Tasting- Boas Vinhas Tinto

Name: Boas Vinhas Tinto
Variety: Touriga Nacional
Region: Beira
Country: Portugal
Year: 2009
Price: $9.95
Shop Review: Deep bright violet and red color. rich in aromas of red fruits as plums and strawberries. Its intense yet docile and fleshy taste fills the palate without roughness, leaving a pleasant sensation.

My Review: The first thing I noticed with I tasted this wine were smokey notes.  There was a strong tobacco flavor, the intensity of which masked a lot of the fruit flavors described upon first taste.  I did not particularly care for this wine.  I had it alone without food.

Tasting- Beauvert Cotes du Rhone

Name: Beauvert Cotes du Rhone
Variety: Grenache Blend
Region: Rhone
Country: France
Year: 2009
Price: $11.95
Shop's Review: A beautiful ruby red wine.  Very fragrant, with aromas of red fruit (currant, strawberry and cherry) with hints of black pepper and cinnamon.  Medium-bodied and silky in the mouth with mature, round tannins.  Enjoy with meats, grilled vegetables or cheese.

My Review: This wine was very smooth on the palate. It was tannic, but not overwhelmingly so.  I did not try it with food, but agree with the description that it would pair well with red meats. 

Tasting- Doural Tinto

Name: Doural Tinto
Variety: Tinto Cao, Touriga Nacional
Region: Douro
Country: Portugal
Year: 2009
Price: $8.95
Shop Review: 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. Paris well with red or game meat, cheeses, and fish.

My Review:  The first thing I noticed about this wine was its deep red/purplish color.  Upon first taste, I felt the wine was very spicy.  It was a dynamic wine, filled with lots of flavors.  I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- Nykteri Santorini Yannis

Name: Nykteri Santorini Yannis
Variety: White blend
Region: Aegean
Country: Greece
Year: 2010
Price: $13.95

Shop Review: I fell first for the compelling story of this 'night work' wine, and then for the aroma and taste, and can't think of a wine to compare it to. Nykteri- Dry White Wine Appelation of Origin Santorini of superior quality. Since 3,500 years ago, the Nykteri is synonymous to Santorini's famous white wines.The famous 'instant wine making' on the night of the same day that the grapes were harvested solved the problem of the variety's sensitive aroma deterioration. The wine is matured for 3 months at least in barrels. In this way, the wine's contact with the barrel's wood gives the Nykteri a special finesse. Characteristics- crystal-clear, semi-yellow wine. Dominated by the aroma of jasmine, citrus fruits, flowers and pear, all these enhanced with a gentle vanilla sense. A strong body with warm personality and a long lasting taste. Serve with grilled anything as well as with local Greek dishes such as tomato meatballs and fava dip.

My Review: I detected floral notes with this wine.  As described, it was very dry, and tasted smooth going down.  It had a slight lingering aftertaste and was a little bitter.  This white wine was clear in the glass, and had citrus flavors like grapefruit and orange.  I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- Casa Bianca Spumante Rosato

Name: Casa Bianca Spumante Rosato
Variety: 100% Pinot Nero
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: not listed
Price: $11.95

Shop Review: Prosecco is very popular in Italy. The wine is often served as a festive aperitif but mild dry Prosecco Spumante is also very suitable as a companion of appetizers and entrees. Prosecco is a generic term and can be sold in many different qualities. The best have their own appellation, as Casa Bianca. The vineyards of Montello and the hills of Asoli located in northern Italy. This rosato spumante is made from white grape pinot nero prosecco and red. By fermenting them together creates the pale pink color and a flavor that is more powerful than the white variety. Spicy rosato spumante with fine, persistent mousse, juicy fresh red fruit in the aroma and a rich, smooth and lasting flavor.

My Review: I really enjoyed this wine.  It was very sweet, and the carbonation gave it a crisp taste. I could taste the fruit flavors and residual sugar.  I am drawn to Prosecco, and was excited to see that it was the first wine that we were tasting at the Vintage Cellar. I liked it so much that I decided to purchase a bottle and am looking forward to sharing it with my roommates. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting- Crios Malbec

Name: Crios Malbec
Variety: 95% Malbec, 5% Bonarda
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $14.95

Shop Review: Previous Vintage, 90 points, Robert Parker 5% Bonarda in its blend.  It spent 9 months in 50% new French and American oak.  Notes of balsam wood, smoke, black cherry, and spice box lead to a similarly styled wine that comes off as just a bit too lean.  Again, the flavors are pleasant, but it should be drunk over the next several years while it retains its fruit

My Review: This was the last wine I tried for the day at the Vintage Cellar.  It tasted very dense and dark.  I could taste rich chocolate and coffee flavors.  This wine was more bitter than some of the other wines I tried.  Hints of spices and wood were noticeable, as well as hints of cherry.
I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- Four Bears Cabernet

Name: Four Bears Cabernet
Variety: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petite Sirah
Region: Paso Robles, California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $14.95

Shop Review: 2010 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon is ruby in color and displays aromas of lavender, cedar and raspberry fruit.  Flavors of blackberries and raspberries combined with hints of savory spices coat the palate.  The soft tannins and sweet oak balance lead to a long and lingering finish. 


My Review: This wine tasted deep and rich.  I felt it was well-balanced and the fruit flavors were complemented by notes of wood and spices.  It had a slight burn going down, and an aftertaste that stayed with me for awhile.
I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting- Revelry Merlot

Name: Revelry Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Walla Walla, Washington
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $14.95

Shop Review: If you've ever relaxed in a cozy chair, you know what this Merlot is all about: Soft, smooth, and luxuriously deep, with flavors of blueberry and black cherry supported by subtle suggestions of oak and spice.

My Review: This was one of my favorite wines I tasted during the day.  It was very smooth palatable.  The blueberry and cherry notes were very noticeable.  I am not usually drawn to red wines, but I really enjoyed this one.  It was dynamic and had a flavorful fruity taste.
I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting- RN 13 Vin de Pique Organic White

Name: RN 13 Vin de Pique Organic White
Variety: Blend of Viognier (40%), Chenin Blanc (35%) and Sauvignon Blanc (25%)
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Country: France
Year: 2010
Price: $14.95 

Wine shop review: A really good fun, sociable white. Very easy-going.  This is a blend of Viognier (40%), Chenin Blanc (35%) and Sauvignon Blanc (25%). The palate is a blend of apples, pears and peaches with refreshing acidity and a hint of lemon.  Great balance and perfect example of an easy drinking white to serve chilled as an apértif or with tapas.

My Review: This wine tasted a lot more bitter than the first wine I tasted.  I did not really detect the apples or peaches as described.  Maybe the wine would have paired well with food, but I tried it on it's own and felt it was a little too harsh and tart. 

Tasting- Four Bears Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Four Bears Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Sonoma County, California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $12.95

Wine Shop Review: Rich and complex with aromas of ruby grapefruit, citrus and tropical fruit.  On the palate, the combined flavors of fresh melon, fig and lame are balanced perfectly to form a crip, mouthwatering texture and a lingering finish.

My Review: I enjoyed this wine.  It had a light and sweet taste with a lot of different fruity notes.  This was the first wine I was served at a tasting at the Vintage Cellar.  I felt it was a good wine to start with.  It was very smooth and I could taste the citrus flavors.
I did not have this wine with food.