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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - Tres Ojos Rose

The Vintage Cellar, 2/21/13

Name:  Tres Ojos Rose

Variety:  50% Tempranillo, 50% Garnacha 

Region:  Calatayud

Country:  Spain  

Year:  2009

Price:  $1.95 (!!!)

Public 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."    

My Review:  Very inviting nose.  Spicy like a red, but light like a white.  Doesn't taste like much, although the aftertaste is wonderful!  Drier than expected; warm in the throat/back of mouth.  

With food?:  No 

Did buy?:  No (they were sold out :-/)

Tasting - Opera Prima Sweet Red

The Vintage Cellar, 1/24/13

Name:  Opera Prima Sweet Red
Variety:  50% Cabernet, 50% Tempranillo
Region:  La Mancha
Country:  Spain
Year:  2010
Price:  $4.95
Public review:  "Doesn't try to hide its warm-climate terroir, with a soft texture framing jammy-sweet black raspberry, cherry, red currant, root beer and sweet tea.  Drink now."    
My review:  WOW.  Perfect for someone who likes sweet wines (like me!)  It was fantastic alone, and even better with chocolate.  I could see myself easily downing a bottle of this throughout an evening.
With food?:  The Vintage Cellar provided a piece of chocolate, which paired perfectly with this wine.
Did buy?:  Abso-freaking-lutely, and I'll probably buy it again!