The menu offering was different than the last dinner -- which I was excited about. I loaded up my plate and fully took advantage of the amazing selection. They offered an assorted cheese platter, fresh house salad with crumbled feta cheese and craisins, meat filled ravioli with marinara sauce, ziti noodles with alfredo and sausage, rotini with feta cheese, onions and olives, little stuffed filled pastries, and french bread pizza. I had no shame about eating until I was way too full. It was delicious and I am looking forward to the next time they have a tasting. $14 for 9 wines and gourmet foods? It is a deal that can't be beat!
Now for the wines:
Tonight was structured a differently than last time. We had a blind tasting which really put my palate to the test. With inspiration from the movie "John Cleese's Wine for the Confused," the short film we viewed after the midterm on Thursday, we sought to figure out if we could correctly identify all 9 wines.
I learned that my observations are not as keen as I thought. I did very poorly on trying to label each of the wines. It is interesting how your perception changes when you don't have the varietal told to you initially. It really allowed me to explore the wines based on their own properties, and not by what I thought I would have liked based on past experience.
Tasting Notes:
Whites:
Sierra Cruz Sauvignon Blanc (2010) $7.99-
Zeppoli's description- This Chilean Sauvignon Blanc features a bright
citrus flavors and a nose of herbs and grass. It is a cross between the
herbal, grassy wines so prevalent in Sonoma County and the riper, and
the more fruit forward products of New Zealand. Match it with pasta
sauced with pine nuts, mushrooms, and paramesan. "A lovely Sauvignon
Blanc, dry, crisply acidic and clean, with complex citrus, flower and
mineral flavors. A great value for the money."
My take: Although I could not correctly identify this wine a a Sauvignon Blanc, I really enjoyed it. It had dynamic fruity and citrus flavors. It had a dry, crispy and acidic feel. It scored an 88 from the Wine Observer.
Zeppoli's description- With original vines from Burgendy, this wine is
grown in clay, loam, and slightly alkaline. The color is yellow when
young and has a pleasant fruity aroma, but with the passage of time tame
a characteristic bouquet of hay, walnut, and toasted almonds. It is a
wine to be consumed early. Perfect for lighter meals including salads,
light pasta, and seafood.
My take: My roommate and I found this to be our favorite wine of the tasting. It was very smooth and easy on the palate. It was crisp and light and earned a score of a 92. For $7.99 it was a great value! The pourer told us that he had not been able to find another Pinot Grigio as good for under $40. I bought the last bottle they currently had in stock so that I can enjoy this wine later too.
Leese-Fitch Chardonnay (2009) $11.99; California
Zeppoli's description- This Chardonnay is bursting with aromas of ripe
tropical melon, and crisp Anjou Pear. After the blast of fruit your
senses will be bathed with aromas of roasted chestnut, vanilla caramel
apple, and an ample dose of rich French Oak. The palate is full-bodied
with a fresh entry, medium weight mid-palate, and a creamy, lingering
finish that just won't quit! This is a very versatile wine that has
great balance of fruit notes with rich and memorable creaminess.
My take: This wine had a slight floral smell. I detected high acidity and hints of pear and melon. The wine was crisp, and although I could not identify it as a chardonnay during out blind taste, I enjoyed it.
Opera Prima Moscato (NV) $5.99; Spain
My take: This wine is too sweet for my liking. Although the pourer said it was fruit forward, and not overpoweringly sweet, I could only lightly detect fruit flavors. It tasted floral, reminiscent of soap. It was very bubbly. This wine got moved to the end of the tasting.
Reds:
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| Me enjoying a glass of Pinot Noir during the tasting |
Kenwood Yulup Pinot Noir (2010) $14.99-
Zeppoli's description- 2010 is the first vintage of our Yulup Pinot
Noir. The grapes are sources from select coastal vineyards that have
excellent varietal character that are fermented separately in stainless
steel tanks. Fruity aromas of boysenberry, strawberry, and cherry are
joined by notes of vanilla and spice smooth tannins with a hint of
sweetness make for a well balanced wine with exceptional finish. 99%
Pinot Noir 1% Syrah, 11 months in French and European Oak.
My take: This wine smelled spicy mixed with dark fruit notes. I tasted hints of tobacco and black cherry. This wine is a "restaurant-only" wine due to it's ability to pair well with food, so it is very hard to find most places.
Poggio Vipere Chianti (2009) $11.99
Zeppoli's description- Ruby red color, it has a good body and persistent
aroma with hints of cherry and spice. In the mouth, it reveals itself
as soft, fresh, and pleasantly balanced.
My take: I also failed to correctly identify this wine during the blind taste test. It was very smooth with some earthy notes and spices. It is an old world wine, so $11.99 is a good price.
Hope Merlot Hunter Valley (2009) $11.99; Argentina
Zeppoli's description- Aroma is of dark plums and vibrant fruit. A
dense, well rounded palate of cherry, chocolate richness with some
spicy, integrated oak characters. This is a full bodied, richer style
of Merlot. A dry year has given concentrated characters and complexity
with typical Hunter earthiness leading to a long finish. An elegant
Merlot with serious weight.
My take: I detected cherries on the nose. This wine was tart with flavors of bright fruit. It is a best selling wine, and the pourer said it pairs very well with marinara. He said he has sold out of it several nights because it is such a good value for the price. I enjoyed the light spicy flavors accented by hints of oak.
Cholila Ranch Malbec Fatagonia (2010) $10.99; Argentina
Zeppoli's description- Named for the former ranch owned by Butch Cassidy
and the Sundance Kid. Tasting Notes deep purple color, aromas of ripe
plum, mulberry with violet hints, ripe black fruits and fig on the
palate, and touches of smoke and vanilla. A truly powerful yet balanced
wine with a persistent finish. "Spice box, plum, black cherry, and
violets; supple, round and easygoing; drink now- 4 years."
My take: This wine had some creaminess on the nose, as well as hints of vanilla in the taste. It was smooth, but had a bit of a burn or bite to it. It was full-bodied with bright fruits and some spice.
Chasing Lions Cabernet Sauvignon (2008) $13.99; North Coast California
Zeppoli's description- The 2008 Chasing lions shows wonderful scents of
blackberry, cassis, tobacco, leather and plums on the nose followed by a
deep and concentrated roundness on the palate with lovely textures and
pure flavors of dark fruits, black licorice and toasty oak. This wine
should age nicely through 2015. Varietals: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15%
Merlot, 6$ Cabernet Franc. 60% aged in two year old French Oak, 40%
aged in two year old American Oak.
My take: This wine was deep red-ish purple in color. It tasted dry with some spices and large, rounded tannins. I agree with the black licorice flavor mentioned in the tasting notes. I also tasted dark fruit flavors.
Overall, I enjoyed most of the wines present at this tasting. Although I left feeling stuffed after taking advantage of the delicious food, I am excited to go back next time.
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