The Vintage Cellar Tasting--March 24, 2016

Wine #1

Name: Tonnino Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Sicily, Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $14 (SALE: $7.95)
Shop: The Vintage Cellar
Professional Review: "Tonnino’s exotic example of Pinot Grigio has a straw to pale gold color. It is fresh and clean on the nose with fruity notes of pear, green apple and white peaches. The palate is true to the nose with a fresh acidity, coriander and lime notes followed by a crisp finish. This wine pairs well with youthful aperitifs, clams or mussels, pastas and risotto dishes."
Personal Review: This wine had a very peculiar scent, but in the good way. It was very clean smelling with hints of crisp green apple with a slight citrus twist. The taste was also very similar. Even though it smelled like it was going to be too sweet for my liking, it was surprisingly quite tart and I LOVED it. This white wine was dry, but the scents of apple and citrus followed from the nose to the tongue which was delightful. I really enjoyed this wine.

Wine #2

Name: Maipe Torrontes
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Year: 2014
Price: $14 (SALE: $7.95)
Shop: The Vintage Cellar
Professional Review: "The wine has a spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body. Well-balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish."
Personal Review: This wine right off the bat had a very strong sugar smell with overwhelming scents of peaches and cantelope. This was even more defined with the taste, which was extremely sweet with heavy tastes of apples and rose. It was heavy and bold for a white wine, but not in the good way. It's viscosity was quite thick and I did not like it at all.

Wine #3

Name: Georges Duboef
Variety: Nouveau
Region: Beaujolais, France
Year: 2015
Price: $12 (SALE: $5.95)
Shop: The Vintage Cellar
Professional Review: "George Duboeuf is THE king of Beaujolais.  His wines are full of pop, charm and great flavor and his Beaujolais Nouveau is no exception.  A cornucopia of expressive fruit wrapped in an almost-bubblegum-like frame; it is the flagship Nouveau."
Personal Review: This was my favorite of the five. Its smell was intoxicating with aromas of rich smells of chocolate and flowers. The taste was remarkable by alluring to the mid-palate especially with hints of plums, dark chocolate and just a tad of earthy tones. Such a good wine, especially for the price!

Wine #4

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Shiraz
Region: California
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Shop: The Vintage Cellar
Professional Review: "Beautiful ruby appearance, with blackberry and pepper notes. Tannins and fruit marry well for a soft finish. This wine pairs well with sharp cheddar cheese and hazelnuts. Also try it along with roast lamb at Easter time, veal marsala, or grilled salmon."
Personal Review: With smells of bardyard and moss, the smell left a nasty residue in my nose. The taste was about the same. All I could take away from it was earthy tones of legit dirt and a goat barn. Not my favorite.

Wine #5

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Riesling
Region: California
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Shop: The Vintage Cellar
Professional Review: "The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine.

Great with grilled red meat, sausage and chicken. Best served slightly chilled."
Personal Review: The smells was soft with hints of blackberry and jams, and yet a subtle earthy smell. The taste was soft and caring to the palate, and I believe its tender cherry and soft tannin structure would go excellent with any kind of red meat.