Tuesday, May 27, 2008

QUINTA DE CABRIZ - RED WINE BLEND

Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $10
Producer: Dao Sul
Region & Country: Carregal do Sal-Portugal
Grape Variety: Red Wine Blend (Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz & Touriga Nacional)
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: Provenance Food & Wine, Chicago, IL - 05/08/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 05/27/2008
Note: The bottle you see in the picture was not taken by me. Unfortunately, my bottle was misplaced, but the label was the same.

Appearance: Very purple. It actually looks exactly like grape juice.
Nose: Soft, cherry aroma
Taste: Fruity; Slightly hot
Finish: Juicy, but turns dry very fast
Overall Impression: It was a good wine. I think it would be better by itself, no food combo. It had a good fruit taste.

Overall Rating
: 87/100
Overall Value: ***.5 / 5 Stars

Sunday, May 25, 2008

ZONIN DOLCE - ASTI

Vintage: ???
Price Range: $11
Producer: Zonin U.S.A.
Region & Country: Portacomaro D'Asti, Italy
Grape Variety: Asti
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 05/24/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 05/25/2008

Appearance: Very light yellow
Nose: Light pear scent
Taste: Sweet pear flavor
Finish: Buttery; Fruity melt-away
Overall Impression: This asti was very good. You'll give it "Two Thumbs Up!"

Overall Rating: 90/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars

KILLER BEE - MALBEC

Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $16
Producer:
Vina Santa Alicia
Region & Country: Maipo Valley, Chile
Grape Variety: Malbec
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 05/24/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 05/25/2008
Note: I got into a car accident today and spend 5 hours in the emergency. Not to worry; I'm okay. Now it's time for some wine.

Appearance: Deep, dark red; garnet
Nose: Warm, citrus aroma
Taste: Fruity, flavorful, very bold
Finish: Taste lingers; It is flavorful but it also lasts
Overall Impression: This wine was delicious! I really liked it and think it would make a great stand-alone wine. I would bring this to a party or give this as a gift if you want to impress.

Overall Rating: 95/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

CALZO - MALBEC

Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $9
Producer: Prestige Wine Group
Region & Country: San Rafael, Argentina
Grape Variety: Malbec
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 05/15/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 05/20/2008

Appearance: Glossy purple-red
Nose: Sweet and warm
Taste: Juicy; soft flavor
Finish: The fruit flavor lingers.
Overall Impression: This had an average taste, but it was good. It was also a great deal

Overall Rating: 88/100
Overall Value: ***.5 / 5 Stars

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

ROZA RIDGE - MERLOT

Vintage: 2002
Price Range: $17
Producer: Roza Ridge Vineyard
Region & Country: Zillah, Washington, USA
Grape Variety: Merlot
Recommended By: N/A - I grabbed it because it was the last bottle in stock at the store.

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 04/15/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 05/13/2008

Appearance: Deep, dark burgundy
Nose: Spicy, cherry scent. It was slightly hot, and then toned down
Taste: Slightly spicy cherry, dry
Finish: Stays warm in the mouth
Overall Impression: Roza was great with food, like steak and pasta. I also liked the finish a lot.

Overall Rating: 89/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

SERGIO'S BLEND - SHIRAZ

Vintage: 2004
Price Range: $20
Producer: Sergio Carlei
Region & Country: Victoria, Australia
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Recommended By: Wine Club

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 05/07/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 05/07/2008

Appearance: Dark, cherry red
Nose: Plum scent with cheery accents
Taste: It is a little spicy, but very flavorful
Finish: Dry finish and slightly acidic
Overall Impression: This wine went well with pasta, but I believe it would be a good stand-alone wine as well. It was very tasty and I really liked it. Good!

Overall Rating: 90/100
Overall Value: ***.5 / 5 Stars

Monday, May 5, 2008

MARKOWITSCH - BLAUFRANKISCH

Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $12
Producer: Markowitsch
Region & Country: Austria
Grape Variety: Blaufrankisch
Recommended By: Gentleman @ Provenance

Place & Date Purchased: Provenance Food & Wine, Chicago, IL - 03/22/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 05/05/2008

Appearance: Light, mulberry color
Nose: Slightly hot, yet sweet. There is a fruity scent to it.
Taste: Flavorful. This wine is slightly spicy, yet sweet also.
Finish: Citrus
Overall Impression: I really liked this red. This was a great stand-alone wine. It was so flavorful and had a great taste.

Overall Rating
: 95/100
Overall Value: ****.5 / 5 Stars