Tasting- Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine
Variety: Riesling
Region: Pfalz
Country: Germany
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Wine Critic Review: "Flint and mineral notes accent pineapple and lime aromas, while on the palate, the wine shows plenty of ripe, citrusy fruit flavors. Tangy acids on the long finish provide balance."

My Review: The smell of the wine was full of citrus, grassy, floral ,and gave off an aroma that it was going to be a very sweet wine. When I tasted the wine because I was pleasantly surprised because it was not as sweet as I thought. Instead it was tart which was interesting because I have only tasted sweet Rieslings. Citrus was present while I first tasted the wine and lingered as an aftertaste. A light bodied wine which was very enjoyable and I would highly recommend to my friends!

This wine was not tried with food.

Tasting- Don Ramon Tinto

Name: Don Ramon

Variety: 75% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo

Region: Campo de Borja

Country: Spain

Year: 2008

Price: $7.95

Wine Critic Review: "75% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo. Aged 3 months in American Oak

casks. Ruby red in color, with creamy aromas of earth and cherry. Flavor turns toward deeper and darker black cherry and raspberry on a medium framework. A subtle earthiness underneath the bright fruit adds some depth and complexity."

My Review: The smell of the wine was very intense, very oaky, with dark berries and cherry was heavily present here. The flavor of the wine was explosive, I definitely could taste the presence of dark berries and cherry. The aftertaste of the wine which consisted of some spice was really good and lingering. To me this was a full bodied wine and was my favorite red wine that I tried during the tasting at the Vintage Cellar.

This wine was not tried with food.

Tasting- Resonata Nero D'Avola

Name: Resonata
Variety: Nero D'Avola
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95


Wine Critic Review: "Dense ruby red with violet reflections. Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice. Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background."


My Review: The Resonata Nero D' Avola was a very deep red color in my wine glass and the smell of this wine was full of dark berries and cherries. Also, it was giving off some heat/spice and I could tell that this was going to be a great wine to taste. The taste matched up with the smell of the wine, which I really enjoyed, with a hint of petrol on the tongue as an aftertaste. It did leave an oily coating in my mouth which was interesting and I could not tell if I liked it or hated it. I would say this wine was a medium-full bodied wine and would consider pairing it with food the next time I tried it.

This wine was not tried with food.

Tasting- Protocolo Blanc

Name: Protocolo

Variety: Blanc

Region: Villarta-Cuenca

Country: Spain

Year: 2009

Price: $6.95

Wine Critic Review: "Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value." 87 Points, Stephan Tanzer

My Review: This wine had faint hints of grass, various herbs, and citrus fruits. This made me think that this wine was going to be full of flavor and I was very hyped up for it. Having said that, all the flavors that I smelled were very muted when I tasted it. In addition, there was a harsh bite on the tongue that lingered and left an unpleasant aftertaste. This wine was light bodied and overall I was not impressed with the wine.

This wine was not tried with food.

Tasting- Santola Vinho Verde

Name: Santola

Variety: Non-Varietal White Blend

Region: Vihno Verde

Country: Portugal

Year: Non-vintage

Price: $7.95

Wine Critic Review: "Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors. Off dry and very fresh."

My Review: This wine was one of my favorites that I tried at the Vintage Cellar yesterday. The smell of the wine was citrus, fresh, and was accompanied my a crisp smell. When I tasted the wine I got hints of various friuts such as  green apple and pear. Also, the Santola left me with a tart/sour aftertaste which I found to be very refreshing. Overall, this was a light bodied wine that I could see enjoying with some seafood the next time I have this wine.

This wine was not tried with food.

Tasting- Palos Verdejo

Name: Palos Verdejo

Variety: Verdejo

Region: Castilla y Lenon

Country: Spain

Year: 2009

Price: $15

Wine Critic Review: "Castellana’s 2009 Palos Verdejo is medium straw-colored with a nose of fennel, spring flowers, citrus, and apple. Crisp and vibrant on the palate, this tasty offering is a good value that will deliver pleasure over the next 12–18 months." Robert Parker 87 pts. The Wine Advocate: June, 2010

My Review: This wine was intriguing because I have never heard of this grape variety before. The smell was full of citrus, clean, fresh, and the smell of lemons was the predominate citrus fruit present. The taste was smooth and the smell of the wine has the most excitement. There was no taste to the wine, lackluster would be a great word to describe this light bodied wine. I would be willing to give this variety a chance again from a different producer.

This wine was not tried with food.

Tasting- Coldstream Hills Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Coldstream Hills Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Yarra Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2009
Price: $27

Wine Producer Review: "Coldstream Hills Sauvignon Blanc is sourced mainly from vineyards in the cool Upper Yarra. The wine is predominantly fermented in stainless steel, with a small percentage barrel fermented in older French oak - in some years, a percentage of Semillon is blended to add texture. Best consumed when young and fresh." ColdtreamHills.com

My Review: The smell of the Sauvignon Blanc was that it smells tangy, mostly hints of orange were present initially. The next sniff I took gave off a peach smell to it. The tastes given off were tangy as well as peachy and was very crisp and clean to me. I really liked the aftertaste in particular, very crisp, a light bodied wine, and was probably one of the best whites I had tried that day.

This wine was not tried with food.

Tasting- Tama Estates Zinfindel

Name: Tamas Estates Zinfindel

Variety: Zinfindel

Region: Livermore, California

Country: USA

Year: 2007

Price: $15

Wine Critic Review: "A little sharp in acidity, and the wine pepper spice adds to the impression of zippiness in this bone-dry Zin. It's deep and likeable in raspberry, cherry, and sandalwood flavors." Steve Heimoff

My Review: From the moment I picked up the wine and smelled it I knew I was not going to like it. The smell consisted of wet wood, which was not pleasant. I could not get any sort of fruit smell because my initial smell was overbearing. I decided I would taste the wine to see if it was any better. Unfortunately, it was not and the smell and taste matched up. Then it was very hot taste and this sensation lasted as the wine went down and remained for a couple seconds. The wine was full bodied and had a very tart aftertaste which made the wine even less impressive. Hopefully another Zinfindel will spark my interest one day.

This wine was not tried with food.

Tasting- Los Alisos Syrah

Name: Los Alisos Syrah
Variety: Syrah
Region: Santa Barbara County, California
Country: USA
Year: 2007
Price: $23

Wine Producer Review: "Los Alamos Valley is generating great interest among winemakers and wine critics for the quality and character of its Syrah. The region has a flair for producing wines with the peppery aromatics of a cold climate, and yet displays the rich intensity of warmer locales. Our Syrah is dark, dense and sinfully opulent with ripe scents of blueberries, white pepper and earth." LosAlisosWines.com

My Review: The color is this wine was a very dark red. When I held the wine glass up to my nose I got a very intense smell which consisted of dark berries. The tasting was very interesting, I could taste the dark berries as well as a very tart sensation overall. Even though it was tart, it was not puckery and stayed on my tongue. This wine left a bitter aftertaste on my tongue and to me seemed a medium-full bodied wine. I have not had a lot of experience with Syrah, however, I was not a fan of this particular one.

This wine was not tried with food.

Tasting- Three Rivers Merlot

Name: Three Rivers Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Walla Walla Valley, Washington
Country: USA
Year: 2006
Price: $27

Wine Critic Review: "Perfumed berry aromas offer an initial sense of sweet fruit, followed by more savory tones of tobacco leaf and dried herbs. Complex in the mouth, a melange of cherry, plum, and black raspberry flavors make up the fruity core, while accents of tobacco, cedar, and a subtle sense of dusty earth add depth. Fresh acidity and finely balanced tannins give a good frame and force to the flavors, with subtle oak spice in the background. The elegant finish is long. A cellar candidate, or enjoy now with a grilled T-bone steak." Wine Spectator

My Review: I really enjoyed trying this Merlot at the Vintage Cellar. The smell consisted primarily of dark berries and that it might be a smooth wine. When I sipped the wine I the dark berries became very apparent and there was some heat for an aftertaste. Also, earthy tones came out during my tasting of this wine.  I would say this Merlot was a medium bodied and I found this to be pretty decent.

This wine was not tried with food.

Dinner- Palisades (South Africa)

On Thursday, 7 of my friends and myself left right after Geography of Wine to head to Eggleston for the food and wine pairing dinner. Tonight's theme was South Africa and I was looking forward in particular to the Cabernet Sauvignon (this is my favorite kind of wine). I thought the drive was very interesting, especially in the pitch black. 

Outside the Palisades

All the wines we sampled tonight were from the Stellenbosch district of South Africa which makes up 14% of the country's wine production. The types of soil used in the vineyards vary from decomposed granite found on hillsides to sandy alluvial loam located on valleys towards rivers. One interesting point about Stellenbosch that the handout noted was the grapes are used for wine.

Interior of the Palisades

The moment we walked into the restaurant I knew  I would enjoy my time here. Our server for the evening was great and even better was his uncle who would periodically come up to chat with us. The inside of the restaurant had a cool appearance which I have rarely seen before. The brick interior and all the old tools displayed made the place very intriguing.

Andrew, Julia, and Bobby really enjoyed coming to dinner here!

Enough about that, lets talk about the real reason why we came here... the food and drinks! We started off the evening with an appetizer on the house which consisted of pita with a seasoning served with a side of hummus and tomato. It was very good but made me even more hungry while I waited for my dinner. 

Nice presentation of the appetizer

Now for the main course. Tonight's meal consisted of: Pumpkin Fritters, Biryani with Beef Skewers, and Apricot Chutney. The wine of the evening were Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc (2010), Ken Forrester Petit Pinotag (2010), and Graham Beck Game Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (2009). I began by meal by drinking the Chenin Blanc, which smelled of oak, citrus, and grass. I agreed with the description when it talked about the presence of "abundant peach and tropical fruit aromas with exotic floral notes." The taste of the wine as oaky, citrus, and had a good aftertaste with some nice heat at the end. I thought it was a light bodied wine, and the flavors became explosive when paired with the fritters and chutney. When tried with the chutney alone, there was a coating of oil left on my tongue.

Next was the Petit Pinotage... It smelled of dark red berries and cherries,oak, and petrol. It tasted of the dark red berries and oak with a little heat on the tongue with a lingering aftertaste. It was a medium bodied wine with a lingering aftertaste and I could tell that there was a slight presence of tannins. When paired with the fritter and chutney it added heat to the end. The description of this wine talks about it as "spicy mulberries, plum pudding and cherries, supported by smoky bacon nuances." I agreed with it except, I did not smell anything remotely close to smoky bacon. Next, I tried it with the beef there was no heat and when I added onion into the mix the heat increased. Lastly, when the Pinotage was drank with the beef, pepper, and onion it was bitter and hot afterwards.

Kristy giving the Pinotage a great sniff while Meredith is classing up the photo

The best was saved for last, Cabernet Sauvignon. The smell of this wine was dark fruits, hints of tobacco, and oaky and the taste was the same and  I thought it was a medium-heavy bodied wine. Added to the taste was smooth and it did not linger like that Petit Pinotage. This description give to us was dead on, "Great complexity of black berry fruit, dark chocolate and cassis on the nose, well supported by spicy mineral and cigar box flavors." I really enjoyed how much tobacco was present in this wine. When tried with all the vegetables it was very tart tasting. When the beef was introduced into the mix the taste was more complete and lingered on my tongue. Lastly, when paired with the chutney and fritter it left a lot of heat on my tongue for an aftertaste.

The meal of the evening, great presentation on my plate

The dessert was the great finale to my meal. The Orange Peel Cheesecake very tasty and the flavors were very subtle which I liked. Sadly, I forgot to take a picture of it...perhaps I had too much wine? Haha. All in all it was a great evening! :) Good food, good wine, and great friends to share the experience with!

All gone!

Tasting- Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay

Name: Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: McLaren Vale
Country: South Australia
Year: 2007
Price: $15

Wine Critic Review: "It's not often you hear the guys at Constellation express delight at their Nottage Hill Chardonnay - as they are with this vintage. It's mainly sourced from the Riverland with some Padthaway fruit adding a dimension to the flavour profile. There are some gentle, spicy oak aromas while the mid-palate is full flavoured and vibrant with intense, cool white peach tropical characters and a soft, pleasant finish." Peter Forrestal

My Review: This wine to me smelled like wet wood and a mildew/moldy and damp feeling. I could tell there were hints of citrus, however, this was very faint. The taste was the exact same as the smell. In addition, this Chardonnay tasted mossy/wet earth which was not good. I could tell that the smell and taste I experienced were a common theme among Chardonnays. This is one of my least favorite white wines to drink, however, I will still be open to trying other Chardonnays.

This wine was not tried with food.

Tasting- Robert Mondavi Solaire Pinot Noir

Name: Robert Mondavi Solaire Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: Santa Lucia Highlands, California

Country: USA

Year: 2008

Price: $21

Wine Critic Review: "A medium-weight style, displaying simple, delicate strawberry, plum and cherry flavors that are pure and focused. Successful in presenting the grape in a delicate and persistent manner. Drink now through 2014. 30,300 cases made." Wine Spectator

My Review: The wine had a nice burgundy color and I very curious about what the smell and taste would include because I am not familiar with Pinot Noir. When I held the glass up to my nose aromas of mildew, wet wood, and berries entered through my nose. The taste of the wine was similar to the smell with the addition of it being bitter. The aftertaste was not any better, this wine left me with a strong bitter sensation.

This wine was not tried with food. 

Tasting- Hardys Nottage Hill Merlot

Name: Hardys Nottage Hill Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2006
Price: $15

Wine Critic Review: "A wine made to maximise the attributes of the Merlot grape. The fragrant aroma of plums is complexed by herbal and spice overtones. The palate is soft with fresh fruit characters complexed by integrated oak flavours and subtle tannins." Wine.com

My Review: This wine was another decent that I tried at the Closeout Sale. The smell consisted of dark berries, petrol, oily, and like most other Merlots that I have tried it was going to be smooth to drink. When I tasted the Hardys Nottage Merlot I was very disappointed because it left nothing special on my tongue. It seemed very bland to me, light-medium body, and was probably one of my least favorite wines I tried that night.

This wine was not tried with food.

Tasting- Copa Del Ray Merlot

Name: Copa Del Ray Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Mapo Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2008
Price: $15



Wine Critic Review: "Our wine makers worked in Chile to craft the Copa del Rey Merlot from the vineyard to the bottle. The latest New World winemaking techniques were employed to bring out the best of the Maipo Valley terroir. In the vineyard, extra hang-time allowed the grapes to reach full physiological ripeness, developing great intensity, depth and structure. In the cellar, French oak added complexity, body and flavor and our unique micro-oxygenation treatment was used to soften the tannins and create a rich, round mouth-feel. This Merlot also benefitted from the latest fining and filtration techniques which bring forth the full expression of fruit in the wine." Hahn Family Wines

My Review: I thought this wine had a very oaky smell to it and I could also tell the presence of berries and it made me think that it was going to be a smooth wine. When I tasted this particular wine I could taste the oak, dark berries, and it was very smoky. To me the merlot was a medium bodied wine. The aftertaste felt very hot on my tongue and I thought it was a very nice finish to the wine.

This wine was not tried with food.

Tasting- Crane Lake Moscato

Name: Crane Lake Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: Napa and Sonoma Valley, California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $12

Winemaker Review: "This sweet wine is light in color with floral aromas including notes of orange blossom, jasmine, and honeysuckle. Flavors include peach, melon, and spice." Larry Rocha, Winemaker

My Review: One of the best wines I tried at the Closeout sale at the Vintage Cellar. After trying several distasteful Chardonnays I enjoyed the smell of mint, oregano, and basil. The taste was very clean and crisp, full of citrus fruits, and had a refreshing aftertaste. This wine was worthy of being purchased and the discounted price made it a steal. I would highly recommend this wine to anyone.

This wine was not tried with food.