Trip to Attimo Winery!

I hit the Attimo Winery in Christiansburg, Virginia today with my friend Drew! It was a nice little quick trip.

These pictures were taken in their (very full) wine barn! They're bottling on Tuesday so they had all of their empty bottles in their fermentation barn. Gang was all there. They use a combination of plastic tanks, french oak and american oak barrels. They bring in a bottling truck to the parking lot occasionally for their bottling (classy) work with what ya got!

They grow most of their grapes on the 11 acres they have. They have some land in Charlottesville and Roanoke as well. The only grapes they get specially from other vineyards are their Cabernet Sauvignon and their portuguese grapes in their port. 

We sat at the Party Moment table. The sign was too great not to capture. I did appreciate that Attimo does seated tastings! They encourage you to take your time and really enjoy the wine and the experience.

My partner in crime!

All gone!

Here's what we tasted (I threw in my own scores for fun):

Yesterday's Song

Chardonnay

$19/bottle

They say: Dry white, crisp, lightly oaked, pear notes.

Smell: Pear, lots of salt.

Taste: It was light and slightly acidic. It would be great with cheese.

Score: 83 points

Sonnet 98

Vidal blanc

$17/bottle

They say: Dry white, crisp, floral, hints of fresh greens.

Smell: Apples and flowers

Taste: Really sweet, like potpourri and old candy that sits in your parlor and nobody eats. It was pretty heinous for my taste.  

Score: 62

Off-the-Cuff
Riesling/Chardonnay
$16/bottle
They say: Semi-sweet white, fruity.

Smell: Apples and raspberries.
Taste: I fully expected to hate this because I'm not a fan of Riesling but it is actually a really gorgeous blend. Its soft on the palate and nice and dry.
Score: 87

Just Kissed Blush
Vidal/Raspberry
$16/bottle
They say: Off-dry blush, fruity; distinct berry flavors

Smell: Nothing. Light pink color. They said it would be good in sangria. All I smelled was sugar.
Taste: NO NO NOOOOOOO Sweet like a bad juicebox! Not my wine, for sure.
Score: 50

After Midnight (how great are these names?)
Merlot/Zinfandel/Blackberry
$16/bottle
They say: Semi-sweet red, fruity flavors; velvety texture.

Smell: Blackberries. Smells hot on the alcohol.
Taste: Tannic. Blackberries. Light color very similar to Pinot Noir. It's okay, I wouldn't want a whole bottle but its just dry enough to balance out the sweetness of the berries.
Score: 80

Bull Frog Symphony
Blend
$17/bottle
They say: Dry red blend, peppery. Bourdeaux style.

Smell: Hot and tannic. Plum notes.
Taste: Peppery with lots of tannins. Super dry.
Score: 83

Deep Silence
Cabernet Franc
$18/bottle
They say: Dry red, intense berry flavors and light smoky pepper finish.

Smell: Pretty generic red smell. Reminded me of something you would have with lamb or a hearty meal. Pretty rust color.
Taste: Very dry and peppery. Gave us "cat tongue" as Drew put it because of the tannins.
Score: 87

AD 325
Chambourcin
$16/bottle
They say: Dry red with bold flavors and cherry undertones.

Smell: Syrupy, earthy.
Taste: Very well balanced. Light and versatile. Easy on it's own and also with food. One sip isn't enough to experience the complexity of this wine. Definitely my favorite.
Score: 92

Sweet Berry Sunset
Raspberry/red blend
$15/bottle
They say: Sweet red, intense berry and fruity flavors.

Smell: Chocolate covered cherries.
Taste: Like cough syrup. Nice dryness though which cuts through the sweetness somewhat but it's still pretty overpowering. I'm sure this is great if you like sweet, syrupy wines, but they're not for me.
Score: 80

Vertex
Cabernet sauvignon
$20/bottle
They say: Dry red, rich with black currant flavors and French oak notes.

Smell: Beautiful bread and buttery smell. Great, rich nose. Classic Cab Sauv.
Taste: Not much body, not a whole lot going on in general. It's a shame, because the nose and color are gorgeous, but the wine itself was pretty forgettable. I wouldn't spend $20 on it that's for sure.


Overall, we had a wonderful time at Attimo. They were very hospitable and I'm always cheering for a Hokie making good wine!

Fork and Cork!!!

We had way way too much fun at Fork and Cork. We got there around 2pm and it was packed! Luckily the rain held off the whole day which was great and it started to thin out as the afternoon progressed. We tried a lot! Here's a few:

Trump Winery

Charlottesville, Virginia

***disclaimer: we were really rushed through this tasting so my notes aren't as detailed as I would like but we tried!!

Blanc de Blanc 2008

$25/bottle

They say: Brut sparkling wine made from 100% chardonnay, using the traditional French methode Champenoise. Nose of green apple, brioche and slight pear. On the mouth there is crisp acidity with citrus notes. Aged 22 months on the lees. Pair with mild cheeses, sushi or serve as an aperitif. Jefferson Cup Best of Sparkling, Double Gold Finger Lakes International, Gold VA Governor's Cup "Governor's Case". 

Smell: Like apples and oak!

Taste: Really, really good! Yummy and fizzy and oaky and clean.

Chardonnay 2012

$17/bottle

They say: 90% in stainless steel and 10% in french oak barrels. Vibrant grapefruit, pear and citrus aromas that are lush and crispy on the palate, finishing with a subtle creaminess. Refreshing, crisp and clean, this wine is easy to drink by itself and stands up well to food. Pair with gazpacho, caprese salad and quiche. 

Smell: nothing. Actually no scent.

Taste: Water. This tasted like water.

Rose 2011

$10/bottle Festival price

They say: Dry rose blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Nose of strawberry and flowers. Raspeerry and grapefruit on the palate. Excellent balance between acidity and volume. pair with anything off the with anythingoff the grill, pizza, charcuterie and cheese. Silver Jefferson Cup: Top 37 Great American Wines Saveur Magazine.

Smell: Raspberries

Taste: Flowery, lots of strawberry. Not too sweet thankfully. 

Simply Red 2008

$17/bottle

They say: 48% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Lightly toasted aromas of black currant, blueberries and cherries. Smooth, medium bodied with flavors of black cherry and cocoa with a long finish. 

Smell: Definitely smelled the black currant and blueberries.
Taste: Not too good. Weird alone. But probably good with food.

CRU
$28/bottle
They say: 100% Chardonnay juice fortified with brandy and then aged in bourbon barrels. Try it on the rocks or mixed for a sweet treat with a kick. 14% rs. Platinum Virginia Wine Lover Magazine, Silver New World International, Silver Monterey, People's Choice Award Virginia Wine Showcase.

Smell: Whiskey! Oak and Jack Daniels
Taste: Sweet but so yummy! A beautiful blend of bourbon and wine. I could swim in this. Seriously. If it weren't so pricey, I would swim in it.

Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery

Nellysford, VA

Cranberry Table Wine

$18.95/bottle

They say: Hold on to your taste buds! This tard wine is perfect paired with turkey during the holidays. Try it in a cosmopolitan, spritzer or in cranberry lemonade.

Smell: Woooooof! Like cough syrup. I hate cranberry stuff.

Taste: This literally tasted like a more tart, alcoholic cranberry juice. If you're in to that, it's good. I'm not crazy about sweet fruit wines.

Virginia Peach Wine
$16.95/bottle
They say: This "front porch" wine is like biting into a ripe, juicy peach, without the pit and the fuzz. This delicate sipping wine also pairs well with seafood.

Smell: Peaches. Peach juice.
Taste: Peach syrup with alcohol. I really don't like fruit wines why is this happening...

Lavender Metheglin
$16.95/bottle
They say: Derived from the Welsh word Meddyglyn, meaning healing drink, metheglin is spiced mead. Ours is spiced with Lavender flowers and is both fragrant and delicious.

Smell: Potpurri
Taste: A combo of wine and tea. The lavender was very strong and it is just a weird beverage. Doesn't taste like wine.

Dragon's Blood
$21.95/bottle
They say: This rich, bright red pomegranate melomel pairs with grilled or smoked foods, red meats and even chocolate. It is both slightly sweet and slightly tart and very delicious.

Smell: Like a portapotty. This tasting was really hard to stick out.
Taste: Like spoiled honey. I hate everything.

Hunter's Moon
$21.95/bottle
They say: Our Spiced Pumpkin Mead is just the trick to treat your taste buds! Slightly sweet with pumpkin pie spices, this is a great holiday wine and delicious all the time!

Smell: Honey. All honey.
Taste: Vanilla and honey overload. I cannot. I cannot.

We ended up buying a couple bottles of the Attimo Winery's offerings. I'll blog about them next! Fork and Cork was wonderful.

My favorite of the day: Definitely the AD 325 from Attimo. Full bodied and perfectly dry Red!

Food Pairing: The Attimo house Chardonnay with Kettle Corn! Yummy yummy. The sweetest of the corn mixed well with the crispness of the chardonnay to have a perfect complement on a warm spring day. I didn't want to spend any more money to buy any of the other food, so the popcorn was the perfect choice!

Vintage Cellar Selections April 6

Going on Saturday mornings is nice, you get the good stuff! I forgot to take a picture this week so here's a picture of my notes. Sorry...

Dom de la Louvetrie Muscadet
$15.95/bottle

They say: Jo Landron's Muscadet Sevre et Main is from a beautiful walled vineyard sloping towards the Sevre, with clay, sand and quartz stones over a bedrock of Orthogneiss. The vines average 40 to 50 years of age, the vineyard is certified organic and biodynamic and gives very low yields. Always one of my favorite Muscadets, the 2011 is superb with citrus, pear and herbals aromas with a bit of smoke and sea-salt. The palate is dense and very long with fabulous acidity. It will provide exhilarating early drinking and will be very interesting in 20 years as well.

Smell; Full and acidic. Lots of salt water.
Taste: Bitter! A little sugary, tasted like nothing but bitterness. Probably great with seafood. Easy to forget.

Thierry Delaunay
Sauvignon Blanc
$10.95/bottle

They say: Sauvignon Blanc from France's Loire Valley are wonderfully aromatic and bursting with minerality and freshness. Theirry Dalaunay harnasses these characters magnificently in their Sauvignon Blanc from the Touraine sub-region that borders Vouvray. Clay and gravelly soils help give this great sauvignon its zest and complexity.

Smell: Gooooorgeous bouquet! Fruity and flowery.
Taste: Easy to drink. Soft on the palate. Lots of tangerine and strawberry. Loved this, especially for the price. Definitely worth buying.

Dom Vincent Dampt
Chablish
$21.95

They say: Expreses our Chablis minerality and fruity so characteristic in its name. A wine with good balance and complex from old vines of our plot located between the coast and Vaillons Lechet. A wine for all occasions!

Smell: Straight roses. Just...rose water.
Taste: Berries. Why was this $22? I'm not a Chablis person. Way too sweet and sticky.

Villa da Filicaga
Chianti Superiore
$12.95

They say: Chianti Superiore DOCG "Conte Andrea" is the product of first choice Sangiovese grapes from our best vineyards. It rests for 12 months in barrels of white oak, producing a very spcial high standard Chianti Superiore.

Smell: Rubbing alcohol, chili powder. Ew Ew ew ew ew like old christmas candy that has been sitting around for too long.
Taste: Straight up cough syrup. Hard pass.

Wine Dinner!

We rallied the troops this past weekend and got together for a wine dinner! Wish we had done it sooner in the semester because it was really, really wonderful and fun.

First off!

Manchego & Gouda and Apples with

Praia

Vinho Verde, Portugal

40% Arinto, 30% Loureiro, 20% Trajadura, 10% Azal

$15/bottle

They say: The grapes are carefully selected from the best vineyards of the Vinho Verde region - the most extensive in Portugal.The region is typical for its unique wines that are fresh and light, combined with a very well balanced acidity. These characteristics result from the region's unique soil and climate, with a strong Atlantic influence that you will identify when you taste it.

Praia, which means beach in Portuguese, is a smooth and fresh wine with delicate and lovely fruity flavors. Slightly spritzy, it is well balanced and very refreshing.
The wine is ideal as an aperitif or throughout a meal, especially with fish, seafood, white meat and salads.  Due to it freshness, it is particularly pleasant in a relaxed and informal ambiance.
"Full of fruit, a lasting peach flavor targeted with laserlike acidity through the finish. It has the bite of salty ocean air and a lot of zing. For langoustines."

Smell: Apples, citrusy, really pale color

Taste: Nicely carbonated!! Tart! Sharp! Salty!

With cheesy bread and manchego: Lots of cinnamon, made the wine more substantial and deeper. The carbonation cut nicely through the thick food. 

With apple and gouda: Clean and tart. Almost no flavor compared to food. So it's actually a good complement because it doesn't over power the food but its nice and clean and helps you drink it. Very cleansing wine. It lets the food stand out. Apple helps the wine stay on your tongue while the cheese overpowers it. Manchego is a hard cheese and doesn't take over while the soft gouda does. 

 

Next up!

Castelvero Piemonte Barbera 2011

$11/bottle at Kroger

They say: Couldn't find a review :( But I did run into the guy who did the Zeppoli's wine dinner when I was buying it and he said it was really good. Despite me have zero faith in that guy's ability to pair wine, it did give me a bit of confidence in my choice. 

Smell: Lots of strong tannins, hot, plum, slightly peppery

Taste: Not a lot of body, nice acidity. Had it with spaghetti and meat sauce and cheesy garlic bread and it WAS DANK. It wasn't too full but complemented the food excellently. It was my first Barbera and I would absolutely buy it again, especially at such an awesome price.

We also had cheesy zucchini and didn't have a wine that paired directly with it but we also had an extra cab sauv, so here are those two individually. The zucchini was a free for all of nomming.

Woop Woop 

Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

South Australia

$12.99/bottle, bought at Kroger

I bought this because it had a tag on it saying it got 90 points and it just made me laugh. Worked out well! A very unique wine.

Winemaker's notes: Winemaker, Ben Riggs and his team have produced a full and flavorsome wine, deep-hued with lifted aromatics and a structured but supple palate. Smooth, rich and generously loaded with mulberries, black cherries and spice on the palate, the finish is long lasting, delicious, dense and fruit-packed. With tannins enhancing the tastes and richness of food, this is a perfect red meat or pasta accompaniment.

Smell: Bread and butter nose while I was POURING it. Some stinky socks. Very spicy, slightly acidic.

Taste: Sweet. Some seriously powerful scallions on my initial taste. Some strawberries that helped fade the scallions; they went away more and more as I kept drinking. It's a little bit dry and kind of hurt the roof of my mouth. All of these things make it sound really bad but it's actually decent, just very unique. Cherry cola aftertaste. Lots and lots and lots of red pepper. Probably good with spicy food.

Brought this sucker out for the wine dinner after I had a had a glass or two a few nights before and it went great with the food. Still super super peppery but it was great nonetheless. 

  

Rancho Zabaco

Zinfandel 2011

Sonoma County, California

$13.99/bottle

They say: Crafted in the heart of Sonoma County's "Zin Zone," Rancho Zabaco wines showcase the decadent flavor characteristics of some of Sonoma's most sought after vineyards. Flavors of juicy lingonberry, blueberry syrup, elderberry preserves and huckleberry smoothie develop in your mouth you realize that there's more to the flavors than just berries. Named for an historic Mexican land grant, Rancho Zabaco wines are an authentic expression of a special place and time in Sonoma's history.

Smell: Big on the blueberries! Smelled great, not too sweet. Nice acidity.

Taste: Had it with triple chocolate brownies and ice cream and it first it was really bitter but I definitely warmed up to it by the end. Really yummy wine. Total hit.

 

Wine dinner was da bomb.com!! We really took our time with it and tasted a lot of things so that was wonderful. 

Trivento Malbec Select

Trivento Malbec "Select"
Tasted at Music City Flats restaurant, Nashville, TN
$8/glass, $30/bottle

They say: Dark purplish ruby with some legs. Aroma is strongly berry-like (black, blue, raspberry), along with oak, vanilla and salt. Lots of berry in the initial taste as well, along with oak. Finish has tannins, pepper and cherry. Balanced and surprisingly mild. Full-bodied, smooth and dry. Very nice Malbec, although it does not have any elements that truly stand out, which is both a pro and a con.

Smell: So full bodied and spicy! It smells hot on the alcohol. Very strong scent of lamb and a heavy winter meal, which I've been picking up in a lot of Malbec's as of late.

Taste: Smoooooooth taste. Definitely hot on the alcohol. Spicy on the lips. A really unique Malbec. The grape is absolutely there but very complex and full. A little berry on the front end. So good! Complex and spicy but warm and a touch fruity. 

Food: Had it with arugala salad and a fig and prosciutto pizza was way too sweet, but it made the wine lighter and sweeter. Definitely a hit. A very complex and interesting wine. Perfect for the meal.

Clos du Bois Pinot Noir

Clos du Bois Pinot Noir
2011
Sonoma County, California
Paid between $12-20 at Kroger (on sale)

They say: Grown in North Coast vineyards influenced by cooling ocean breezes and persistent morning fog, our Pinot Noir exhibits aromas and flavors of red cherry, raspberry and hints of cranberry, harmonized with vanilla and spice from aging in oak barrels.

Smell: Very very full. Lots of scents. It is peppery and salty, almost like salt water. It wasn't sweet, in fact it was spicy.

Taste: Not a lot of body, lots of salt. Light plum color. Not a very thick wine, it felt watered down. Typical Pinot Noir I believe, but I don't think I'm crazy about that. It was pretty nasty at first, nearly undrinkable. I had it with some Homestead Creamery Double Chocolate ice cream and that made it A LOT better (although, that ice cream could make almost anything better). They complemented each other well. It made the wine light and fruity without being sour. The thinness of the wine isn't a problem with the thick ice cream.

Over time: I kept this bottle out at room temperature for about two weeks. Every time I drank it it got a little bitter better, but I would absolutely never buy it again. It was acidic to the point that it drowned out any other flavors. Very salty. Total miss.

Zeppoli's Wine Dinner 4/21

"West Coast Wine Showcase"
courtesy of Matthew Burch and Zeppoli's

Tonight I went to the wine dinner at Zeppoli's, it was an interesting evening. Overall we tried 9 different wines and had a variety of foods. Unfortunately, there wasn't a clear method for the food pairing. They had a buffet and sort of let us free for all on the tastings. I wish they had taken the time to thoughtfully pair each wine to each dish but it felt slapped together.

 The spread! Manicotti pasta, teriyaki chicken and rice, olive bread, garlic and gorgonzola flat bread, greek salad and assorted cheeses. 

Firesteed 2011 Pinot Gris Oregon

$13.50/bottle

They say: Alcohol 12.6%. Tropical aromas of kiwi and mango followed by flavors of perfectly-ripe summer melon and citrus. With each return to the glass, the flavors expand on the palate with increasing complexity and texture.

Smelled like: Strawberries.  It was very sweet.

Tasted Soft on the palate, it was fruity and light yet a little bitter on the aftertaste. Tried it with cheese which made it much crisper. Also tasted it with the manicotti with which it was useless. 

Lamplighter Chardonnay 2009 California

$9.99/bottle

They say: Alcohol 13.5%. Aromas and flavors of citrus balanced with tropical fruits and honey apricot notes. With just enough vanilla oak and creaminess to know it's a California Chardonnay. Recommendation: pair with chicken, seafood, or enjoy on its own.

Smell: Very strong apple and pear notes.

Taste: Pretty good! Honestly this was the only wine during the entire dinner that I would consider purchasing (especially at that price point). It was great with the teriyaki chicken. It was full bodied but not overwhelming. It was soft and dry to the palate. Lightly spicy on the finish. Yummy.

The White Knight Viognier 2011 Clarksburg

$11.99/bottle

They say: With blonde color, sone fruit aromatics dominate this blend and aromatics. Ripe peach skin, apricots, and hints of green apple aromas lean toward flavors of the similar description. This blend is medium weight with bright acidity to keep the finish refreshing. Tropical fruit sings throughout this wine from start to finish. A perfect summer sipper with your favorite cheeses and fresh fruit.

Smell: Definitely caught strong apple notes. It was extremely aromatic but smelled a lot like an air freshener. 

Taste: I tasted roses and cherries. It was sour on the back end. I was not crazy about this wine, it was incredibly unmemorable. 

Beringer 2011 Chenin Blanc California

$8.99/bottle

They say: Alcohol 11%. A well balanced wine with aromas and flavors of crisp citrus, melon and spicy ginger. It's meant to be enjoyed with a variety of foods, from Asian and Mexican foods to a casual backyard barbecue with friends.

Smell: Plum, dryness and lots and lots of cinnamon.

Taste: It was sweet! Definitely tasted the ginger, apple and cherry. A great soft mouth feel and a very unique spicy flavor. Unfortunately it didn't really match any of our food, it was better on it's own.

Simple Life Pinot Noir 2011 California

$12.99/bottle

They say: Pleasantly fruity with aromas of boysenberry, candied cherry and baked apple highlighted by notes of baking spice. Flavors range from bright raspberry and lemon preserve to cherry cola accented with a bit of English toffee. Moderately light bodied, the soft tannins and fresh acidity strike a nice balance, creating a light but lingering finish. Pinot Noir easily pairs with a wide variety of foods both lighter and richer fare.

(very very light color)

Smell: So spicy!! Light color but smells crazy hot. It was stinging my eyeballs.

Taste: It tasted like dusty, musty cranberry juice. There were light tannins but they are present. It was insanely peppery. I wanted a breath mint after tasting this. It had a complex blend of grapes but tasted just like dry cranberry juice. Apparently 2011 was a bad year for pinot noir and I will gladly back that up. This wine was not good.

Riven Rock Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

$9.99/bottle

They say: This Cabernet Sauvignon from California is an exceptional value and a perfect interpretation of what a tradition Cab Sauv should taste like - with a good flavor profile. Light and drinkable but with a good body.

Smell: BOOZE! It smells like alcohol and nothing else!

Taste: This was not good. Talk about false advertising. I felt like I was taking a shot. It was insanely hot and tanniny without any flavor. It was so dry and burned on the way down. Really terrible.

Renwood Syrah 2008 Sierra Foothills

$12.99/bottles

They say: The 2008 Syrah has classic aromas of berry jam and truffle. The wine has medium tannins, a refreshing acidity anda long finish. The fruit flavors dominate, and the oak character is subdued. This is a nice example of Syrah grown in the Sierra foothills." 

Smell: It smelled great. Like a yummy winter dinner of lamb and rice. It was a bit hot on the nose, and I caught some plum notes. Very woody.

Taste: Like drinking a cigar. There were heavy tobacco notes, a little bit of hamburger grease. It was very dry and oaky. Soft mouth feel. Underwhelming. Smelled better than it tasted.

Cypress Vineyards 2010 Merlot Central Coast California

$12.99/bottle

They say: Alcohol 13.5%. 80% Merlot, 16% Malbec, 2% Cab Sauv, 2% Petite Sirah. A garnet red color of medium density with hues indicative of a full maturation. Fruit aromas of cherry, raspberry and passionfruit are complemented by a bouquet of toasted oak and cocoa powder. A large portion of Malbec in the blend increases the fruit signature with a hibiscus character. The round texture and comfortable weight of this wine is followed by a sweet, mature finish. 2010 Cypress Vineyards Merlot would pair wonderfully with beef filets with a red wine sauce or barbequed ribs. This wine can be enjoyed in its youth or cellared up to five years.

Smell: Good! Nice body, traditional color. Smells like bread and butter.

Taste: I like the initial taste but it gets oily and salty on the finish. It was fruit with a decent dryness. High, high alcohol content. It was good with the manicotti sauce which really brought out it's cranberry notes.

Trentadue Old Patch Red Lot #34 2010 California

$13.50/bottle

They say: The 2010 Old Patch Red Lot #34 is comprised of 41% Zinfandel, 25% Syrah, 24% Carignane, and 10% Petite Sirah. This is a delicious "bistro" style blend with abundant jammy berry flavors, black cherries and plums. Peppery and spicy with a long juicy finish. Named in honor of the original 1896 estate plantings, this is very typical of the field blends traditionally produced by the Italian farming families that settled in Sonoma County in the early part of the 20th century. This versatile wine has rich, plummy fruit with hints of vanilla and red cherries.

Smelled: Pretty plum color with strong plum and vanilla notes.

Taste: Nice tannins, lots of vanilla and cherries. Pretty bland.

Overall Review:

I was not crazy about of the wines we tasted. It seemed like they didn't feel like taking the time to thoughtfully pair any of the wines with the food. They were more interested in doing it on the cheap than doing it well. All of the wines were at a pretty low price point, which I understand for a college tasting, but they weren't even good. I left feeling very underwhelmed and was completely uninterested in purchasing any of the wines afterwards. 

This wine talked dirty to me

Fausse Piste
2010 Grande Manger Syrah
Saint Paul, Oregon

Tasted at: Lecosho restaurant, Seattle, WA
Price: $44/bottle

Smelled: Like bread and butter and plums
Tasted: Incredible. Deep and sweet with very little bitterness. Definitely tasted some plums, it was dark and warm.
Ate it with: A cheese and meat plate and it was PERFECT. So clean and complimentary.

They Say: Our annual blend of the fine Syrah blocks that we work with across Oregon and Washington.  Fruit from Outlook, Ambassador, Riverrock, Marcoux and Elephant Mtn. all went in to this blend.  Hand crafted using Hand picked, sustainably grown Syrah from basalt based vineyards.  Picked more on acidity and balance, than purely sugar based ripeness, then fermented utilizing the native yeast that the vineyard provided, with foot crushing and daily punchdowns we prefer long cool fermentations for our Syrah.  Aged for 11 months on the original lees in neutral french oak and bottled unfined but filtered. 14.1% Alc by vol.   333 cases produced

Bottom Line: I mean, I'd swim it every day if you'd let me. Absolutely worth the price tag. Great for a cold night and a fireplace.

Antigua Bodega Strikes Again

Antigua Bodega
Syrah 2009
San Juan, Argentina

Tasted at: Champion Wine Cellars, Seattle, WA
Price: $13.85/bottle

Smelled like: A garden
Tasted like: This Syrah was pretty good. It was sweet but also had a little something else going for it that I couldn't identify.

They say: Earthy, muddy aromas of prune and cheesy leather mark the nose. The palate is flat, with jammy, medicinal raspberry flavors and a quick finish.

Bottom line: I wouldn't drink it every day, but it wasn't mouthwash.

Rooted in flavors

Root: 1 Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Casablanca Valley, Chile

Smelled like: Bread and butter almost. Definitely picked up apple notes.
Taste: Bitter at first taste, but it didn't stick around. Tasted bell peppers in it. Didn't have it with food, but it was pretty drinkable on it's own. Not too memorable.

They say: Pale green in color, concentrated aromas with tropic al fruit and citrus notes. Great acidity wth fresh lime and grapefruit balanced by soft minerality on the palate. Bright and crisp with rich fruit expression, and an elegant finish. Root: 1 Sauvignon Blanc is crisp, refreshing and pairs delightfully well with many types of foods. Try it with fresh summer salads, grilled oysters, or baked salmon. A great match with smoked ham and cheesy potato casserole, or lemon-herbed chicken with spring vegetable risotto.


The bottom line: Probably better with food, I drank it and quickly forgot it.

Chateau Eugenie I need thee

Château Eugenie
Cuvée Pierre Le Grand (80% Malbec, 20% Merlot)
Albas, France

Tasted at: Champion Wine Cellars, Seattle, WA
Price: $17.85/bottle

Smelled like: Rosemary and tannins.
Tasted: Sweet but spicy, almost dusty. Thick on the tannins. It was super dry, yet yummy. Needed food with it, it was a shame to have it alone.

They Say: Beautiful garnet red colour, elegant delicate wine with scents of blackberry and woodland floors. Pleasant wine, Very well balanced between subtleness and tannins. Lovely Personality.

The bottom line: I'd love to try it again with food.

The first of the wines I tasted out west!

Coiron 2012 Torrontes
Mendoza, Argentina

Tasted at: Champion Wine Cellars, Seattle, WA
Price: $12.85

Smelled like: Flowers
Taste: There was a lot of raspberry on the mid palate. It wasn't too bitter, and also not too sweet. Great full finish for the white.

They say: Light yellow in color with gold highlights. Bright citrus aroma with hints of peach, honey and white flowers excite the nose. On the palate nectarine, pineapple, create a bright lingering finish. Light bodied and refreshing with a vivacious acidity. If it is refreshing you want, this is the wine!

Bottom Line: Yum. Clean and  fruity. Nice.

TrapezioOoOooOh

Trapezio
Malbec - Cabernet - Merlot blend 2009
Mendoza, Argentina

Tasted at: Champion Wine Cellars, Seattle, WA
Price: $18.95/bottle

Smelled like: Tomatoes
Tasted like: This was a nice medium red. It was dry and spicy but still had some body to it.

They say: Bright full ruby.  Reduced aromas of dark berries and chocolate.  Sweet and supple in the mouth but still a bit blocked by reduction, with plum, cassis and licorice flavors turning a bit medicinal, even clenched, on the back end.  The substantial tannins are nicely ripe, but a slight tart edge suggests that this wine will require a few years of cellaring.

Bottom line: Not memorable.

Truffle Cafe Tasting

When I was in Seattle, I had the PLEASURE of visiting the Truffle Cafe in Pike Place Market. They do wine tastings and sell all kinds of wonderful wines and truffle products. We had the sweetest woman serving us, Ann, we heard her life story and she poured us a few extra wines to taste. It was delightful.

First off! A Prosecco:

 

Alvise Lanciere

Prosecco D.O.C. Extra Dry

Veneto, Italy

$14.99/bottle

Smell: Picked up a lot of raspberry and apple notes. Very light and fruity.

Tasted: Caught lots of apple. It was clean and light, yummy yummy. A little bit bitter but would be great with dessert or sweet things.

The Bottom Line: A great prosecco. Cheap and yummy. Classy bottle. Sign me up.

Vega Murillo

100% Verdejo 2011

Sitio de la Erilla D.O. Rueda.

$11.99/bottle

Okay this wine was actually heinous. 

They say: This wine is fermented for 15 days in stainless steel tanks at a temperature of 55ºF. It is a fresh and dry wine with intense fresh fruit aromas on the nose and volume on the palate.

Smelled: Like lemon pine sol

Tasted: It was such a shock to my senses. I'd never had a 100% verdejo and I don't think I'll be tasting any more of them. It tasted like I was drinking mustard wine. However, Ann brought us some truffle pesto to try with it and it was immediately less disgusting. 

The Bottom Line: NO thank you. Maybe with food. Maybe. Depends on what's cooking.

Fior D'Arancio
Moscato d'Asti
Veneto, Italy
$14.99/bottle 

They say: From the heart of Veneto comes one of the rare gems of the wine world–a tickling sparkler, reminiscent of a Moscato d’Asti, but with extraordinary natural flavors of orange imbued from the soils of the Colli Euganei. Lightly sweet, it is both an aperitif and dessert wine, a celebratory quaff or a summer sipper. Only from one small area of the world, in its original, locally favored bottle, this is a special opportunity to experience a truly unique wine.
Smelled like: Rose water, daisies, oranges
Tasted: There was such sharp carbonation! It was very good. Clean and fruity -- a lovely bouquet. We tried it with chocolate and it was the best thing ever. Ann said to try it with popcorn and boy do I support that claim. Such a beautiful dessert wine.
The Bottom Line: I'm smitten. With a moscato. Who am I?

Mignanego 
Dolce Rosso
Italy
$11.99/bottle

Smelled: Like maple syrup and vanilla.
Taste: So yummy despite being sweet. It is light and almost a dessert in and of itself. Plums, apples and Summer Sunday afternoons.
The Bottom Line: Couldn't drink it very often but it is definitely a sweet treat for the sweet tooth in all of us. 

Tamarack Cellars

Cabernet Franc 2010

Walla Walla, Washington

$28/bottle

They say: Pie spices, huckleberry and leather on the nose, with caramel, raspberries and ripe plums, a bit of toasty barrel smoke giving way to lucious, velvety tannins and a length finish.

Smelled: Like bread, butter, leather and mulch. Very pungent.

Tasted: GREAT! Dry and warm. Had it with a sundried tomato trffle pesto and it was DELICIOUS. The grape apparently has a thick skin which contributes to the dryness. This wine is 100% cab franc. Such a great aftertaste, would definitely go well with dinner (something tomato based). 

  Another cool thing I learned about at the Truffle Cafe was the Soiree in-bottle Wine Aerator. It aerates the wine as your pour. You swish about a glass or two's worth of wine into the aerator and then back into the bottle, then pour regularly. Works great! I picked one up and I love it.