Tasting-Trimbach Variety: Riesling (white)+

Name: Trimbach

Variety: Riesling

Region: Alcase

Country: France

Year: 2010

Price: $22 (for 375 ml bottle)

Shop/wine critic/winery review: “One of the world’s finest grape varieties ! ” Riesling is the most emblematic of Alsace grape varieties. Its delicate bouquet, the fine balance between its dry personality, its distinguished fruitiness and its natural vitality contribute to its exceptional richness. As the house style dictates, it is vinified dry Pair with : Riesling can be enjoyed throughout the meal, also with Alsace specialties, shellfish, seafood, quality fish, sushi/sashimi, white meats in white wine sauces or spices, pork dishes and refined spicy or Asian dishes. Pierre Trimbach says 2010 is the more “vibrant, precise and pure vintage in the last years”. Current vintage : 2010 Ageing Potential :  Around 5 years

My review: It smells very sweet and floral, like candied flower petals. I’m not sure that’s actually a thing but that’s what I’m getting. It’s really quite delightful. There’s a tartness on the pallet that I was not expecting after the nose. Still quite good though, the acids aren’t running rampant. It’s like unsweetened lemonade or weak tea with lots of lemon.

CONCLUSION: Would drink again

Not tasted with food

Tasting-Latour Chablis La Chanfleeure Variety: Chardonnay (white)-

Name: Latour Chablis La Chanfleeure

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Burgundy

Country: France

Year: 2010

Price: $28

Shop/wine critic/winery review: Chablis remains one of the best bargains for white Burgundy and this one from Louis Latour, one of Burgundy’s best producers, should be snapped up.  This village Chablis -- Chanfleure is the name of the pipette used to extract wine from a barrel for tasting -- is clean and crisp with underlying invigorating minerality and a zesty lemony finish.  It’s “unoaked” Chardonnay at its best.

My review: It’s got that spoiled sweet smell that so many white wines disappoint me with, but it’s not over powering with this one. Definitely gets better the more it sits out. There are some light fruits coming though on the nose, like pear and peach. The taste is pretty inexcusable. It’s overly acidic with a lasting bite to it and a strangely bitter aftertaste. It’s almost starchy the way it coats your mouth.

CONCLUSION: Would not drink again.

Not tasted with food

Tasting-Valle Reale Cearsulolo D’abruzzo Variety: Rose: Montepulciano (Rose)-

Name: Valle Reale Cearsulolo D’abruzzo

Variety: Rose: Montepulciano

Region: N/A

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Price: 15

                

Shop/wine critic/winery review: Cerasuolo, which means 'cherry red' in Italian, is a voluptuous and powerful rosé version of the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC wine.  Made entirely from Montepulciano, the grapes are grown on hillside estate vineyards, where they benefit from a high altitude and an excellent microclimate. Tasting Notes: Intense salmon-pink in color, with generous aromas of strawberry jam and wild herbs.  This wine is medium-bodied and fresh, with layers of fruit flavors and a lingering finish. Perfect for summer parties, Cerasuolo is recommended with grilled tuna, swordfish, quail, white meats, or mixed pasta salads.

 

My review: It smells very nicely sweet with a rich colored tropical-ish fruit smells, maybe papaya maybe passion fruit, I’m not entirely sure It’s quite fruit punch. The taste is like a dulled version of the smell. Still sweet but it’s almost as if the sweetness isn’t associated with any flavor isn’t just kind of there. Pretty disappointing after the awesome smell.

CONCLUSION: Would not drink again.

Not tasted with food

Tasting-Robert Hall Variety: Orange Muscat (white)-

Name: Robert Hall

Variety: Orange Muscat

Region: Pasa Robles, California

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $25

Shop/wine critic/winery review: A vivid yellow-gold in color, this wine entertains the senses with fresh citrus and orange blossom aromas with a touch of sweet ginger spice echoed by bright, sweet tropical fruit flavors. Medium-bodied, the Orange Muscat features a balancing crisp acidity that brightens the finish. Pair with spicy cuisine, as an accompaniment to dessert or as an aperitif. 3.2% residual sugar.

My review: It smells sweet like baked goods just out of the over then drown in too much icing. These a hint of a perfumed floral note in the background. This is WAY too sweet on the palate. It’s like they took watered down juice and then melted gobs of sugar in it. They really needed to tamper this sweetness level down with carbonation or maybe making it a rose and adding some red wine in, and this is coming from someone who hates red wine and eats icing out of the can. This is really unappetizing.

CONCLUSION: Would not drink again.

Not tasted with food

Tasting-Sandeman Rainwater Madeira Variety: Tinta Negra Mole (dessert)-

Name: Sandeman Rainwater Madeira

Variety: Tinta Negra Mole

Region: Madeira

Country:  Portugal

Year: N/A

Price: $20

Shop/wine critic/winery review: Sandeman Rainwater Madeira is made in the traditional manner on the Atlantic island of Madeira, The rich soil and volcanic subsoil give this wine a unique character which is enhanced by the winemaking and ageing in "estufas". It is light in body but full in flavour, well balanced and a good accompaniment to many classic dishes such as soups and pates. It is also an essential ingredient in classic cuisine. Medium light amber colour with pronounced golden highlights. Clean nutty aromas, light complexity and very agreeable. Brilliant wine - a good quality young Madeira in evolution. Medium flavour, nutty and slighty complex, with a good clean finish. The character of Sandeman Rainwater Madeira make it a perfect match for many appetisers,such as soups, bisques, foie gras or pate. It is also a respected ingredient in classic high quality cuisine and adds a unique touch of flavour to any dish. Once open Sandeman Rainwater Madeira can remain fresh for up to 4 - 8 weeks.

My review: Rainwater is a pretty misleading name. It’s got a sickly sweet very powerful smell. There’s a sweet herbiness to it take makes it rather reminiscent of a cough drop. It taste first and foremost of alcohol, but it’s not as bad as some sherries and ports I’ve had. Definitely wouldn’t pay money for it, but not the worst wine of this category I’ve tried. It’s sweetness level is very high, but it doesn’t come off as a fruit sweetness so much as added sugar.

CONCLUSION: Would not drink again.

Not tasted with food