Zeppoli's Wine Tasting Feb.6, Red Wines

Name: Allamand
Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Valle de Uco
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $11.99

Winery Review: It is a 100% Malbec that comes from 15-20 year old vines planted in the Uco Valley region. Located at the foot of the Andes range, more than 3,150 ft above sea level, this region produces some of the most refined and elegant Malbecs from Argentina. Deep purple color, lots of violets in the nose, and natural great acidity, are the typical characteristics of this typical Uco Valley "appellation" Malbec.

My Review: This wine had a smooth mouth-feel. It was dry and had spicy, tart notes reminiscent of black olives. There was a little heat coming through. The legs were seductively long.

I had this wine with food.

Name: Crucero
Variety: N/A
Region: Colchagua Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2010
Price: $7.99

Winery Review: Alcohol 13.5% "Herbal, powerful and varietally on the money, with common but well-executed aromas of earth, blackberry, and olives. The palate offers proper weight and intensity, while the flavors of black plum, raspberry and tea are just herbal enough to scream out 'Carmenere.' Tasty and consistent from nose to finish. - M.S."
-Wine Enthusiast (December 1st 2010), 88 points + Best Buy "Top 10 under 10"

My Review: The nose was herbal and had spicy flavors coming through. The taste was very dry and earthy with heavy black pepper.

I had this wine with food.

Name: Maipe
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Mendoza
Country:Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $8.99

Winery Review: Alcohol 13.5% This Cabernet Sauvignon has an intense ruby red color with aromas and flavors of ripe blackcurrant, red pepper, mint, chocolate, and vanilla hints. The fruit and tannins are perfectly balanced to give a wine of excellent structure making it ideal for grilled meats, game, pasta, or pizza.

My Review: There were tobacco notes on the nose during the swirly swirly. This Cab Sauv was very full bodied and mature. It tasted earthy and of black cherry and berries with just a touch of dryness.

I had this wine with food.


Name: Gen 5
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Lodi
Country:California
Year: 2009
Price: $11.25

Winery Review: Alcohol 13.9% - We strive for a friendly Cabernet Sauvignon, with juicy red and black fruit flavors that is well-balanced and textured and soft on the palate.
Review: 92 points (2009), Wilfred Wong: "Taking Lodi into a whole new level, the finely-tuned '09 Gen Cabernet shows intricate and complex flavors; ripe for sure, yet classy and refined; long finish."

My Review: The nose smelled of rubbing alcohol and sterile notes. The taste was smoky and of mushrooms. There was good tannic structure

I had this wine with food.

Zeppoli's Wine Tasting Feb.6, 5 White Wines

Name: Crucero Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc 
Region: Cruico Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2010
Price: $10.25

Winery Review: Sauvignon Blanc is the fabled grape of both Bordeaux Blanc and the Loire Valley (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume). This varietal exhibits aromas of musk, melon, pine, & grass. The finish is zesty and citrus-like, and goes very well with chick and seafood.

My Review: On the nose, this wine was very lemony and I got the citrus notes described in the review. It was a very smooth, silky wine with just the right amount of crisp. This was my favorite wine we tasted all night out of the nine.

I drank this wine with food provided by Zeppoli's such as brie on crackers, salad, pasty dishes with olives, and cheese stuffed pasta.

Name: Hugues Beaulieu
Variety: Picpoul de Pinet
Region: Coteux Du Languedoc
Country: France
Year: 2010
Price: $8.50

Winery Review: Alcohol 12.5% - Citrus and exotic fruit dominate this fresh, crisp and lively wine from the South of France. Well-balanced with good acidity. A perfect match to seafood or shell fish.

My Review: This wine was very tart and acidic. There was a lot of heat coming through which I found unpleasant.


 I had this wine with food at Zeppoli's.

Name: Manos Negras
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Tulum Valley, San Juan
Country: Argentina
Year: 2009
Price: $12.75

Winery Review: Alcohol 13% The high altitude desert of the Tulum Valley in San Juan, Argentina provides ideal conditions for this once minor Spanish grape to flourish in unique and exciting ways. The warm sunny days and cool mountain nights produce wine of light yellow color, with explosive floral aromas, citrus fruit flavors and a crisp, clean finish.

My Review:  The nose of this wine had sterile tones, similar to rubbing alcohol which was a little off-putting. However when tasting the wine, there were floral notes and I got a lot of lavender.

I had this wine with food.

Name: Sombras Del Sol
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Valle Central
Country: Chile
Year: 2008
Price: $6.99

Winery Review: Alcohol 13.5%, 20% in French Oak. This refreshing Chardonnay has intense aromas of sweet tropical fruit and notes of vanilla and chestnuts. A blend of freshness and creaminess, the citrus character comes through along with sweet fruit on the palate.

My Review: This wine was full-bodied and extremely smooth. It was evident that there was no malolactic fermentation. The taste was briny, salty, with a little bit of butterscotch. The saltiness could be attributed to the fact I was eating the pasta with olives at the time. Regardless, this wine had a little zing to it!

I had this wine with food.

Name: Rinaldi Red Dream Filtrato Dolce
Variety: 100% Malvasia Nera
Region: N/A
Country: Italy
Year: N/A
Price: $12.99

Winery Review: Alcohol 7% The wine is ruby red but not too deep, fruity, and pleasant. It's a dessert wine, it is possible to appreciate it at his best if you serve it chilled. This frothy fruity red wine delivers flavors of honeysuckle and black pepper. Light, fun, and exciting; it's great for parties and light fare.
My Review: This wine was my favorite of the night, which is no surprise since I enjoy sweet, dessert wines. The nose was fruity and smelled of berries. This wine was fizzy and I enjoyed the sweetness of it, paired with a chocolate cupcake. It had pear notes to it.

I had this wine with a chocolate cupcake.

Wine Tasting at the Vintage Celler, Feb. 2nd

Name: Royal Chenin Blanc
Variety: 100% Chenin Blanc
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2009
Price: $4.95

Winery Review: This is an unwooded Chenin Blanc, and is made from 48 year old vines in the Swartland wine growing region. "This wine packs a deceptive punch. And that punch tastes of apples, pears, and quince, with an appealing herbal note that helps it pair well with salads and other light fare. Don't drink it too cold, or you might miss all the fruit." - Washington Post (June 2010)

My Review: I really liked this wine, so much so that I bought a bottle. It tasted very fruity to me, and had a berry quality to me. I also thought that it was not hot and the alcohol taste was not noticable. The wine was very fresh tasting.

I tasted this wine without food.


Name: Coldstream Hills Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Yarra Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2009
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Predominantly fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks, with a small portion barrel fermented in older French oak, the wine is blended, bottled and released three to four months after fermentation. The nose shows fragrant gooseberry characters with underlying passionfruit and lychee aromas. Minerally, stalky notes are evident and provide additional complexity. The palate is a fine and elegant style with zesty lemon acidity and length. Varietal characters of passionfruit pulp and gooseberry dominate with hints of lemon peel in the background.

My Review: This wine smelled woody and had a herbal taste to it. I agreed with the review the wine was very zesty and lemony tasting. This Sauv Blanc was good but not to my tasting.

I tasted this wine without food.


Name: Marques de Moral Crianza Tempranillo
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: Valdepenas
Country: Spain
Year: 2007
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: 87 Points, Stephen Tanzer
Medium red. Aromas of redcurrant and cherry, plus a hint of dried rose. Fleshy and smooth, with moderate depth to its slightly bitter red fruit flavors. Finishes with decent breadth and grip, with the redcurrant element joined by a hint of white pepper.

My Review: This was very tart. It was a little peppery and a little hot.

I tasted this wine without food.


Name: Le Lapin Multiplicity
Variety: Blend of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Refosco
Region: Paso Robles
Country: California
Year: N/A
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Multiplicity is a blend of grapes that rabbit ridge is keeping under wraps for now. The nose is black cherry, blackberry, a little plum and some spice, with a touch of forest floor. The palate is full of fruit and spice, with flavors of black cherry and a slight cranberry note. Nice firm tannins and a medium finish.

My Review: This wine is full-bodied and has a woodsy quality.  I think the review is pretty accurate and the wine is fairly spicy.

I tasted this wine without food.


Name: Opera Prima Moscato
Variety: N/A
Region: N/A
Country: Spain
Year: N/A
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: This is an amazing value for an inexpensive Moscato sparkler that is great for many occasions. Its bright fruit aromas of lychee and lime are appealing and the flavors of honeydew, lime and lychee are delightful. Great for cake or fruit-based desserts.

My Review: I found this wine had a floralness to it that tasted of lavender. It was fizzy, being a sparkling wine, which I found refreshing. I also thought it was very sweet but I enjoy sweet wines so I really enjoyed it. On a color note, it had pink blush tint.

I tasted this wine without food.