Purchased recently, and opened soon thereafter:
"Pretty Sally" Victoria, Australia Sauvignon Blanc ($22US).
When I bought this I was so busy reading the hype on the bin card that I failed to notice that it wasn't a NZ SB. Understandable, as the notes compared it to Cloudy Bay.
The flavor was similar to NZ SB, but the nose was very different - sweetly compelling, and calling for another sniff. I was reminded of a conclusion I'd reached recently re winemaking: get the _nose_ right and you're about
80% of the way home.
The wine was nice enough - but at $21 a bit overpriced.
Onward to Italy. Regulars here may know that I especially love good Italian reds - particularly Chianti and other Sangiovese based wines. I just found a bargain:
2001 "Le Corti" Chianti Classico ($15US). I really like this wine. It's showing hints of the cedar/cigarbox characters I like, as well as a firm backbone of acidity without being at all sour in the mouth. Good fruit, a bit of tar - this wine has it all for a reasonable price. I have to go back for a case.
Tom S