Tag Archives: Satellite

Mini-reviews 164: The woe to availability edition – and just in time for Christmas

empty grocery store shelves
“The WC wasn’t kidding — nary a bottle to be found.”

Reviews of wines that don’t need their own post, but are worth noting for one reason or another. Look for it on the fourth Friday of each month. This month, four interesting wines, but good luck finding three of them (two of which I bought).

• Vins El Cep Xarello 2020 ($12, purchased, 11.5%): This Spanish white is made with a cava grape, xarello. From my tasting notes: “Surprisingly amazing,” given that xarello doesn’t often make quality still wine. But there is structure, lemon and a bit of apple fruit, and quite clean. Limited availability. by Fine Estates from Spain

• El Tuerto Tempranillo Blanco 2021 ($18, purchased, 13%): This Spanish white, made with the red tempranillo grape, is a floral, almost pretty wine, with a blend of tropical and citrus fruits. Impeccably balanced. Highly recommended, if you can find any. Imported by Classic Wines

• Satellite Sauvignon Blanc 2020 ($13, purchased, 13%) I still don’t understand why we’re still hearing that there isn’t any New Zealand sauvignon blanc; this is an older past vintage and it’s still for sale. The wine sits midway between the always fine Spy Valley (which makes it) and all those supermarket Bay wines. So less overtly grapefruit, but still citrusy, but a little softer and more tropical in the middle. Imported by Broadbent Wines

• Gillmore Mariposa 2020 ($14, sample, 14%): Rich and full red blend (half cabernet franc, and the rest merlot and syrah) from Chile. So dark fruit, refined tannins and surprising acidity. Too much syrah for my taste but well made. And, of course, not much for sale in the U.S. Imported by Global Vineyard Importers

Photo: “Empty grocery store shelves in Austin during the 2021 Texas energy crisis” by Jno.skinner is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Mini-reviews 101: Marchesi di Grésy, Tangent, Tommasi, Satellite

Marchesi di GresyReviews of wines that don’t need their own post, but are worth noting for one reason or another. Look for it on the fourth Friday of each month.

• Marchesi di Grésy Sauvignon Blanc 2015 ($18, purchased, 14.5%): Impeccably made white wine with top quality fruit and citrus and white pepper flavors. But this doesn’t answer the question why anyone would want to buy a heavy Italian sauvignon blanc made to taste like California chardonnay. Imported by Marchesi de Gresy USA.

• Tangent Sauvignon Blanc 2016 ($8/375-ml can, sample, 13.5%): The question is not whether this is a well-made California white wine, because it is, with lemongrass and some citrus in a fresh and crisp style. The question? Why would I want to pay the equivalent of $16 a bottle for canned wine?

• Tommasi Poggio al Tufo Sangiovese Cabernet 2013 ($15, purchased, 13%): A professionally made, if boring, Italian red blend that aims at the so called American palate: More ripe and with less acidity, plus softer tannins than typical Italian sangiovese. A fine example of the International style if you like that sort of thing. Imported by Vintus LLC.

• Satellite Sauvignon Blanc 2016 ($12, purchased, 12.5%): Surprisingly ordinary New Zealand white, given that it’s a second label from Spy Valley, one of the best sauvignon blanc producers in the world. It’s not bad or off, just very grocery store in approach – mostly fruit forward grapefruit and a little minerality and not much else. Imported by Broadbent Selections.