Sandbanks Estate Winery has an excellent location right on the highway. The only problem with this, of course, is that it tends to be a bit crowded with tourists who aren't bothering with wineries off the beaten path.
Still, the tasting room is well staffed and we didn't have to wait long. Our one significant complaint: the lack of a proper bathroom - they sent us out to a portable toilet in the parking lot.
Sandbanks Estate Pinot Grigio VQA 2007
The Pinot Grigio offers aromas of melon and pear with a good minerality. The melon continues in the mouth, along with green apple and some residual sugar.
Sandbanks Estate Riesling VQA 2007
Steely, with citrus and petrol notes, this Riesling has a mouthwatering green apple flavour that persists to a long finish. More time in the bottle may bring out a lovely wine.
Sandbanks Estate Dunes Vidal VQA 2007
This shows lots of tropical fruit and peach aromas and tastes of pineapple, grapefruit and sweet spice. Off-dry, it has a medium grapefruit finish, and makes a pretty good light summer wine. We bought a bottle.
Sandbanks Estate Rosé 2007
Made with Geisenheim - a hybrid so obscure even Oz doesn't list it - and a very tiny amount of Cabernet Franc for colour, this offers strawberry peach and citrus aromas and flavours. The long citric finish counters the candy-like taste, but not enough.
Sandbanks Estate Cabernet Franc VQA 2006
This has lots of tobacco and ripe red fruit, and is unsurprisingly high in tannins. It tastes initially of rich, ripe cherries and secondly of strawberries. But the finish is all tobacco, chocolate and coffee. A good, complex Cab Franc for those who like big, bold wines.
Sandbanks Estate Baco Noir VQA 2007
I had a hard time getting a handle on this one. Dark fruit and cassis, yes,
but with something else that I eventually identified as a big hit of alcohol. It tastes of very sour cherries and has a tannic mouthfeel with a long sour finish. I didn't like it.
Sandbanks Estate Marechal Foch Reserve VQA 2006
With strawberry aromas and a taste of sour cherries and tobacco, this Foch has medium tannins and a short finish.
Sandbanks Estate Winter Harvest Vidal 2005
Pale straw yellow, this light dessert wine has honey, mild citrus and strawberry aromas. With a rich peach flavour and short finish, it would definitely go well with a fruit-based dessert.
Still, the tasting room is well staffed and we didn't have to wait long. Our one significant complaint: the lack of a proper bathroom - they sent us out to a portable toilet in the parking lot.
Sandbanks Estate Pinot Grigio VQA 2007
The Pinot Grigio offers aromas of melon and pear with a good minerality. The melon continues in the mouth, along with green apple and some residual sugar.
Sandbanks Estate Riesling VQA 2007
Steely, with citrus and petrol notes, this Riesling has a mouthwatering green apple flavour that persists to a long finish. More time in the bottle may bring out a lovely wine.
Sandbanks Estate Dunes Vidal VQA 2007
This shows lots of tropical fruit and peach aromas and tastes of pineapple, grapefruit and sweet spice. Off-dry, it has a medium grapefruit finish, and makes a pretty good light summer wine. We bought a bottle.
Sandbanks Estate Rosé 2007
Made with Geisenheim - a hybrid so obscure even Oz doesn't list it - and a very tiny amount of Cabernet Franc for colour, this offers strawberry peach and citrus aromas and flavours. The long citric finish counters the candy-like taste, but not enough.
Sandbanks Estate Cabernet Franc VQA 2006
This has lots of tobacco and ripe red fruit, and is unsurprisingly high in tannins. It tastes initially of rich, ripe cherries and secondly of strawberries. But the finish is all tobacco, chocolate and coffee. A good, complex Cab Franc for those who like big, bold wines.
Sandbanks Estate Baco Noir VQA 2007
I had a hard time getting a handle on this one. Dark fruit and cassis, yes,
but with something else that I eventually identified as a big hit of alcohol. It tastes of very sour cherries and has a tannic mouthfeel with a long sour finish. I didn't like it.
Sandbanks Estate Marechal Foch Reserve VQA 2006
With strawberry aromas and a taste of sour cherries and tobacco, this Foch has medium tannins and a short finish.
Sandbanks Estate Winter Harvest Vidal 2005
Pale straw yellow, this light dessert wine has honey, mild citrus and strawberry aromas. With a rich peach flavour and short finish, it would definitely go well with a fruit-based dessert.
Posts
1 comment:
Hey Big nose,
We've tried these, and though not real "sommelier" commentary, offer the following: Waupoos Baco Noir 2007 - we like this one
you said -
A simpler version of the Pearl Noir, this still has the dark coffee and leather aromas, along with some dark red cherries. It tastes lightly of chocolate and coffee, without the boldness of the Pearl Noir.
...sounds like we for the most part agree.
By Chadsey's Cairns Gamay Noir 2007
-we didn't like this one-
you said -
The aromas of leather, ripe red fruit and sour cherries don't all come through in the tasting. Sour cherries and tobacco dominate the flavours, and the long finish.
sounds like we also mostly agree on this one
Trumpour's Mill Cabernet Merlot 2006
we like this one -
you said -
Here's a well-rounded, complex blend. The aromas of red fruit and leather lead to flavours of tart cherries, tobacco and vegetal, with a medium sour cherry finish. Excellent for BBQs and winter stews, we bought a bottle for further appreciation.
definite agreement!
Sandbanks Estate Baco Noir VQA 2007
we like this one-
you said
I had a hard time getting a handle on this one. Dark fruit and cassis, yes, but with something else that I eventually identified as a big hit of alcohol. It tastes of very sour cherries and has a tannic mouthfeel with a long sour finish. I didn't like it.
I think we'll call that a disagree!!
Jerry
Post a Comment