Vintage Cellar Wine Tasting Feb 23

Name: Joseph Carr

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Sonoma County, California
Country: US
Year:2009
Price:$9.95

My Review: 
I couldn't taste the fruit in this wine at all and didn't like it very much!  Had a very strong, pungent smell. Can't really describe it.

Critic Review: 
Ever-elusive, our Central Coast Pinot Noir offers cherry, and dark wild raspberry in both  the bouquet and taste. I also find aromatic violets,tea strawberry seed and hints of mushroom. the wine shows very good structure with balanced yet approachable tannin.

Name: Isiri

Variety: Dolcetto d' Alba
Region:  Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year:2009
Price: $7.95

My Review: 
Very dry wine. Could definitely smell cherries in this wine!

Critic Review:  Cherry and plum aromas fill the nose with jammy over tones , It is firm with almond flavors on the finish . Dolcetto is the everyday wine of Piemontese, it pairs well with a wide variety of dishes from tomato based  pasta dishes and white meats, to minestrone and antipasto platters

Name: J.P. Chenet

Variety:  Dry Rose Sparkling
Region:
Country: France
Year:2009
Price:$6.95

My Review:
This was my favorite wine that I tried at the Vintage Cellar. It was fruity and sparkling!

Critic Review: 
Intense and fie, dominated by notes of red berries. The combination of fine bubbles and delicate aromas makes this a delightfully light and silky rose. Aromas in the mouth evoke red berries, cherries, strawberries:mellow and well balanced.

Name: Nopa

Variety: Vinho Verde
Region:
Country: Portugal
Year:2010
Price:$5.95

My Review:
It was sweet and citrusy and I could definitely taste the lemon and citrus. I wanted to buy a bottle, but it was sold out!

Critic Review: 
50% Arinnto and 50% Azal. The result is elegant, silky, fresh and well balanced, with a fine citrus Brightness. Ideal as an aperitif or as a perfect accompaniment to seafood, poultry, pastas, salads, spicy oriental food and grilled white meat. Enjoy in moderation and in good company. This Vinho Verde is proudly produced in Portugal.

Name: Fortediga

Variety: Vermentino
Region: Maremma
Country: Italy
Year:2010
Price:$6.95

My Review: 

It was sweet and carbonated.

Critic Review: 
Clear yellow in color. The aromas are lifted with pleasant hint of pear and green apple. The Fresh, smooth flavors on the entry persist, the structure is fine and balances well with the fruit.

Wine Tasting 11-15

Name:Ravens Wood

Variety: Shiraz, Wintners Blend
Region: California
Country: US
Year:2010
Price:$8

My Review: My best friend has some leftover in her fridge and tried some. This wine wasn't too bad, but it wasn't for me.

Critic Review:  Que Shiraz, Shiraz ... Our 2010 vintage belts out a big, bold unapologetic ballad about mulberry, Blackberry, Dark chocolate and smoked meat flavor along with rich medley of mint, licorice and clove, Ripe and smooth, it's sure to be a hit.

Wine Tastings Feb 4-9

Name: Yellow Tail

Variety: Sweet Red Roo Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Australia
Country: South Australia
Year:2011
Price:$7

My Review: 
Although I'm not a fan of red wines, I'm finding more and more that I actually enjoy drinking. I had this with Green Bean Casserole and some wing-dings. It was particularly good, I really enjoyed it.

Critic Review: 
Made in Australia from a blend of Shiraz,Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varietals  YellowTail 'Sweet Red Roo' is full of fruit flavors with aromas of naturally sweet red berries, vanilla and chocolate in each sip. Sweet Red Roo is delicious served chilled or room temperature and is ideal for wine cocktails.Whether pairing it with BBQ or mixing in Sangria , Sweet Red Roo's versatility and uniqueness will make it the most talked talked about sweet wine blend this year.

Name: Steeple Jack

Variety: Moscato
Region:McLaren Vale & Currency Creek, SA
Country: South Australia
Year:2011
Price:$8

My Review:  This wine reminds me why I love Moscato and other white wines so much! SO FRUITY and DELICIOUS! Soo good and soo cheap!

Critic Review:  Sweet Full Flavos with a freah , sprizty finish-Just for fun! a party wine.Nice, Sweet, easy to drink and you couldnt care less if you spilt a drop because you will probabliy be danceing when you do ! If you dontlike sweet wine dont drink it. If you do , dont drink it ...toofast!

Name: Encostas do Lima,Vinho Verde

Variety: Branco White Wine

Region: De Ponte de lima

Country: Portugal

Year:2010

Price:$4.95

My Review:  

Once again another white wine I just discovered and now totally in love with! Sweet and light! Just drank it by itself, but I'm sure it would be amazing with some food

Critic Review:
Pale golden silver color. Bright floral aromas of peaches, raspberry and honeysuckle with a soft, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a crisp, tart citrus and talc accented finish. A delightful sipper that is sure to please. 

Name: Marcus James
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Mendoza
Country:Argentina
Year:2009
Price:$10

My review: I don't have much to say about this wine. Although, I trying to find red wines to drink and enjoy, I can definitely say I don't enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon. It's not for me, however it is pretty cheap for the big bottle my friend got.

Critic Review: This Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza is a full bodied, deep red-purple hued wine. Orchard fruit aromas of black cherry and plum move into defined  flavors of black currant and cherry with a hint of cocoa and vanilla. The finish is clean and lasting. This wine pairs superbly with roasted and grilled meats and poultry. It is easy to drink and suitable for all occasions.

Name: Cupcake

Variety: Riesling
Region: Mosel Valley
Country: Germany
Year:2011
Price:$10

My Review: I've never had a Riesling wine before but I really enjoyed this one. It a very citrus-y taste to it, with a mild sweetness.

Critic Review:  The Riesling starts off with a nose that shows hints of ripe honeydew and lemon chiffon. It fills the palate with the flavors of creamy lemons, bright citrus fruits and just a hint of sweetness. Broad and full-bodied, it finishes with a zesty thirst quaffing zing that leaves the imbiber wanting another glass. It is reminiscent of a lemon cream cupcake.

Tasting - Pinot Grigio

Name: Maso Canali
Region: Northeast Italy's Trentino region/Trentino-Alto Adige
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $15
This my first time trying Pinot Grigio, it had a citrus taste. I thought is was very dry.
I had this with leftover Chicken Parmasean I had at home.