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.

Wine Tasting - Badia a Coltibuono: Chianti Classico 2019

 

Name: Badia a Coltibuono: Chianti Classico 2019

Variety: Sangiovese

Region: Chianti

Country: Italy

Vintage: 2019

Price: 23$

 

Winery Review: “A young, fresh, everyday wine from one of Tuscany's most legendary estates. It is a delightful wine with bright cherry, blackberry, and clove notes. Perfect for pasta, pizza, and young cheeses.” – Wine.com – Wilfred Wong.

Wine Folly: Primary flavors include cherry, plum, tomato leaf, leather, and clay pot”

I could taste a bit of cherry and plum.

 

My Review:

I set my goal this week to find a red wine that I actually thoroughly enjoyed and this wine may be it. This was a fruit forward wine that smelled and tasted primary of blood orange with hints of cherry, plum, and cedar at the end. It was tannic, with a bit of heat and a tart finish.

Tasted with pizza and salad. 

Wine Tasting - De Mont: Coteaux Varois en Provence Rosé 2020

 

Name: De Mont: Coteaux Varois en Provence Rosé 2020

Variety: Rose

Region: Provence

Country: France

Vintage: 2020

Price: 10$

 

Winery Review: “3.9. High value rosé. Strawberry, melon & citrus nose. Crisp edge to the minerals. Touch of effervescence. Rhubarb, apple & lemon tart. Bit of cedar in the finish. Excellent value if you like crisp minerals, somewhat tart fruit & slightly astringent finish.” – Mike Gallagher

 

Wine Folly: Primary flavors include “strawberry, honeydew melon, rose petal, celery, watermelon”.

The only flavor I could taste was strawberry.

 

My Review: A light bodied simple rose. Honestly not a ton of flavor in this wine, and it tasted watered down. It smelled very fruity with notes of strawberry, grape, peach, and apricot. It tasted sweet of grape and strawberry, with a smooth yet sour finish. Overall, it tasted fine but was boring.

Tasted on its own without food.

Wine Tasting - Poppy: Pinot Noir 2018

 

Name: Poppy: Pinot Noir 2018

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: Monterey County

Country:  USA

Vintage: 2018

Price: 14$

 

Winery Review: “The red fruit brightens across the palate, picking up raspberry and spice are balanced by the French toasted oak aromas. Soft and silky through the middle, this wine crescendo on the finish leaves a juicy memory in the mouth, with proper acidity and a pleasant mouth-feel. “ – Binny’s Beverage Depot

 

Wine Folly: Primary flavors include “cherries, plum, mushroom, clove, and hibiscus”.

I could taste the cherries and plum. And the mushroom flavor is similar to the earthy/musty flavor I tasted.

 

My Review: I yet to find a red wine that I could honestly drink a whole bottle of, but this Pinot Noir may be that that bottle. With a vintage of 2018, the red was extremely smooth but still tannic. It smells jammy with notes of plum, cherry, strawberry, vanilla, and a bit of earthy mustiness. It tasted fruity with strong hit of cherry and a bit of oak.

Tasted along with dinner with pizza and a salad.

Wine Tasting - Warre's Warrior Finest Reserve Porto

Name: Warre’s Warrior: Finest Reserve Porto

Variety: Port

Region: Pinhão and Rio Torto valleys

Country:  Portugal

Vintage: NA (Blend)

Price: 18$

 

Winery Review: “A fruity style, with luscious plum, raspberry and cherry flavors that are deep and rich. Asian spice and dark chocolate notes linger on the fresh, minerally finish. Drink now through 2025. 11,500 cases imported.” – Wine Spectator

 

Wine Folly: Primary flavors include “plum, dried cherry, chocolate, cinnamon, and raisin”.

I could taste the plum and dried cherry, and the eat at the end was reminiscent of cinnamon.

 

My Review: Wow. This was a powerful wine with a lot going on. It smell like vanilla, raspberry, and hot cinnamon.  It tasted very jammy and sweet, and reminded me of raspberry. The finish was extremely hot and reminded me that this wine was 20% alcohol. It was bit oakey. Overall, although it wine wasn’t awful, but it was too powerful for me to enjoy. Hopefully, it was smooth out after a week.

Wine Tasting - Magistrate: Limited Production Sauvignon Blanc 2020

 

Name: Magistrate Limited Production Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Marlborough

Country:  New Zealand

Vintage: 2020

Price: 10$

 

Winery Review: “Look: Hue - pale yellow Clarity - clear Nose: Crisp lemon, grapefruit, cantaloupe melon, apple, pear, pineapple, minerality Taste: Body - medium Sweetness - dry Acidity - medium Tannin - none Alcohol - 12.9% ABV Flavors - lemon peel, green apple, melon, pineapple, peach, chalk, grapefruit Finish - medium Thoughts: Simple wine that is well balanced and very refreshing, especially considering the price point. Not as acidic as other New Zealand sauv blancs. Would recommend to others.” – Patrick Lockhart - Vivino

 

Wine Folly: Primary flavors include “gooseberry, honeydew, white peach, grapefruit, and passionfruit”.

I couldn’t pick up on any of these flavors in the wine.

 

My Review: This wine was very simple but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It this case it works very well and makes this wine extremely enjoyable. The smell was crisp, sweet, and was very grape and fruit forward. It also had hints of green apple. The taste was smooth,  sweet, and had a puckering sour finish. The primary flavor was green apple with a bit of salted lime.