Tasting - Ksana Bonarda

Name: Ksana Bonarda
Variety: 100% Bonarda
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2008
Price: $9.95
Tasting Date: April 18, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. To the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Bonarda. Finishes solid. Very sweet, berry smell with some rooty undertones. Kind of dry, makes your lips pucker.

My Thoughts: The nose is like being drowned in a bath of berry jam. Strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry. In the background there is a slight cheesy smell. Like the lifeguard's foot being pressed over your face after she saves you from the jam pool. The flavor is berry and jam, and berry. A very fruity and tasty wine. Definitely need to find more of this varietal. 

Tasting - Chandon Sweet Cuvée

Name: Chandon Sweet Cuvée
Variety: Blend...
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: -
Price: $9.95
Tasting Date: April 18, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: This wine is an innovative sparkling wine style revealing vibrant stone fruit and floral aromas with rich, luscious mouthfeel. This wine enlivens the senses and sparks spontaneous moments, complementing your passion for a good life.

My Thoughts: A depressing amount of bubble in the glass, may have just been the almost empty bottle at the tasting.  Smells of strawberries, mixed with strawberries, and a small squeeze of lemon juice. The bubbles magically appear once its in your mouth. Then there is a return of strawberries. Light and tasty with a nice mellow finish. Has a slight sweetness making for a strawberry jam aftertaste.

Tasting - Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Central Coast, California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95
Tasting Date: April 18, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Orange blossom and citrus permeate the aromas. Alluring flavors of orange and grapefruit dominate the palate. Bright acidity balances the plush mouthfeel, resulting in a clean finish.

My Thoughts: The nose is an attack of citrus. Lemon and grapefruit and oranges. A floral aspect as well, orange blossom perhaps. Strong acid in the mouth, tastes like straight grapefruit juice. Fortunately there was none of that fresh cut grass bullshit that ruined every other Sav blanc I have tasted. I liked this wine, it didn't amaze me, but I would have no problem drinking it for dinner, with a salad perhaps. 

Tasting - Caprice de Bastor-Lamontagne

Name: Caprice de Bastor-Lamontagne
Variety: 60% Semillon, 36% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Muscadelle
Region: Sauternes
Country: France
Year: 2004
Price: $7.95
Tasting Date: April 11, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Very clean, with lemon, mineral and honey aromas that follow through to a medium body. Shows vanilla, apple and melon flavors, with a medium finish. Lightly sweet.

My Thoughts: Honey, lemon, and a little heat on the nose. Thick and mouth coating at first. Sweet honey up front moves to a sweet lemon danish sort of flavor on the midpalete with some nice acidity, then finished with another attack of honey mingled with apples. Overall I liked this wine. I am not sure how accurate of a representation it is of the Sauternes style, but I hope things only get better from here. 

Tasting - Torre Castillo Alegre

Name: Torre Castillo Alegre
Variety: 100% Monastrell
Region: Jumilla
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $9.95
Tasting Date: April 11, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: 4 months in new American oak barrels Bright ruby-red. Dried cherry, pipe tobacco and rose aromas, with a hint of woodsmoke. Sweet and fleshy on the palate, with blackberry and cherry flavors complimented by licorice and a suggestion of dried herbs. The cherry and smoke notes repeat on the finish.

My Thoughts: The nose on this wine was nothing but raisins for me. Was not a pleasent smell. Flavor was very similar, dominated by raisin. Some hints of earthiness and mild oak. I did not care for this wine at all. 

Tasting - Wilson Daniels Merlot

Name: Wilson Daniels Merlot
Variety: 100% Paso Robles
Region: Central Coast, California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95
Tasting Date: April 11, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Made predominantly from Paso Robles grapes, the wine is fullbodied and silky yet robust, with aromas of black cherry and plum and a palate of blackberry, raspberry and blueberry jam laced with vanilla and toast.

  My Thoughts: Aroma of red and black fruits mingled with tobacco and mild earthen tones. Flavor of berry jams with very strong oaken undertones. Finish has hints of vanilla and silky tannins. 

Tasting - Bricco Dei Tati Rosè

Name: Bricco Dei Tati Rosè
Variety: 100% Barbera
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95
Tasting Date: April 11, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and rose petals, this an ideal wine with shellfish, salads, chicken, and appetizers.

  My Thoughts: Overpowering aroma of strawberries with fake banana. Initial attack of sweet strawberries fades into some nice acidity that dies out leaving the after tastes of vanilla and banana. Pretty tasty. 

Tasting - Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2009
Price: $7.95
Tasting Date: April 11, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: This bleached blonde beauty is reminiscent of fresh green apples, pineapple and has hints of hibiscus blossoms. The concentration of zesty lemon and gooseberry fills your mouth leaving notes of thyme and melon behind. The bright acid in this wine gives you a zing while the fruit keeps your mouth watering for more. This wine pairs beautifully with a grilled prawn salad with a grapefruit vinaigrette, veggie spring rolls or grilled tilapia with mango salsa.

  My Thoughts: Citrusy nose. Hints of pineapple and lemon. Only a slight grassy or floral aspect, quite the opposite of most Sauvignon Blancs I have had. The flavor was very mild with high acidity. Mineral notes and lemon. Not bad, definitely like this wine more than every other Sauvignon Blanc I have tasted. 

Winery Visitation - Attimo Winery

On Thursday afternoon, our little group left from campus and headed out into the sticks. We drove around 30 minutes and found the Attimo Winery with relative easy. The winery is located just outside of Christiansburg, on Childress Road.The main building seen in the second picture contains

Me in front of the main building

the tastings room and offices. Off to the left out of shot is the barn that acts as teh production center for the winery. There are vine spread out around the building and on the hill behind.

When we arrived we were greeted by the wine maker himself, Rik, and jumped right into a tasting. The name Attimo means "in the moment" in Italian. All of the wines they produce are named for special moments and occasions.

Yesterday's Song. A lightly oake Chardonnay with a very pale color. Nose of pear, green apple, and limestone. The flavor was much the same, pear and sour apple with earthy hints and almost no oak, nice acidity in the finish. I haven't had many Chardonnays but this is one of my favorites yet.
Masquerade. Another Chardonnay, this one is oaked more and has a slightly darker color. The nose is sweet, vanilla pear. The first flavor is butterscotch, This fades into apples and pears, then finishes with more butter and some vanilla. This is the first real buttery Chardonnay I have had, and i must admit it was enjoyable.

The tasting room

Sonnet 98. This wine is a vidal blanc. The nose is very floral and grassy. The flavor is very much oak with hints of vanilla. The finish brings some acidity and mineral flavors. Not really my sort of wine.
Off-the-Cuff. This is a Riesling and Chardonnay blend. The nose is green apple and pear with hints of honey. The flavor is a mix of peaches and pears with similar honey notes and some sweetness. I had never heard of this blend and it seems to work well.
Just Kissed Blush. A blend of vidal and raspberries. Very light pink color, almost salmon. The nose was very tight to me, maybe some berry tones. The flavor was a very jammy raspberry with hints of mild oak in the background.
After Midnight. A Merlot, Zinfandel, Blackberry blend. The color is ruby red. Nose is a strong blackberry with earthen and spicy notes. The flavor is a very strong blackberry as well with hints of red berries. Some spicy, oak in the finish, some tannins as well. A semi sweet wine that wasn't half bad.

The 12 wines we tasted

Bull Frog Symphony. A red blend. A light red color. Nose is pine tree and forest. Flavor of oak and spice. A very dry wine with little tannin. Not my sort of wine.
Deep Silence. A Cabernet franc.Aroma of cherry and dark red fruits and jams. Flavor is strongly cherry with hints of licorice. Overall dry with a slightly smokey finish.
Aviator. Another Cabernet Franc. This wine followed a very old work style. The smell was an old leather boot covered in mud and leaves. The flavor was very oaky with hints of tobacco and spice, some tannins as well.
Vertex. A Cabernet sauvignon. Nose was a strong black currant with hints of cherries. The flavor was more black currant with hints of spice and a strong oak flavor. Dry with some mild tannins.

Hand press

AD 325. A Chambourcin, first I had ever heard of this varietal. Wine had a rich, purple color. The nose was very foresty. Hints of leaves, and stems, forest floor, perhaps a little vanilla at the back. Flavor was very mild. Earthy notes, with some wooden flavors. Went down extremely smooth and left a lingering tannic mouth feel.
Seduction. A blend of Tinta madera, Touriga nacional, and Souzao. A fortefied wine made with grapes grown in Portugal and pressed in California. Deep red color.  Cherry adn raspberry smells. Currant and cassis notes as well, dark chocolate. Flavor is chocolate covered raisins. Unfortunately it was very hot, which ruined it for me.

Aging barrels

One of the vineyards

After we had completed the tasting we took a quick tour of the wine making facilities. The wines are made in a separate building nearby. All of the wines they make, including the ones we tasted, are made on site. Pictured to the right is the hand press that is used to extract the juice form the grapes. Also in the barn was a crusher/destemer, many fermentation vessels and oak barrels. The winery emphasizes  an old world style. All of the pressing is done by hand. All of the wines are aged for at least a short time in oak. No stainless steel is used in the production of the wines.

The first vines were planted in 2006. Since then over 11,000 vines have been planted at this site. There are also thousands of blackberry and raspberry bushes. In addition to the fields on site the winery leases plots of land in Charlottesville and Bedford.

Good advice.

Tasting - Lion Stout

Name: Lion Stout
Country: Sri Lanka
Price: $2.65
Tasting Date: April 4, 2013


Winery Review: Soft, fresh and delicious, top fermented Lion Stout is bottle-conditioned and has an extraordinary chocolatey, mocha character. 

My Thoughts: I have had very little experience with stouts. I tried Guinness years ago and wasn't very impressed, but on a suggestion I picked this up. The color is a nice deep, deep brown covered with a thick head. (I poured it wrong, don't mock my extra foamy head). The aroma was dark chocolate and caramel with roasted notes coming in. A slightly burnt chocolate cake with caramel icing. The flavor started as semi sweet chocolate and coffee that faded into a slightly bitter roasted finish. Overall a very tasty beer.

Tasting - Lambic Beers

Lambics are, absolutely wonderful and amazing. As it says on the back of the bottles "Lindemans [insert name] is a lambic made form local barley, unmalted wheat and wild yeast. After spontaneous fermentation [a fruit] is added, creating a secondary fermentation and yielding a beer of exceptional flavor and complexity." So a super fruity double fermented beer, what is not to love. 

Kriek. First one I tasted, was a little warm, not sure if that hurt the flavor any. Aroma is a strong cherry and yeast. Like pouring cherry cough syrup over a slice of bread. The flavor is a very sour cherry with more yeasty notes in the finish.

Framboise. Much like the Kriek, the nose was full of raspberries and bread. The flavor was better though. A sweet raspberry with subtle yeast flavors and notes from the wheat and barley. Think a slice of toast with raspberry jam. Very tasty.

Peche. Peach, as you might have guessed. Definitely my favorite. The grain and yeast integrated marvelously with the peaches. The smell is just like peach cobbler. Sweet peaches mixed with fresh bread. The flavor has very little of the yeast component found in the other two.

Tasting - Ruta 22 Malbec

Name: Ruta 22 Malbec  
Variety: 100% Malbec 
Region: Patagonia
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95
Tasting Date: April 4, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Stout and dense from the beginning, with blackberry and violet aromas. Despite being a bold and dark Malbec, this is fresh and composed, with sweet blackberry and cassis flavors. Good on the finish, with candied fruit and caramel sweetness.

My Thoughts: I did not get a whole lot out of this wine. The nose was blackberries with some leafy apects. Flavor was more berry and dark fruits mixed with oak. Mostly I just tasted oak on this one. There were some tannins but not a lot and they faded quickly. I don't think I have anything against Malbecs, I just did not like this bottle.

Tasting - Château Serres SainteLucie Corbières

Name: Château Serres SainteLucie Corbières Variety: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre  
Region: Corbières
Country: France
Year: 2010
Price: $4.95
Tasting Date: April 4, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Superb dark garnet color with a few reflections of dark orange. Intense nose of ripe fruits, spices, and roasted coffee. The palate is rounded and full, with silky matured tannins and hints of vanilla. This wine is rich and powerful with layers of tannins.

My Thoughts:First impression of the smell is an old sponge that was used to clean up spilled wine. Very musty wood and mildew. Some vegetal or earthy notes, tree bark and leaves. The flavor was dominated by oak. A few musty hints poking through with spice. There are some mild tannins as well. Overall the flavor and mouth feel were very mild. I didn't hate it, I feel it served as a good example of the Old World style I keep hearing about.

Tasting - Cresta Azul

Name: Cresta Azul  
Variety: Moscatel, Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo Region: Emporda  
Country: Spain
Year: -
Price: $5.95
Tasting Date: April 4, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Peach, orange cream and vanilla flavors mingle in this softly bubbly white. Off-dry, but with crisp acidity and a clean finish.

My Thoughts: Light yellow color Nose was interesting, Smelled of cornflakes and orange juice. I know this because once as a child i mixed OJ into my bowl of Frosted Flakes. The flavor was very much orange peel. There was a good amount of acid followed by an almost sweet vanilla or honey finish. I enjoyed this wine, interestign nose with a clean acidic flavor.

Tasting - Veleta Tempranillo Rosado

Name: Veleta Tempranillo Rosado  
Variety: 100% Tempranillo  
Region: Garanada  
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $3.95
Tasting Date: April 4, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Fresh in flavor and crisp in texture, this dry rosé offers berry, tart cherry and light herbal flavors, with firm acidity and a clean finish. Focused and juicy.

My Thoughts: Nose is earthy with hints of strawberry. Flavor was mostly oaky with some spice, finish had hints of coffee. Yet another Rosé that i simply do not care for.

Tasting - Veleta Brut Vino Espumoso Rosado

Name: Veleta Brut Vino Espumoso Rosado  
Variety: Tempranillo, Garnacha  
Region: Garanada  
Country: Spain
Year: -
Price: $3.95
Tasting Date: April 4, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Rosé salmon with copper reflections. Slow rising fine bubble that forms “lace” and “rosary”. In the nose is complex and elegant with red fruit, citric, exotic, fresh flowers, and notes of dry fruits and dry flowers. Fresh, gentle, and alive. Perfectly integrated “perlage” with serious and subtle flavors of dry fruits, pomegranate and lemonade. Long lasting scent of flowers and herbs.

My Thoughts: A very orange rose. I would say more of a peach than salmon. Smells of dried peaches and apricots, floral, hints of yeast and citrus fruits. There is nice acid on the palette at first especially. Tastse of lemonade with florla notes. Fairly short finish. Overall a very tasty and satisfying sparkling wine.

Wine Dinner - Zeppoli's (Spain and Italy, Vino Di Vino)

Om nom nom

I had always heard good things about Zeppoli's, and I must say I was not disappointed. The Sunday evening tastings they host are a very interesting experience to say the least.The dinner was held in the side room to the left as you walk in. The walls are lined with bottles and large tables are set up to get everyone setting together and talking.

After a short introductory speech by our host Matt, we were invited to grab a plate and dig into the buffet. To start there was a variety of local cheeses. Then a Mediterranean salad with peppers and feta cheese. The main dishes were turkey wraps with lettuce and tomato pesto, barbeque meatballs, margarita pizza, and finally a pasta with ham and peas. All of the food was delicious.

A taste of the Chardonay

After we were all seated we were presented with the wines one by one. Along with each wine we got a short description and some background information. At this tasting, in addition to the buffet of delicious food  we were presented with thirteen wines. 13. In order there was a Prossecco, Pinot Grigio, Vihno Verde, sparkling Moscato, Spainish Chardonnay, San Gria, Campo de Borja Garnacha, Tempranillo, Sangiovese di Puglia, Montepulciano d' Abruzzo, "Marghe" Nebbiolo d' Alba, Beaujolais Nouveau, and finaly a Beaujolais Nouveau Village.

There was a slight problem with the execution of the dinner. I was starving, so by the time we got around to tasting most of the wines i had finished all of the food on my plate.  I did try a few combinations. I found that Vihno Verde does not go well with cheese and crackers but worked great with the semi spicy salad. In contrast the Pinot Grigio went very well with the cheeses. I managed to save a few meatballs and tried them with both the Garnacha and Tempranillo. Both worked very well, they were oaked. The spicy barbeque brought out the smoke flavors making for a very nice combination.

The wines were mostly good. I had previously tasted the Pinot Grigio and many Vihno Verdes. The Prossecco was very delicious, the nose had hints of nuts and flowers, the taste was light and fruity with more nutty flavors, overall very light and easy to drink, made a great apperitif.

The evening was a hit overall, well up until the bitter end, but that is neither here nor there. We spent the evening drinking with the staff at the table, drinking and discussing wine. By the end of the night I had about two bottles of wine, some new friends, and some great memories. Which is the entire point.

Tasting - Montebuena

Name: Montebuena
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95
Tasting Date: March 28, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it’s an excellent value for Rioja.

My Thoughts: Decent color, but not a whole lot of bubbles in the glass. The nose had hints of strawberry and cherry, some earthy and leather undertones. A strong scent of baking soda that made it less than appealing. Flavor had more of the berry fruit flavors and baking soda. Overall not great. I have found that dark red sparkling wines tend to taste fake and are overall unappealing.

Tasting - Tres Ojos Gnracha

Name: Tres Ojos Gnracha
Variety: 100% Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Tasting Date: March 28, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: The wine has a brick red color with a bouquet of red raspberries, spice and white pepper. The palate is incredibly concentrated and rich. The modern styles of Garnacha in Spain are continuously being perceived worldwide as wines of extraordinarily good quality. This wine is fruity, juicy and shows a great depth, ripe tannins, length but yet with wonderful elegance and lightness. Enjoy with sausages, roasted meats, aged cheeses etc.

My Thoughts: Nice red color. Nose has hints of red fruit, mixed with vanilla and cream. Strong hints of pine with spicy undertones. Flavor is very spicy with hints of oak and smoke. Some fruit. Decent amount of tannins. Overall not bad, but I think one taste was enough for me. 

Tasting - Sainte Victoire Côtes de Provence

Name: Sainte Victoire Côtes de Provence
Variety: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
Region: Provence
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
Tasting Date: March 28, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Bright salmon pink; typical of the fresh but warm Provence style. Refined and complex on the nose, with summer fruit and floral notes. Dry and crisp, with a delicate flavor and full texture.

My Thoughts: A very light Rose. The nose was fairly tight, I could not pick out any distinct scents. The flavor was much the same. There was some red fruit, a little vanilla butter flavor, not a whole lot here. There was however a bit of heat in the finish. I am noticing a trend with the blushes i have tried. Either none of them were any good, or I simply don't like them.

Tasting - Canyon Road Chardonnay

Name: Canyon Road Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: California 
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Tasting Date: March 28, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Medium- bodied wine with notes of crisp apple and ripe citrus fruit with a hint of cinnamon spice. Delicious complement to grilled chicken, lighter pasta dishes or mild cheeses.

My Thoughts: Very light color. Nose is sour apple, some pear, mostly what I would expect from a Chardonnay. Hints of limestone and minerals. Taste has some hints of sour apple, mostly it is chalky and oak. There is some acid in the finish. Overall it was pretty boring.

Tastng - Palacio de Bornos Verdejo Rueda

Name: Palacio de Bornos Verdejo Rueda
Variety: 100% Verdjo 
Region: Castilla y Leon 
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $9.95
Tasting Date: March 24, 2013
Location: Tasted Independently
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: With the best Verdejo we expect both texture and complexity along with a vibrant, lemony citrus character and a healthy dose of pear. With Bornos, two fun things happen as well: it exhibits little of the grassy notes found in some Verdejo (or its occasional amigas Viura or Sauvignon Blanc), and the finish has a fascinating, almost tangible pear-skin note. Drink in the next few years.

My Thoughts: Color is a very light yellow.  The nose is a strong lemon peel with hints of orange and some floral notes. When tasting the first sensation is a hit of acid, which mellows into a citrus lemon flavor, the finish is short with some mineral aftertaste. I liked this wine, far more than any of the Sauvignon Blancs I have tried. 

Tasting - Potluck Sweet Malbec

Name: Potluck Sweet Malbec 
Variety: 100% Malbec  
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95
Tasting Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Deep red brilliant with violet hints. Complex, fruity, and predominant red fruits. Easy to drink, round with persistent sweetness, very well balanced with sweet tannins.

My Thoughts: I approached this wine expecting a decent amount of sweetness. The nose is a very nondescript fruit with sweetness. The flavor is a similar generic fruit flavor with a hint of oaky sweetness. Overall it was ok, defiantly not as sweet as expected.

Tasting - Domaine de Grange de Payan

Name: Domaine de Grange de Payan 
Variety: Grenache (Majority)  
Region: Côtes du Rhône
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
Tasting Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Vintage Cellar
Food Pairing: None

Winery Review: Intensely spicy and precise, with lively red berry flavors and a hint of black pepper. The Grenache, which makes up the majority of the wine, is deeper and more powerful, offering cherry and black raspberry qualities lifted by zesty minerality.

My Thoughts: The aroma is much more earthy than the Tinto Figaro I tasted just before this one. Pepper and vegetable notes on the nose with very little fruit. Flavor is equally earthy with pepper flavors, finish is spicy with smooth but noticeable tannins.