon with Mushroom Vinigrette. An passable , though uncomfortable match with the fish, and a rather good match with the ravioli, though the oak seemed to get in the way at times.
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7/25/1999 - mdefreitas wrote: 92 Points
Hot Basement Tasting @ Howard's (Westport): Very serious Sauvignon Blanc. Lemon squirt, grapefruit, and a very long finish. This is not you're Grandfather's SB. This is the good stuff!
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