Venica, Ronco Delle Mele Sauvignon, Collio

Afflicted with TCA, although lots of evident fruit. Became a pasta sauce just a few days later....

No mistake, this is sauvignon blanc with the characteristic grassy green aroma/flavour, without being sharp though. Just ripe gooseberry takes over with a touch of mellow sweetness mixing in to the herbal notes. Am I getting a whiff of banana as well?? This a quite concentrated and balanced wine. I do like this, but, honestly, I do not think I will ever rate a sauvignon blanc at 90 or more.

Showing age, but enjoyable still. Mele is one of the richer SB from Venica, I think, and ages a little better to my taste. The 05 was a bit fresher at same age. This is quite dry and, as it warms a bit, is fairly generous. Aromatically it reminds of sweet spoiling apples ready for the cider press. It's viscous and somewhat rich to taste. Probs best with hard white cheeses, or similar things. Improved with air over about 2 …

This was unexpected. First, that I still had it (uncovered while digging out other bottles). Second, that it's still, while well over the hill, drinkable. Interesting in an intellectual "Oh, this is what a 19 year old Sauvignon Blanc tastes like." I won't be finishing the bottle, but it's still a win. Bright, appealing nose, but fairly flat on the palate. Crisp acidity carries it through, but there's only the slightest ghost of fruit. Served chilled.

Medium-pale straw color. Served quite cold, this perhaps inhibited some of the character of the wine. Everything about this was clean and crisp. The nose evoked the image of stainless steel scissors cutting the stems of a fresh flower bouquet under an ice-cold tap. The palate was similarly floral, with a more noticeable minerality. As the temperature of the wine rose I detected a doughy warmth (like freshly baked white bread) underpinning the above. This was modestly acidic and finished …

Blind tasted. Pale hue. expressiv nose of may lily, mimosa and of course the blackcurrent-tree bud (typical of some sauvignon). Some people find for sure the tulip flavor; very nice floral expressions with a touch of cat urine. Mouth according to the nose, smooth a bit more rich than fresh, ending nicely on eucaliptus notes. Simple, franc, just lacking a bit of energy.

Very strong green apple/passion fruit on the nose and the palate. very sleek style, with interesting minerality and fuller than expected. Very interesting style, I am thankful that I have another bottle.

Italy North by Northeast Tasting (Beltramo's Wines and Spirits, Menlo Park, California) : Light yellow color with 1 millimeter clear meniscus; smoke, very tart citrus, tart grapefruit, gooseberry nose; tight, smoke, tart grapefruit, mineral, gooseberry palate; medium-plus finish (pricey for a slightly above average Sauv Blanc at about $35)