Tasting- Cascina Gilli Bonarda

This was the second to last wine that we tried today at the Vintage Cellar. The Cascina Gilli Bonarda is a 2007 from Piemonte, Italy, 100% bonarda priced at $20 down to $11.95. The Vintage Cellar described this wine as, "Nose of red berry enriched by nuances of spice, subtle but recognizable. The slight effervescence of Moye increases the appeal of its palate, bringing out its freshness without compromising its complexity. Served chilled, it is wonderful with marinates and stews, or with Piedmont's traditional fritto misto." It tasted very lightly sparking with the taste of red berries and a little zing of pepper and spices.

Tasting- Fortediga Cab/Syrah

This Fortediga Cab/Syrah is 60% Cab and 40% Syrah, from Roccastrada, Italy priced from $20 down to $9.95. It was given 89 points by Wine Advocate, "A wine that reveals considerable richness and depth while maintaining a pure, crystalline, quality in its dark, varietal fruit. This is 40% Syrah, 30%Cabernet Franc and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 6 months in used French oak barrels." It had a intense red color that was very appealing, with a sweet aftertaste of plums and dark cherries. 

Tasting- Joseph Carr Pinot Noir

This was the fourth wine we tried today at the Vintage Cellar. The Joseph Carr Pinot Noir is a 2007 from Sonoma Coast, California, Pinot Noir variety, priced from $33 down to $9.95. The Vintage Cellar described it as, "Ever-elusive, out Central Coast Pinot Noir offers cherry, and dark wild raspberry in both the bouquet and taste. I also find aromatic violets, tea, strawberry seed, and hints of mushroom. The wine shows very good structure with balanced, yet approachable tannin." This wine smelt of blackberries and cherries, but it tasted like medicine and kind of made me feel sick, I was not a fan of this Pinot Noir.

Tasting- J.P Chenet Dry Rose Sparkling

This J.P. Chenet Dry Rose Sparkling is a French sparkling wine, but not a true Champagne. Bobal grape variety, with no vintage and sold from $18 to now $6.95. The Vintage Cellar said it is, "Intense and fine, dominated by notes of red berries. The combination of fine bubbles and delicate aromas make this a delightfully light and silky rose. Aromas in the mouth evoke red berries, cherries, strawberries: mellow and well-balanced." It was fresh and fruity but not as sweet as a regular rose with a strawberry and red cherry zing, and just lightly carbonated.

Tasting: Nopa Vinho Verde

Today at the Vintage Cellar the first wine we tried was a white wine called Nopa Vinho Verde. It is 50% Arinto and 50% Azal, produced in Minho, Portugal, with no vintage on the bottle, that went from $13 to $5.95. The Vintage Cellar said, "The result was elegant, silky, fresh and well balanced. With fine citrus brightness. Ideal as an aperitif or as a perfect accompaniment to seafood, poultry, pasta, salads, spicy oriental foods, and grilled white meat. Enjoy in moderation and in good company. This Vinho Verde is proudly produced in Portugal." I thought this was a nice fresh and fruity white wine that smelt like apples, and was so sweet on the back end it almost made me shiver.

Tasting- Angeline Pinot Noir

This Angeline Pinot Noir 2011 from Sonoma County, California is priced at the Vintage Cellar for $12.95. The Vintage Cellar says this wine is "produced from fruit that abounds with intense fruit and rich aromas. By "cold-soaking” the crushed grapes and fermenting at moderate temperatures, bright fruit flavors are extracted from the grape, without harsh tannins. This Pinot Noir is a lively garnet color with aromas of intense fruit, luscious vanilla and spice. Bright fruit flavors or fresh strawberry, cherry, raspberry and ripe plum are layered with creamy vanilla, smoke, tea spice and toasty oak." My roommates and I enjoyed this wine. It was not extremely tart or acidic and had a strong spicy fruitful smell along with its taste. 

Tasting- Avery Quinn

This Avery Quinn 2010, Cabernet Sauvignon variety is from the Avery Quinn Vineyards in Napa Valley, California, priced at $11.95. I bought this wine at the Vintage Cellar but couldn't find their description of the wine in the store or online but Avery Quinn Vineyards says  "This richly layered Cabernet offers lush aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, black currant and some clove. The velvety mouth feel melts with flavors of cocoa  and toasty oak ending with a long, smooth and silky finish. By the looks of this wine it is a little heavier cab sav, although it tastes fairly light.  It has a blackberry taste with a twist of cloves and cherries. But then again, I tried it the other night after a few cocktails and it was almost the greatest cab sav I've ever had. I guess Boyer is right, the atmosphere really changes the way you perceive a wine, because now I try it again with my roommates watching the Bachelor and it's really not the best.

Tasting- Perata Frank's Vineyard

This Perata Frank's Vineyard 2007 from Napa Valley, California was made from the Cabernet Sauvignon variety, priced at $20.95. The Vintage Cellar said this is "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 frsh herb on a caressing finish." I thought this was a sweeter, semi peppery cab sav with a subtle raspberry, blackberry taste.

Tasting- Lapis Luna Zinfandel

This Lapis Luna Zinfandel is a 2007 made in Lodi, California priced at $14.95. The Vintage Cellar described this wine as, "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. Tannnis are pronounced but not biting, with a long minute plus finish. This wines' acid and tannins will help smooth it out, if you choose to give it some cellar time, but drinks quite nice with some decanting." I thought this wine had a peppery smell with a little mint, and also a light peppery, red currant, strawberry taste.

Tasting- Wild Hog Barbera

The Wild Hog Barbera is a 2007 from Mendocino County priced at $22.95. The Vintage Cellar described this wine as, "Notes of ripe dark fruit on the nose, with a hint of earth. The palate is greeted with a combination of dark fruits including blackberry, dark plum, olallie berries and sour cherry. Bright acidity and ripe fruit, hints to what this wine will become with some age. Great now with a little breathing." I was not very fond of this particular wine. It had a tart, smoky, and spicy taste with a hint of raspberry. 

Tasting- Don Manuel Torrontes

The second wine we tasted at the Vintage Cellar on Saturday was Don Manuel Torrontes 2010, made in La Rioja, Argentina of the Torrentes variety.

Don Manuel Villafane
Full transparent yellow color with an expressive nose of flowers and citric aromas. In the mouth, it is fresh and longer bodied than a Chardonnay with rich notes of peach and fresh grapes.

Wine Enthusiast - 90 points
A really good and clean white wine with all the tropicality and zest that this Argentine variety can give. The nose is crystalline and pure, with white flower scents of jasmine and citrus blossom, while the palate is round, melony and full of lychee and papaya. Smooth on the finish. Drink soon. M.S. May 1, 2011

The Vintage Cellar used the Wine Enthusiast's review. I thought this was a very enjoyable white wine. It has citrus and pear flavors, smelt like apricots and was not very tart. 

Tasting- Emeri Pink Moscato

This was the last wine that we tasted at the Vintage Cellar on Saturday. This Emeri Pink Moscato did not have a vintage printed on the bottle, made in south eastern Australia. The Vintage Cellar said, "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." I thought the was a fun sparking wine. I tend not to like Moscato in general because it seems to sickeningly sweet. But this Moscato was not as heavy and sweet as normal, and had a strong strawberry flavor. This is part of the Valentines package, so all my roommates and I bought one to enjoy on February 14th. 

Tasting- Coreto Tinto

While I was at the Vintage Cellar for a wine tasting I picked up a bottle of Coreto Tinto to share with my roommates. It is a 2010 from Lisboa, Portugal priced at $6.95 of the Tinto variety. The Vintage Cellar said, "Despite its light touch, this is fruity and full, with its blackberry fruit dominating the warm spice note and acidity. Soft tannis keep the wine together." I thought this was a great red wine that can be enjoyed by anyone. It was light, fruity and a wine I will be buying again soon. 

Tasting- Chocolate Box GSM

The fourth wine we tried at the Vintage Cellar was Chocolate Box GSM 2009, made in Barossa, Australia priced at $18.95, made from a blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro. The Vintage Cellar said, "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 rhubarb. Spice and cinnamon on the palate over a robust and generous body. Made from a blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro." I thought that this Chocolate Box GSM had a lovely deep red color, with hints of spices, vanilla, cherries and chocolate. It was one of my favorites from the seven wines we tried on Saturday.

Tasting- Dom de la Quilla Muscadet

Last Saturday I went to the wine tasting at the Vintage Cellar and the first wine we tried was Dom de la Quilla Muscadet, 2011 from Loire, France priced at $9.95, and Melon de Bourgogne grape variety. The Vintage Cellar said, "Oyster Wine!!! The real key to the wines from Domaine de la Quilla is that the Vinet's 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!" I thought that the Dom de la Quila Muscadet had a high fruit essence, was tart, and slightly sparking.