Betsy announced dinner was "wine killer special" , with a very lemony
pasta with spinach and mushrooms accompanied by Franey's asparagus
vinaigrette. Aha, time to push the trusty "NZ SB" button. I had bought
the
2004 Fauna Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) partially based on name- I
assume (with picture of bird) that the name is a little dig at the
trend towards animal-named wines. A functional if unexciting SB-
gooseberry fruit with just a hint of grapefruit and jalapeno. Maybe a
tad short. Still, this was $8 before discount (looking at it another
way, it was free as I used it as a case filler to get bigger discount
on more expensive stuff), so probably worth the price. B-

Betsy made a nice if mild chili from the Fearrington House cookbook.
There was a Zin on the counter, so we opened it. The 2004 Seghesio
Zinfandel (Sonoma) was a pretty nicely balanced Zin- raspberry and
blackberry fruit, some sweet oak vanilla milkshake (not a lot, an
accent not a principal), nice finish. Nice Zin if not earthshattering.
B

With coffee-rubbed steak (it ws amazingly warm for Nov today, we HAD
to grill) and baked potatoes, a 375 of the1986 Meyney (St Estephe).
I've always liked this wine, but was a little tentative re a 375. No
need. Nice midweight wine, with clean blackcurrant fruit accented by
cedar and ferric mineral notes. A little leather. There's a little
bretty note of animal fur and manure that I haven't noticed in 750s,
but not anything that bothers me. Nice wine, as always one of my
favorite Meyneys (ties with '89). A-/B+


Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

"DaleW" wrote ...................

> 2004 Fauna Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) partially based on name- I
> assume (with picture of bird) that the name is a little dig at the
> trend towards animal-named wines. A functional if unexciting SB-
> gooseberry fruit with just a hint of grapefruit and jalapeno.

This is another of those export only labels available only in the US -
marketing by a company called Precept Brands.

I have no idea which NZ winery is responsible, however, by both the price
and your description, it sounds like an avenue to quit some lower grade
"pressings"

Dale, if you still have the bottle, what is the barcode, please - if it
starts with 94* (New Zealand's prefix) then I will be able to identify the
maker.

Anyway, why just name your wine Monkey Bay or Goat Pass or Cat's Pee when
you can encompass the entire spectrum of NZ wildlife in one generic name?

--

st.helier

Come on now ...we all know this 2004 Fauna Sauvignon Blanc is the best NZ
has to offer. Its a classified growth, premier cru Nz.

:-)

"st.helier" > wrote in message
...
> "DaleW" wrote ...................
>
>> 2004 Fauna Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) partially based on name- I
>> assume (with picture of bird) that the name is a little dig at the
>> trend towards animal-named wines. A functional if unexciting SB-
>> gooseberry fruit with just a hint of grapefruit and jalapeno.
>
> This is another of those export only labels available only in the US -
> marketing by a company called Precept Brands.
>
> I have no idea which NZ winery is responsible, however, by both the price
> and your description, it sounds like an avenue to quit some lower grade
> "pressings"
>
> Dale, if you still have the bottle, what is the barcode, please - if it
> starts with 94* (New Zealand's prefix) then I will be able to identify the
> maker.
>
> Anyway, why just name your wine Monkey Bay or Goat Pass or Cat's Pee when
> you can encompass the entire spectrum of NZ wildlife in one generic name?
>
> --
>
> st.helier
>