3/28 Tasting - Emeri de Bortoli

Name: Emeri de Bortoli Sparkling Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region/Country: South Eastern Australia
Year: NV
Price: $9.95

Shop's Review: A relatively light, fresh style of sparkling Shiraz, with berries and hints of chocolate picking up just a touch of sweet vanilla on the finish.

My Review: This was my first time tasting a sparkling Shiraz.  It smelled like ripe berries.  My palate detected hints of cherries and walnuts.  It was light because of the carbonation.

I did not drink this wine with food.

3/28 Tasting - Tres Ojos Garnacha

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha
Variety: Grenache
Region/Country: Calatayud, Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95

Shop's Review: This wine has a brick red color with a bouquet of red raspberries, spice, and white pepper.  The palate is incredibly concentrated and rich.  The modern styles of Garnacha in Spain are continuously being perceived worldwide as wines of extraordinarily good quality.  This wine is fruity, juicy, and shows a great depth, ripe tannins, length but yet with wonderful elegance and lightness.  Enjoy with sausages, roasted meats, aged cheeses, etc.

My Review: This wine smelled like spicy cherries.  It was a dry wine with a strong amount of acid.  I tasted pepper and spice.

I did not drink this wine with food.

3/28 Tasting - Montebuena

Name: Montebuena
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region/Country: Rioja, Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Shop's Review: Ripe cherry and black currant on the nose and in the mouth.  Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy.  Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip.  Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it's an excellent value for Rioja.

My Review: This wine had a strong nose with scents of cherries and ripe plums.  It was a dry wine with very little tannins.  My palate detected hints of chocolate covered cherries.  It had a slight bitter finish.

I did not drink this wine with food.

3/28 Tasting - Sainte Victoire Cotes de Provence

Name: Sainte Victoire Cotes de Provence
Variety: Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault
Region/Country: Provence, France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95

Shop's Review: Bright salmon pink; typical of the fresh but warm Provence style.  Refined and complex on the nose, with summer fruit and floral notes.  Dry and crisp, with a delicate flavor and full texture.

My Review:  My nose detected strong hints of grapefruit, pineapple, tangerine, and peach.  I tasted grapefruit and peach flavors.  This was a very enjoyable wine.

I did not drink this wine with food.

3/28 Tasting - Canyon Road Chardonnay

Name: Canyon Road Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region/Country: California, USA
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95

Shop's Review: Medium-bodied wine with notes of crisp apple and ripe citrus fruit with a hint of cinnamon spice.  Delicious complement to grilled chicken, lighter pasta dishes, or mild cheeses.

My Review: This pale yellow wine smelled like fresh and crisp grape juice.  My palate detected hints of orange peel, apple, and a little oak. 

I did not drink this wine with food.

2/28 Tasting - Monte Aman

Name: Monte Aman
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region/Country: Arlanza, Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

Shop's Review: Fermentation of selected grapes in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature.  Aging in American oak casks for 5 months followed by 3 months in the bottle before being released in the market.Inky ruby. Ripe cherry and plum on the nose. Smooth and fleshy, with deep dark fruit flavors complicated by bitter chocolate and anise. A spicy quality adds lift and focus to the weighty fruit.  Offers an appealing mix of power and energy and drinks very well right now.

My Review: This wine had the biggest nose of the day.  I was surprised by how fruity it smelled.  It was a sweet, vanilla, and buttery flavored wine.  It was very delightful and it would be great with a meal.

I did not drink this wine with food.

2/28 Tasting - Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Name: Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Variety: 100% Montepulciano d' Abruzzo

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $6.95

 

Shop's Review: Deep ruby red color with violet highlights and a pleasant and fruity bouquet.  Full bodied, soft tannins and good acidity.  Excellent with pasta dishes and red meats.

 

My Review: This red wine smelt like vinegar.  It was a dry wine.  I detected smoke, earth, and dirt.

 

I did not drink this wine with food.

2/28 Tasting - Maipe Chardonnay

Name: Maipe Chardonnay
Variety: 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier
Region/Country: Mendoza, Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95

Shop's Review: Made from 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier. 30% malolactic fermentation, 30% was aged in French oak barrels. Brilliant yellow golden color with green hints. The wine is crisp and filled with white peach, pear, green apples flavors, toasty vanilla. Elegant and luscious wine, well balanced. Crisp and long finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, pork, veal, vegetables.

My Review: This Chardonnay smelled light and creamy.  It tasted oaky and toasty.  It finished a little bit bitter.

I did not drink this wine with food.

2/28 Tasting - Villa d' Orvieto

Name: Villa d' Orvieto
Variety: Grechetto, Procanico (Trebbiano), and Malvasia
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95

Shop's Review: It’s a blend of Grechetto, Procanico (Trebbiano), and Malvasia.  Fresh and crisp, it has a beautiful, floral bouquet. It is wonderful with appetizers, fish, chicken, and salads.

My Review:  This was a slightly carbonated wine that smelled crisp and clean.  It tasted floral and grassy.

I did not drink this wine with food.

2/28 Tasting - Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

Name: Dibon Cava Brut Reserve
Variety: 45% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada
Region/Country: Penedes, Spain
Year: NV
Price: $9.95

Shop's Review: Light gold with plenty of bubbles, this wine has aromas of apples and pears with pleasant floral notes.  Crisp and light-bodied on the palate, stone fruit flavors are accompanied by a mild minerality and balanced acidity.  A delicious sparkler for a great price!

My Review: This was a fizzy wine that smelled like crisp grape juice.  My palate detected notes of apple, floral, and earthiness.  This was semi-sweet wine.

I did not drink this wine with food.