Wine Tastings--April 19, 2012

Poysdorfer Saurussel

Gruner Veltliner

2010

$7.95

Austria

What Vintage Cellar Said:

Crisp lime flavors, white pepper and lentils, followed by a mouthful of mineral notes and gooseberry.  A long lingering finish.  A great accompaniment to any Asian or fresh seafood dishes.

What Jelisa Said:
It had a really nice smell, it was oaky and kinda buttery. The taste was lemony it wasn't that bad to be quite honest, I kinda liked this one but I didn't have anything to eat with this one.

Oak Vineyards 

Chardonnay 

2010

$5.95--750mL

$10.95--1.5 Liter

California

What Vintage Cellar Said:

This light straw-colored Oak Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay expresses smokey aromatics with nuances of apple and lemon zest that continue onto the palate where they flourish into citrus, orange blossom, and smoked oak flavors until meeting a crisp, medium finish.

What Jelisa Said:
Smelled like burnt butter.  This one had a very oaky taste to it as well and I didn't eat anything with this one.

Canyon Road 

Pinot Noir 

2010

$6.95

California 

What Vintage Cellar Said:

This Pinot Noir expresses tantalizing flavors of ripe cherry and wild raspberry, and finishes with brown, vanilla spices and a smooth finish.

What Jelisa Said:
All I could smell is cherries, well that was all I could taste as well. There was no food with this one either.

Cortenova Primitivo

2010

$7.95

Italy

What Vintage Cellar Said:

Dark, ruby-red color with violet highlights.  Intense and fragrant bouquet with a rich array of red and black fruit aromas and flavors.  Harmonious and velvety on the palate.  Great balance and structure.  Excellent with grilled or roasted meats, game, and cheeses.

What Jelisa Said:

It smelled like pepper and it was way too strong for my liking...it was really dry and I wouldn't mind trying this one with food.

Morada Sangria

$4.95--1 Liter

Spain

What Vintage Cellar Said:

A traditional Spanish drink made with red wine and citrus extracts.  Garnet color and fresh on the palate.  Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit like peach, banana, or apple.

What Jelisa Said:
Smells straight up like fruit and sprite.  It was really sweet and it tasted like a fruit punch.  It wasn't all that bad.  I would like to see what it would taste like if I had strawberries or something to eat with it.

Wine Tastings--April 12, 2012

Sierra Cruz
Sauvignon Blanc
2011
$6.95
Chile

What Vintage Cellar Said:
This Chilean Sauvignon Blanc just oozes with bright citrus flavor and a nose of herbs and grass.  Stylistically, it is a cross between the herbal, grassy wines so prevalent in Sonoma County and the riper, more fruit forward products in new Zealand.  Match it with pasta sauced with arugula, pine nuts, mushrooms and parmesean.

What Jelisa Said:
Smells like a sharp cheddar cheese with a little bit of flowers in it....It had a really buttery taste I didn't have any food with it but I really liked this one.



Lost Vineyards
Chardonnay

$3.95
Argentina

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Pale golden color.  Perfumed peach, pineapple, and nougat aromas.  Round and soft with a fruity-yet-dry medium body.  Tangy apple skin and lemon zest notes lift the fruit nicely on the finish.

What Jelisa Said:
Smells very very sweet, kinda like candy but it had a dry taste to it and I couldn't really pick up anything besides that.. I didn't have anything to eat with this wine.







Sierra Cruz
Carmenere
2009
$6.95
Chile

What Vintage Cellar Said:
As a member of the cabernet sauvignon family, carmenere (pronounced car-men-yare) originated in Bordeaux as one of the grapes permitted for use in the red blends of that storied region.  Chilean winemakers have embraced it and several wineries in that country produce is as a single varietal.  The '09 Sierra Cruz is a very fresh cabernet-like aromas and flavors of spice, dark fruit and black pepper.  It is a great value and also would be a nice match with marinated and grilled skirt or flank steak.

What Jelisa Said:
Smells like burnt licorice. It had a confusing taste to it, it was sweet but yet dry at the same time, I didn't have food with this but I really did enjoy this one.



Senda 66 Tempranillo

2008
$8.95
Spain

What Vintage Cellar Said:
"The 2008 Senda 66 spent 8 months in new French oak.  Purple/Black in color, it sports a fragrant nose of spice box, lavender, blueberry, and blackberry.  Smooth-textured, layered, and remarkably rich on the palate for its humble price, this lengthy effort will drink nicely over the next 5-6 years."
**90 points, Robert Parker**

What Jelisa Said:
Fruity smell, kinda like cherries and strawberries.  Really dry taste, it also had an aftertaste to it but I couldn't really describe what it was.  I didn't have food with this.



Opera Prima
Sweet White

2010
$5.95
Spain
What Vintage Cellar Said:
Flowery and sweet smelling, then round and fairly smooth in the mouth.  The flavor package of tropical fruits galore is pleasant and shouldn't offend anyone.  Finishes clean and easy.  A mango boat of flavor.

What Jelisa Said:
Really fruity smell.  Too sweet for my liking but I could pick up a mango taste.  I didn't have food with this.

Wine Tastings--March 29, 2012

Obikwa Sauvignon Blanc
2010
$7.95
South Africa

What Vintage Cellar Said:
OBiKWA Sauvignon Blanc is the ideal summer wine and smacks of crisp tropical fruit with a smattering of gooseberries and fig.  If you're planning a night out with mates--don't forget to bring a bottle of this yummy potion.

What Jelisa Said:
It had a buttery smell, it was kinda peachy too.  It tasted like green onions to me.  There was no food eaten with this wine.



Fox Hollow Chardonnay
2009
$5.95
California

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Fox Hollow Chardonnay has everything to satisfy a casual white wine lover--lovely aromas of white apple blossom, tropical fruit and honeydew melon lead into a soft, fresh, delightfully light wine on the palate with flavors of golden ripe apples kissed by lemon zest.

What Jelisa Said:
To me it smelled just like the Obikwa Sauvignon Blanc and it had an oaky taste to it, I didn't have any food with this wine either.


Tres Ojos Old Vines Garnacha
2009
$6.95
Spain

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Bright ruby color.  Primary dark berry aromas are simple but offer very good purity and focus.  Juicy blackberry and bitter cherry flavors are youthfully tangy, with good back-end acidity adding snap.  The clean, brisk finish leaves behind notes of sweet dark berry preserves and cracked pepper.

What Jelisa Said:
It had a cranberry smell, the taste was very bitter and it was also woody, but I couldn't recognize the type of wood used.  There was no food eaten with this wine.

Faraway Farms Shiraz
2008
$5.95
South Africa

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Fresh, modern style, with lots of plum pudding, sweet chocolate, mocha, blackberry and boysenberry flavors supported by round, sweet tannins and toast.

What Jelisa Said:
Smelled like a dark cherry but the taste was too dry for my liking, I didn't have food with this one.




Primo Amore Moscato
$8.95
Italy

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Straw-yellow with golden reflections and a delicate mousse.  Fruity and very inviting, with intense scents of peaches and exotic fruit.  Fresh and pleasantly sweet with a taste that reveals its varietal characteristic.

What Jelisa Said:
It had a floral smell to it.  It also had a peachy, apricot taste.  I really liked this one a lot and it went down pretty easy.

Wine Tastings-- March 15, 2012

Simonet Blanc de Blancs
$7.95
France

What Vintage Cellar Said:
On the nose, there is some bread-yeast and some toast, same on the palate.  Great for an everyday bubbly or for mimosas!!

What Jelisa Said:
The smell of it was a mix between oak and fresh baked bread.  It wasn't too bad but it did taste like pepper.  I didn't have anything to eat with it but I would like to try it in a mimosa....






Tierra de Luna Torrontes-Chardonnay

2009
$7.95
Argentina

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Fresh and crisp, with floral aromas and flavors of quince and pear, this wine is a versatile companion to informal meals, and is excellent as an apertif.

What Jelisa Said:
I really liked the smell of it, it smelled like a sharp cheddar cheese.  It was very dry and I couldn't really pick out a taste to describe it...I did not have any food with this wine




Oxford Landing Viognier
2009
$7.95
Australia

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Bright and lively, this wine is appealing for its pear, lychee and sweet spice character, which comes together smoothly against a silky texture.

**this wine was rated 88 points by Wine Spectator**

What Jelisa Said:
It had a woody smell to it...kinda floral as well.  It tasted like raw meat and I did not have anything to eat with this.



Doural Red Tinto
2009
$8.95
Portugal

What Vintage Cellar Said:
This Portuguese tinto (red) blend exhibits a deep red color with violet hues.  The nose is vibrant and fruity.  The palate offers notes of spice, cherry, and dark berry supported by good structure.  Pairs well with red or game meat, cheeses and fish.

What Jelisa Said:
It had a very berry smell, something like cherries.  It was very bitter and dry kinda like I was eating wood chips.  I didn't have any food with this wine but I would like to try it with something to see if there is a change in the taste.

Estrella Merlot
2009
$5.95
Napa, California

What Vintage Cellar Said:
This ruby colored Merlot has raspberry jam aromas with a subtle hint of spice.  Layer of vanilla, plum, and fig are revealed that linger ever so slightly on the palate.

What Jelisa Said:
I got a green pepper smell with wasn't that bad (I really do like the way that green peppers smell).  I couldn't pick up a taste but then again I didn't have anything to eat with this wine either.




-Jelisa

Wine Tastings--March 1, 2012

Muscanit Brut
$7.95
Spain

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Lemon blossoms, green apple, toast and honeydew melon are front and center in this crisp refreshing Spanish Sparkler.  Silky supple with lingering flavors, yet a tingle of citric acid on the finish. A combination of traditional cava grapes but this wine is not made in the traditional methode champenoise (which is required by Spanish law to be called Cava).  This is made with the Charmat process so this wine may only be called 'Spanish sparkling wine'.

What Jelisa Said:
It had a oak smell to it, and it was also kinda cheesy.  The taste was very dry and I didn't have anything to eat with this.  I really didn't like this one.



Spanish Vines Sauvignon Blanc
2009
$4.95
Spain

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Apple and floral notes and then an almost buttery palate with baked apple and citrus flavors.
**Wine Enthusiast gave this wine 85 points

What Jelisa Said:
Buttery smell and it was really strong but not too bitter.  I have tried this one before at a previous tasting but it was very different tasting it this time.  Before I really liked it and would recommend it to anyone but this time it was not my favorite.  I didn't eat anything with this wine.

Torrent Bay Chardonnay
2009
$6.95
New Zealand

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Fleshy, melony aromas cuddle some fresh oak.  The palate has decent acidity so there's freshness along with weight, resiny oak flavors, lemon and green apple.

What Jelisa Said:
It had a green bean smell to it that I thought was interesting. I didn't eat anything with it and it had a dry taste.






Lost Vineyards Vinho de Mesa Tinto
$3.95

Portugal

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Pours a light garnet color with a nice crisp zest, with aromas of cranberries and  orange peel on the nose.  Drinks smooth with a briary of mild cherries, wild strawberries and raspberries along with a note of rhubarb.  Pairs particularly well with wild game and heavy fish such as salmon.

What Jelisa Said:
I could smell cranberries but I couldn't taste anything with it.  This time around I did not have food with it but I would like to try it again with food to see if I could possibly detect any changes with the taste.



Ebano Ribera del Duero Temptanillo

2007
$7.95
Spain

What Vintage Cellar Said:  The 2007 Ebano 6 is 100% Tempranillo aged 4 months in French oak.  Dark ruby red in color, it displays a pleasant bouquet of cedar, spice box, violets, black cherry, and blackberry.  Medium- to full- bodied on the palate with savory flavors and plenty of spice, this racy, vibrant Tempranillo has enough structure to drink well over the next 5-6 years and is a very good value.

What Jelisa Said:
This one smelled like cherries, but it tasted straight up like black pepper.  I didn't have food with it but I wouldn't want to try this one again either.



 -Jelisa

Wine Tastings--February 23, 2012

Santola Vinho Verde
$7.95
Portugal

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors.  Off dry and very fresh.

What Jelisa Said:
Smelled like dish soap, but I did kinda like this one.  It was kinda bubbly going down but I couldn't really taste anything with this one.  I did not have food with this wine.



Protocolo Blanc
2010
$6.95
Spain

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Greenish gold.  Subtle aromas of mint, lemon, and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle.  Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness.  Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon.  As usual, this is an outstanding value.

**this wine was also rated by Stephan Tanzer and he gave it 87 points**

What Jelisa Said:
Oaky smell with a hint of cheese.  Tastes like clothes straight out of the dryer and it also tasted kinda woody.  I did not have food with this wine.



Resonata Nero D'Avola
2010
$6.95
Italy

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Dense ruby red with violet reflections.  Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries, and spice.  Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background.

What Jelisa Said:
Smells like cherries and sort of like alcohol swabs (obviously).  It had a really strong bitter taste to it, it was also kinda hot.  I didn't really like this one. I didn't have any food with this one.





Don Ramon Tinto
$7.95
Spain

What Vintage Cellar Said:
75% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo.  Aged 3 months in American Oak casks.  Ruby red in color, with creamy aromas of the earth and cherry.  Flavor turns toward deeper and darker black cherry and raspberry on a medium framework.  A subtle earthiness underneath the bright fruit adds some depth and complexity.

What Jelisa Said:
Really sweet smell, tastes really bitter.  It was too strong for my liking.  I wouldn't mind to try this one again with food and without to see if my tastes are different from the first time I tried it.





Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling
2010
$8.95
Germany

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Flint and mineral notes accent pineapple and lime aromas, while on the palate, the wine shows plenty of ripe citrusy fruit flavors.  Tangy acids on the long finish provide balance.

What Jelisa Said:
It smelled like it was burnt, I also got a tad bit of pear when I did a second sniff.  It was really sweet going down but like the Santola I really couldn't taste anything.



Usually, out of all the weekly tastings I go to I have one wine that I really like and end up purchasing.  This week that didn't happen, I really didn't like the wines all that much this week but hopefully next week there will be something that I really like.

Until next week,
-Jelisa

Wine Tastings--February 16, 2012

Cantina Villafranca Frascati
2010
$7.95
Frascati, Italy

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Produced from a selection of the best grapes located in the Frascati Doc production area.  Made from 45% Malvasia di Candia, 15% Trebbiano Toscano, 25% Malvasia del Lazio, 15% Gretchetto (Greco).  Intense yellow color with greenish reflections.  Characteristic persistent fresh and fruity aromas.  Excellent as an aperitif and paired with fish, seafood, or white meat.

What Jelisa Said:
When I smelled the wine it smelled like cheese to me. It also have a very strong taste to it. Personally, I didn't like this wine, I feel like there were better wines that I have tasted in the weeks before.  I did not eat anything when I was tasting this wine.  I would like to try it again with food to see if my opinion of it will change though.

Morro Bay White Oak Estates Chardonnay

2009

$5.95

Lodi, California

What Vintage Cellar Said: 

Vanilla cream soda nose with a slice of fresh cut pineapple.  Full body, tropical fruit, spice and pleasant vanilla oak note linger in the finish.  Sweet flavor on the palate is for sur-lie aging the wine on the primary yeast lees for 7 months.  A versatile style of wine that can be served chilled with fine cuisine or a glass with friends.  Certified Green by Lodi Rules Sustainable Winegrowers.

What Jelisa Said: 

It smelled like an old closet, kinda musty and mothy (if that is even a word).   It had a dry wooden taste, I didn't not eat food with this one but to be quite honest with you I probably would not try this one again if food was present.

Coreto Tinto 

2008

$6.95

Lisboa Region

Portugal

What Vintage Cellar Said: 

This red from the Coreto range has loads of dark berry fruit with a hint of new oak creating a soft, velvet structure that makes it very easy to drink.  Red currant and juicy acidity.

What Jelisa Said:  

I smelled cherries when I did the first swirl and sniff. It was kinda oaky, really strong but not to bitter.  I didn't have food with this but I really did enjoy this wine. I wouldn't mind to try this one again. 

Charles Thomas Cotes-du-Rhone
$8.95
Rhone, France

What Vintage Cellar Said:
From a 140+-acre estate near the well-known Cotes du Rhone village of Point Saint Esprit emerges this juicy Cotes du Rhone, a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre.  Well-made, with loads of berry fruit and a heady, meaty, peppery nose with a hint of Provencal herbs, the wine is fresh, lively, and best drunk over the next 2 years.

What Jelisa Said:
It had a sweet smell to it, I couldn't really describe what the actual smell was but nonetheless it was sweet.  It was really bitter and it tasted straight up like pepper.  I did not have anything to eat with this wine when I tasted it.

Lost Vineyards Spumante Dolce
$4.95
Italy

What Vintage Cellar Said:
Pale silvery straw color.  Floral aromas of apples, peaches, and potpourri follow through on a round, frothy entry to a fruity medium bodied sweet wine with good depth and tangy peachy fruit and a breezy, harmonious green apple kissed finish.

What Jelisa Said:
When I did the swirl and sniff, it really smelled like flowers.  It reminded me of a peach soda and it really goes down smooth.  I really enjoyed this one and I even bought two bottles of it. I did not eat anything with it when I was at the tasting but when I got home I ate some grapes and tried it again.  With the grapes it tasted even sweeter than it did when I didn't eat anything with it.  I would highly recommend this bottle to anyone.  Hopefully Vintage Cellar will have some more bottles come in before spring break though... :)

-Jelisa