Tasting- Monte Aman

Name:  Monte Aman

Variety:  Tempranillo

Region:  Arlanza

Country:  Spain

Year:  2009

Price:  $5.95

VC review:  Fermentation of selected grapes in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Aging in American oak casks for 5 months followed by 3 months in the bottle before being released in the market. Inky ruby. Ripe cherry and plum on the nose. Smooth and fleshy, with deep dark fruit flavors complicated by bitter chocolate and anise. A spicy quality adds lift and focus to the weighty fruit. Offers an appealing mix of power and energy and drinks very well right now.

My notes:  The nose is bright, potent with acid, and offers notes of dark fruit.  The taste of this wine is definitely complicated and difficult to pin down.  I know I like it, but I just don't know exactly what is going on.  I get some spice and sort of a smoky flavor.  It is pretty hot with alcohol at 13.5%.  I would try this one again.  

Food:  n/a

Tasting- Cortenova

Name:  Cortenova

Variety:  Montepulciano

Region:  Abruzzo

Country:  Italy

Year:  2010

Price:  $6.95

VC Review:  Deep ruby red color with violet highlights and a pleasant and fruity bouquet. Full bodied, soft tannins and good acidity. Excellent with pasta dishes and red meats. 

My notes:  The bouquet begins with bracing acidity, but ends sweet with hints of vanilla and berries.  It is difficult to get any notes out of the taste of this wine besides the obvious acidity.  I would probably not drink this one again.  

Food:  n/a

Tasting- Maipe

Name:  Maipe

Variety:  85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier

Region:  Mendoza

Country:  Argentina

Year:  2012

Price:  $7.95

VC Review:  30% malolactic fermentation, 30% was aged in French oak barrels. Brilliant yellow golden color with green hints. The wine is crisp and filled with white peach, pear, green apples flavors, toasty vanilla. Elegant and luscious wine, well balanced. Crisp and long finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, pork, veal, vegetables.  

My notes:  This wine has a much more potent nose with hints of perfume.  I can also detect the oak in the nose.  This wine is very drinkable and well balanced due to its slight acidity and creamy mouthfeel (probably due to the malolactic fermentation).  It is not too dry or oaky, which many Chardonnays are for my taste, so I would drink it again.  

Food:  n/a

Tasting- Villa d' Orvieto

Name:  Villa d' Orvieto

Variety:  Grechetto, Procanico (Trebbiano), and Malvasia

Region:  Orvieto

Country:  Italy

Year:  2011

Price:  $6.95

VC Review:  Fresh and crisp, it has a beautiful, floral bouquet.  It is wonderful with appetizers, fish, chicken, and salads.   

My notes:  The bouquet is floral and slightly tropical, which is really nice.  For me the taste doesn't quite deliver though.  It is slightly sweet and really really light.  I would like to try it again with food, but I probably wouldn't get it by itself again.  

Food:  n/a

Tasting- Dibon Cava (Take 2)

Name:  Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

Variety:  45% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada

Region:  Penedes

Country:  Spain

Year:  NV

Price:  $9.95

VC review:  Light gold with plenty of bubbles, this wine has aromas of apples and pears with pleasant floral notes. Crisp and light-bodied on the palate, stone fruit flavors are accompanied by a mild minerality and

balanced acidity. A delicious sparkler for a great price!

My notes:  The nose definitely expresses apples and pear (I got that without the VC review's help!).  It slightly stings the nostrils from acidity.  This wine is effervescent with notes of sour apple and a good balance between sweet and dry.  I know we have already tasted this wine, so it was interesting to do the tasting without remembering what I wrote a few weeks ago.  If you do go back to Feb. 17's post, you will see that the review was favorable with the apple coming through.  So it is nice to know that my palate, while getting a little better at identifying tastes and smells, remains pretty consistent in regards to whether I like a wine or not.  

Food: n/a