As you saw from a recent post, I’m foraying into the varied portfolio of 90+ Cellars wines.  I previously shared my comments about their delicious “French Fusion, Lot 65” white and “Cotes Du Rhone, Lot 30” red.  A quick reminder about 90+ Cellars: they describe their offerings as “wine with a pedigree of high ratings from the world’s most respected wineries that you can buy for a fraction of the original cost.”  So, essentially a white label of wines from some of the world’s top producers. 

Recently I had the opportunity to pop open three new (to me) 90+ Cellars bottles: the Sauvignon Blank (Lot 2) from New Zealand, the Cabernet Sauvignon (Lot 53) from Argentina and the Rose (Lot 33) from France. 

New Zealand has rightly earned a reputation as a top producer of the Sauvignon Blanc grape.  And this wine was a classic:  aromas of citrus complemented with herbs and grass.  In the mouth, the wine was crisp and acidic with a long, smooth finish.  90+ Cellars is offering this wine on its site for $11.99/bottle. 

Next up was the Cab, Lot 53.  According to the 90+ Cellars site, this wine hails from a Mendoza family vineyard originally planted in the late 1700s.  I found this to be a very fruit-forward Cabernet, tasting of dark fruits like plums and cherries.  The aroma was a classic smoky oak.  90+ Cellars offers this wine on its site for $15.99/bottle, making this one affordable Cab you could be proud to tote along to a dinner party. 

In the category of “saving the best for last”: the Rose (Lot 33).  I am a *huge* fan of dry French roses.  Everything about this wine (a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvedre grapes) is absolutely gorgeous.  It’s a bright strawberry in the glass, which is echoed in its rich strawberry aroma.  (Note: don’t let the bright color fool you: this wine is dry-dry-dry.)  90+ Cellars describes the wine as having “mild notes of Provencal herbs, white pepper, and cotton candy.”  (And if I’m honest, I’ll admit I enjoyed a glass of this with a late Sunday breakfast this morning.)  90+ Cellars is offering this beauty on its site for $11.99/bottle.  Can’t wait to pick up more as a fixture for the summer patio. 

90+ Cellars wines are becoming increasingly easy to find at local liquor and wine stores.  Be sure to check them out.  I’m five bottles in and haven’t been disappointed yet.  Now, what to try next?…