Tasting- Reserve Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône

Name:  Reserve Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône
Variety:  70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cinsault
Region:  Rhone Valley
Country:  France
Year:  2010
Price:  $14.95/ 750mL  $38.95/ 3L
VC 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, lavender, 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 notes:  This Old World Rhone showed a beautiful nose of dark fruit.  The taste revealed much more earthiness, as one would expect from a wine like this.  The terroir is expressed cleanly with many herbal notes and a possible tobacco note as well, all balanced nicely with dark cherries.  I know this wine would be a good investment.  
Food:  n/a

Tasting- Lobetia (Tempranillo)

Name:  Lobetia
Variety:  Tempranillo
Region:  La Mancha
Country:  Spain
Year:  2011
Price:  $9.95
VC 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 notes:  The nose on this young tempranillo was bursting with black cherry and ripe berries.  Although there was not much on the midpalate and the acid was a little high, I could see this wine being very good after decanting for awhile, or even aging a few years in the bottle.  The soft tannins and berry notes held it together nicely.  Also, I would like to give a little shout out to my good friend Grace in the class who had the idea of using some sustainable wines for Earth Week this year.  And also, thank you for the Vintage Cellar for organizing that as well.  
Food:  n/a

Tasting- Lobetia (Chardonnay)

Name:  Lobetia
Variety:  Chardonnay
Region:  La Mancha
Country:  Spain
Year:  2011
Price:  $9.95
VC 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 notes:  I forgot to ask, but I would venture to say this chard is unoaked because of the freshness and fruitiness.  The nose showed mango and apple and the wine was very clean with a nice mouthfeel.  My hatred of chardonnays at the beginning of the year was definitely unfounded.  I think I just don't like super oaked chardonnays.  
Food:  n/a

Tasting- Trattoria Busa Alla Torre De Lele

Name:  Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele
Variety:  Pinot Grigio
Region:  Veneto
Country:  Italy
Year: NV
Price:  $7.95
VC 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 notes:  The color was of yellow straw rather than my usual experience with ultra clear pinot grigios, due to the extended skin contact.  I think this also produced a much more rich and fuller wine.  The nose had hints of grapefruit and floral components, as did the taste of the wine.  I would like to visit this restaurant, but I very well could have because when I went to Venice, I didn't remember much.  Fun town.  
Food:  n/a

Winery visit- Fork & Cork

Yesterday, I went to the day drinking extravaganza of the year some call Fork & Cork.  It was my first time attending, but I really enjoyed myself and pretty much all of the wines.  Yes the lines were long, and at first, I was a bit cranky, but once I stepped up to the first booth (finally) it all changed.  The winemakers and pourers are so knowledgeable and friendly, and wine just heals all.  The first winery booth I waited for was AmRhein Wine Cellars about 30 minutes away in Bent Mountain, VA and this is where (while I was still sober), I took my best notes, so these are the 7 wines I will review.  I got the chance to also taste Veritas, Barren Ridge, Peaks of Otter, Savoy-Lee, and Virginia Mountain.  

Chis Fucking Evans and I anxiously waiting for wine

Wines 1-7 are all from AmRhein Wine Cellars
Wine #1
Variety: Pinot Gris
Year:  2011
Price:  $16
Winery review:  This crisp and refreshing wine boasts lemon and apple flavors with a touch of almond on a nice lingering finish
My notes:  The nose was very clean with definite stonefruit aromas.  The taste showed some vanilla, probably oweing to the fact that the pourer said it was lightly oaked.  It was very drinkable and light.  

Wine #2
Variety:  Vidal Blanc
Year:  2011
Price:  $18
Winery Review:  This  intriguing wine features sweet, luscious tropical fruit. It is a well structured wine that is rich in taste, and very elegant with a smooth finish that is clean and refreshing.
My notes:  The nose was very elegant with a floral and tropical component.  It smelled of honeysuckle and hibiscus.  The taste for me did not deliver though.  It was nice and easy, but not very complex.  

Wine #3
Variety:  Petite Manseng
Year:  2011      
Price:  $13
Winery review:   Showcases creamy apricot with rich fruit flavors of apple, pear and citrus that rise from the glass in this barrel fermented wine
My notes:  The color on this one was a darker yellow straw color.  The nose was tropical with an almost suntan lotion, rubbery note.  The taste was clean with pear and peaches, but a weird aftertaste that I couldn't quite pinpoint.  

Wine #4

Variety:  Traminette
Year:  2011
Price:  $15
Winery review:   A delightfully crisp wine featuring the flavors of pineapple and grapefruit. The acidity is balanced with the natural residual fruit sugar reminiscent of the German Spätlese style of winemaking.
My notes:  The nose smelled of grapefruit with an overpowering note of petrol.  The taste echoed the nose with the sweetness of grapefruit and other citrus flavors, but the bitterness of the petrol note.  It was very interesting.  And we ended up buying a bottle of this one and drinking it in the next line.  

Wine #5

Name:  Veranda
Variety:  Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Verdot
Year:  2005
Price:  $18 
Winery review:  A blend of cabernet sauvignon, syrah and petit verdot makes a full bodied, mature fruit wine with flavors of black plum, chocolate and coffee.
My notes:  On the nose and in taste, this wine comes across as a chocolate covered strawberry.  It was so clear that I really couldn't percieve any other notes.  It had a great mouthfeel and a nice structure.  I was a huge fan.  

Wine #6

Name:  Passion
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel 
Year:  2006
Price:  $17
Winery review:  Create your own passion while enjoying a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. The arousing cherry aroma introduces the flavors of tart cherry, raspberry and plum, with hints of pepper with a background of supple oak tannins.
My notes:  The nose on this one was floral with notes of ripe berries, with a bit of vanilla.  The taste echoed many of these notes, with soft tannins and a smooth flavor.  My friend noted "It tastes like I just drank a flower."  

Wine #7

Name:  Seduction
Variety:  Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay
Year:  2006
Price:  $19
Winery review:  Enjoy the seduction of Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay grapes with a broad palette of fruit flavors that intertwine to form a luscious semi-sweet wine.
My notes:  The nose is soft and fruity.  The taste had notes of strawberry and cassis, but the chardonnay in the blend gave it a nice lightness and acidity.  

Wine+Food
Name: Harmony (Barren Ridge Winery)
Variety:  Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Voignier, Traminette
Year:  2011
Price:  $16
Winery Review: Abundant citrus flavor with notes of tropical fruits, apricots, and honey
My notes:  The nose on this wine is crisp with aromas of pear, green apple, and honey.  The wine is clean and fruity with residual sugars balanced by crisp citric acid.  We bought a bottle of this wine.  I then had some homemade kettle corn with this wine.  The pairing actually worked really nicely.  The popcorn was still hot and salty, but slightly sweet.  The refreshing crispness of the wine cut the saltiness and warm buttery flavors of the popcorn, while the sweet honey flavors in the wine echoed the slight sugar in the popcorn.  Not your typical food and wine pairing, but I will definitely not be afraid to try popcorn with wine again.  

Tasting- Concannon

Name:  Concannon

Variety:  Shiraz

Region:  Central Coast, California

Country:  US

Year:  2008

Price:  $7.95

VC 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 notes:  The nose is very nice with raspberry and spring flowers coming through.  The taste is tannic and a little dry, but jammed full of ripe fruit.  There is a nice balance between dry and sweet.  I really enjoyed this wine. 

Food: n/a

Tasting- Ksana

Name:  Ksana

Variety:  Bonarda

Region:  Mendoza

Country:  Argentina

Year:  2008

Price:  $9,95
VC 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 notes:  There is something a little off on the nose of this wine.  It has your standard dark cassis and blackberry notes but with a rubbery, new shoe smell as well.  The taste is very well balanced between spice and berry, acidity and dryness.  

Food:  n/a