I had only one non-repeat wine during last weekends tasting. It was the new vintage of Trivento Amado Sur Malbec.
Trivento 2010 Amado Sur Malbec ($13) is from Mendoza, Argentina. This is 80% Malbec blended with 10% Bonarda and 10% Syrah. The flavor was dark fruit and spice with a flash of black pepper. Medium tannins that were nicely integrated. Customers enjoyed this wine.
Winemaker's Notes: A deep red wine with dark blue tones and aromas of dark fruit combining with notes of black pepper, anise, cinnamon and chocolate. Lush flavors of plums and berries give way to velvety tannins and a persistent and pleasant finish.
One year ago today I reviewed Trivento 2009 Amado Sur Malbec. Click on the link to see that review and compare the two vintages.
While in Costco I happened upon Risata Pinot Grigio. For a few reasons I had to taste this wine - 1. The weather here in Richmond, VA is turning warmer, 2. I've been reviewing red wines, and 3. I've also tasted, and enjoyed, Risata Moscato (reviewed on August, 26, 2011).
Risata 2010 Pinot Grigio ($12 Costco) is 100% Pinot Grigio and from Fruili, Italy. The aroma is a nice light fruit (not citrus for me). The flavors on my palate are mostly citrus. This is a light body wine. Nice flavor. Glad I tasted it. It would be easy to pair with food.
Winemaker's Notes: Risata Pinot Grigio has wonderful aromas of pear, citrus and melon. On the palate, flavors of pear and apple with citrus accents mix with a crisp and refreshing finish. Pairs well on its own, scallops, shrimp, grilled fish, or summer salads.
I had a wine tasting for Simi 2008 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($24) from Sonoma County, California. A medium body wine with a deep garnet color. Unfortunately, the plastic tasting cup did not allow the aroma to come through. The flavor was a light cherry, berry, tobacco, and an earthiness. Tannins are medium and nicely balanced. Customers enjoyed.
Winemaker's Notes: Simi 2008 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, deep garnet color with a ruby edge. Enticing aromas of baking spices, hints of cedar, chocolate, and toasty oak notes frame bright fruit of red cherry, black plum, and cranberry. These aromas carry forward to flavors of red plum, cassis, blackberry, and cherry preserves gently spiced with lively cedar and clove. This medium- to full-bodied, nicely structured wine finishes with rich, dark chocolate tannins. Our Alexander Valley Cabernet is irresistible with wild mushroom pasta, snapper Puttanesca, and duck confit with lentils.
At my tasting last weekend I tasted out Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Cabernet ($17). This is from Columbia Valley, Washington. It is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 9% Merlot, 3% Syrah, 2% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot - aged for 16 months in American and French oak (31% new). The aroma was a heavenly dark fruit and spice. The flavor a hint of dark fruit with more coffee on the palate. Medium tannins that were nicely integrated. Customers enjoyed this wine.
Winemaker's Notes: "Our goal with the Columbia Valley Cabernet is to highlight concentrated Washington red fruit in an accessible style. This is our inviting Cab with plenty of complexity and structure with silky tannins. It’s also very versatile with food--try it with beef, pork or pasta.
Food Pairing:
Foods: bleu cheese, duck, beef, veal, dark chocolate
Herbs: mustard, paprika, rosemary, thyme
Spice: allspice, cloves, ginger, mace, nutmeg"
Chateau Ste. Michelle wines are some of my favorites. I know customers always rave about their Chardonnay. I was so excited last weekend when I tasted out their Merlot.
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2008 Merlot ($17) is from the Columbia Valley in Washington. This is 91% Merlot blended with 7% Syrah, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon; aged for 15 months in American and French oak (31% new). A medium bodied wine. Alas, no aroma in the plastic tasting cup (this drives me insane and makes me want to bring a wine glass with me). There was a light fruit flavor with leather and a hint of spice. Low tannins that are nicely integrated. Customers enjoyed.
Winemaker's Notes: “We craft this wine to be our complex yet approachable Merlot. The wine offers aromas of black cherry, leather and spice with layers of rich dark red fruit flavors. A touch of Syrah adds a jammy fruit character. I think of this wine as a great “everyday red.”
Food Pairing:
Foods: beef, lamb, grilled salmon, hearty pastas
Herbs: basill, oregano
Spice: allspice, nutmeg, star anise"
When doing my wine tastings customers always ask for wine recommendations. When it's come to Italian wine they have been asking me my thoughts on Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. The piece of vine tied to the label was catching their eye. (Just like it did for me on their Pinot Grigio which I reviewed on January 28, 2012.) I had not tasted it before, nor had I received any comments on it from customers. You know me ... I had to taste.
Cantina Zaccagnini 2008 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is from Montepulciano DOC, Italy. It is 100% Montelpuciano d'Abruzzo and is aged for 4 months in Slavonic oak barrels. The color is a dark red. The aroma is dark fruit, earthiness and tobacco. The flavor has a hint of dark fruit with spice, earthiness and tobacco. After breathing the acidity and tannins smoothed out, as did the spice, the earthiness and tobacco was no longer noticeable. Nice. Enjoyable.
Winemaker's Notes: Intense ruby red colour with violet nuances; intense characteristic bouquet of the primary grape aromas; fruity component, full-bodied and robust, well-balanced with tannin and oak features.
I had the opportunity to taste another distributors wine when I did my wine tasting --- Gascón 2010 Malbec ($14). This is from Don Miguel Vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina. The color is a deep, rich purple. In the plastic tasting cup I was not able to detect an aroma. The flavor was spice and black pepper. Tannins were between light and medium. A nice full body wine. Very popular with customers.
Winemaker's Notes: Don Miguel Gascón Malbec is a full bodied wine with a deep violet color, showcasing flavors and aromas of blackberry, blueberry, plum, dark cherry, and a hint of mocha. The wine is elegant and rich in texture, with soft, round tannins and a long velvety finish. Gascón Malbec pairs well with grilled red meats, wild game, pasta dishes and chocolate molten dessert.
Trivento 2010 Amado Sur Malbec ($13) is from Mendoza, Argentina. This is 80% Malbec blended with 10% Bonarda and 10% Syrah. The flavor was dark fruit and spice with a flash of black pepper. Medium tannins that were nicely integrated. Customers enjoyed this wine. 
