Tasting - Coreto Tinto

Name: Coreto Tinto

Variety:Portuguese Red

Region: Lisboa

Country: Portugal

Year: 2008

Price: $6.95

Wine critic review: This red from the Coreto range has loads of dark berry fruit with a hint of new oak creating a soft, velvet structure that makes it very to easy drink. Red currant and juicy acidity.

My review: This wine was very smooth and consisted of black berry and raspberry flavors. It's body wasn't too deep and was very easy to drink with quite the finish at the end. The aromas were also of berry with a hint of something woody. I didn't pair it with anything but I could see this wine going well with a nice steak dinner or a roast.

Tasting - Morro Bay Split Oak Estates Chardonnay

Name: Morro Bay Split Oak Estates Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Lodi, California

Country: United States

Year: 2009

Price: $5.95

Wine critic review: Vanilla cream soda nose with a slice of fresh cut pineapple. Full body, tropical fruit, spice and pleasing vanilla oak note linger in the finish. Sweet flavor on the palate is from sur-lie aging the wine on the primary yeast lees for 7months. A versatile style of wine that can be served chilled with fine cuisine or a glass with friends. Certified Green by Lodi Rules Sustainable Winegrowers.

My review: This wine had a very notable finish. It was crisp, clean, and enjoyable. There was a little acidity present in this wine but it was followed by a nice fruity taste with yeast undertones. I imagine these yeast undertones were derived from sur-lie aging the wine. This was something I haven't come across yet in wine tasting and I have to say, it was definitely interesting on my palate. I would consider this wine for a future purchase as it is definitely in a college student price range. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - Cantina Villafranca Frascati

 

 

Name: Cantina Villafranca Frascati

Variety: 45% Malvasia di Candia, 15% Trebbiano Toscano, 25% Malvasia del Lazio,15% Grechetto (Greco)

Region:Frascati

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Wine critic review: Produced from a selection of the best grapes located in the Frascati Doc production area. Made from 45% Malvasia di Candia, 15% Trebbiano Toscano, 25% Malvasia del Lazio,15% Grechetto (Greco). Intense yellow color with greenish reflections. Characteristic persistent fresh and fruity aromas.Excellent as an aperitif and paired with fish, seafood or white meat.

My review: Red apples and other fruity aromas were very powerful in the nose of this wine. It had a creamy mouth feel with a little more acidity than I have experienced in other wines but nothing too terrible. I didn't like the wine enough to buy it but I liked it enough to recommend to someone I thought would enjoy it. I didn't pair it with food, but I think it would taste well with some pasta with a creamy sauce and garlic bread.

Tasting - The Naked Grape Pinot Noir

Name: The Naked Grape Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: Non-Vintage (no year listed)

Price: $9.00

Wine critic review: This is a light, jewel red colored wine with gads of ripe red fruit on the nose.  The aromas are primarily cherry and red plum, but there’s also a Diet Coke characteristic to the nose.  The palate is fresh and fruity with ripe cherry and pomegranate flavors.  The tannins are a little too light, in my opinion, but the acidity is good.  The finish, short.  Very short.  But, if fresh and fruity is what you like, then you may enjoy this pinot noir.  It doesn't have the depth or elegance to make it a rock star, but for the $9.00 price it’s a tasty wine.

My review: I'm not mad that I spent money on this wine, but I don't know that I would buy it again. The taste was a little too bitter for me and I wasn't a big fan of the finish. The aromas were pretty pleasant and smelled of plum with a more bitter smell on the nose. I didn't pair it with food so maybe I would have liked it better if I had, but I don't think I'll give it another try.

Tasting - Legaris Crianza

Name: Legaris Crianza

Variety: Crianza

Region: Ribera del Duero

Country: Spain

Year: 2003

Price: $8.95

Wine critic review: 90 Points, Wine Spectator - A silky texture carries plum, tobacco, coffee and mineral flavors over ripe tannins in this balanced red. Berry and vanilla notes linger on the finish. Drink now through 2013. –T.M.

My review: Yet again I am noticing that I am already becoming better with my wine smelling ability. I could smell blackberry with a hint of wood on the nose. My immediate taste of the wine put me off a little but then it had a cooler finish which brought out the more fruity flavors which I enjoy. The tannins were also really noticeable in this wine. I don't know if it is a wine that I would spend my hard earned money on, but that's not to say that I didn't enjoy it.

Tasting - Into Zin Zinfandel

Name: Into Zin Zinfandel
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: Lodi, California
Country: United States
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95


Wine critic review: Into Zin 2008 Zinfandel is a crisp, red wine with plum, blackberry and black cherry influences. Its spiciness is just the right amount to balance the fruit, so it isn't too sweet or too dry. Pairing suggestions include steaks, lamd, hamburgers, and chicken marsala. I truly enjoyed this wine, and I think you will too. So, for those nights where you put together a nice dinner, be sure to pair it with a glass of Into Zin 2008 Zifandel!
 
My review: Unlike the previous wine I tried, I enjoyed this wine a little more. The spiciness and fruitiness were more balanced for me, so I didn't find the spiciness as overpowering. I like Zinfandel in general so this was no exception. It had a really soft finish and a fruity/floral smell. I did not taste this with food but would be interested to try it with the recommended chicken marsala!

Tasting - Tres Ojos Garnacha Tempranillo Rose

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha Tempranillo Rose
Variety: 50% Tempranillo 50% Garacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95


Wine critic review: A 50-50 blend of Tempranillo and Garacha, this medium rosecolored rosado boasts a spicy red cherry/plum nose with a soft lush attack of red berry fruit flavors and a crisp dry finish. Simple and refreshing and a natural for tapas.

My review: I was really hoping to enjoy this wine since it is well within my budget, but I'm sad to say that I did not. From the smell I thought I would enjoy it as I was able to really pick up on the fruitiness of it, however the spiciness of the taste was not to my liking and I found it to be a little bitter. I didn't taste this wine with food, however I think it would be good with grilled pork and veggies. Maybe if I pair it with food I will be more fond of it!