Name: Sierra Cruz Carmenere
Variety: Carmenere
Region: Did not specify
Country: Chile
Year: 2009
Price: $7
Winery review: As a member of the cabernet sauvignon family, carmenere (pronounced car-men-yare) originated in Bordeaux as one of the grapes permitted for use in the red blends of that storied region. Chilean winemakers have embraced it and several wineries in that country produce it as a single varietal. The ’09 Sierra Cruz is a very pleasant, soft, mediumbodied wine that has fresh cabernet-like aromas and flavors of spice, dark fruit and black pepper. It is a great value and also would be a nice match with marinated and grilled skirt or flank steak.
My review: This was my first Carmenere tasting ever, and it was quite similar to Cab Sauv. Lost of earth on the nose; reminded me of walking through the woods. The spice comes through in the tasting, which I enjoyed, and the tannins are subtle. I was pleasantly surprised. This was the first wine I somewhat enjoyed at the tasting this week.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Lost Vineyards Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Did not specify
Country: Argentina
Year: Did not specify
Price: $4
Winery review: Pale golden color. Perfumed peach, pineapple, and nougat aromas. Round and soft with a fruity-yet-dry medium body. Tangy apple skin and lemon zest notes lift the fruit nicely on the finish.
My review: This Argentinian wine did not do it for me at all. Faint nose of apple, but something seemed off about it... like there was a faint hint of cleaner added during bottling. I really did not enjoy the heat that came through with this wine, which overpowered the "apple skin" flavors that I was looking for. Not worth 4 dollars. Maybe not worth 2.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Sierra Cruz Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Did not specify
Country: Chile
Year: 2011
Price: $7
Winery review: This Chilean Sauvignon Blanc just oozes with bright citrus flavors and a nose of herbs and grass. Stylistically, it is a cross between the herbal, grassy wines so prevalent in Sonoma County and the riper, more fruit forward products of New Zealand. Match it with pasta sauced with arugula, pine nuts, mushrooms and parmesan.
My review: Aromas of apple and vegetation, reminding me of my grandparent's apple tree, which was cool. Also citrus hints as well. Tasting revealed the citrus and apple flavors, which I expected from this somewhat acidic wine. Not my favorite thing I have tasted, but that happens sometimes.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Cantina di Casteggio Moscato di Pavia
Variety: Moscato
Region: Lombardy
Country: Italy
Year: Did not specify
Price: $8
Winery review: Bright, light golden color. Very aromatic nose of ripe apricots, sage, honey and a slight minerality. Medium bodied, sweet and fruity with flavors of apricots and tangerine. Well balanced acidity and medium finish with layers of sweet and citrus fruit.
My review: Very light pink color in this wine with a nose of mango and apricot. Typically these sweet wines hit you with a great rush of citrus as you taste. This was no exception; delicious citrus flavor was present during the tasting with good sweet apple and mango flavors present. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet dessert wine.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Montebuena Rioja Crianza
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: Did not Specify (La Rioja?)
Country: Spain
Year: 2007
Price: $7
Winery review: 100% Tempranillo. Dark red. Spicy red berries and cherry on the nose, with hints of cracked pepper and dried rose. Crisp and dry on the palate, with spicy redcurrant and cherry flavors, light tannins and a fresh, energetic finish. An excellent value, and surprisingly elegant for this price point.
My review: I really enjoyed the deep purple/red colors of the wine. It presented lots of spice on the nose with cherry background. Also present were some earth tones, something along the lines of soil or dirt. Powerful spice was presented on the palate during the tasting with strong tannins, which I did not mind all that much. Definitively a food wine, though.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Varas Vinho Tinto
Variety: Castelão (45%), Tinta Roriz (25%), Tinta Barroca (20%) and Pinot Noir (10%)
Region: Did not Specify
Country: Portugal
Year: Did not specify.
Price: Box wine; $22/box ($5.50/bottle)
Winery review: This smooth Portuguese red is a blend of Castelão (45%), Tinta Roriz (25%), Tinta Barroca (20%) and Pinot Noir (10%). The vineyards are located near Lisbon, planted in sunny gentle slopes of clay and limestone soils. The wine was aged in oak barrels.
My review: The nose of this wine presented typical dark berry/cherry tones along with spice. What surprised me was the flavors of this wine; I truly did not expect much before tasting, if only because my previous box wine experience was not great. Lots of cherry and blackberry flavors and the oak revealed itself (not to my dismay as it sometimes does). The tannin structure was not overbearing and I truly enjoyed this smooth blend. The box I picked up before leaving should satiate my red wine craving for quite a while.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Oveja Negra Syrah-Cab Rosé Reserva
Variety: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Did not Specify
Country: Chile
Year: 2010
Price: $7
Winery review: Oveja Negra Reserva Rosé is bright cherry-red in color and has an attractive nose with aromas of raspberries and strawberries as well as plum and a bit of green apple. Crisp and juicy on the palate with a slight sweetness that accompanies the red fruit flavors. Pleasing natural acidity with medium-high intensity, nice persistence, and a fresh finish.
My review: Really picked up on the advertised strawberry nose, along with a floral background. This followed with flavors of a tart green apple and strawberry. I was surprised at the sweetness in this wine, if only because most rose wines I have had were generally dryer and more tart. I really appreciated the flavors introduced in this wine.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
