Name: Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone
Variety: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2010
Price: $14.95
Wine Shop Review: As for their other values, the 2010 Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Reserve (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cinsault) displays loads of ripe flavors. It is very concentrated for a Cotes du Rhone, and is actually an amazing wine. Classic garrigue, black cherry liqueur, avender, licorice and spice box are all present in this fullbodied, intense, and rich Cotes du Rhone. This is a sensational effort to drink over the next 4-5 years, although it might last even longer.
My Review: The first thing I noticed about this wine is that it was boxed - I know it doesn't make a big difference, but I have to admit that there is a certain stigma around boxed wines. Based on the initial aromas, I expected a spicy, peppery flavor from this one, and I was right. It had a fuller body, and I noticed that it coated my palate. It had black cherry flavors and a hot, intense, lingering finish. This wine wasn't really my favorite from this week, but it wasn't bad.
I did not have food with this.
Name: Lobetia Tempranillo
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $10.95
Wine Shop Review: Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. It shows a nice cherry color with a violet shade because of its youth. Red berries and cherries on the nose. On the palate it is fresh, slightly astringent, and harmonious with a long finish.
My Review: This wine had a bright ruby color, and the pourer told us that this one was a younger wine. It had some nice kind of fruity, blackberry or cherry aromas. I found this one to be more of a medium-bodied wine, as opposed to the first two of this week. I thought it had a really pleasant taste, with a mild vanilla/cedar flavor, so I assume that this spent a little bit of time in oak. While I thought this would be a good wine to drink alone, I think that it would probably be better with spicy steak fajitas or something along those lines.
I did not have food with this.
Name: Lobetia Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $10.95
Wine Shop Review: Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. Clean, bright color with a greenish-yellow tone. On the nose, exotic fruits like pineapple. Full flavored, fresh, with good acidity in the mouth, it finishes with tropical fruits.
My Review: This Chardonnay was un-oaked and it came from Spain. I thought this wine had some really nice tropical and pineapple flavors that were really coming through nicely, the unoaked Chardonnay meant that more of the flavors from the fermented grapes were unaffected in the aging process, and I thought that the flavors from this wine were really bright and noticeable. More so than the last one, this Chardonnay was almost clear, and it had a nice light-bodied mouth feel. The pineapple flavors were apparent on the palate, and I really liked this one, it was my favorite of the week.
I did not have food with this.
Name: Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da LeleVariety: Pinot GrigioRegion: VenetoCountry: ItalyYear: Non-VintagePrice: $7.95
Wine Shop Review: Named after the famous restaurant in Italy! This is their house white wine! Coppery color from extended skin contact, round and rich texture with juicy melon aromas and flavors with a sweet fennel note on the ultra smooth finish. Great value Grigio! Drink now.
My Review: This wine had a pale yellow color, bordering on clear. On the nose I definitely picked up on the melon elements, I also felt like there was a light honey or honeysuckle component behind that. I definitely thought I picked up on some of the honey flavors on the taste, and the melon flavors also came through on the palate, although this wine was fairly light-bodied and not particularly strong with regards to its flavors. Our pourer explained that this wine was named after a restaurant, and being an old-world styled wine, this would likely do best with food. If I were to pair this with food, I think I would go with a risotto or fettuccine carbonara.
I did not have food with this.
Name: Ksana Bonarda
Variety: Bonarda
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2008
Price: $9.95
Wine Shop Review: The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. To the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Bonarda. Finishes solid. Very sweet, berry smell with some rooty undertones. Kind of dry, makes your lips pucker.
My Review: The pourer for this one told us that this is a spicier grape that you don't usually see alone, rather, it is usually blended with another wine. From the nose, I expected the wine to be a little hot, with a jammy, blackberry smell as well. While the wine was dry and perhaps a bit tannic, it seemed to be well balanced, and I didn't mind that it was a little more astringent.
I did not have food with this.
Name: Concannon Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Central Coast of California
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95
Wine Shop Review: This is an extremely rich, full-bodied wine with a dark fruit core. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dark cherry are followed by more berry fruits and chocolate and mocha on the palate.
My Review: This one had a darker color, and I really noticed a lot of flavors on the nose. I picked up some black pepper, and once again a kind of water chestnut aroma - although I may be calling it that when it's closer to cashew, I'd have to try it again. Then, in addition to those flavors, I got either a blackberry or raspberry jam kind of aroma. I thought it was really good, full bodied, with a kind of cocoa or mocha taste. Once again, it was slightly peppery with berry flavors.
I did not have food with this.
Name: Chandon Sweet Cuvee
Variety: Sparkling
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: Non-Vintage
Price: $9.95
Wine Shop Review: This wine is an innovative sparkling wine style revealing vibrant stone fruit and floral aromas with rich, luscious mouthfeel. This wine enlivens the senses and sparks spontaneous moments, complementing your passion for a good life.
My Review: Like the White Zinfandel, this one h ad another light pink kind of color. I noticed that it had an effervescence to it, and I thought the nose had honey and blueberry elements. I definitely noticed a richer mouthfeel, and I though that it had some sweet, acidic, honeyed flavors.
I did not have food with this.
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