Tasting - Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc

Carrabba's Italian Grill, 4/27/13

Name:  Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc
Variety:  Sauvignon Blanc
Region:  Casablanca Valley
Country:  Chile
Year:  2011
Price:  $7.50/glass or $29/bottle (I'm POSITIVE it's cheaper at places other than the restaurant)
Public review:   "Aroma:  Fresh lemon-lime fruit, intense peach, citrus, and herbs mingle with floral accents.  Tasting notes:  Medium-bodied with tropical and citrus fruit flavors of white grapefruit and lime with a long crisp finish and some minerality.  Winemaker notes:  Warm days and cool nights contribute to long, even ripening.  Sauvignon Blanc vines are trellised with an interior tunnel to increase airflow so that the grapes do not overheat and retain freshness, aromatics and flavor.  The wine is fermented in stainless steel."
My review:  Strong floral nose.  Nice, fresh floral taste.  Good acidity, and just enough flavor to balance it.  Relatively dry.  It was served chilled, which accented the warmer floral notes in the wine.
With food?:  Yes, calamari appetizer
Did buy?:  Not more than the one glass used for tasting

Tasting - Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone

The Vintage Cellar, 4/25/13

Name:  Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone
Variety:  70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault
Region:  Rhone Valley
Country:  France
Year:  2010
Price:  $14.95/750mL or $38.95/3L
Public review:  "As for their other values, the 2010 Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Reserve displays loads of ripe flavors.  It is very concentrated for a Cotes du Rhone, and is actually an amazing wine.  Classic garrigue, black cherry liqueur, lavender, licorice, and spice box are all present in this full-bodied, intense, and rich Cotes du Rhone.  This is a sensational effort to drink over the next 4-5 years, although it might last even longer.
My review:  Very spicy nose.  Deep garnet color.  I don't know how, but this is sweet and spicy at the same time!  Peppery; unique and very good.
With food?:  No
Did buy?:  No, but will keep this one in mind!

Tasting - Lobetia Tempranillo

The Vintage Cellar, 4/25/13

Name:  Lobetia Tempranillo
Variety:  Tempranillo
Region:  La Mancha
Country:  Spain
Year:  2011
Price:  $10.95
Public review:  "Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly.  It shows a nice cherry color with a violet shade because of its youth.  Red berries and cherries on the nose.  On the palate it is fresh, slightly astringent, and harmonious with a long finish."        
My review:  Deep nose.  Raspberry?  Blackberry?  Very appealing.  I can definitely taste the cherry.  Much drier than the fruity wines that I'm used to, which is actually nice.  A little earthy.
With food?:  No
Did buy?:  No

Tasting - Lobetia Chardonnay

The Vintage Cellar, 4/25/13

Name:  Lobetia Chardonnay
Variety:  Chardonnay
Region:  La Mancha
Country:  Spain
Year:  2011
Price:  $10.95
Public review:  "Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly.  Clean, bright color with a greenish-yellow tone.  On the nose, exotic fruits like pineapple.  Full flavored, fresh, with good acidity in the mouth, it finishes with tropical fruits."        
My review:  Fruity, tropical nose.  Pretty sweet at first, and then gets less so as it stays in the mouth.  Tastes like young grapes.  Aftertaste actually is a little bitter.  Not reminiscent of oak.  Not what I expected from a Chardonnay.
With food?:  No
Did buy?:  No

Tasting - Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele (Pinot Grigio)

The Vintage Cellar, 4/25/13

Name:  Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele
Variety:  Pinot Grigio
Region:  Veneto
Country:  Italy
Year:  NV
Price:  $7.95
Public review:  "Named after the famous restaurant in Italy!  This is their house white wine!  Coppery color from extended skin contact, round and rich texture with juicy melon aromas and flavors with a sweet fennel note on the ultra smooth finish.  Great value Grigio!  Drink now."
My review:  I can tell just from the nose that it's acidic.  It tastes fresher and more melon-y than I expected.  Goes down smoothly, but not as sweet as the description made me think.
With food?:  No
Did buy?:  No

Tasting - Ksana Bonarda

The Vintage Cellar, 4/18/13

Name:  Ksana Bonarda
Variety:  100% Bonarda
Region:  Mendoza
Country:  Argentina
Year:  2008
Price:  $9.95
Public review:  "The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry armoas and a savory note or two. To the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Bonarda.  Finishes solid.  Very sweet, berry smell with some rooty undertones.  Kind of dry, makes your lips pucker."
My review:  Delicious dark berry and chocolate nose.  Would taste delicious with dark chocolate.  Great balance; dry and retains dark fruit taste.  A little bitter.  Unique, like nothing I've ever tasted before, and very good.
With food?:  No
Did buy?:  No, but only since I was already buying 2 others.  Will go back for this one!

Tasting - Concannon Shiraz

The Vintage Cellar, 4/18/13

Name:  Concannon Shiraz
Variety:  Shiraz
Region:  Central Coast, California
Country:  USA
Year:  2008
Price:  $7.95
Public review:  "This is an extremely rich, full-bodied wine with a dark fruit core.  Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dark cherry are followed by more berry fruits and chocolate and mocha on the palate."      
My review:  Hits you in the nose with dark, heavy fruits.  Makes me want to go on a walk in the woods.  Tastes a little earthy and very chocolatey.  Dry.  This wine is something I know my boyfriend would love.
With food?:  No  
Did buy?:  Yes, for my boyfriend

Tasting - Chandon Sweet Cuvée

The Vintage Cellar, 4/18/13

Name:  Chandon Sweet Cuvée
Variety:  Sparkling rosé blend
Region:  California
Country:  USA
Year:  NV
Price:  $9.95
Public review:  "This wine is an innovative sparkling wine style revealing vibrant stone fruit and floral aromas with rich, luscious mouth feel.  This wine enlivens the senses and sparks spontaneous moments, complementing your passion for a good life."      
My review:  Nose is off-putting.  A little earthy.  In the mouth, it is very bubbly and refreshing!  It tastes nothing like the nose; in fact, the bubbles sort of overwhelm the flavor.  A hint of fruit taste comes through.
With food?:  No
Did buy?:  No

Tasting - Black Ridge White Zinfandel

The Vintage Cellar, 4/18/13

Name:  Black Ridge Vineyards White Zinfandel
Variety:  Zinfandel, White
Region:  Central Valley, California
Country:  USA
Year:  NV
Price:  $3.95
Public review:  "This fruit forward White Zinfandel displays fresh aromas and crisp flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry.  It is incredibly food friendly and will pair well with burgers, sandwiches, fruit salad, and more."      
My review:  Smells very fruity.  Almost a little bit earthy, maybe?  Soft strawberry in the mouth.  Very light.
With food?:  No
Did buy?:  No

Tasting - Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc

The Vintage Cellar, 4/18/13

Name:  Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc
Variety:  Sauvignon Blanc
Region:  Central Coast, California
Country:  USA
Year:  2010
Price:  $7.95
Public review:  "Orange blossom and citrus permeate the aromas.  Alluring flavors of orange and grapefruit dominate the palate.  Bright acidity balances the plush mouthfeel, resulting in a clean finish."     
My review:  Smell reminds me of a Chardonnay.  Fresh, floral, crisp, clean, and simple.  Taste is very good!  Crisp and clean, not overwhelming.  Good acidity and balance.  Seems very versatile for food pairings.
With food?:  No
Did buy?:  Yes!

Tasting - Emeri de Bortoli Sparkling Shiraz

The Vintage Cellar, 3/28/13

Name:  Emeri de Bortoli Sparkling Shiraz
Variety:  Shiraz
Region:  New South Wales
Country:  Australia
Year:  NV
Price:  $9.95
Public 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:  Young, fresh nose with a good berry balance.  The sparkliness in the mouth overwhelms the taste, however.  It tastes cool, but not as sweet as I expected.  Cleanses mouth well; not much aftertaste.  I honestly didn't get many shiraz characteristics out of this one.  
With food?:  No, but I had just finished drinking some apple cider spiced herbal tea.
Did buy?:  No

Tasting - Tres Ojos Garnacha

The Vintage Cellar, 3/28/13

Name:  Tres Ojos Garnacha
Variety:  85% Old Vine Garnacha, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Tempranillo, 1% Syrah
Region:  Calatayud
Country:  Spain
Year:  2011
Price:  $6.95
Public 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 cheese, etc."    
My review:  Wonderful cool fruity nose.  I'm getting more of the raspberry scents.  It's dry in the mouth, yet fruity.  Better aftertaste than Montebuena!  But something tastes "off" on my palate.  
With food?:  No, but I had just finished drinking some apple cider spiced herbal tea.
Did buy?:  No

Tasting - Montebuena Rioja Tempranillo

The Vintage Cellar, 3/28/13

Name:  Montebuena Rioja
Variety:  100% Tempranillo
Region:  Rioja
Country:  Spain
Year:  2010
Price:  $8.95
Public review:  "Ripe cherry and blackcurrant 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 will with an hour or so of decanting; it's an excellent value for Rioja."    
My review:  Deep, fruity nose which definitely gives off some cherry notes.  Relatively dry in the mouth, with noticeable tannins.  Bitter, unpleasant aftertaste... It just went downhill after I smelled it.  I am not sure how long The Vintage Cellar had the wine sitting out before I got there, and it was not in a decanter but in the bottle.  Maybe I'd like it better if it had breathed a little bit.
With food?:  No, but I had just finished drinking some apple cider spiced herbal tea.
Did buy?:  No, but am keeping it in mind for my boyfriend; I think he'll like it.

Tasting - Sainte Victoire Cotes de Provence

The Vintage Cellar, 3/28/13

Name:  Sainte Victoire Cotes de Provence
Variety:  Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
Region:  Provence
Country:  France
Year:  2011
Price:  $8.95
Public 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:  I could hardly tell it was a rose wine just from looking at it; it's very light-colored.  It's different; I get a little more of a deeper flavor than I expected.  I know this probably didn't undergo malolactic fermentation but that's the taste I keep getting...
With food?:  No, but I had just finished drinking some apple cider spiced herbal tea.
Did buy?:  No

Tasting - Canyon Road Chardonnay

The Vintage Cellar, 3/28/13

Name:  Canyon Road Chardonnay
Variety:  Chardonnay
Region:  California
Country:  United States
Year:  2011
Price:  $6.95
Public 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:  Smooth, fresh nose.  It's sweet, very crisp, and easily sippable!  I can taste the apple and it's very enjoyable.  The review says it's medium-bodied; I would classify it as light- to medium-bodied.
With food?:  No, but I had just finished drinking some apple cider spiced herbal tea.
Did buy?:  No, but I'm keeping it in mind for another time!

Tasting - Monte Aman Tempranillo

The Vintage Cellar, 2/28/13

Name:  Monte Aman Tempranillo

Variety:  100% Tempranillo

Region:  Arlanza

Country:  Spain

Year:  2009

Price:  $5.95

Public 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:  Deep, noticeably rich purpley-red color.  Berries & fruit in the nose.  Wow!  Chocolate & fruit in the mouth.  Smooth, well-balanced.  Great alone, can't wait to try it with foods!  

With food?:  No, although I had eaten a granola bar about 10 minutes beforehand.  

Did buy?:  Yes!

Tasting - Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

The Vintage Cellar, 2/28/13

Name:  Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Variety:  100% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Region:  Veneto

Country:  Italy

Year:  2010

Price:  $6.95

Public 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:  Nose is deep, rich, and full of berries.  Wine is dry, and not as pleasant as I expected from the nose.  Might be better with a heavy food.  

With food?:  No, although I had eaten a granola bar about 10 minutes beforehand.  

Did buy?:  No

Tasting - Maipe Chardonnay

The Vintage Cellar, 2/28/13

Name:  Maipe Chardonnay

Variety:  85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier

Region:  Mendoza 

Country:  Argentina

Year:  2012

Price:  $7.95

Public Review:  "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 apple flavors, toasty vanilla.  Elegant and luscious wine, well balanced.  Crisp and long finish.  Pairs well with creamy soups, pork, veal, vegetables."         

My Review:  Nice, round, warm nose!  Tastes like cheese, because of the malolactic fermentation.        

With food?:  No, although I had eaten a granola bar about 10 minutes beforehand.  

Did buy?:  No

Tasting - Villa d' Orvieto

The Vintage Cellar, 2/28/13

Name:  Villa d' Orvieto

Variety:  Blend of Grechetto, Procanico (Trebbiano), and Malvasia

Region:  Orvieto DOC 

Country:  Italy

Year:  2011

Price:  $6.95

Public Review:  "Fresh and crisp, it has a beautiful, floral bouquet.  It is wonderful with appetizers, fish, chicken, and salads."         

My Review:  Not much of a nose.  Crisp in the mouth, almost citrusy... not too much flavor, and kind of "cool."       

With food?:  No, although I had eaten a granola bar about 10 minutes beforehand.  

Did buy?:  No

Tasting - Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

The Vintage Cellar, 2/28/13

Name:  Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

Variety:  45% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada

Region:  Penedes  

Country:  Spain

Year:  NV

Price:  $9.95

Public 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:  Smells like champagne.  Very sparkly -- almost too much!  Overwhelms the fruity flavor.     

With food?:  No, although I had eaten a granola bar about 10 minutes beforehand.  

Did buy?:  No