Tasting- Vinaceous Snake Charmer Shiraz 2013

10 April 2016

Name: Vinaceous Snake Charmer

Variety: Shiraz

Country: Australia

Region: McLaren Vale

Year: 2013

Price: $18

Shop Review: Hand-picked, open-fermented, 10% whole bunches; finished fermentation and 15 months maturation in French and American barriques (25% new). Finishing the ferment in barrael isn't widely used, notwithstanding the example of Grange and top-level Penfolds red wines; this wine is certainly showing how the oak is so well integrated, simply part of a wider canvas of elegant black fruits, licorice and dark chocolate, all with a lilt to their flavour and mouthfeel. (Australian Wine Companion) 

My Review: Strong earthy and spice tones both on the nose and the palate. Deep tones of dark fruits paired with vanilla and a bit of oak. Strong and smooth finish. I'd recommend pairing this with steak or other heavy meats. It's interesting how a shiraz can vary from year to year depending on the winemaker. I definitely prefer the 2011 Red Silk Shiraz over this one, but both a great wines. 

Food: I did not taste this with food. 

-W. 

Tasting- Oliverhill Red Silk Shiraz 2011

10 April 2016

Name: Red Silk

Variety: Shiraz

Country: Australia

Region: McLaren Vale

Year: 2011

Price: $20 

Shop Review: Deep Purple black in color, the 2011 Red Silk Shiraz is scented of macerate black plums, crushed blackberries and black currants with underlying black pepper and Indian spice hints. Medium to full-bodied with plenty of youthful blackberry and pepper flavors on offer in the mouth, it has a solid backbone of medium to firm grainy tannins and refreshing acidity, finishing with good length. (The Wine Advocate) 

My Review: A little tart and tight to begin with, but after decanting this wine it became smooth and fun to drink. Fantastic deep fruity flavors on the nose that are reciprocating on the palate with a hint of spice. This wine coats your entire mouth and allows you to enjoy the great smooth finish. Easily my favorite Shiraz. 

Food: I did not taste this with food. 

-W. 

Tasting- Cantine Montagna Sangue Di Giuda

10 April 2016

Name: Cantine Montagna Sangue Di Giuda

Variety: Croatine, Barbera, Ughetta, and Uva Rara

Country: Italy

Region: Broni

Year: N/A

Price: $15

Shop Review: Naturally sparkling sweet red wine produced from a combination of Croatine, Barbera, Ughetta, and Uva Rara grapes. Its fruity fragrance includes crushed berries, dark plums, and black cherries. The good acidity balances its sweetness creating a delicate, fresh, and fruity taste best enjoyed while the wine is young.

My Review: Bright red color with powerful fruity notes on the nose. This may be the most interesting wines I've tasted yet. It is highly acidic to start which then molds into a powerfully sweet finish that is almost candy like. The blend gives this wine some versatility when it comes to food pairings.

Food: I did not taste this with food.

-W. 

Tasting- Bourgogne Cotes D'Auxerre Pinot Noir 2013

10 April 2016

Name: Bourgogne Cotes D'Auxerre

Variety: Pinot Noir

Country: France

Region: Cotes D'Auxerre

Year: 2013

Price: $15

Shop Review: A beautiful sparkling ruby with a nose of ref fruits such as cherry, strawberry, and raspberry. Thin nose and very fruity. Highly aromatic, fresh, and rich. Red fruit notes recalling the Marmotte with a nice balance of tannins.  

My Review: Light bodied wine with a fantastic ruby color. Strong cherry flavors on the nose paired with old floral scents like funeral home roses. It is a dry, yet pleasant wine on the finish. Again strong notes of cherry and other dark fruits on the finish. 

Food: I did not taste this with food. 

-W. 

Tasting- Italo Cescon Veneto Pinot Grigio 2015

10 April 2016

Name: Italo Cescon Veneto

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto 

Year: 2015

Price: $16

Shop Review: The Cescon offers up richness in a full bodied white that everyone loves. Densely packed with an oily texture and length not usually found in the standard Pinot Grigio. This is a completely enjoyable wine with food or without. There's a depth and length in this wine that really impresses me. 

My Review: Pale yellow color. Strong floral and citrus notes on the nose similar to a Sauvignon Blanc. Light bodied finish with some pear and peach flavors coming through. Light acidity on the finish making for a pleasant experience. 

Food: I did not taste this with food. 

-W. 

Tasting- Beringer Chenin Blanc 2014

2 April 2016

Name: Beringer

Variety: Chenin Blanc

Country: USA

Region: California

Year: 2014

Beringer Chenin Blanc

Price: $5.95

Shop Review: A fresh green-apple aroma and vivid citrus and crisp apple flavors are supported by vibrant acidity in this medium-bodied wine. The texture is smooth but crisp, making lots of good food pairings come to mind, from pre-meal cheese, to salads, seafood and veggie pastas.

My Review: Light bodied wine with a pale yellow color.  It kind of had that almost too sugary smell. Similar to some rotten apples, but that would insinuate fermenation and lack of sugar... The taste was somewhat syrupy in sugar content, but not in mouth feel. Great for a post dinner dessert wine.

Food: I did not taste this with food.

-W. 

Tasting- Carraia Aglianico 2013

2 April 2016

Carraia Aglianico 2013

Name: Carraia 

Variety: Aglianico

Country: Italy

Region: Campagna

Year: 2013

Price: $15

Shop Review: Produced in the Campania region of Italy, this Aglianico has delicious black fruit flavors with hints of licorice, volcanic soil and tar notes. Classic in nature, yet in a lighter, more crowd pleasing style, the Carraia is made of the ancient Agli
anico grape. This black grape originated in Greece and today is widely grown in Basilicata and Campania. 

My Review: This wine smells like a cherry and strawberry scratch and sniff sticker. It reminds me of an old house carpet in my grandma's house. It has that kind of dewy or moldy feel with a hint (?) of cranberry. The taste was similar to a caramelized soufflé that was little toasted. Pretty neat wine.

Food: I did not taste this with food. 

-W. 

Tasting- Siema Vino Rosso

2 April 2016

Siema Vino Rosso

Name: Siema Vino Rosso

Variety: Dolcetto, Barbera, & Nebbiolo

Country: Italy

Region: Piemonte

Year: N/A

Price: $10

Shop Review: Intense ruby red with soft garnet nuances in the glass, the Rosso is intriguingly fresh, fruity, and spicy on the nose. Perfectly round and balanced, the wine is particularly soft and dry. Pair with simple dishes like fresh cheese, ham, salami, or pizza for a divine culinary experience.

My Review: Caramel and candied notes on the nose with some of the buttery, oaky scents coming through. Medium body mouth feel with a spicy mid palate. A lot of oaky notes also coming through on the finish.

Food: I did not taste this with food.

-W. 

Tasting: Dom de la Foret Grenache Cinsault Rose de Mediteranee

2 April 2016

Dom de la Foret 

Name: Dom de la Foret

Variety: Grenache and Cinsault

Country: France

Region: Provence

Year: N/A

Price: $13

Shop Review: A stony, pure style, with a warm paving stone note framing the dried cherry and rose water notes. The long, watermelon rind-inflected finish is finely tuned. Shows length and cut, staying lacy in the feel. 50% Cinsault and 50% Grenache. 

My Review: Clear, peach color with a light bodied feel. Muted floral accents on both the nose and taste. I struggled to get a lot out of this wine, but the taste was pleasing to the palate.

Food: I did not taste this with food. 

-W. 

Tasting: Bricco del Tati Cortese 2013

2 April 2016

Bricco dei Tati Cortese

Name: Bricco dei Tati

Variety: Cortese

Country: Piemonte

Region: Italy

Year: 2013

Price: $6.95

The Washington Post Review: "Great Value! Treat this terrific little white like a red: Don't chill it too much, then let it open for a half-hour to develop its enticing tropical fruit flavors. It's dry, but the fruit gives an appealing illusion of sweetness. Great as an aperitif or with light seafood dishes."

My Review: Transparent color with a light yellowish tint. Scents of green apple, pear, and honey on the nose with a touch of ammonia. Light bodied mouth feel with a slight acid and dry finish. Versatile wine that could potentially mix with a lot of different foods.

Food: I did not taste this with food. 

-W.