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Sarah Emilson

Sarah Emilson

Armannia

De Luca Armannia Pecorino 2011

I.G.T., Abruzzo, Italy
4276 days ago

Sarah scored this wine: 87/100

Youthful and moderate in straw colour, with a nose that is very aromatic and floral with notes of: pears, white peach, salmonberries, apples, canned lychee, white flowers and rainwater. This is a dry wine with medium+ acidity, medium-alcohol and moderate body. Suprisingly, the palate did not present as much flavour as expected after such an aromatic nose. Youthful flavours of apples, Asian pears, white peach flesh, lemon rind, pistachio and white tea; with a slightly bitter tone throughout, and a medium length finish. This is a good quality wine that should be enjoyed now. Refreshing and quaffable; good to drink all on its own or paired with lighter dishes. I tried this with various cheeses (including Pecorino, which was okay), the standouts being the fresh cheeses (such as sheep's milk feta and buffalo mozzarella). Also went very well with the rabbit terrine, hazlenut crackers and a peach chutney.

Dry Tokaji

Disznókó Dry Tokaji Furmint 2011

Tokaji, Hungary
4279 days ago

Sarah scored this wine: 87/100

Vibrant and light straw in colour, with a youthful nose of nectarine, pear, lime zest, lemongrass, white flowers, celery and green apple. Dry, with high acidity and leaning towards the lower level of medium in body and alcohol. Citrus, nectarine, limeleaf, green apple, green papaya, mint and a prominent flavour of steel minerality are found on the palate. A little less than moderate on the finish (except for that lime flavour which seems to stick around until the next sip). A good wine which does not require any cellaring; drink it now. This wine is crisp and refreshing, and will go well with Thai food, soft/salty goat's milk cheese, salads and fish dishes. I enjoyed this wine with rainbow trout; the ingredients in the dish that best paired with the wine were fennel, tarragon, yellow beets and finger limes.

L.A. Cetto Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Guadalupe Valley, Baja California, Mexico
4279 days ago

Sarah scored this wine: 81/100

Much lighter in ruby colour than expected from a young Cabernet Sauvignon. This "lightness" travelled on through to the nose and palate. Fairly low in aroma, noting: red currants, strawberries, cherries, dirt, butterscotch and an herbal characteristic which seemed like a combination of dill, cilantro and bay leaf. A dry wine, with medium+acid, low+body, medium-tannins, medium+alcohol, and [again] not a lot coming through on flavours: cherries, red currants, cranberries, green pepper, smoke and wet earth; ending short and bitter. This is definitly not a typical Cabernet Sauvignon but worth the try. This wine does not need any additional aging nor would it benefit from doing so; drink now. A regional food pairing would work well here: Mexican beef/pork dishes with lots of ingredients and flavours (e.g. Mole, tacos, enchiladas). Fried foods, beef jerky and cured game could also work.

Old Vines

Tosalet Old Vines 2009

D.O., Priorat, Spain
4303 days ago

Sarah scored this wine: 88/100

Lighter and duller in ruby colour than I had expected. Blueberry pie, raisins, black licorice, black olives, balsamic, ink, tar and white pepper on the nose. Palate was dry with medium levels of acidity, body and tannin structure, yet a high level of alcohol perceived. Flavours of black currant, blue and blackberries, raisins, figs, cocoa, coffee beans, balsamic, white pepper, tar and minerality; ending in a medium length finish. This is a good wine and would suggest drinking it now; there is not enough complexity and structure to warrant years of additional cellaring. A Spanish version of Amarone is a fitting description for this wine. I enjoyed this wine with a heavily seasoned beef loin and rosemary potatoes/carrots. The notable pairing here was the flavour of rosemary, working together to bring out the best of both wine and food. Other pairings would include lamb, osso bucco, sharp cheddar and a charcuterie plate.

Kcb

Kanu Kcb Chenin Blanc 2006

W.O., Stellenbosch, South Africa
4306 days ago

Sarah scored this wine: 87/100

The straw colour of this wine is giving way to a more yellow-gold with it's seven years of age at the time of my tasting. A wide range of aromas consisting of peach, granny smith apples, mandarin orange zest, wet wool, ash, buttery popcorn and slightly rubbery (in a good way). The palate here is dry, with [still] high acid, full bodied (rich in texture from wood ageing and battonage work), and medium+ alcohol levels. Apples, satsuma, quince, lime juice, nutmeg, and a cheesy/soy/umami characteristic all come forth in the flavour profile; with a medium length finish. If you are looking for a Loire-style Chenin Blanc this is not it, but considering it's price point this is a very good wine. For an under-$15 bottle, this is a fantastic find. Don't bother to hold onto this wine much longer, it should be enjoyed now. It was just fine paired with pheasant & pork sausages and an apple, arugula & goat's cheese salad.

Sarah Emilson

Winner World's Best Drink Writer
WFour-Time Winner James Beard Foundation
Five-Time Winner Association of Food Journalists
Six-Time Winner Bert Greene Award
Best Wine Literature Book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Online Writer of the Year Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award