Category Archives: Price: 10 bucks or less

Price: 10 bucks or less, Tasting Notes

Finca El Portillo Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Mendoza

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FincaElPortillo_SauvBlanc

Producer:  Bodegas Salentein

Grapes: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Appellation: Mendoza (Argentina), Valle de Uco

Vineyards: 100% estate vineyard Finca El Oasis. High elevation (3445 feet).  Alluvial soils. Night harvested.

Aging: 100% stainless steel

Alcohol: 13.5%

Price: I paid $8.49

My tasting notes:  The nose is steely, with citrusy aromas. The high elevation, night harvesting and stainless fermentation/aging all lead to a lively crispness in the mouth with good fruit that leans toward the tropical.  It has nice, lengthy finish as well.

Score: This has the crispness that I want in an everyday white. Not complex enough to be much more than that. But what can you expect for less than 9 bucks? B-/C+

Free association:  Makes me think of lemonade which makes me think of… “Lemonade – that cool refreshing drink” Eddie Murphy on Elvis Presley, from ‘Delirious’ (video)

Fun fact: The Valle de Uco is not named after a river, but a pre-Columbian Indian chief who introduced irrigation to the region. (from the World Atlas of Wine)

Finca El Portillo (photo by jaraya via Panoramio)
Finca El Portillo (photo by jaraya via Panoramio)
Price: 10 bucks or less, Tasting Notes

Evodia 2007 Old Vines Garnacha

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Old vines…ten bucks…Eric Solomon…you don’t have to twist my arm.  Let’s get into it.Label_Evodia2007

Producer: Altavinum

Grapes: 100% Garnacha

Appellation: Calatayud (D.O.); Northeastern Spain

Vineyards: High altitude vineyards (2400-3000 feet) in the mountainous village of Atea.  Pure slate soils. Old vines “planted up to 100 years ago.”

Aging: tank, no oak

Alcohol: 14.5%

Importer: Eric Solomon

Price: I paid $9.98 at Spec’s in Austin

My Tasting Notes: Deep plummy purple with a bit of fuchsia at the edges that seems common with Grenache.  Unusual nose.  Not a ton of fruit. I mostly pick up a strong maple syrup/antifreeze note.  A little mint and stone.  With more time in the glass I start to pick up raspberry.  In the mouth it is medium-bodied and lively with mashed berry flavors. Maybe a little golden raisin.  Very pure and clean.  Very little tannins, but good minerality and acid provide structure.  Nice, interesting little bottle for ten bucks.  The minerality in this is what makes it a winner for me at this price point.

Grade: B

Free association:

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Atea Vineyards
Atea Vineyards