Tasting - Vintage Cellar on 4-5-12

Name: gPG Garganega Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Italy
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Winery Review:  gPG is from the delle Venezie regions of northeastern Italy. A clean and crisp palate with plenty of texture and weight follows aromas of apples and zesty lemons. It's perfect with grilled white fish or light risotto.

My Review:  The aroma of this wine filled with fruits.  I could detect mostly apple, but also got the off scent of citrus.  The taste was very smooth.  It was quite refreshing, and did not have much of a burn.  It was light and crisp.  I did not have this wine with food.

Name: Oveja Negra Syrah-Cab Rosé
Variety: Syrah-Cab Rosé
Region: Chile
Country: Chile
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

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 mediumhigh intensity, nice persistence, and a fresh finish.

My Review:  This wine had a very peculiar color.  It was red, but almost a pale red, slightly pink.  The aroma was filled with berry.  I could detect everything from strawberry to blackberry. The taste was excellent.  It's berry flavor came out at first, but finished with more of a citrus taste.  I did not have this wine with food.

Name: Varas Vinho Tinto 3 Liter Box (4 bottles)
Variety: Vinho Tinto
Region: Portugal
Country: Portugal
Year: n/a
Price: $21.95 ($4.95/ 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:  Surprisingly, I found this wine to probably be my favorite of the day.  I wasn't expecting much, as I'm use to boxed wine tasting quite cheap.  The aroma was actually very pleasant.  It was nice and smokey and I could detect some small hint of spice.  The taste was quite smooth.  It did not burn at all and was quite crisp.  The smokiness really was apparent when tasting.  I did not have this wine with food.





Name: Montebuena Rioja Crianza
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Spain
Country: Spain
Year: 2007
Price: $6.95

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:  The aroma of this wine was strong in spices and pepper.  I also noticed a faint scent of flowers.  The taste was alright.  I haven't been the biggest fan of Tempranillo's in the past, and this one was no different.  It was a little heavy on the spices and was quite smokey.  I did not have this wine with food.

Name: Cantina di Casteggio Moscato di Pavia
Variety: Moscato di Pavia
Region: Italy
Country: Italy
Year: n/a
Price: $7.95

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:  This wine was everything I would expect out of a moscato.  The aroma of the wine was very pleasant.  It  had everything from honey, to fruit, to spices.  The taste was really refreshing.  It was extremely smooth, but not too sweet.  I could instantly taste apricot and possibly orange.  I did not have this wine with food.