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