Tasting - Vintage Cellar on 2-16-12

Name: Cantina Villafranca Frascati
Variety: Malvasia Bianca
Region: Frascati, Italy
Country: Itlay
Year: n/a
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Produced from a selection of the best grapes located in the Frascati Doc production area. Made from 45% Malvasia di Candia, 15% Trebbiano Toscano, 25% Malvasia del Lazio, 15% Grechetto (Greco). Intense yellow color with greenish reflections. Characteristic persistent fresh and fruity aromas. Excellent as an aperitif and paired with fish, seafood or white meat.

My Review:  This wine had a very pleasant aroma.  I could detect mostly the scent of fruits, possibly that of pears and melons.  The taste of the wine was quite refreshing.  It seemed pretty crisp to me, and went down pretty smoothly.  It had a slight bitterness to it, but it wasn't overwhelming.  I didn't have this wine with food, but can imagine it would pair well.





Name: Morro Bay White Oak Estates Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Lodi, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Vanilla cream soda nose with a slice of fresh cut pineapple. Full body, tropical fruit, spice and pleasing vanilla oak note linger in the finish. Sweet flavor on the palate is from sur-lie aging the wine on the primary yeast lees for 7months. A versatile style of wine that can be served chilled with fine cuisine or a glass with friends. Certified Green by Lodi Rules Sustainable Winegrowers.

My Review: I can only describe the aroma of this wine as very enticing.  The moment I took a whiff of it, I was sold.  I could instantly smell pineapple and cream.  The taste of the wine was very smooth.  It was bursting with flavors.  The most prevalent was the vanilla.  However, the taste of spices was also a nice touch.  I didn't have this wine with food.





Name: Coreto Tinto
Variety: Tinto
Region: Lisboa Region, Portugal
Country: Portugal
Year: 2008
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: This red from the Coreto range has loads of dark berry fruit with a hint of new oak creating a soft, velvet structure that makes it very to easy drink. Red currant and juicy acidity.

My Review: This wine was very interesting.  It had a very strong aroma, mostly of berry but there was also a pretty distinct smokey smell.  The taste was somewhat bitter, and I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.  The berry flavor really was evident, and I found the aftertaste was a little too smokey for me.  I didn't have this wine with food.

Name: Charles Thomas Cotes-du-Rhon
Variety: Cotes-du-Rhon
Region: Rhone, France
Country: France
Year: n/a
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Wine Advocate , 87 pts:  From a 140+-acre estate near the well-known Cotes du Rhone village of Pont Saint Esprit emerges this juicy Cotes du Rhone, a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre. Wellmade, with loads of berry fruit and a heady, meaty, peppery nose with a hint of Provencal herbs, the wine is fresh, lively, and best drunk over the next 2 years.

My Review: I had a hard time detecting  a distinct scent in this wine.  It just seemed kind of bland.  The taste was interesting.  I could taste something fruity, only to have it change to spices and herbs.  I didn't have this wine with food.







Name: Lost Vineyards Spumante Dolc
Variety: Spumante Dolc
Region: ?
Country: Italy
Year: n/a
Price: $4.95

Winery Review: Pale silvery straw color. Floral aromas of apples, peaches, and potpourri follow through on a round, frothy entry to a fruity medium bodied sweet wine with good depth and tangy peach fruit and a breezy, harmonious green apple kissed finish.

My Review: I found this wine quite refreshing.  The aroma was that of peaches and other fruits, but also the fresh scent of flowers.  The taste was very sweet.  It was crisp and delicious.  The peach flavors came out instantly, and were the dominant taste.  I didn't have this wine with food.