Tasting - Into Zin Zinfandel

Name: Into Zin Zinfandel
Variety: 100% Zinfandel
Region: Lodi, California
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $8

Winery review: Spicy , jammy, ripe round plum with juicy soft finish. Goes well with marsala chicken, peppered steak or broiled lamb shank.

My review: I enjoyed this wine, if only because it was unique compared to most other wines I have tasted. There was a good nose filled with spices and herbs, and a strong, bold flavor to follow it. I felt the tannin in the wine as I tasted, and a smokey meat flavor behind the puckering. I think this wine would go well with steak, as suggested by the winery review. I thought about buying, but I am a cheap bastard, and am not about to eat steak anytime soon, so that did not happen.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Tres Ojos Garnacha Tempranillo Rosé

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha Tempranillo Rosé
Variety: 50% Tempranillo, 50% Garacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $6

Winery review: A 50-50 blend of Tempranillo and Garacha, this medium rosecolored 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: I sensed something akin to black raspberry on the nose. One of the more fragrant wines I had at the tasting; I definitively sensed the spices. I got flavors of sour berry on the tongue, and a slight tartness, but I still found the wine enjoyable, especially at its price point.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Lazzaro Chardonnay

Name: 

Lazzaro 

Chardonnay

Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $7

Winery review:  Opens with mellow peach and melon aromas and some oak. The palate is round, creamy and full. Tastes of spiced, dried apple with a stalky, pithy accent

My review: Not bad. I was able to smell the fruityness described; I sensed pineapple. This wine was slightly heavier in body than I was expecting. I tasted something more akin to burnt berries (or burnt something) than "spiced, dried apple." It was bearable, however. Not something I enjoyed all that much.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Coastal Vines Brut

Name: Coastal Vines Brut
Variety:  55.7% French Colombard, 35.7% Chardonnay, 8.6% Mixed White
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $7

Winery review: Coastal Vines Sparkling Wine is a light colored wine with aromas of apple and citrus. On the palate there are flavors of melon and pear. The finish is crisp and clean. Pair with cheeses, like brie, for
appetizers; grilled garlic shrimp over a bed of pasta; or with a light
white cake for dessert.


My review: Not a strong nose, but did sense a level of fruitiness. I guess apple, but only because I did not get much out of it. This wine tasted really good, however. I did sense the pear, and it really did seem like sparkling grape juice in more ways than one. I bought a bottle after tasting. Would drink again, obviously.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Risata Moscato d'Asti

Name: Risata Moscato d'Asti
Variety: 100% Moscato Bianco
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $16

Winery review: This Moscato d'Asti is fresh, fragrant, and frizzante with vibrant flavors and aromas of ripe stone fruit, tangerines, and honey. The wine is concentrated and flavorful, but not overly rich or heavy; sweet, yet balanced.

My review: Damn. Tasty stuff right here. Very sweet wine, with a citrus smell and tastes of apricots, tangerines, and other fruits. And it is sparkly. Would drink again, easily.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - DeLoach Pinot Noir

Name: DeLoach Pinot Noir
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $13

Shop review: On the nose, savory aromas of smoked meats and fragrant herbs are touched with the scent of mouthwatering ripe berries. Flavors of liquer-soaked dark cherries, with pancetta and rosemary support smooth tannins that precede a long, silky finish.

My review: First impression was the smell of smoke and wood that hits the nose. Supposedly this wine got 88 points from wine enthusiast but I was not too fond of it; with the right food I am sure I would have enjoyed this wine more. I picked up what I can at best call smoked herbal tastes; maybe even licorice. This wine would have to be paired with food if I was to drink it again.

And, too reiterate for class, I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - One Hope Chardonnay

Name: One Hope Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Newport Beach, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $12

Winery review:  WINEMAKER ROB MONDAVI JR. - ONEHOPE California Chardonnay is hand-crafted with a blend of grapes from select vineyards throughout Napa, Sonoma and the Central Coast of California. Our Chardonnay is blended with Muscat and Chenin Blanc displaying a pale gold color with aromas of fresh apple blossom and honeysuckle. Flavors of crisp pear and apple are vibrant on the palate, while its balanced oak and bright acidity makes this wine a great match with broiled or grilled seafood, poultry dishes and a wide assortment of cheeses.  

My review: My first impression at the nose was that flowers; I guess you could say honeysuckle was dominant as the winemaker mentioned. Very pleasing aroma overall. A little hotter than I expected based off that, but the fruity flavors balanced out and I would drink again.


I tasted this on its own with no food.