St. Christopher Gewurztraminer Rheinhessen 2008 - $9

David: Our first Gewerztraminer. This one is from Germany. Pale straw in color. Nose fairly weak. Very sweet. Apples are the obvious impression with perhaps a bit of lemon oil. Decent acidity but not enough to neutralize the sweetness. Low alcohol (10%). Tastes somewhat bland. Surely we can find better examples of Gewerztraminer.. Should try some from Alsace especially dry ones.
Score 3.0/5

Jessica: This wine was crisp with mild acidity and a dominating sweet taste. The fruits were apples and some citrus. Not much nose or depth. This wine was best served cold, otherwise the taste soured slightly.
Score: 3.8/5

Confluence , by McKinley Springs 2007 - $14

David: From Horse Heaven Hills, Washington State. 77% Chenin Blanc and 23% Viognier. This wine is semisweet and reminiscent of Sauterne but lighter. Pale straw in color with greenish tints. Nose has apples, minerals and some citrus with oak and honey. Thick mouthfeel. Acidity balances the sweetness perfectly. High alcohol so gets a little hot when warmed. Better served chilled. Went well with chicken in creme sauce. (Disclosure: I still have a cold)
Score: 4.2/5

Jessica: Crisp with green apples. Pale straw hue. Sweet tones as it warmed. Full-bodied. I agree it was better at a cooler temp. Strong alcohol.
Score: 4.3/5

Carmes de Rieussec Sauternes 2006 - $20 (half bottle)

From the Domaine of the Barons de Rothschild. "The name, Carmes de Rieussec, relates to the monks of the Carmes de Langon, who were owners of the Rieussec estate in the 18th century."

David: Deep gold in color. A flowery nose with citrus and apricots and honey. The sweetness is immediate. Full bodied to the extreme. The wine coats the mouth with the thickness of a liquor. Honey and apricots with a bit of spice. Went well with Rogue River blue cheese. Interesting but not really my thing.
Score: 3.8/5

Jessica: Rich caramel color. Nose reveals apricots and brown sugar and vanilla. Intensely sweet and succulant. Hints at butterscotch and ripe peaches/apricots. Delicious to sip and compliments blue cheese. Loved it.
Score: 4.7/5

Prosecco

David: Italian Sparkling white wine. Soft and medium sweet with flavors of apple and minerals. Not terribly complex but pleasant and quaffable. Not terribly different from soda pop.
Score: 3.0/5

Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese 2004 - Riesling - $30

David:
The Prum family has been making wines along the bank of the Mosel River in Germany since the 17th century though the Johann Josef Prum winery came into being in 1911. The rocky terrain with blue-grey slate impacts the wines of the area. This Riesling comes from the Graacher Himmelreich vineyard.

Notes of minerals, apples, citrus. Sweet but complex and layered. Better get relatively cold. When warmed, the citrus dominates.
Score: 4.4/5

Jessica: I found this wine delightful. Fruity apple taste is crisp and balanced. The fruit tastes evolves to citrus hints of grapefruit and lemon. A touch of a cider taste I did not like, but overall I enjoyed this wine quite a bit and would like to try more similar styles.
Score: 4.4/5

Sofia Blanc de Blancs 2007 - Sparkling Wine - $15

David: A nice sparkling wine with peach and melon flavors from Monterey. Only slightly sweet. Enjoyed on Christmas day, 2009.
Score: 3.7/5

Jessica: Floral and vanilla tones. A happy simple bubbly.
Score: 4/5