Tasting - Morada

Name:  Morada

Variety:  Sangria

Region:  La Mancha

Country:  Spain

Year:  NV

Price: $4.95

Tasting Date and Location: 21 Feb 2013 at Vintage Cellar

Winery review:  Morada Sangria is a traditional Spanish drink made with red wine and citrus extracts. Garnet color and fresh on the palate.  Pasteurization preserves the color, aromas and flavors. 7% Alc.  It is a very refreshing Sangria with around 85 grams of sugar.  Sangria is now one of the hottest items in the beverage industry and it's growing exponentially year to year.  Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit like peach, banana or apple.

My review: I’m also a big fan of Sangria, but this one simply tasted like cheap fruit punch. Might have been better if it had been served cold. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Lost Vineyards

Name:  Lost Vineyards

Variety:  60% Shiraz 40% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region:  Various growing areas 

Country:  Argentina

Year:  NV

Price: $3.95

Tasting Date and Location: 21 Feb 2013 at Vintage Cellar

Winery review:  It is dry and contains subtle tobacco undertones with a black licorice, cherry, scent. The oak is in the background. Would pair well hamburger or a steak rather than stand alone.

My review: I’m a big fan of Malbec and Shiraz, but this wine was very underwhelming.  I didn’t really taste many of things in the official review like the tobacco.  I guess I should mention that this is a very cheap wine…and it tasted that way.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Villa Pozzi Nero

Name:  Villa Pozzi Nero

Variety:  D'Avola

Region:  Sicily 

Country:  Italy

Year:  2010

Price: $8.95

Tasting Date and Location: 21 Feb 2013 at Vintage Cellar

Winery review:  Very dark purple, with a reddish-violet edge, typical of this grape. Black plums, a hint of licorice and subtle spice, not overly complex but appealing. A big mouth full of juicy black fruit is well structured by tart acidity and soft but distinct tannins.

My review: This wine had a nice welcoming aroma.  The taste was smooth and surprisingly sweet.  I would recommend this wine.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Tres Ojos

Name:  Tres Ojos

Variety:  Rose (50%Tempranillo, 50% Garnacha)

Region:  Calatayud 

Country:  Spain

Year:  2009

Price: $3.95

Tasting Date and Location: 21 Feb 2013 at Vintage Cellar

Winery review:  This medium rose-colored rosado boasts a spicy red cherry/plum nose with a soft lush attack of red berry fruit flavors and a crisp dry finish. Simple and refreshing and a natural for tapas.

My review: Couldn’t really tell that this was a high-alcohol wine.  It was dry and had a “mediciny” taste to go with a sour after-taste. Wasn’t my favorite wine.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Les Perles

Name:  Les Perles 

Variety:  Piquepoul

Region:  Languedoc-Roussillon 

Country:  France

Year:  2011

Price: $7.95

Tasting Date and Location: 21 Feb 2013 at Vintage Cellar

Winery review:  Light and young, this is a straightforward but enjoyable selection that would be an ideal match for light fare such as grilled chicken salads or fluke. Apple flesh, nectarine, and sweet citrus oil aromas and flavors appear on the nose and palate, while the short finish is infused with a flavor of green melon rind.

My review: This was a sweet, fruity wine with a bit of tartness to it.  Think it’d be a nice wine for summer day at a café somewhere.   

 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Lavarini Valpolicella

Name:  Lavarini Valpolicella

Variety:  65% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, and 10% Molinara

Region: Valpolicella

Country:  Italy

Year:  2010

Price: $6.95

Tasting Date and Location: 14 Feb 2013 at Vintage Cellar

Winery review:  The red ruby color and the dry taste give this wine joviality and cordiality. It is fresh and fruity, with lovely strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors, with nice spice and a silky texture.

My review: This wine didn't really have a big flavor.  I could actually taste the smokiness in the wine. Was definitely dry as well.  Again, didn't really make a big impression on me.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Gabriella Chianti

Name:  Gabriella Chianti

Variety:  100% Sangiovese

Region: Tuscany

Country:  Italy

Year:  2008

Price: $7.95

Tasting Date and Location: 14 Feb 2013 at Vintage Cellar

Winery review:  This beautiful wine has the very deep red, almost purple, color that

you would expect in a Chianti. The first thing you notice is the fruit, balanced by a bit of spice. It’s a good dry wine with a bold flavor. Even with its boldness, this Chianti is velvety smooth.

My review: This wine was dry with lots of tannins. It was also a little spicy. A solid wine but didn't really make a big impression.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Dom de Mirail

Name:  Dom de Mirail

Variety:  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot Rose

Region: Cotes de Gascogne

Country:  France

Year:  2011

Price: $5.95

Tasting Date and Location: 14 Feb 2013 at Vintage Cellar

Winery review:  There is a fresh, crisp character to this light rosé. It is eye-watering in its refreshing character, with balancing acidity, smoothing out the edges with a touch of caramel.

My review: Not at all what I was expecting. Thought I'd get a sweet, fruity wine, but it instead had a sour and highly acidic taste.  Didn't like it very much.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Norton Torrontes

Name:  Norton Torrontes

Variety:  100% Torrontes 

Region: Lujan de Cuyo

Country:  Argentina

Year:  2011

Price: $5.95

Tasting Date and Location: 14 Feb 2013 at Vintage Cellar

Winery review:  Greenish yellow with hints of gold, this Torrontés has intense aromas of white peach, rose petal, and jasmine. Norton Torrontés 2011 is pleasant and well balanced on the palate. 

My review:  The was a much softer-tasting wine than the Dibon Cava. It had buttery flavors with a dry taste.  Definitely preferred it to the Dibon Cava.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Dibon Cava

Name:  Dibon Cava

Variety:  45% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, and 30% Parellada 

Region: Penedes

Country:  Spain

Year:  NV

Price: $9.95

Tasting Date and Location: 14 Feb 2013 at Vintage Cellar

Winery review:  The nose offers regal yeast and richness, while the palate has complexity to prop up apple, citrus and grapefruit flavors. Solid from front to back, with health and freshness. 

My review:  This was a fizzy wine with a fruity, tart and acidic taste. A solid wine but didn't really make a big impression on me.  It's said to go well with cheese.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Opera Prima Pink

Name:  Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Variety: 97% Muscat/3% Tempranillo

Region: Damiel, Spain

Country:  Spain

Year:  NV

Price: $5.95

Tasting Date and Location: 7 Feb 2013 at Vintage Cellar

Winery review:  This fine sparkling presents and intense aroma of fresh berries and tropical fruits with hints of white flavor petals. Delicate bubbles caress the palate offering a silky and pleasant sweetness well balanced by a crisp, refreshing finish. Ideal on it own, as an aperitif or with all types of sweets and desserts.

My review:  Wasn’t sure I was tasting wine with this one.  It tasted more like fruit soda, which is to say it was sweet and fizzy.  I like sugar…so I picked up a bottle.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Black Opal

Name:  Black Opal

Variety:  Shiraz

Region: South Eastern Australia

Country:  Australia

Year:  2011

Price: $5.95

Tasting Date and Location: 7 Feb 2013 at Vintage Cellar

Winery review:  The Black Opal wines are sourced from vineyards found in South Australia along the Limestone Coast, at Langhorne Creek and in the infamous Barossa Valley. Black Opal Shiraz is rich red in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, pepper and spice followed with rich plum flavors round out the palate. Soft tannins give structure to the fruit-driven palate.  

My review:  This wine actually made a big impression on me.  It’s a big, fruity, and well-balanced wine. Liked it so much that I picked up a bottle.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Sokol Blosser Meditrina

Name:  Sokol Blosser Meditrina

Variety:  Pinot Noir/Syrah, Zinfandel

Region: Oregon

Country:  Australia

Year:  NV

Price: $7.95

Tasting Date and Location: 7 Feb 2013 at Vintage Cellar

Winery review:  It's created from the finest Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel. The taste is lush and velvety with expressive notes of raspberry and cherry. It pairs nicely with pasta and anything off the grill.

My review:  This was another wine that didn’t really make a big impression on me. It had a muted taste...I guess you could call it balanced. First wine Oregon wine I've ever had so that’s something.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham

Name:  Wine Men of Gotham

Variety:  80 % Chardonnay/ 20 % Semillon

Region: South Australia

Country:  Australia

Year:  2008

Price: $5.95

Tasting Date and Location: 7 Feb 2013 at Vintage Cellar

Winery review:  Gotham’s 2008 Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon. It gives a moderate intensity of melon, guava, apricot and butterscotch aromas. The medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity along with plenty of tropical fruit flavors and a medium-long finish.

My review:  Cool bottle art but this one didn’t really make a big impression on me. It had a dry, tart taste with an almost bitter after-taste.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Beringer Riesling

Name:  Beringer Riesling

Variety:  Riesling

Region: Napa Valley, California

Country:  USA

Year:  2009

Price: $5.95

Tasting Date and Location: 7 Feb 2013 at Vintage Cellar

Winery review:  This wine is the perfect balance of honeysuckle and bright peach flavors. A perfect compliment to light fare, appetizers, or just sharing with friends.

My review:  I’m a big fan of Rieslings, and this one didn’t disappoint.  Definitely sweet and has a variety of fruit flavors. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Darkhorse Chardonnay

Name: Darkhorse Chardonnay

Darkhorse Wines

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Modesto, California

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $8.99

Tasting date & location: 2 Feb 2013 at Gourmet Pantry, Blacksburg

Winery Review: Rich flavors of baked apple and pear layered with toasted oak notes of caramel and brown spice with a lingering, smooth finish. (http://www.darkhorsewine.com/california-chardonnay.asp)

My review: Dry and fruity taste.  At this point I had trouble telling the three white wines I tasted today apart.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Villa Pozzi Pino Grigio

Name: Villa Pozzi

Villa Pozzi Vineyards

Variety: Pino Grigio

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Price: $8.99

Tasting date & location: 2 Feb 2013 at Gourmet Pantry, Blacksburg

Winery Review: Clean to light colored, this Pinot Grigio exhibits soft aromatic flavors of perfumed rose and soft honeysuckle that are attractive and indicative of the refreshing and rounded fruit style.  The structure of this wine is well balanced and clean.  Wonderfully complemented by a firm and crisp acidic finish. (http://www.villapozziwines.com/our_wines_pinotgrigio.php)

My review: Dry and fruity taste.  It tasted very similar to the Darkhorse Chardonnay. Again, a good wine but nothing spectacular.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Paragon

Name: Paragon

Edna Valley Vineyard

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: San Luis Obispo County, California (Central Coast)

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $12.99

Tasting date & location: 2 Feb 2013 at Gourmet Pantry, Blacksburg

Winery Review: Paragon Chardonnay displays an attractive bouquet of pear, ripe apple, apricot and light pineapple, with underlying brown spice notes of cinnamon and clove. This brilliant, medium-bodied wine combines a fresh mouthfeel with hints of vanilla to create an appealing acidity. (http://www.wine.com/V6/Edna-Valley-Vineyard-Paragon-Chardonnay-2010/wine/116755/detail.aspx?state=CA)

My review: Dry, fruity taste.  It was a little dryer than the other two chardonnays that

I tasted today.  A good wine but nothing special.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Darkhorse Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Darkhorse Cabernet Sauvignon

Darkhorse Wines

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Modesto, California

Country: USA

Year: 2011

Price: $8.99

Tasting date & location: 2 Feb 2013 at Gourmet Pantry, Blacksburg

Winery Review: 2011 Darkhorse Cabernet Sauvignon is very young, and oddly sweet.  The flavors here are not refined, and they extremely fruit forward.  The character of the wine is not particularly robust, but it’s excitedly young.  Pairing wise, 2011 Darkhorse Cabernet Sauvignon might do well with pasta, pizza, or poultry, but it’s not a traditional steakhouse red. (http://www.firstpourwine.com/2011-darkhorse-cabernet-sauvignon/)

My review: Dry, dark berry taste.  Taste was not over-powering.  I liked it enough to pick up a bottle. 

I tasted this on its own with no food.