Tasting - Chateau Morrisette Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Chateau Morrisette Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $29

Winery Review: Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic choice for the red wine drinker and this Virginia example does not disappoint. Complex aromas of vanilla, plums, and a faint herbaceous character are combined with rich fruit and barrel derived flavors on the palate. Our 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon was produced with fruit from one of our quality growers in Tyro, VA. It was fermented in a stainless steel tank and aged in a blend of American and French oak for 18 months. Best served between 60º-65ºF.

My Review: The wine presented with a dark ruby red color. The nose was of strong vanilla and cherry which created a wonderful aroma. On the palate, the wine tasted of mainly red fruit specifically cherry with a bit of an oaky, vanilla flavor at the end. This wine finished long and smooth and was a delight.

Tasting - Chateau Morrisette 5 Red Grapes

Name: Chateau Morrisette 5 Red Grapes
Variety: Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot

Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $15

Winery Review: Aroma: Loaded with cherry and plum. Palate: Cherry, plum with velvety feel derived from French Oak. Finish: Long, smooth, crisp finish. This smooth, balanced blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot has a sensual lifted nose of dark tree fruits such as cherries and plum. The beautiful aromas carry through on the palate supported by a delicate, velvety mouthfeel derived from the careful use of neutral and second fill French oak. This smooth red has a lengthy finish with crisp acidity and lasting dark cherry flavors. The five varieties presented together in this wine were fermented separately as individual components. This allowed each variety to be harvested when it had reached its optimal maturity in the vineyard. These individual varieties each had unique characters that were meticulously blended to craft this elegant, smooth, and delicious red wine. Five Red Grapes is ready to drink now, but will continue to develop and improve over the next 3+ years.

My Review: The wine had a light ruby red color to it. The nose was of cherry with some light spice. The palate was similar with red fruit specifically tart cherry. It had a nice medium body and was smooth throughout with a long finish. This was a splendid red blend.

Tasting - Anciano Tempranillo Reserva Aged 5 Years

Name: Anciano Tempranillo Reserva Aged 5 Years
Variety: 100% Tempranillo

Region: Valdepeñas
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $8

Winery Review: Color: Ruby red shading to brick red at the edges

Nose: Balsamic and licorice notes along with rich fruit compote

Palate: Fresh fruits and balanced tannins

Finish: Long, intense finish

Food match: Stews, red meat and mature chesses

My Review: The nose on this wine was pretty fruity with notes of red berries, leather, and a bit of oakiness. The taste was earthy to me as I tasted mushrooms and licorice with a bit of a bite to it. It had a long finish but was not very smooth. I can’t say I really liked this much.

Tasting - The Seven Deadly Zins

Name: The Seven Deadly Zins
Variety: 100% Zinfandel

Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $16

Winery Review: A Lodi Zinfandel at its finest, this wine showcases the style you've come to love and expect from 7 Deadly Zins. It offers fresh ground pepper and an array of spices, thanks to the 12 months in American oak. Dried fruit (cranberries and dates) on the mid palate, with a finish reminiscent to a slice of warm boysenberry pie. This is a great value Zin that satisfies every time.

My Review: This wine is very fragrant. Big, bold berries specifically raspberries, currants, blackberries, and a hint of blueberry entice the nose. The taste is very fruit forward with red berries mainly raspberries and licorice with a hint of vanilla. It is very smooth and has a short finish. Quite tasty. Despite 15% alcohol it doesn’t taste hot. 

Tasting - Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewürztraminer

Name: Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewürztraminer
Variety: 100% Gewürztraminer

Region: Washington
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $10

Winery Review: This Gewürztraminer is a flavorful wine with bright, expressive fruit and clove spice. This is a lush style of Gewürztraminer with intense floral character, yet it still maintains the grape’s natural crisp acidity. A majority of the fruit is from selected cooler sites in Washington’s Yakima Valley, which yields bright, aromatic Gewürztraminer fruit.

My Review: Gewürztraminer is my favorite white varietal with Vidal Blanc. I had high hopes and I was not disappointed. It was fruity on the nose, more tropical than floral. Some passion fruit came through. The taste was similar with more tropical notes mixed with honeydew and honeysuckle. It had a short finish and slightly sweet.

Tasting - Chateau Morrisette The Black Dog

Name: Chateau Morrisette The Black Dog
Variety: Chambourcin, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot

Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: NV
Price: $11

Winery Review: A unique blend of Cabernet, Chambourcin and Merlot produces this exceptionally smooth semi-dry red wine. Its appealing spicy character and medium body enhance many dishes as well as light hors d’oeuvres. It’s obviously well bred!

My Review: There is a strong smell of berries on the nose specifically blackberry and raspberry. It is very fruity. As for the taste, it is very similar with more berries coming through with some spices on the back end. It is slightly sweet but not too much. It is very enjoyable. It has a short finish but quite smooth.