TN: Holiday White Recap

Here are the (non-flawed) whites:

White Wines

Cave de Saumur 2008 Les Pouches Saumur Chenic Blanc - I've been looking to try more Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley, and here's one vinted by a cooperative and sourced from a single vineyard in Saumur. The bouquet shows apricot, ginger blossom and citrus notes. It manages to have both good body and high acidity, a paradoxical pair of virtues that is surprisingly rare in white wine. There's not a lot of complexity, but both fruit and mineral flavors are present. Interestingly, the ABV is listed at 12%. Malolactic fermentation is nearly certain, but perhaps there is sur lies aging as well to achieve the pleasing mouth feel without the potential burn and sweetness of higher alcohol. While Chenin is made in a variety of styles, this one is fully dry.

Pros: Fresh, Dry, Medium Body, Fruit & Minerality
Cons: None
Decant: No
Price: $11 from Wines & Makers
QPR: Good (out of Poor, Mediocre, Fair, Good or Excellent with Fair denoting expectations were met for the price point)

Chateau Font-Mars 2008 Picpoul de Pinet Coteaux de Languedoc Picpoul Blanc - This wine comes from an appellation in Languedoc, Picpoul de Pinet, devoted to one varietal, Picpoul Blanc. Picpoul supposedly translates to lip-stinger, and is indicative of the high acidity of the grape variety. That may be so, but this was not on the overly acidic side. It's nicely balanced with medium body and a minerally flavor. There's only a slight chemical flavor on the finish. The bouquet is both tropical and floral. All in all a good wine for the price.

Pros: Balanced, Medium Body, Minerality, Tropical Aromas
Cons: Slightly Odd Finish
Decant: No
Price: $10 from Lazy Acres
QPR: Fair (out of Poor, Mediocre, Fair, Good or Excellent with Fair denoting expectations were met for the price point)