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.