Tasting--Chateau Morrisette Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

The Wine

Name: Chateau Morrisette Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Eastern Coast (VA)

Country: USA

Year: 2009

Price: $17.99 (Chateau price)

Chateau Morrisette Review

"Rich cherry and blackberry aromas arise from this deeply hued wine. Tasting yields plum and cherry flavors predominantly, with some spice and cedar for good measure. Aging over fifteen months in oak barrels helped mature the tannins in this wine to a smooth, silky texture in the finish. The aftertaste resonates with spice and vanilla. Tannat, Merlot, and a small portion of Cabernet Franc wines were married into the Cab Sauv for depth and complexity."

My Review

Only one descriptor stands true for both the nose and palate of this wine: strawberry jam. It smells and tastes like fresh, warm strawberry jam, and it is delicious! It has the right amount of toast taste to tone down all the fruitiness and lends a homemade richness to the wine, much like a fresh pie from Mom or Grandma. When aerated, the wine opened up considerably. The palate morphed into a rich strawberry-raspberry mixture, tasting rich like candy with a non-sweet ending. This wine is fantastic for a Virginia wine and even better that it is locally made. This wine would be an excellent choice to give as a gift to a friend.

Tasting--Chateau Morrisette Indepenence

The Wine

Name: Independence (Chateau Morrisette)

Variety: Blended dry white wine

Region: Eastern Coast (VA)

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $12.99 (at Chateau Morrisette)

Chateau Morrisette's Review

"A blend on Traminette, Vidal Blanc, Riesling, and Chardonnay, this refreshing dry white wine is packed with the lively fruit characters of grapefruit and melon. The smooth texture and entrancing aromas of white flowers and roses complete this delicious tribute to Independence."

My Review

This wine was deliciously light bodied and very smooth on the palate. With a nose of fresh-cut flowers (think Carnations), a glass of this will have you sitting out on the front porch in early evening with a light breeze blowing. On the palate the wine strikes first with citrus, high on the lemon notes, and finishes with a slight orange aftertaste. While there was no distinct mid-palate, this wine's simplicity makes it a wonderful choice for summer outings and a light alternative to heavier wines. Plus, a portion of the proceeds go to support rescue dogs raised in Roanoke, VA. What could make a wine more delicious than that?!

Winery Visit--Chateau Morrisette, Floyd, VA

Chateau Morrisette

The Winery

Chateau Morrisette is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd, Virginia, at little under an hour from the Virginia Tech Campus. I went with a group of friends on March 24th, and we were greeted to the beautiful grounds of the winery with a ferocious hail/thunderstorm that lasted the entire time we were there. Needless to say, the weather was just about as perfect as it could get for staying inside.

Because of the weather we were unable to do the full tour, but we did do a complete tasting with a knowledgeable sommelier who was able to tell us, at much depth, about the history of Chateau Morrisette.

The winery offers roughly ten dry wines, four off-dry wines, three sweet wines, and one fruit wine (their Blackberry Wine, which is a delicious adult fruit juice). Dry wine, of course, indicates the lack of residual sugar, and thus, those dry wines were not nearly as sweet tasting as the sweet wines--those with residual sugar. Off-dry, which was a new descriptor to me, means that the residual sugar is barely perceptible in the taste of the wine, making it more sweet to the taste than a dry wine but nothing quite as sweet as a classic rose wine.

While there we learned a little of the history and the mechanics of the winery. The winery officially began in 1978 with just a few cuttings. Over the past 30 years the winery has expanded and now has room to house about 180-190, 000 gallons of wine, with around 130,000 gallons of that being held in stainless steel. The facility is extremely beautiful and well maintained, surpassing my expectations.

I will be posting a few follow up blogs on the tastings that I did while there. If you have not visited this winery and you are in Southwest Virginia, you should do so!

Tasting--Peter Mertes Liebfraumulich Rheinhessen Qualitatswein 2009

The Wine

Name: Peter Mertes

Variety: Liebfraumlich Qualitatswein

Region: Europe

Country: Germany

Year: 2009

Price: $5.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Review

"Liebfraumlich is a soft, delicate wine of the Rheinhessen and Palatinate districts. The original wine was named after the Liebfraumlich monastery in Worms, where the monks were the first wine growers and produced an unusually pleasing wine. Wines of the Rheinhessen and Palatinate are noted for their aroma, well-balanced harmony, and fragrance. Liebfraumlich, as all excellent white wines, is best served chilled. We suggest serving with cold entrees, as well as poultry, such as chicken or turkey, or even with a mild cheddar, mellow and slightly nutty with a medium consistency."

My Review

This wine is for the sweet wine drinkers and the dry wine drinkers alike. While definitely not dry, this wine kept its sweetness in check. The nose of this wine was exactly like the 90s kid childhood favorite, Capri Sun, with a little bit of pineapple juice mixed in. The palate of the wine was like weak applesauce finishing on a generic light summer fruit, such as melon. The wine taste could be best described as watery, as it was so light and airy in taste.

I would not say that this wine is un-enjoyable because of its lack of strong taste. In fact, I feel that this is the area in which the wine succeeds. The airy taste in conjunction with its chilled temperature creates a refreshing alternative to water for a warm weather outing. Toting this wine along on a picnic or cookout would be a great choice. Well worth its price and then some.

Tasting--Col Des Vents Corbieres 2009

The Wine

Name: Col Des Vents

Variety: Corbieres

Region: Europe

Country: France

Year: 2009

Price: $7.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Review

"50% Carignan, 35% Grenache, 15% Syrah. Brambly berry, cherry and raspberry, spices, black pepper...all are present in this authentic French country wine."

My Review

This wine was a beautiful, dark red in the glass. Its presentation was very appealing, with a nose of black pepper, cherry, wood smoke, and dark chocolate. The smell was completely mouth-watering! And to beat it all, its taste really delivered. Upon the forefront, I detected cherry, like cherry cobbler. In the mid-palate, the taste was of wood chips, much like those used for grilling. The wine finished in a black pepper very reminiscent of jerky.

For the price range of this wine, this one was a steal! It was a fantastic example that price does not always indicate quality when it comes to a delicious wine. This wine would be good in any occasion, but I would recommend tossing some roast in it to flavor the meat and then serving a glass of it right along with the dish. It was scrumptious and would age very well. Go out and buy a bottle! See (taste) for yourself!

Tasting--San Elias Carmenere 2010

The Wine

Name: San Elias

Variety: Carmenere

Region: South America

Country: Chile

Year: 2010

Price: $5.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Review

"The grapes for this Carmenere are selected from vineyards in the Central Valley. Beautiful red fruit aromas. Supple and round in the mouth, the wine pairs well with full flavored cheeses and lamb."

My Review

Well, what can I say? This wine pretty much MUST be had with food. It was the first of this variety that I've had, and according to the sommelier, is a very general representation of its kind. The nose of this wine can be summed up by one vegetable--green bell peppers. I mean, wow! did I feel like I was inhaling fresh cut bell peppers. The palate was exactly the same...bell pepper explosion in the form of a thin bodied wine! It wasn't bad, but drinking green bell peppers was a little strange for me. While I did not dislike this wine, I do feel I would have liked it much better had I had it with a dish such as beef stir-fry or something that could maximize on this wine's vegetation flavor.

Tasting--Estrella Chardonnay 2010

The Wine

Name: Estrella

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: North America (Napa, CA)

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $5.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Review

"Intensely flavored and balanced with layers of vanilla, butter and pear, followed by apple, banana and oak."

My Review

For a chardonnay, I found this wine good. Let me clarify--I do not like chardonnays...at all. I generally try to stay as far away from them as possible when I do the choosing. This chardonnay,however, I considered buying. The nose of the wine did not have that horribly faint piss smell most chardonnays do. Instead, the nose of this wine was of canned pears and strawberry, like a canned fruit salad. The palate of the wine was strawberry on the forefront, fading into a mellow mid-palate of banana. The finish of the wine was candy, think if Starburst had a strawberry banana fusion flavor. It had just enough bite at the end to keep it from being too sweet. For the price range and the variety, you really couldn't get a more pleasing wine. This is sure to be an inexpensive crowd pleaser-- a win-win, if you will.

Tasting--Zonin Pinot Grigio 2009

The Wine

Name: Zonin

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Europe

Country: Italy

Year: 2009

Price: $5.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Review

"Pale straw-yellow color with brilliant reflections. Delicately fruity bouquet, with outstanding finesse and marked hints of almond blossom and peaches. Elegant, soft and well-structured fruit on the palate, with remarkable freshness and a clean, persistent aftertaste."

My Review

Upon the nose of this wine I detected a mixture of flowers, think a flower shop and the different scents mixing there, and petrol. While the petrol scent may seem unappealing, it is very faint in this wine and should not throw those faint of heart off. The palate of the wine was simple as it had not opened up yet within the shop. On the forefront the wine tasted of citrus, kind of like the immediate taste of cold Sprite--minus the carbonated sugary-ness. The taste then hit a faint mid-palate of alcohol, finishing with a tart candy aftertaste. While I do not completely detest this wine, it didn't impress me. A great taste for the value, no doubt, but if you are serving for a smaller party where the wine will go around farther then something from a higher price range will work better. This particular wine would be spectacular in a homemade sangria recipe.

Tasting--Kendall Jackson Riesling 2010

The Wine

Name: Kendall-Jackson Vinter's Reserve Riesling

Variety: Riesling

Region: North America (Central Coast, CA)

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $13 (Kroger)

Critic's Review:

"Deliciously crisp with lots of fruit and subtle spice notes. Layers of apricot, peach and orange blossom mingle with bursts of aromatic jasmine and a delightful finish." - Randy Ullom, Winemaster

My Review:

For my first endeavor into Rieslings, this wine was good. The bouquet of the wine was a characteristic mix of sweet citrus fruits and petrol. The petroleum smell, as unappealing as it sounds in theory, was actually appetizing as it was light and a bare whiff--just enough to add an edge. The wine tasted of a mixture of pears and apples at first, with apricots in the mid palate and sweet on the finish. There was no heat from the 13% alcohol content and was light bodied and refreshing.

As a trial wine, this was a good choice--not too cheap nor too pricey and ended up tasting surprisingly well. Despite its cat pee like smell (which became stronger as the wine warmed up to room temperature), this wine would get a solid B in the grading of wines.

Tasting--Trapiche (Oak Cask) Malbec 2010

The Wine

Name: Trapiche (Oak Cask)

Variety: Malbec

Region: South America (Mendoza)

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: about $10 (Kroger)

Critic's Review:

"Smoke, rubber and spice aromas mix with ripe berry scents to form a solid and impressive bouquet. It's thick and saturated but balanced, with harmonious, easy to like flavors of blackberry and cassis. Long and solid on the finish; captures the essence of value-priced Malbec."88 Points, Wine Enthusiast

My Review:

This wine was impeccable for its price, although I received it by way of gift, which makes it all the better. The bouquet of the wine was of cherries/red berries and hints of vanilla like an afterthought. The wine, upon taste, was smoky, meaty, with a solid finish of berry. A medium body, no alcohol heat (for 14%), and refreshing taste (not tannic in the least as compared to most reds) helped to make this wine a complete winner. This is the perfect wine for a dinner party or sitting around snacking, as I prefer it!

Tasting--Chateau Morrisette Blackberry

The Wine

Name: Chateau Morrisette Blackberry Wine

Variety: Blackberry

Region: North America (Floyd Country, VA)

Country: USA

Year: none given on the bottle

Price: about $11 (Kroger)

Critic's Review:

Winemakers at Château Morrisette just couldn’t leave well enough alone. Not content with only grapes, they have crafted a delicious new fruit wine from summer’s bounty of sun-ripened blackberries. One of life’s simple pleasures here in our little part of paradise.

Sweet and smooth, this Blackberry Wine is packed with the vibrant fruitiness of succulent, sun drenched berries. Try it lightly chilled with most any grilled or spicy food. --Radford Florist

My Review:

For a non grape wine, WOW!

I know what you are thinking-- a non-grape wine tasting like anything other than alcoholic kids' drink mix? But man! does this wine deliver. This wine, when chilled, was light bodied and thin, keeping its juicy blackberry taste in check. The mid palate had a sweet, cinnamon and nutmeg note that kept this from tasting like a jug of juice.

Plain and simple: you have to try this wine. For its price and the ease of drink, this wine would convince even those who don't like wine into second guessing their choices. While it does not pack the seeming sophistication of the more established, common wines, this wine did not hang around long in the bottle. This wine is perfect for a tasting among friends...but you want to be sure to bring a couple of bottles along because it goes so fast.

Tasting--Lazzaro Chardonnay

The Wine

Name: Lazzaro

Variety: Chardonnay (oaked)

Region: South America

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: $7 (Vintage Cellar)

Critic's Review:

Opens with mellow peach and melon aromas and some oak. The palate is round, creamy and full. Tastes of spiced, dried apple with a stalky, pithy accent. --Vintage Cellar

My Review:

Upon first opening, the color of this oaked Chardonnay was a rich golden color. The initial bouquet was a mixture of pears, apples, and a musty scent--almost chemical like. When sipped, the taste was spicy, cheesy, with a touch of applesauce thrown in. The body of the wine was a medium light, with a slightly tannic sensation.

After it was chilled open for an hour, the bouquet opened into an oaky, almost leafy mixture with hints of pecan and maple candy thrown in. As the wine opened up more, a faint paint smell presented itself. The taste of the wine was of pears, light maple syrup, and a Yellow Delicious finish. The body was light, the wine dry and tannic.

Personally, I preferred this wine over the No Chardonnay, which I compared it to in an experiment between oaked and unoaked styles. This wine had a richness to it that the other lacked and a nice, overall sweetness. While I still would chose a full bodied red over this type of wine, I would recommend this specific one as a cheap and solid choice to gift, take along, or drinkable wine...if you want a Chardonnay, of course.

Tasting--No Chardonnay

The Wine:

Name: No

Variety: Chardonnay (unoaked)

Region: Monterey County, California

Country: USA

Year: 2008

Price: $15 (Vintage Cellar)

Critic's Review:

The wine has a bright, alluring nose with high tone tropical fruit and rich melon flavors. The wine is vibrant and pure on the palate without lactic acid to weigh it down. A fabulous food wine that can be paired with a variety of seafoods, light fare and savory cheeses, it is also wonderful on its own.--No Wines

My Review:

This wine, upon first opening, had a champagne color. The bouquet of the wine was sour with hints of cucumber and canned tuna. The taste was the exact opposite, having lime in the forefront and a distinct melon on the mid palate. The wine was light and dry.

After chilling the wine for an hour while open, the wine's bouquet opened up into a combination of grass, apples, and pear--like a fruity vegetation. The taste improved as well, morphing into lemon, Granny Smith apples, and Bartlett pears. The body was still light, but the aftertaste was refreshing.

I am not a fan of Chardonnay, but this one brought a nice change to the table. While I am not completely sold on seeking out this wine again (due to personal taste of course), I do recommend avid Chardonnay lovers to try this one as it differs significantly from oaked versions.