Crane Lake - White Zinfandel

Name:  Crane Lake
Variety:  White Zinfandel
Region:  California
Country:  USA
Year:  2013
Price:  $6
Winery review:  Light pink wine with floral and tropical aromas: flavors of strawberry, peach and raspberry with a touch of sweetness. This wine is an easy sipping wine that also pairs well with a wide variety of foods ranging from crab cakes or pâté to spicy Asian dishes, glazed ham, and grilled sea bass.
Additional winemaker notes:  I took a bottle of this wine home.  Very peachy, raspberry, and watermelon rind came to mind when tasting this wine.  I did not try it with food.

Tasting - Vina Galana Alicante Bouchet

Name:  Vina Galana
Variety:  Alicante Bouchet
Region:  N/A
Country:  Spain
Year:  2012
Price:  $10
Winery review:  From the rare Alicante Bouchet, one of the few grapes in the world with red flesh. This wine has a plush texture carrying flavors of brandied cherry and chocolate ganache in this round red. Light tannins and gentle acidity impart a lovely, balanced structure. 
Additional winemaker notes:  This red was much more pleasant to me than the Tonnino Syrah.  I picked up chocolate, cherries, and a very oaky/smokey flavor.  In addition, the tasting attendant had a corked sample to smell as well - it had a heavy sawdust flavor.  

Tasting - Tonnino Syrah

Name:  Tonnino
Variety:  Syrah
Region:  Sicily
Country:  Italy  
Year:  2013
Price:  $8
Winery review:  An intense red color.  Aromas of violet and blackcurrent enriched with hints of liquorice and black pepper.  In the mouth it is full, rounded, slightly tannic and with a spicy note on the finish.
Additional winemaker notes: I strongly disliked this wine.  It was way too dry and tannic for my tastes.  I picked up the  floral aspect (my nose isn't refined enough yet to determine that it was violet), and berries.  I did not try this wine with food.  It might be more enjoyable had I tried it with food.

Tasting - Riebeek Cellars Viognier

Name:  Riebeek Cellars
Variety:  Viognier
Region:  Swartland
Country:  South Africa
Year:  2015
Price:  $8
Winery review:  This is a luscious viognier, featuring a deep yellow color, that explodes with juicy peach and honeysuckle flavors.  Viognier can easily become flabby, but this one manages to keep its figure within bounds.  I recommend this for immediate, lip-smacking enjoyment.
Additional winemaker notes:  Again, this was difficult for me to taste, given that I was sick with a cold.  I picked up strong flavors of apple, pineapple, and peach, and a heavy floral scent that must be the honeysuckle identified above.  I enjoyed this wine very much.  I did not try with food.

Tasting - Dom Michel Thomas Pinot Noir Sancerre Rose

Name:  Dom Michel Thomas
Variety:  Pinot Noir Sancerre Rose
Region:  Loire
Country:  France
Year:  2013
Price:  $9
Winery review:  Bright orange-pink.  Lively, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh red berries, orange peel, and honeysuckle, with a hint of anise building in the glass.  Dry and nervy in the mouth, offering vibrant strawberry and orange pith flavors and a suggestion of rose pastille.  The floral element comes back on the finish, which lingers with very good spicy persistence.  {Vintage Cellar notes}
Additional winemaker notes:  This week's wine tasting was a struggle for me - I have a cold, so I can't smell very well.  However, this wine was very fruity, and dry.  Full-bodied.  Not my favorite, it was too dry for me, but then again, I would like to try this one when I'm not sick.  I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Crane Lake Gewurtztraminer

Name:  Crane Lake

Variety:  Gewurtztraminer

Region:  California

Country:  USA

Year:  2013

Price:  $6

Winery review:  Slightly high-toned notions of rose petal mingle with lemon on nose and palate of this lightly sweet, richly textured yet balanced Gewürztraminer. This is not as heady as you may expect and will be a treat with spicy Asian dishes. Lychee and rose petal make another very fetching appearance on the finish.

Additional winemaker notes:  This was a wonderful mix/balance of sweet and fruity.  It was also very floral at the end.  I could see myself enjoying this on its own, or with a sharp cheddar for dessert.  I did not try this with food.  

Tasting - Codirosso Chianti

Name:  Codirosso

Variety:  Chianti

Region:  Tuscany

Country:  Italy

Year:  2014

Price:  $13

Winery review:  Ruby red color with purple reflections. Intense vinous bouquet with hints of violets and dark cherry fruit. The flavor is full of ripe fruit and a hint of spice. It is well balanced and dry. The finish is persistent and satisfying.
Additional winemaker notes:  I did not care for this wine.  It was very tannic at the end, too much bite for my tastes.  I picked up on lots of raspberry.  If I tried this with food, I might have enjoyed it more.  

Tasting - Indwe Pinotage

Name:  Indwe

Variety:  Pinotage

Region:  N/A

Country:  South Africa

Year:  2013

Price:  $12

Winery review:  A disclaimer I have never cared much for Pinotage, the indigenous South African grape variety, but this 2013 from Indwe  named after the country's national bird the blue crane comes across like a Pinor Nior. subtle notes of cherries, spice and forest floor are followed by a round light medium bodied pure seductive well-crafted wine.  (Robert Parker)
Additional winemaker notes:  I did not try this wine with food.  I definitely picked up on the berry-aspect of this wine, as well as orange-peel, oak, and a smokey flavor.  Enjoyed this red wine.  

Tasting - Palacio de Bornos Verdejo

Name:  Palcio de Bornos

Variety:  Verdejo

Region:  Rueda

Country:  Spain

Year:  2013

Price:  $12

Winery review:  Nettle, jalapeño, lettuce leaf and citrus aromas feed into a juicy palate with plenty of acidic cut. Arugula, bell pepper and lime flavors finish crisp, fresh and clean but with little to no evolution off the palate.
Additional winemaker notes:  This was a very dry, tart wine to me.  I picked up on peach.  Nice color.  I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Tonnino Grillo

Name:  Tonnino

Variety:  Grillo

Region:  Sicily

Country:  Italy

Year:  2014

Price:  $14

Winery review:  Fruit-forward and tangy, this light-bodied, snappy white offers flavors of guava, apricot, candied grapefruit zest and stone. Drink now. 20,000 cases made.
Additional winemaker notes:  I picked up on strong hints of green apple, and fuji apple.  Very fruity.  Pleasant, but not my favorite wine.  I did not try this with food.  

Tasting - Sean Minor Blend

Name:  Sean Minor Nicole Marie 

Variety:  Blend - 51% Merlot, 29% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Verdot, 5% Petite Syrah

Region:  Napa Valley, California

Country:  USA

Year:  2013

Price:  $21

Winery review:  Deep ruby in color and displays aromas of ripe blueberry, dark cherry, cassis and vanilla.  On the palate, flavors of blueberries and dark cherry combined with hints of oak spices that coat the palate. The soft tannins and sweet oak balance lead to a long and lingering finish.
Additional winemaker notes:  This unique red wine blend is from sites throughout Napa Valley with grapes harvested at optimal maturity, then de-stemmed and gently crushed into open-top stainless steel fermenters, at warm temperatures, to fully extract color and flavor. The fermented wine then was racked to a combination of French and American oak for aging of which 18% was new. During the aging process the wine lots were tasted throughout and blended back together just before bottling.  

My review:  This red wasn't my favorite either.  It had soft tannins, as Puppie McCloskey pointed out, and it was fruity.  At first it was flat-tasting, then very tannic.  I did not try this wine with food.  

Tasting - HD Malbec

Name:  HD (stands for Hector Durigutti)

Variety:  Malbec

Region:  Mendoza

Country:  Argentina

Year:  N/A (I believe it's 2015)

Price:  $20

Winery review:  Concentrated wine with an intense ruby red color. The nose is fresh and floral with notes of cherries and ripe plums. The palate has lingering tannin and a good balance of acidity.

My review:  Not my favorite variety.  It was a very tart wine for my tastes, but I picked up on figs, chocolate, tobacco/smoke, and cherries.  I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Toschi Chardonnay

Name:  Toschi

Variety:  Chardonnay

Region:  California

Country:  USA

Year:  2013

Price:  $10

Winery review:  Ripe pear with creamy, buttery notes through the mid palate. Balanced finish.

My review:  By far, my favorite wine of the 5 I tasted today.  I picked up on notes of citrus, oak, vanilla, and oddly enough, banana.  I did not taste this with food.  Took a bottle of this one home!

Tasting - Raywood Moscato

Name:  Raywood 

Variety: Moscato

Region:  Central Coast, California

Country:  USA

Year:  2013

Price:  $9

Winery review:  Intense floral aromas coupled with an amazingly fruity and smooth flavor profile, creating a mouthwatering sensation leaving you longing for more! Fun to quaff with friends anytime for any reason. Let the party begin!

My review:  I liked this wine, it wasn't overly sweet - it's considered a dry moscato.  I picked up on berries, honey, and peaches.  Puppy McCloskey mentioned that this wine would go nicely macerated with strawberries.  I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Undurraga Brut

Name:  Undurraga 

Variety: Brut (Chardonnay + Pinot Noir)

Region:  Maipo Valley

Country:  Chile

Year:  N/A (I believe 2015)

Price:  $10

Winery review:  Dry, light and fresh with lime, grapefruit and stone fruit flavours and elegant bubbles.  A great apéritif or sparkling wine for toasting.

My review:  I picked up on tons of apple.  This was a very bubbly/effervescent wine, with a good mouth feel.  Very crisp.  I did not try this with food, but I could see it going well with a sharp cheddar cheese.  

Tasting - Mr. Bill's Wine Cellar

Greetings fellow Hokies!

This weekend I made the trek home to see my family and an old family friend who came to visit.  After much nagging, I convinced my mom that I NEEDED (no really, I need the points, Mom!) to go wine tasting for class.  So we hopped in the car and drove over to Mr. Bill's Wine Cellar in Roanoke.  My parents are recurring customers, so I've spent a fair amount of time at Mr. Bill's.  

Today, Puppie McCloskey from International Cellars was leading the wine tasting for this Valentine's Day weekend.  There were five wines, and each is reviewed in the subsequent posts.  I enjoyed this tasting very much - I felt less rushed than at the Vintage Cellar, because there weren't any other Hokies tasting wine at Mr. Bill's.  If you have time, drive the hour away to go check it out.  Bill is very helpful, and there are usually a few wines on sale for a reasonable (read: college budget) price.  

Tasting - Yellow Tail Red Moscato Bubbles

Name:  Yellow Tail

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region:  South Eastern

Country:  Australia

Year:  N/A

Price:  $10

Winery review:  With a gorgeous deep pink hue, this is a wine that offers scrumptious aromas of lifted tropical fruits, ripe fresh strawberries with black currant and raspberry texture.  Its flavor is a vibrant Moscato, with fresh forest fruits and strawberries and a nice dose of sweetness.  

My review:  I noted tones of peach, which was not on the Vintage Cellar notes, but to me, it was very strong.  I loved this wine.  Not usually a fan of Moscato, but this one was well-balanced.  Good mouth feel.    

Tasting - Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon

Name:  Yellow Tail 

Variety: Cabernet Merlot

Region:  South Eastern

Country:  Australia

Year:  2014

Price:  $10

Winery review:  A classic blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Medium-bodied and very approachable with soft tannins.  Fruit-forward flavors of plum, cherry, and blackberry are accented by notes of spice with more juicy berries on the finish.

My review:  This one was a hit for me!  I LOVE Merlot, to me it's an easy drinking wine.  This was a very berry-inspired wine, as noted in the Vintage Cellar notes.  I picked up on the plum flavor, but I also picked up raisin and chocolate.  It tasted very rich too.   I did not taste this with food.  

Tasting - Dynamite Sauvignon Blanc

Name:  Dynamite 

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region:  Lake County, California

Country:  USA

Year:  2012

Price:  $13

Winery review:  Melon, green apple and citrus flavors are lively and refreshing, with a spicy, floral nuance.

My review:  I liked this bright wine!  A great way to start a meal off right.  I definitely picked up on the melon and green apple.  I also noted an undertone of honey.  I did not taste this with food (although I was told this would go wonderfully with seafood or a soft cheese), and I tasted it at the Vintage Cellar.

Tasting - Araldica 'Albera' Barbera d'Asti

Name:  Araldica 'Albera'

Variety: Barbera d'Asti

Region:  Northern Italy/Piedmont

Country:  Italy

Year:  2013

Price:  $8.95

Winery review:  Ruby red with purple highlights. Elegant fruit aromas of cherries and plums with an enticing warm, spiced, smoky aroma. Berry flavors paired with spiced and sapid notes. Pairs well with cured meats, game and cheeses.

My review:  I liked this wine.  I picked up strong notes of raisin and oak, and it had an overall earthy tone.  I pictured enjoying this wine with a steak (I did not try this with food though).  Tasted at the Gourmet Pantry.

Tasting - Leese-Fitch Sauvignon Blanc

Name:  Leese-Fitch

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region:  Sonoma, California

Country:  USA

Year:  2013

Price:  $14.99

Winery review:  The 2013 Leese-Fitch Sauvignon Blanc is a very refreshing white wine, with a strong citrusy flavor that includes lemon peel, Asian pear and a grassy edge. The finish includes refreshing herbal notes and grapefruit followed by a vibrant aftertaste.  This wine goes especially well with a fresh pear and arugulasalad topped with candied walnuts, gorgonzola andaged sherry.

My review:  To me, this wine was "eh."  It was fresh and bright, and I got hints of apricot, but on its own it was not my favorite.  I did not try it with food; perhaps trying it with some gorgonzola as suggested by both the winery review and the Gourmet Pantry would have brought out some missing elements.