Tasting - Ca’ Bea Sangue di Guida

Name: Ca' Bea Sangue di Guida
Variety: 45% Uva Rara 10% Barbera
25% Croatina
Region: Oltrepo Pavese
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $9.95











Shop Review: Off-dry with a slight fizz, offering bright berry and mineral notes. Medium-bodied, with a clean, fresh palate and fruity finish. This is a rare, sweet red wine that is wonderful with desserts such as dry pastries, cookies and cakes.

My Review: Extremely dark in color. Smelled like some sort of pastry. This wine was also slightly carbonated. Not a huge fan of carbonated wines, but this was actually nice!

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Alvarez de Toledo Mencia Roble

Name: Alvarez de Toledo
Variety: Mencia Roble
Region: Bierzo
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $14.00










Shop Review: “The 2009 Alvarez de Toledo was bottled just a week before the wine was presented but seems to be showing no symptoms of distress. Balsamic, leather, and black fruits are the principal notes struck by this suave effort that over-delivers in a big way. Like its older sibling, it can be enjoyed now but will have more to say in 2-3 years.”

My Review: This wine immediately smelled like a barn. Earthy flavors for the few flavors I could taste. Dry with a lot of Tannins. Medium body. Not terrible. I still have not found an amazing wine from Spain, but this one I enjoyed more than others I have had.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Codirosso Chianti

Name: Codirosso
Variety: 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo,
3% Colorino
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: N/A
Price: $13.00











Shop Review: "A heck of a value in Chianti, this delicious blend of 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo and 3% Colorino offers up notes of licorice, new saddle leather, black cherry and berry fruit, loamy soil undertones and a touch of pepper and herbs. It is medium-bodied, savory and best drunk over the next several years."

My Review: Strong aroma of dark berries. Perhaps a slight flavor of chocolate. Very dry with not much of a finish.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - The Royal Old Vines Steen

Name: The Royal
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2015
Price: $8.95











Shop Review: "The 2015 Chenin Blanc offers loads of melony fruit interspersed with hints of honeysuckle and peach. It is delicious, crisp, fresh, lively, and a dead ringer for a good Loire Valley Chenin Blanc. Drink it over the next year."

My Review: This is a grape South Africa has grown for over 400 years. This wine was similar to the Barão de Figueira Vinho Branco, but slightly more bitter and less acidic. Dare I say, maybe even the slightest bit flabby.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Barão de Figueira Vinho Branco Siria

Name: Barão de Figueira
Variety: Vinho Branco Siria
Region: Beira
Country: Portugal
Year: 2014
Price: $12.00











Shop Review: This wine is soft and rounded. It has lemon and light spiciness along with cool acidity. It is an easy wine that is ripe with apple and fresh lemon juice and ready to drink.

My Review: This wine was fantastic. I still believe I'm more of a white wine person. Very crisp and clean finish. Sweet, with a strangely pleasant metallic scent.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Crane Lake Riesling

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Riesling
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2015
Price: $5.95











Shop Review: Pale golden color. Ripe and dried peaches on the nose. Minerals and dried peach flavors. Nicely balanced, leaning towards lime acididty.

My Review: I have actually had Crane Lake before (admittedly purchased at a gas station, just to see what that experience would be like). Not bad! Nice, sharp finish. Sweet with flavors of pear and cantaloupe.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Vinedos Real Rubio Rioja Crianza

Name: Vinedos Real Rubio Rioja Crianza
Variety: Tempranillo, Graciano
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $16.00











Shop Review: Lightly baked berry aromas vie for attention with leather, spice and mild earth notes, and the result is disjointed. On the palate, this is tight as a drum initially, but more expansive as it unfolds. Cherry, plum, raspberry, vanilla and woodspice flavors finish pure, clean and easy. This is a fine yet manageable Rioja that’s not trying too hard. Drink through 2016.

My Review: The aromas of this wine did not seem pleasant to me. Smelled like sweat. Medium body, pretty dry. Not great to me. I have not had many wines from Spain, but I have yet to taste a really fantastic Spanish wine.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Barao de Figueira Tinto Reserva

Name: Barao de Figueira
Variety: Tinto Reserva
Region: Beira
Country: Portugal
Year: N/A
Price: $10.00











Shop Review: From vineyards at 2000 feet elevation, this is a rich and spicy wine that has a pure streak of fruit freshness and a firmly tannic core. It is perfumed from Touriga Nacional in the blend, with red berry and black plum flavors coming through strongly along, balanced by acidity. It will be better from 2017.

My Review: Medium body. This wine was also very dry and tannic but an overall nice experience due to it being well balanced. Tasted of dark berries.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines Grenache Rose

Name: Garnacha de Fuego
Variety: Rose
Region: Aragon
Country: Spain
Year: 2014
Price: $10.00











Shop Review: The Garnacha de Fuego Rose is a solid effort that has a light salmon color to go with notions of cherry blossom, orange peel and herbs de Provence. Medium-bodied, supple, fresh easy-drinking, and an outstanding value at $3.

My Review: This wine was extremely dry and I did not get much flavor at all. Definitely floral notes though. Maybe would have been better slightly chilled.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Villa Vitas Ribolla Gialla

Name: Villa Vitas
Variety: Ribolla Gialla
Region: Venezie
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $18.00











Shop Review: The 2014 Ribolla Gialla shows more minerality, nice quince, white currant and citrus oil notes, a dry, refreshing mouthfeel and a fragrant bouquet.

My Review: Light aroma of pear. Light body, dry yet fruity with some kind of citrus flavors.

Tasted without food.

The Winery at Bull Run

The Winery at Bull Run in Centreville, VA

On a beautifully warm March day, I went to visit the Winery at Bull Run with some friends I've known since kindergarten and our families.

The whole group at the end of the day filled with some fantastic wines.

Upon arrival, we, of course, did a tasting. 8 wines, 4 red and 4 white. Our server was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about these wines (and also a bit jealous that I get to take a college class on wine). After debating the meaning of legs on a wine, we began. While tasting the Riesling, he told us that the shape of the bottle affects the taste of the wine, which is why most whites have more of a gradual widening, whereas reds just immediately get wide beneath the cork. 

He also talked about the Virginia terroir and how the soil here lightens merlot grapes. He also taught us about a grape variety called Meritage (pronounced like Heritage, since it American, not French), which was basically America's response to Bordeaux. Strong, tannic, and great with bold flavors and meals.

The initial wine tasting. I believe in this photo we are holding the Stainless Steel Chardonnay.

After the tasting, there was much discussion over which wines to buy. For me, it wasn't even a question. The oak barrel Chardonnay was by far my favorite. Nothing better than an oaky, vanilla Chardonnay. The mothers, though, preferred the Norton: a strong, dry, tannic red while my sister went with a glass of Rose (amateur).

At the table, enjoying some great wine and catching one another up on how the semester is going.

When we sat down, we also decided to order some bread and cheese to have with the wines, which was a fantastic decision. I am unsure what kind of cheese was ordered, but I do know that it paired perfectly with the Chardonnay I was drinking. The richness of the cheese accentuated the sharpness and nice, acidic finish of the wine. Delicious.

Cheers to a great day!

In the end, I ended up leaving with a bottle of the stainless steel Chardonnay and a complimentary Bull Run wine glass! Win! It was a great day filled with the best friends, discussion, and wine a man could ask for. Can't wait to go back!

Tasting - Bull Run Barrel Select Chardonnay

                         

Name: The Winery of Bull Run
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: 2015
Price: $29.00











Shop Review: A Virginian-style Chardonnay, with lovely aromas of ripe pear, honeydew melon, and red delicious apples. This medium bodied Chardonnay has crisp flavors of apple and pear followed by subtle oakiness and spicy notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and turmeric mid-palate, and a long lingering vanilla spice finish.

My Review: Strong flavors of oak. Before tasting this wine, I had tasted the same Chardonnay aged in stainless steel. The oak barrel Chardonnay was much softer with a less sharp finish. As usual, I preferred the oaky one. Also had flavors of vanilla. By far, my favorite wine that day.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Bull Run Riesling

                           

Name: The Winery of Bull Run
Variety: Riesling
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: 2016
Price: $30.00











Shop Review: With a nose of lilac, butterfly bush flower blossom, and tropical fruits, this crisp, medium-bodied Riesling has a refreshing wet limestone minerality throughout. Dry apricot, peach, honey, red delicious apple, mango, and ripe kiwi flow through the mid-palate making this Riesling a delightful balance of a fruit and acidity.

My Review: Smelled tart, with green apple flavor. Crisp, acidic finish. I was also informed while tasting this wine that the bottle shape will affect the flavor of the wine. This wine also strangely reminded me of a medicine I used to take as a child.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Bull Run Meritage

                           

Name: The Winery of Bull Run
Variety: Meritage: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Petit Verdot, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: 2014
Price: $34.00











Shop Review: Rich and savory, well-focused and nicely proportioned, with savory herb, ripe dark berry, black licorice, cedar, espresso and tobacco flavors. Full-bodied, ending with a graceful mix of tiered flavors and texture. Drink now through 2020.


My Review: Meritage is apparently America's response to Bordeaux. Firm tannins, with strong flavors of dark berries, black currant. Also, had a very cool aroma of pine trees. Nice experience.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Bull Run Norton

                            

Name: Bull Run
Variety: Norton
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: 2015
Price: $34.00











Shop Review: The Winery at Bull Run’s 2015 Norton is a medium-bodied, yet earthy wine, with balanced acidity and hints of minerality. Aromas of cooked black cherry, pomegranate, mixed berry pie, and evergreen forest are followed by blackberry and Montmorency cherry on the mid-palate. With medium tannins, this Norton finishes well with cinnamon, spice, and leather. The 2015 Norton is easily age-able until 2021.

My Review: Smelled sweet, but that was actually just the scent of fruit because the taste was dry and Earthy. Medium to full body with flavors of pomegranate and a nice tannic feeling.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Bull Run Delaney Blend

                        

Name: Bull Run Delaney
Variety: 50% Riesling, 25% Vidal, 15% Traminette, 5% Petit Manseng
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: 2015
Price: $32.00











Shop Review: Named for the oldest daughter of the Hickox family, the 2015 Delaney exhibits fragrant floral aromas as well as white peaches, dried apricots and subtle hints of ginger. Soft lilac and a touch of exotic lemongrass meet your palate along with pineapple, tropical fruits and nectarine that linger on your tongue, leaving you with a long sweet finish.

My Review: Strong, pleasant floral aromas. Tasted of citrus, possibly lemon. Very, very sweet. This would be a great summer wine to have outside. I absolutely loved it.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Alvaro Domecq Aranda Cream Sherry

Name: Alvaro Domecq Aranda Cream
Variety: Sherry
Region: Jerez
Country: Spain
Year: N/A
Price: $20.00











Shop Review: Golden-brown in color, this has heady aromas of cola, nut, nutmeg, root beer and caramel. A pure, creamy palate of cinnamon apple, mocha, coffee and chocolate. It's quite smooth and balanced, and very long on the finish.

My Review: I am not super familiar with sherry, but this was not bad! This sherry tasted like maple syrup and caramel. Delicious for dessert.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Layer Cake Garnacha

Name: Layer Cake
Variety: Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $18.00











Shop Review: The Layer Cake Garnacha from Calatayud, Spain is rich and powerful, yet clean and balanced. Layered with aromas of ultra ripe black fruit. On the palate, the wine shows intense dark fruit with abackground of rich dark chocolate and fresh ground coffee with a long creamy finish.

My Review: This wine was amazing. It tasted like chocolate covered berries. Dry and tannic with a fruit finish. I'll take this over a real cake any day!

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Fossi Rosso Sangiovese, Merlot, Primitivo and Negroamaro

Name: Fossi Rosso
Variety: Sangiovese, Merlot, Primitivo, and Negroamaro
Region: Fiesole
Country: Italy
Year: N/A
Price: $18.00











Shop Review: A blend of Sangiovese and Merlot with a touch of Primitivo and Negroamaro. It will remind those who have traveled to Italy of one of the local house wines they consumed while there.  Simple, juicy, and perfect for drinking with or without food, it’s packed with bright cherry, strawberry and cranberry fruit aromas and flavors.

My Review: Flavors and aromas of dark berries. Very dry and tannic. Pleasant red wine that need no be consumed with food. Nice.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Nugan Pie In The Sky Chardonnay

Name: Pie in the Sky
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Southeast
Country: Australia
Year: 2013
Price: $15.00











Shop Review: Aromas of poached peach, fig and pineapple with biscuity notes. Tropical, medium bodied style with peach and melon flavours complimented by zesty acids, savoury nuances and a crisp, dry finish. Perfect partner with many styles of modern cuisine including those with an Asian or Mediterranean twist.

My Review: Smelled of pear and tasted of pear. Dryer than most chardonnays I've had. Light-to-medium body.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Invino Si Pinot Grigio

Name: Invino Si
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Lombardy
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $14.00











Shop Review: Pavia, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy where viticulture dates back thousands of years is home to the Si Pinot Grigio vineyards. The wine is creamy on the palate with a crisp, dry character, fresh citrus and pear flavors and an elegant finish.

My Review: This modern bottle contains a very classy wine. Full body with light citrus flavors. I love a full white like this. Fantastic!

Tasted without food.