Name: Dona Sol Shiraz, Petite Syrah & Symphony
Variety: Blend: Shiraz, Petite Syrah & Symphony
Year: Non-Vintage
Country: USA
Region: California
Price: $6.95
Wine Critic Review: "Shiraz
has a unique jammy fruit character that is well represented in the Sweet Red.
Both on the nose and on the palate, jammy fruit, like strawberries, cherry pie
and red licorice, entices the senses and pair well with cheeses and desserts." -The Vintage Cellar
My review: As the above review mentions, there was a strong strawberry jam smell to this blended red. I also detected a hint of smokiness. The taste was more mild fruit flavors and I noticed a flavor of raisins in the aftertaste. This was my favorite wine for this week's tastings at the Vintage Cellar.
This wine was not consumed with food.
Name: Velvet Crush Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petite Sirah
Variety: Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petite Sirah
Year: Non-Vintage
Country: USA
Region: California
Price: $18
Wine Critic Review: "Velvety
smooth texture just like its name. Soft tannins and lush dark fruit character.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah bring backbone and character, while the
Merlot balances out the blend for a soft, smooth texture."- The Vintage Cellar
My review: This smooth red smelled like dark berries and hints of floral. Th taste was a bit more tannic, woody, and resinous. I thought this blended red was pretty good.
This wine was not consumed with food.
Name: Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2013
Variety: Pinot Noir
Year: 2013
Country: USA
Region: California
Price: $6.95
Wine Critic Review: "This ruby-colored wine has aromas of raspberry, cherry and a hint of
vanilla. Flavors of cherry and plum lead to a soft velvety finish. This wine can be enjoyed by itself. It is also an excellent
accompaniment with Brie, goat cheese and smoked salmon. Lamb shanks and pork
tenderloin are a favorite main dishes to pair with this wine" -The Vintage Cellar
My review: On the nose, this Pinot Noir had an aroma of dirty, wet socks and a burnt match. The taste was a bit more earthly and hints of cherry and plum. I did not like this wine by itself, but I think it would taste a lot different if I tried it with food.
This wine was not consumed with food.
Name: Prime Brume Garganega 2014
Variety: Garganega
Year: 2014
Country: Italy
Region: Soave
Price: $11
Wine Critic Review: "Pale color. Fruity,
floral minerally inviting aromas of passion fruit, white grapefruit, spice
poached pear, and papaya with a lean, racy, bone-dry medium body and a smooth,
complex, long lemon, passion fruit, raw hazelnut, and wet stones finish with no
tannins and light oak. From the tantalizing nose full of exotic fruit, citrus
and minerality thru to the long, crisp finish, this soave can seamlessly go
from cocktail hour thru to vibrantly flavored dishes."- 91 pt Tastings.com
My review: This smooth wine had a citrus and geranium smell and a taste of melon and grapefruit. I did not detect much complexity to this wine, but would like to try it again.
This wine was not consumed with food.
