Tasting - Nopa Vinho Verde

Name: Nopa Vinho Verde 

Variety:  50% Arinto 50% Azal 

Region: Vinho Verde

Country: Portugal 

Year: 2010

Price: $13 --> $5.95 (close out) 

Shop review: 50% Arinto and 50% Azal. The result is elegant, silky, fresh, and well balanced, with a fine citrus brightness.  Ideal as an aperitif or as a perfect accompaniment to seafood, poultry, pasta, salads, spicy oriental food, and grilled white meat.  Enjoy in moderation and in good company.  The Vinho Verde is proudly produced in Portugal. 

My review: LOVED IT, BOUGHT IT, WOULD LOOK FOR IT AGAIN! It was very clean and although it was very acidic, that wasn't the dominating factor.  I definitely picked up the citrus flavors.  I don't know what else to say about it, clean -- crisp -- citrus -- acidic.     

Food: no food 

XOXOVINO, 

LJ 

Tasting - Emeri Pink Moscato

Name: Emeri Pink Moscato 

Variety: Moscato 

Region: Yarra Valley 

Country: Australia 

Year: non-vintage 

Price: $12.95

Shop review: Pale translucent pink. Fresh fruit aromas with strawberry and musk.  Velvety and full with a persistent bead and fresh finish.  The perfect aperitif on it's own or enjoy with fresh fruits or seafood. 

My review: NO WAY JOSE! I do not like Moscatos and this one proves it again.  I'm not into sweet wines and this one, was actually not as sweet as I expected, but it still was too sweet for me.  I like the way it smelled though.  It was fresh, light, and fruity smelling.  I couldn't really pick out anything in the wine while I was tasting it because the sweetness just overwhelmed me.  

Food: no food 

XOXOVINO, 

LJ 

Tasting - Perata Frank's Vineyard

Name: Perata Frank's Vineyard 

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon 

Region: Nappa Valley, Yountville

Country: California 

Year: 2007

Price: $20.95

Shop review: A gorgeous bottling that represents a tremendous value in the heart of Napa.  The would-be grapes for the Estate's top bottling are used here to produce a decadent wine with rich classic Cabernet flavors intermixed with wild spices, tobacco and fresh herb on a caressing finish. 

My review: I thought this wine was really great! I would have totally bought it if it wasn't $20, that was disappointing.  Maybe when I have some extra money, I'll go get it :).  It smelled really good even though I wasn't sure what it smelled like.  It was very clean to me at first and had a strong ending taste.  I did pick up some spiciness which was cool too.  I didn't think I really liked cabs but this one was really great! 

Food: no food 

XOXOVINO, 

LJ 

Tasting - Lapis Luna Zinfandel

Name: Lapis Luna Zinfandel 

Variety: Zinfandel 

Region: Central Valley 

Country: California 

Year: 2007

Price: $14.95

Shop review: Brambly dark fruit on the nose, with a touch of green peppercorns, a little barnyard aroma and a hint of mint.  The mouthfeel is spicy and coating, with a sensation of chocolatey-cola.  Tannins are pronounced but not biting with a long minute plus finish.  The wine's acid and tanniswill help smooth it out, if you chose to give it some cellar time, but drinks quite nice with some decanting.  

My review: This wine was really strong to me.  I wish we could have decanted it like we have been learning in class.  I think that would have helped.  When it first hit my mouth, it really didn't have a taste, but the finish was really strong and biting I guess I would say.  The taste lasted forever in my mouth and it also felt really dry.  I didn't like it that much because it was just too much.    

Food: no food 

XOXOVINO, 

LJ 

Tasting - Chocolate Box GSM

Name: Chocolate Box GSM 

Region: Barrosa Valley 

Variety:Grenache - Shiraz -  Mataro

Country: Australia 

Year: 2009

Price: $18.95

Shop review: This retro bad boy blend is from the Rocland Estate Winery in Barossa, where they do everything a little bit…different! A blend with deep russet red, with earthy aromas of savoury oak and dark cherries with a little stewed rubarb. Spice and cinnamon on the palate over a robust and generous body. Made from a blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro.

My review: I didn't particularly enjoy this wine.  I did not get chocolate out of it which was disappointing because everyone else was like "yeah, it's chocolate."  I really like chocolate but it just wasn't there for me.  However, the taste was really strong.  I got a lot of spiciness out of it and that was kind of the overwhelming sense for me.  It was also dry and made my mouth really dry which isn't my favorite sensation.   

Food: no food 

XOXOVINO, 

LJ 

Tasting - Dom de La Quila Muscadet

Name: Dom de La Quila 

Variety: Muscadet 

Region: Louire Valley 

Country: France 

Year: 2011

Price: $9.95

Shop review: Oyster Wine!!! The real key to the wines from Domaine de la Quilla is that the Vinetss keep the wines sur lie for eight months before bottling at the end of  May, unlike most in this appellation who bottle in March. The Vinet family work proudly to produce this impeccably dry and fragrant wine. Enjoy!

My review: SO ACIDIC! I literally wrote in big letters when I was drinking it, "ACID!!!"  However, I could feel the acid more in my throat than in my mouth really.  It was very clean and fresh and I liked that.    

Food: no food 

XOXOVINO, LJ