Wine Tasting - Silk and Spice: 2019 Red Blend

 

Name: Silk and Spice: 2019 Red Blend

Variety: Portuguese Red Blend: 40% Touriga Nacional, 30% Alicante Bouschet and 30% Baga

Region: Dão, Bairrada, and Lisboa

Country: Portugal

Vintage: 2019

Price: 15$

 

Winery Review: “This powerful, rich wine is succulently packed with black fruits. With its balance already assured between its spicy edge and silky tannins, the wine is ready to drink now. “ – 91 – Wine Enthusiast

 

Wine Folly: Primary flavors of the main variety Touriga Nacional include “blueberry, violet, plum, mint, and wet slate”.

I could tasty them plum.

 

My Review:

The wine smelled very jimmy with fruity notes of cherry and plum. It had a spicy and peppery finish. The primary flavors of this wines were very fruity and focused on cherry, plum, and strawberry. It had a really enjoyable leathery and tannic finish. Although it smelled spicy, the actual wine was quite sweet and smooth. Overall a well balance wine that I would certainly buy again.

Tasted without food but with friends.

Wine Tasting - Rombauer Vineyards: 2019 Zinfandel

Name: Rombauer Vineyards: 2019 Zinfandel

Variety: Zinfandel

Region: California: Napa Valley

Country:  USA

Vintage: 2019

Price: 35$

 

Winery Review: “This richly layered berry-and-chocolate parfait of a wine exudes blackberries, black plums and milk chocolate on a creamy, smooth texture. A full body, soft tannins and a mouthcoating richness give it plenty of personality.” - JIM GORDON – 91 – Wine Enthusiast

 

Wine Folly: Primary flavors include “raspberry, strawberry, peach preserves, cinnamon, and sweet tobacco”.

I could taste the raspberry and strawberry.

 

My Review:

WOW! This was a unique wine. It smelled of super dark fruit like blueberry or blackberry, with a bit of an oaky finish. Despite, having a lighter taste than smell, this was a very full-bodied wine. It tasted of strawberry and raspberry with a mildly oaky finish. It was very smooth and only a bit tannic for how full bodied the wine was. This was a very well-balanced wine.

Tasted without food, but with friends. 

Wine Tasting - Schlink Haus: 2020 Riesling Kabinett Nahe

Name: Schlink Haus: 2020 Riesling Kabinett Nahe

Variety: Riesling

Region: Nahe

Country:  Germany

Vintage: 2020

Price: 13$

 

Winery Review: “Aromas of yellow peach are accented by hints of earth and smoke in this soft, sunny Kabinett. Off-dry in style, it's a peachy, easy-drinking wine balanced by a kiss of tangerine acidity on the finish. Best enjoyed young.” ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA – Wine Enthusiast - 86

 

Wine Folly: Primary flavors include “lime, green apple, beeswax, jasmine, and petroleum”

I could taste the green apple.

 

My Review:

A simple wine with a strong floral, grape, and apple smell. It was VERY sweet and basically tasted like grape juice with hints of apple. It had a tart and smooth finish. Overall, although a bit boring, it was a really enjoyable wine that would be great on a summer evening.

 

Tastes on its own with no food, but with friends.

Wine Tasting - Chateau de la Chaize: Brouilly 2017

 

Name: Chateau de la Chaize: Brouilly 2017

Variety: Gamay

Region: Brouilly (Beaujolais)

Country:  France

Vintage: 2017

Price: 25$

 

Winery Review: “Delectable, fruity nose underscored with aromas of red fruits and notes of nutmeg spice. Generous and aromatic on the palate, with supple, mellow tannins. Notes of red fruit and spice offer depth and lively acidity. Expressive, generous and enjoyable right now, this is a perfect wine to enjoy with a slight chill. Pair with all meats, chicken, wild mushrooms, and strong cheeses.” – Taub Family Selections

 

Wine Folly: Primary flavors include “pomegranate, blackberry, violet, potting soil, and peony”

I could taste the blackberry.

 

My Review:

A month ago I would have said that I really didn’t like red wine very much. However, the past three weeks have really changed that. To be honest, I like red wines significantly more than whites wines now, and this Beaujolais has confirmed that.

I LOVED this wine. Primary smells include raspberry, blackberry, and vanilla. It tasty sweet and acidic, with fruit notes of strawberry and orange. This wine wasn’t particularly tannic, and had a smooth and cedar reminiscent finish that I though was fantastic. I though this wine was fantastic, and I would absolutely pay 25$ for it again.

Wine Tasting - Rickshaw: 2019 Pinot Noir

 

Name: Rickshaw: 2019 Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: California

Country: USA

Vintage: 2019

Price: 13$

 

Winery Review: “This smooth, medium-bodied wine is lavishly spiced with vanilla, cinnamon and toasted oak flavors, while a modest vein of red cherry remains in the background.” - JIM GORDON – Wine Enthusiast

 

Wine Folly: Primary flavors include “cherry, raspberry, mushroom, clove, hibiscus”

I could taste the cherry and mushroom.

 

My Review:

I first tasting, I originally thought this was mediocre wine as best. But after a few more sips, it really started to grow on me. This wine smelled like strawberry, vanilla, and raspberry. However, the taste was very different. Other than a bit of cherry, I could also taste no fruit in this wine. This wine tasty earthy, mushroomy, and leathery with hints of oak. It was mildly tannic and smooth.

Tastes on its own with no food, but with friends.

 

 

Wine Tasting - N.V. Friezenet: Prosecco D.O.C.

 

Name: N.V. Friezenet: Prosecco D.O.C.

Variety: Sangiovese

Region: Prosecco

Country: Italy

Vintage: NA

Price: 17$

 

Winery Review: “Crisp, fresh and zesty. Aromas of white pear and citrus. Perfect as an aperitif or companion to fresh seafood. Love the holiday bottle.” – Natalie Maclean - 88/100

 

Wine Folly: Primary flavors include “green apple, honeydew, pear, lager, and cream”

I could taste the green apple and pear.

 

My Review:

The first sparkling wine I’ve tried this semester was a bit of a disappointment. I wouldn’t say that this wine was bad, it just wasn’t anything special. It smelled dry with primary notes of grape and hints of green apple and lemon. It had a very light body with a smooth finish. The overall taste was very dry and simple, and honestly just tasted like grapes with a hint of sour green apple at the end. Regardless of the taste, it was very refreshing.

Tastes on its own with no food, but with friends.

 

Wine Tasting - Upshot: 2019 Red Wine Blend

 

Name: Upshot: 2019 Red Wine Blend

Variety: Malbec (32%); Zinfandel (32%); Merlot (25%); Petiti Verdit (6%); Riesling (5%)

Region: California

Country: USA

Vintage: 2019

Price: 10$

 

Winery Review: “This deep ruby colored kitchen sink red blend from Upshot opens with a strawberry and cinnamon bouquet with hints of peach and pipe tobacco. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, slightly acidic and juicy. The flavor profile is plum and cocoa blend with notes of minerality. I also detected a hint of strawberry in the aftertaste. The finish is dry and its tannins stick around for a while after its gone. This offering is a good mid-week value wine to enjoy with burgers off the grill or with meatloaf. Enjoy” – Ken’s Wine Guide

 

Wine Folly: Primary flavors of malbec include “red plum, blackberry, vanilla, sweet tobacco, and cocoa”

I could taste the cherry and plum.

Primary flavors of zinfandel include “ blackberry, strawberry, peach preserves, cinnamon, and sweet tobacco”.

I could taste the strawberry and smell the cinnamon (spice).

 

My Review:

My first time trying a blended wine. This wine was very fruit forward in both smell and taste. The primary smells were of cherry and plum, with hints of spice and cedar. It had a strong taste of cherry and plum, with hints of cedar. For a red, this wine was not particularly tannic and was very smooth. After eating pizza with this wine, it tasted even more plummy.

Tasted with pizza and salad.