4/18 Tasting - Concannon Shiraz

Name: Concannon Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Central Coast, CA
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "This is an extremely rich, full-bodied wine with a dark fruit core. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dark cherry are followed by more berry fruits and chocolate and mocha on the palate."

My Review: The nose on this wine was strange. I kept thinking there was someone near me with bad breath, and then I took a sniff in my glass and realized it was the wine. There were notes of rotting fruit and an undertone of something like buttercream frosting. The experience on the palate was much better.  It started off mild and berry-ish, then got very peppery over the mid-palate, and had a nice spicy finish.

This wine was tasted without food.

4/18 Tasting - Chandon Sweet Cuvee

Name: Chandon Sweet Cuvee
Variety: Sparkling Wine
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: NV
Price: $9.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "This wine is an innovative sparkling wine style revealing vibrant stone fruit and floral aromas with rich, luscious mouthfeel. This wine enlivens the senses and sparks spontaneous moments, complementing your passion for a good life."

My Review: This wine had a bouquet like that of a pink, fruity lotion. Possibly grapefruit scented? On the palate, it was initially very sweet, then the bubbles took over, conferring a very bitter and almost flavorless experience through the finish.

This wine was tasted without food.

4/18 Tasting - Black Ridge White Zinfandel

Name: Black Ridge White Zinfandel
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: NV
Price: $3.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "This fruit forward White Zinfandel displays fresh aromas and crisp flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. It is incredibly food friendly and will pair well with burgers, sandwiches, fruit salad, and more."

My Review: This wine had a strong flavor, which I identified as oak, or spicy wood, and metallic.  The flavor was bright and sweet, slightly peppery over the mid-palate with a smooth finish. It was heartier on the palate than I expected, and I can see how would pair with a range of foods.

This wine was tasted without food.

4/18 Tasting - Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Central Coast, CA
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "Orange blossom and citrus permeate the aromas. Alluring flavors of orange and grapefruit dominate the palate. Bright acidity balances the plush mouthfeel, resulting in a clean finish."

My Review: I could detect orange and lemon zest on the nose of this wine, which seemed sweeter and less bitter than other Sauvignon Blancs I've smelled.  It was sweet and juicy on the palate, with a hard-boiled egg flavor over the mid-palate and an acidic finish.

This wine was tasted without food.

4/11 Tasting - Caprice de Bastor-Lamontagne

Name: Caprice de Bastor-Lamontagne
Variety: 60% Semillon, 36% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Muscadelle
Region: Sauternes
Country: France
Year: 2004
Price: $7.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "Very clean, with lemon, mineral and honey aromas that follow through to a  medium body. Shows vanilla, apple and melon flavors, with a medium finish. Lightly sweet."

My Review: This wine was another one to exhibit a very interesting contrast between nose and palate experiences. It smelled exactly like gasoline. I wasn't extremely pungent, but that was definitely the predominating scent. One would think that such a harsh bouquet would translate similarly in flavor, but that was not the case here. This wine was very sweet, reminding me of some of the dessert wines I tasted back in February. It had flavors of vanilla, honey, melon, and papaya. The texture was smooth and almost creamy, and it left a delightfully light, sweet, honeysuckle-like aftertaste.

This wine was tasted without food.

4/11 Tasting - Torre Castillo Alegre

Name: Torre Castillo Alegre
Variety: 100% Monastrell
Region: Jumilla
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $9.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "4 months in new American oak barrels.  Bright ruby-red. Dried cherry, pipe tobacco and rose aromas, with a hint of woodsmoke. Sweet and fleshy on the palate, with blackberry and cherry flavors complimented by licorice and a suggestion of dried herbs. The cherry and smoke notes repeat on the finish."

My Review: There were a variety of aromas detected on the nose of this wine, including grapes, red licorice, hamster bedding, and cow manure. I don't think I've tried a wine thus far that has not only such a dynamic bouquet, but one with so many distinctly identifiable scents. It tasted very similar to how it smelled, which is something else I don't think I've experienced so strongly, especially with such a uniquely scented wine. It was slightly dry with hints pepper and overripe/rotting cherries.

This wine was tasted without food.

4/11 Tasting - Wilson Daniels Merlot

Name: Wilson Daniels Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Central Coast, CA
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95

The Vintage Cellar's Review: "Made predominantly from Paso Robles grapes, the wine is full-bodied and silky yet robust, with aromas of black cherry and plum and a palate of blackberry, raspberry and blueberry jam laced with vanilla and toast."

My Review: This wine definitely smelled like a poopy diaper, almost buttery. Based on its pungent bouquet, I was expecting more of a kick on the palate, but the initial experience was like drinking a flat soda when you're expecting carbonation. It had low tannin structure, with a sweet peppery essence over the mid-palate.  I will credit it for being very smooth in its transition over the palate, as well as for the mild and pleasant cranberry-grapey-tart cherry flavor from start to finish.

This wine was tasted without food.