Tasting - Morada Sangria

Name: Morada Sangria
Variety: Sangria Blended
Region: Unable to find information
Country: Spain
Year: NV
Price: $4.95

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." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: If you have a hankering for your sweet tooth this is the drink for you! Extremely, possibly even too sweet for my liking, explaining its very low ABV. Very summer vibe to it with a slew of citrus on the nose, notably lime and orange. The initial taste reminds me of Fruity Pebbles and that fruit storm perpetuates through the whole tasting experience. Lacks back bone however, providing the second flabby wine of the tasting, slightly unbalanced. This time I feel like I need to brush me teeth because they're coated in sugar but it would definitely be enjoyable with desert. An interesting twist on red wine that everyone can like!


I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 60% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Unable to find information
Country: Argentina
Year: NV
Price: $4.95

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." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: Hot, hot nose very a very oaken must. A very heavy, big bodied wine a lot going on from start to finish! Very nice, dark red Argentinian. The driest of the bunch left me with that almost "I need to go brush my teeth because there's a film all over them" feeling. Not sure I picked out any tobacco but I sensed a strong dark berry flavor. I agree that it would go well with a tapas meal but then again what wouldn't?!

 I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola

Name: Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola
Variety: 100% Nero d’Avola
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

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." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: Of all the wines on this weeks slate, this D'Avola was definitely the most  distinct. It's deep red was the first sign of high tannins and boy did the taste back that up! The tart pucker face came out for a few seconds but it finished very well with a pleasant summer fruit kick. Very dry with a big, bold body.

 I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Tres Ojos Rose

Name: Tres Ojos Rose
Variety: 50%Tempranillo, 50% Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $1.95

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." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: Although this rosé concoction might have been a little past its prime, I think it's age actually give it a little character and pizazz. The nose was very heavy on the cherry and it had a little kick on the mid-pallet, maybe exposing some of those spices. It was slightly dry, providing a nice crisp finish, very enjoyable, despite being a little flabby.

 I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Les Perles Piquepoul

Name: Les Perles Piquepoul
Variety: 100% Piquepoul
Region: Languedoc Roussillon
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

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." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: Welcome to a fruity paradise! The nose on this wine was bursting with citrus and tropical fruits, along with a very soothing acid component. It had a very light body well paired with a dry fruity flavor. One of those classic just because it's fruity doesn't mean it's sweet scenarios Boyer was talking about. Very solid wine, would drink again!

I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Gabriella Chianti

Name: Gabriella Chianti
Variety: 100% Sangiovese
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95

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 it’s boldness, this Chianti is velvety smooth." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: Blood red, very dry and chalky tasting, a true classical Italian wine. Fruity flavors are kicking from start to finish with black cherry really taking over the front end of the tasting experience. Let my mouth with that "I need to brush my teeth" feeling and I really like that end of the dry-sweet spectrum. Great Mediterranean wine that could really one-up some already rocking meals.

I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

Name: Lavarini Valpolicella Classico
Variety: 65% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, 10% Molinara
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

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." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: This has to be, by far, the most interesting, robust wine I've tasted thus far. The nose almost smelt like a smokey campfire but the taste is where things get strange. I thought the mid-pallet almost tasted like some kind of burnt rubber? Very though to put a finger (or tongue) on this taste but the accompanying dryness and cherry aftertaste made it an enjoyable new experience. Very diverse, complex wine.

I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Dom de Mirail Cabernet/Merlot Rose

Name: Dom de Mirail Cabernet/Merlot Rose
Variety: 50% Cabernet, 50% Merlot
Region: Gascony
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

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." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: A fantastic pink-ish hue for a Valentin's Day sampling, this Cabernet/Merlot tag team had a berry filled nose and a slightly sweet taste. The mid-pallet was very mild and the wine left just enough aftertaste to leave the taste buds happy but not overwhelmed. Good job France.

I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Norton Torrontes

Name: Norton Torrontes
Variety: 100% Torrontes
Region: Luján de Cuyo
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

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." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: I believe this is the first Argentinian wine I tasted at the Vintage Cellar this semester and boy was it a winner! Extremely fruity nose particularly on the peach, a looooot of peach going on. This beautiful yellow/gold Torrentes had a great smooth finish and is overall just a very agreeable wine and won the pick-a-bottle-to-take-home sweepstakes this week.

I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Dibon Cava

Name: Dibon Cava
Variety: 45% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada
Region: Catalunya
Country: Spain
Year: No Vintage
Price: $9.95

Winery Review: "Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo. 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." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: This Spanish beaut has a very mild noise that is accented by some crisp apples and fruit. Both the nose and taste agree, there's something "beer-y" to this wine, must be that yeast the review was talking about! I'm more of a beer fan myself so it was easier to pick up on these flavors than most wines. Had a nice acid backbone to drive the flavors home.

I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Name: Opera Prima Pink Moscato
Variety: 97% Muscat, 3% Tempranillo
Region: Castilla La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: No Vintage
Price: $5.95

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." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: Holy lime-a-rita was this nose full of citrus! Extremely fruity, sweet smell that translated into a crisp, "ahhh" sort of finish. Definitely not the most wine-ly wine I've ever tasted but unique to my fairly empty palate repertoire. The bubbles were a nice touch to this sweet effervescent treat that left me with a nice fizz on the tongue. Don't think I could drink too much of this without getting sick of the high sugars and potent fun, fruity, flavors.

I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Black Opal Shiraz

Name: Black Opal Shiraz
Variety: 100% Syrah
Region: Barossa Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

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" Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: Owwww, pepper up the nose! Before I even took a sip I could tell this would be a spicy, peppery concoction. This is how I tasted the wine; fruity explosion, dry pepper on the mid-palate, then a swift spicy kick to follow up. Full bodied to the max with some serious tannins. Little too much umph for me at this point but I'd like to give it another shot sometime soon.

I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Sokol Blosser Meditrina NV

Name: Sokol Blosser Meditrina NV
Variety: 50% Syrah, 28% Pinot Noir, 22% Zinfandel
Region: Oregon
Country: United States
Year: No Vintage
Price: $7.95

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." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: This big bold red packed a string punch of cherries to the schnoz with its interesting varietal blend. Sweet cherries dominated the initial taste punch followed by what I thought to be an apple accented mid-palate. Very vibrant and all around fruity, very savory and easy to sip.

I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon

Name: Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon
Variety: 80% Chardonnay, 20% Semillon
Region: Barossa Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2008
Price: $5.95

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" Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: Considered a fairly unorthodox blend or grapes, I sensed a very strong citrus presence on the nose of this down-under wine. It was dry on the palate with a clean finish that accented the fruity flavors very nicely. With the citrus vibes was also a nice acidity that kept the wine balanced and fresh. Favorite white of the night and probably the most interesting and intriguing label work yet.

I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Beringer Riesling

Name: Beringer Riesling
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: Napa Valley
Country: United States
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

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." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: I thought this Riesling had a rather harsh, alcoholic smell that almost shot a tingle through my nose. I could easily taste the apricot flavor and found its crisp finish enjoyable. A medium body white wine that I personally wasn't crazy about but still a decent wine.

I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Finca del Castillo Tempranillo

Name: Finca del Castillo Tempranillo
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $4.95

Winery Review: "Rooty, spicy and baked on the nose, with aromas that lean towards raisin. The palate is more gritty and acidic, with raisin, cola, and spic flavors. Darkens up on the finish, which is long and peppery, with adequate juiciness and a final note of tomato." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: The darkest of em all, the Tempranillo was a really unique drink. Very fulled bodied, it left almost a coated feeling on my tongue afterwards which I wasn't crazy about. The mid-pallet was very interesting as a battle between some semi-soft cherries and pepper waged war with the spicy kicked ultimately winning and sticking around for the aftertaste. Probably a little too diverse and bold for my newbie taste but I'd like to try it again after I up my tasting skills.

I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Name: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
Variety: 100% Gamay
Region: Beaujolais
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $3.95

Winery Review: "Bright and tangy, offering a classic banana note on the nose, with flavors of raspberry, wild strawberry and light spice. Modest finish." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: Pronouncing this wine is harder than any review I could write but right off the bat its rich, deep red color indicated a very fully bodied wine. I might as well have stuck my nose in a banana when taking my first whiff, very strong. It was kind of one-dimensional, nothing really going on after that initial fruiting blast. But for under four bucks this wine is a steal, I even invested in one for myself!

I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Name: Mars and Venus Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Central Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: "A very nice value Chardonnay that comfortably over-delivers vs. its modest price tag. No oak here, just bushels of clean, crisp, Chardonnay apple and stone fruit with a hint of caramelized pineapple. Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white that's just perfect for parties or weeknight sipping." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: I found this Chardonnay and the La Cappuccina Soave to taste pretty similar, except this wine packed a little more punch in the fruit department. The nose was very strong on the apple with a little bit of citrus hiding behind it. Once again though, I felt some heat coming through but gave the crisp, dry taste a thumbs up. Not crazy about it but wouldn't mind grabbing a bottle!

I sampled the wine without food. 

Tasting - La Cappuccina Soave

Name: La Cappuccina Soave
Variety: 100% Garganega
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: "Bright straw yloow in color. Delicate on the nose, with notes of flowers and almonds. Dry, well-structured and delicately fruity, with hints of bitter almonds on the finish that is typical of Garganega-based wines." Vintage Cellar wine notes

My Review: Just from looking at the name you can tell this wine is straight outta Italy! It had a very light, golden color and was a pretty dry wine, which I enjoyed. I definitely picked up on the flowery hints but I caught a little more heat than I would have liked. I didn't taste very many different flavors but found the dryness and crisp taste refreshing!

I sampled the wine without food.