Here's another quick blog about the wines from April 5th at the Vintage Cellar. I know that there are notes online but I took my own anyway.
1. gPG Garganega, Pinot Grigio, 2010, Italy $8.95
This Pinot Grigio had a very light lime green appearance. I sensed tart, apple aromas, with hints of fresh cut grass, and a kind of thick nose that I related to smelling the morning dew in your front lawn. Overall, quite a pleasant nose, soft and delicate bouquet. Initially I tasted apple and pear, with a smooth and somewhat crisp (not dry though) mid palate, and a slight alcohol spike on the finish. At the second taste, I also got a sort of moldy/mildewy rye bread undertone after the initial pear and apple.
2. Oveja Negra, Syrah-Cab Rosé Reserva, 2010, Chile $6.95
I had never tried a blended Rose and was quite intrigued by the light copper undertones which, to me, didn't resemble any wines I had seen before. There were quite a few peculiar aromas that came to me from this wine. I sensed a metallic, dusty, almost wood shop type of aroma with some steamed asparagus on the end. The initial taste reminded me of tree bark leading into a slightly sour but not overpowering mid-palate. The finish was very smooth with fruity aspects reminding me of gummy straw candy. I enjoyed this wine because of the wide range out aromas and tastes but not too overpowering or too complex.
3. Varas Vinho Tinto, 3 Liter Box (4 bottles), Portugal $21.95/box
It has been quite a while since I've tried a box wine and I'm pretty sure the last one I had was Franzia. I am almost positive I was "slappin' the bag" so it really wasn't much of a tasting... However reluctant most people are to take a box wine seriously, we had learned in class that there are some rare occasions where box wines are enjoyable. The colors were deep burgundy red with ruby tones on the rim of the glass. I found a smooth berry nose with tobacco undertones complimented by earthiness and spiciness. Strong blackberry, blueberry, and plum start leading into a bleak/bland mid-palate. The finish was rather dry and full of tannins. On the second taste, I also found the beginning to have an interesting sweet and citrus-like aspect.
4. Montebuena Rioja Crianza, 2007, Spain $6.95
This red was darker than the Varas Vinho and was velvety on the glass. The bouquet was filled with strong spice notes with sour cherry and deep plum. The spicy tones began to dissipate after swirling and turned to sweet. I sensed a medium dry berry beginning with the alcohol spiking more during the mid-palate. There was definitely a spicy finish with a burning feeling in the stomach. I felt that this wine was the one out of the group that desperately wanted some food to be paired with to compliment the spicy finish.
5. Cantina di Casteggio, Moscato di Pavia, Italy $7.95
This wine appeared bubbly and light pink to the point where I compared it to a sparkling Rosé. The bouquet was full of very sweet honeysuckle and pear aromas, with granny smith apple undertones and a floral finish. The initial flavor was just sweet with the honey aspect taking over the mid-palate. The sweet melon flavors lingered on the finish. The bubbly acidity was not overwhelming however, and the Moscato was delicately balanced with citrus and very very slight tartness. This was the most enjoyable wine for me as the Moscato reminded me of a bubbly personality that was easy to get along with, not too complex, but still interesting but no outrageous surprises.
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