Name: Barao de Figueira
Variety: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca
Region: Beria
Country: Portugal
Vintage: Tinto Reserva 2013
Price: $12, on sale for $7.95
Shop Review: "From vineyards at 2000 feet elevation, this is a rich and spicy wine that has a pure streak of fruit freshness and a firmly tannic core. It is perfumed from Touriga Nacional in the blend, with red berry and black plum flavors coming through strongly along, balanced by acidity. It will be better from 2017."
My Review: This wine had a dark purple color. I got aromas of lentils, tea, pepper, and metal. It was dry and astringent. I did not enjoy this wine at all. However, the description says "will be better from 2017" so maybe it will get better with age?!
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Garnacha de Fuego Rose
Variety: Old Vines Grenache
Region: Aragon
Country: Spain
Vintage: 2014
Price: $10, on sale for $2.95
Shop Review: "The Garnacha de Fuego Rose is a solid effort that has a light salmon color to go with notions of cherry blossom, orange peel and herbs de Provence. Medium-bodied, supple, fresh easy-drinking, and an outstanding value at $3."
My Review: This wine was the hit of the night. I did not like it at ALL. However, college students were buying it left and right because it was only $2.95 lol. I almost got a light oaky aroma. It was kind of bitter. Like I said, I did not like this wine.
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Villa Vitas
Variety: Ribolla Gialla
Region: Venezie
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2014
Price: $18, on sale for $6.95
Shop Review: "The 2014 Ribolla Gialla shows more minerality, nice quince, white currant and citrus oil notes, a dry, refreshing mouthfeel and a fragrant bouquet."
My Review: This wine was interesting to me because I had never heard of the grape Ribolla Gialla. In fact, I had to Google it! It's also pretty cool that it comes from Venice, Italy. I didn't know they grew wine grapes there. I thought this wine was ok. I got peach/pear aromas and very floral notes on the palate. This wine was also acidic.
Pairing: Nope!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Prime's Ruby Port
Variety: N/A
Region: Oporto
Country: Portugal
Vintage: N/A
Price: $18, on sale for $9.95
Shop Review: "Ruby color; red fruit aromas; pleasantly sweet and balanced taste. As the wines used to produce Prime's Ruby Port age, they gain smoothness and elegance while retaining their fruitiness, intensity and youthful ruby color. They are then blended together for balance and consistency."
My Review: Wow! I've got a story for you! I tried this wine originally and did not like it. It was way too powerful. I got aromas of molasses and soy sauce and there were sediments in the deep brick color. BUT THEN that bottle finished and we started pouring the next bottle, which had a different color and taste. I really liked this one a lot better. It was sweeter, whereas the previous was more umami flavors. We called over the master, Randall, and asked him what he thought. Turns out, the one I really liked was just a hair bad (or as Randall put it, it's not bad, it's just different than the rest). He said it was still totally fine to drink so I got that bottle (don't judge). Just goes to show how different tastes can be!
Pairing: Not yet! :)
Until next week, cheers!
Natalie
Name: Lindeman's Bin 80
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (79%) and Merlot (21%)
Region: Southeastern
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2015
Price: $18 magnum (1.5 L), on sale for $7.95 -- great deal!!
Shop Review: "Medium red in color with ruby hues. On the nose aromas of dark red berries, black currants and ripe plums. While the palate is medium bodied, with dark red berries and a soft tannic finish."
My Review: This was definitely my favorite of the evening! It was spicey, oaky, and just a classic Cabernet Sauvignon taste. It was very yummy but left a warm/hot aftertaste feeling.
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Domaine du Poujol, Coteaux du Languedoc
Variety: Grenache Cinsault
Region: Languedoc
Country: France
Vintage: 2011
Price: $13, on sale for $5.95
Shop Review: "Minerally and berry notes make for a savory blend of flavors in this fine-grained red. Dried berry fruit dominates, with accents of white pepper and dill seed. Delivers lively acidity on the finish. Drink now through 2018."
My Review: This wine was floral and earthy. I didn't enjoy this one too much, but maybe it is better with food (or age since it says 'drink now through 2018').
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
Name: Pazo de Monterrey
Variety: Godello
Region: Monterrei
Country: Spain
Vintage: 2014
Price: $15, on sale for $5.95
Shop Review: "Clean, minerally, slightly green in aromatics and oh so approachable and nice. For an under $15 white, this Godello, from Monterrel excels with layered flavors of apple, minerals and natural spice. The finish is long and hints of fresh herbs like thyme and tarragon. Potentially superb with garlic shrimp or calamari over fresh greens."
My Review: This white had more of a light yellow/honey color to it. I got aromas similar to sherry, surprisingly. It was acidic and just bad, in my opinion. Many liked it though!
Pairing: Not with this wine!
Cheers!
Natalie
