Boas Vinhas Tinto- Vintage Cellar Tasting

Name:  Boas Vinhas Tinto

Variety:  Blend of Alforcheiro, Touriga Nacional, and Tinta Roriz

Region:  Dao

Country:  Portugal

Year:  2009

Price:  $9.95

Shop Review:  Deep bright violet and red color.  Rich in aromas of red fruits as plums and strawberries.  Its intense yet docile and fleshy taste fills the palate without roughness, leaving a pleasant sensation (Kevin, Dionysis, Vintage Cellar)

My Review:  I enjoyed this wine, but found it hard to describe.  It was smooth and slightly acidic.  The spice taste on my tongue made for a pleasant and exciting experience.  More, please?

I tasted this wine on its own, without food.  

Beauvert Cotes du Rhone- Vintage Cellar Tasting

Name:  Beauvert Cotes du Rhone

Variety:  70% Granache, 30% Shiraz

Region:  Rhone

Country:  France

Year:  2009

Price:  $11.95

Shop Review:  A beautiful ruby red wine.  Very fragrant, with aromas of red fruit (currant, strawberry, and cherry) with hints of black pepper and cinnamon.  Medium-bodied and silky in the mouth with mature, round tannins. Enjoy with meats, grilled vegetables or cheese.  (Kevin, Dionysis, Vintage Cellar)

My Review:  Thinner legs with a fruity smell.  Subtle, balanced, semi-dry, silky taste.  I thought this wine was fine, but forgettable.  Some of my friends said they could taste the cinnamon, but, unfortunately, I could not. 

I tasted this wine on its own, without food.  

Doural Tinto- Vintage Cellar Tasting

Name:  Doural Tinto

Variety:  Blend of 8 grapes including Touriga Franca and others typically used for making port

Region:  Upper Douro

Country:  Portugal

Year:  2009

Price:  $8.95

Shop Review:  This Portuguese tinto (red) blend exhibits a deep red color with violet hues.  The nose is vibrant and fruity.  The palate offers notes of spice, cherry, and dark berry supported by good structure.  It pairs well with red or game meat, cheeses, and fish.  (Kevin, Dionysis, Vintage Cellar)

My Review:  This wine exhibited thicker legs, and it was light and complex at the same time.  It had a distinct smell- sweet with a hint of something more.  The taste was very smooth with cherry and other berry flavors combined with a subtle spice.  Very nice overall. 

I tasted this wine on its own, without food.  

Nykteri Santorini Yannis- Vintage Cellar Tasting

Name:  Nykteri Santorini Yannis

Variety:  Blend of Assyrtiko, Athiri, and Aidani

Region:  Santorini Island

Country:  Greece

Year:  2010

Price:  $13.95

Shop Review:  "I fell first for the compelling story of this ‘night work’ wine, and then for the aroma and taste.  I can’t think of a wine to compare to it.  The wine matures for at least 3 months in a barrel to obtain a special finesse.  It is characteristically a crystal-clear, semi-yellowish wine.  The wine is domesticated by the aromas of jasmine, citrus fruit, flowers, and pear, which are all enhanced with a gentle vanilla sense.  It has a strong body with a warm personality and a long lasting taste.  This wine is often served with grilled anything as well as with local Greek dishes such as tomato meatballs and fava dip."  (Kevin, Dionysis, Vintage Cellar)

My Review:  I was not as big a fan of this wine.  The legs were observable for this white wine, indicating a certain complexity.  The review above aptly described its characteristic color and appearance.  The aroma was very earthy and dry.  Upon tasting, I could definitely detect oak and pear flavors, but there was also a bit of a petrol taste that I did particularly enjoy.  However, I did find the history and methodology for making this wine very interesting.

I tasted this wine on its own, without food.  

Casa Bianca- Vintage Cellar Tasting

Name:  Casa Bianca Spumante Rosato

Variety:  100% Pinot Nior

Region:  Asoli

Country:  Italy

Year:  Non vintage- grapes from various years

Price:  $11.95

Shop Review:  Prosecco is very popular in Italy.  The wine is often served as a festive aperitif, but mild dry Prosecco Spumante is also very suitable as a companion of appetizers and entrees.  Prosecco is a generic term and can be sold in many different qualities.  The best have their own appellation, as Casa Bianca.  This rosato spumante is made from white grape pinot nero prosecco and red by fermenting them together to create the pale pink color and a flavor that is more powerful than the white variety.  This spicy rosato spumante with a fine, persistent mousse, juicy fresh red fruit in the aroma has a rich, smooth and lasting flavor.  (Kevin, Dionysis, Vintage Cellar)

My Review:  This was my favorite wine offered at this day’s tasting.  The legs were very light and thin, but that is not unusual for white and rose wines.  The smell was very crisp and fruity, and the same to taste.  It felt well balanced in my mouth and left a very pleasant lingering flavor afterwards.  This was my first wine tasting, and my pallet is still developing, but I thought I detected a slight apricot taste among the refreshing, sweet fruit flavors.

I tasted this wine on its own, without food.