Tasting - Vintage Cellar on 4-19-12

Name: Poysdorfer Saurussel Gruner Veltiner
Variety: Grunter Veltiner
Region: Austria
Country: Austria
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95

Winery Review:  Crisp lime flavors, white pepper and lentils, followed by a mouthful of mineral notes and gooseberry. A long lingering finish. A great accompaniment to any Asian or fresh seafood dishes

My Review:  The aroma of this wine was that of pepper, lemon, and berries.  The taste was interesting.  It was filled with citrus, with a slight hint of possibly a blackberry.  It was crisp and refreshing.  I didn't have this wine with food.










Name: Oak Vineyards Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: California
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95 - 750ml; $10.95 - 1.5 Liter

Winery Review:  This light straw-colored Oak Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay expresses smokey aromatics with nuances of apple and lemon zest that continue onto the palate where they flourish into citrus, orange
blossom, and smoked oak flavors until meeting a crisp, medium finish.

My Review:  As soon as I started to smell this wine, I was hit by the scent of smoke.  It also had apple and orange aromas.  The taste was filled with citrus and smoke.  I could really taste the smoke as an aftertaste.  I didn't have this wine with food.






Name: Canyon Road Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: California
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Winery Review:  This Pinot Noir expresses tantalizing flavors of ripe cherry and wild raspberry, and finishes with brown, vanilla spices and a smooth finish.

My Review:  The aroma of this wine was filled with berry.  I could easily smell cherry and possibly blackberry.  There was also a hint of vanilla.  The taste was ok.  It wasn't as berry tasting as I expected.  It actually seemed to have almost of a smokey flavor.  I didn't have this wine with food.











Name: Cortenova Primitivo
Variety: Primitivo
Region: Italy
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95

Winery Review:  Dark, ruby-red color with violet highlights. Intense and fragrant bouquet with a rich array of red and black fruit aromas and flavors. Harmonious and velvety on the palate. Great balance and structure. Excellent with grilled or roasted meats, game and cheeses.

My Review:  The wine smelled like a fresh bouquet of flowers.  I could also detect a slight hint of berry and pepper.  The taste was quite interesting.  It was a little bit all over the place, from fruit to flower to pepper.  I didn't have this wine with food.






 Name: Morada Sangria
Variety: Sangria
Region: Spain
Country: Spain
Year: n/a
Price: $4.95 - 1 Liter

Winery Review:  A traditional Spanish drink made with red wine and citrus extracts. Garnet color and fresh on the palate. Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit like peach, banana or apple.

My Review:  I was quite excited to try this sangria, since I have been to Spain in the past.  The aroma instantly reminded me of how it smelled in Spain.  I could smell the orange along with some spices.  The taste was fantastic.  It was quite smooth and not overly sweet.  It had a perfect balance of sweetness to tartness.  I didn't have this wine with food.