Tasting - Reserve Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône

Name: Reserve Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône

Varietal: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cinsault

Region: Rhone Valley

Country: France

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: As for their other values, the 2010 Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Reserve (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cinsault) displays loads of ripe flavors. It is very concentrated for a Cotes du Rhone, and is actually an amazing wine. Classic garrigue, black cherry liqueur, lavender, licorice and spice box are all present in this fullbodied, intense, and rich Cotes du Rhone. This is a sensational effort to drink over the next 4-5 years, although it might last even longer.

My Review: This wine was spicy like the Tempranillo, but was balanced by cherry notes on the nose. The spiciness was also present in the first sip along with licorice, creating a heavy, full wine. I definitely want to try this wine with food, because I think it would be less overpowering with a meat to balance it out. 

Tasting - Lobetia Tempranillo

Name: Lobetia Tempranillo 

Varietal: Tempranillo

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: 

Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. It shows a nice cherry color with a violet shade because of its youth. Red berries and cherries on the nose. On the palate it is fresh, slightly astringent, and harmonious with a long finish.

My Review: The nose of this Tempranillo reminded me of a Shiraz I had last week - smoky and almost reminiscent of barbecue. Palate-wise, this wine reminded me of spicy cherries with a little bite at the end, but the alcohol didn't compete with the smokiness, it merely complimented it. 

Tasting - Lobetia Chardonnay

Name: Lobetia Chardonnay

Varietal: Chardonnay

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: 

Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. Clean, bright color with a greenish-yellow tone. On the nose, exotic fruits like pineapple. Full flavored, fresh, with good acidity in the mouth, it finishes with tropical fruits.

My Review: Definitely heavier and more floral on the nose than the first wine. My first thought was grass, not fruit. It was more acidic, very warm on the first sip, but lacked the cat-pee factor that's turned me off to most Chardonnay. 

Tasting - Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele

Name: Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele

Varietal: Pinot Grigio

Region: Veneto

Country: Italy

Year: NV

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Named after the famous restaurant in Italy! This is their house white wine! Coppery color from extended skin contact, round and rich texture with juicy melon aromas and flavors with a sweet fennel note on the ultra smooth finish. Great value Grigio! Drink now.

My Review: Since I started getting more into wine, I've been drinking less and less white wine. However, this wine was probably my favorite of the tasting. The nose was particularly floral, but unlike many whites I've tried recently, it wasn't too acidic and was balanced by light honey suckle and pear flavors. 

Tasting - Entrada Malbec

Name: Entrada Malbec
Varietal: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95


Online Review (via Baltimore Magazine): For those nights you call a local chain for delivery, you'll want something that covers the basics without costing more than the pizza. Try a bottle of Entrada Malbec 2010 ($8, The Country Vintner) with its inviting cherry and black-plum flavors, bright, juicy acidity, and enough structure to handle sausage. Argentina produces a boatload of cheap Malbec—not all of it very good—but Entrada delivers a healthy dose of balanced flavors at a comforting price.


My review: Although the above review is for the 2010 Malbec, the 2011 tasted quite similar to the reviewer's opinion of the 2010. This wine was dark, almost purple in the glass, and smelled of dark fruits. On the first sip, it was definitely full-bodied, but the alcohol content and acidity were balanced by the fruit and a hint of spice. I drank this wine with a meal of mashed potatoes and fried chicken, and it was delicious. It would probably also go well with a heavier meat like steak. 

Tasting - Ksana Bonarda

Name: Ksana Bonarda

Varietal: Bonarda

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2008

Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar 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 Review: I tasted the Bonarda right after the Shiraz, which was probably a terrible mistake. In comparison to the Shiraz, the Bonarda was almost bland. I could taste and smell cherry, but it was barely noticeable. Definitely dry. 

Concannon Shiraz

Name: Concannon Shiraz

Varietal: Shiraz

Region: Central Coast California

Country: United States

Year: 2008

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: 

This is an extremely rich, full-bodied wine with a dark fruit core. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dark cherry are followed by more berry fruits and chocolate and mocha on the palate.

My Review: The first second I tasted this wine, I said, "Oh, what is this? It reminds me of something." I've had that sense with wine tasting before, but never so specifically as with this Shiraz. Finally, I put my finger on it: this wine tasted and smelled like meat. I felt like I was drinking a meal, a piece of roasted lamb with a dash of oregano. It was spicy, but not too spicy, well-balanced and full-bodied. I didn't have this with food, but I have a feeling it would go great with anything from the barbecue or some steak.