About the Wine: Some time ago I reviewed Line 39's 2010 Cabernet and found it quite good. One of the challenges winemakers face is the need to produce multiple varietals under one label. The obvious benefit is name recognition. If a customer tries one varietal and likes it then they are likely to experiment with others. The problem is that great soil, weather, and wine making process for one grape may not work as well for another, damaging the brand. Alternatively, the terroir and process may make multiple varietals taste the same. The noted New Zealand wine company Oyster Bay produces Chardonnay that tastes so much like their Sauvignon Blanc that the need for both is questionable. So it will be interesting to see how this works out.
About THIS Wine: Light and luminous in the glass, this wine has no distinct rim. Smoke and mineral notes dominate the nose with hints of citrus underneath. The smoke is no doubt the product of oak barrel aging but the prominence of the fruit and mineral smells means that the wine was in oak for only a short time. I would guess no more than six months. Minerals are strong on the front palate with citrus growing prominent as the taste develops. The minerals linger in the finish.
Drinking This Wine: It could be a sipping wine and would also go quite well with white fish or unseasoned roasted chicken.
Overall Impression: Nothing spectacular here, but the wine is pleasant and inexpensive. It is good for the price.
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