Tasting Morada Sangria

Name: Morada  

Variety: Sangria

Region: not listed 
Country: Spain

Year: no vintage

Price: $4.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Morada Sangria is a traditional Spanish drink mae with red wine and citrus extracts.  Garnet color and fresh on the palate.  Pasteurization preserves the color, aromas and flavors.  7% Alcohol. It is a very refreshing Sangria with around 85 grams of sugar.  Sangria is now one of the hottest items in the beverage industry and it’s growing exponentially year to year.  Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit like peach, banana or apple.

My Review: When I tried this Sangria, I didn’t realize I was drinking Sangria, I was just trying wines.  I was surprised that this had no wine flavor at all but felt like juice.  The color was light and it smelled extremely fruity.  I could pick up strawberry, orange, and a fruity soap.  It smelled crisp and I expected bubbles.  The taste was really soapy, more that I would like.  It was really sweet and zesty, with a smooth after taste.  It was really aromatic.  Just breathing in the air above the glass you could already taste this wine.  It was really light and fruity like a mixture of apple juice, pineapple, and citrus.

Tasting Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Lost Vineyards

Variety: Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: not listed 
Country: Argentina

Year: no vintage

Price: $4.95

Vintage Cellar Review: 60% Shiraz 40% Cabernet Sauvignon It is dry and contains subtle tobacco undertones with a black licorice, cherry scent.  The oak is in the background.  Would pair well hamburger or a steak rather than stand alone

My Review: The smell of this wine is fruity.  The color is a nice purple, it’s a little dark.  There is a light peppery first taste and a fruity aftertaste.  This threw me off because usually the fruitiness comes first and the pepper hits after.  I taste a little blackberry tartness.  There is a smoky feel to it, and it seems woody but not nutty even though it is dry and I typically correlate nuttiness and dryness.  It’s a little bit bitter, not too spicy. A little surprising with the flavors and feels of this wine.  Not bad.     

Tasting Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola

Name: Villa Pozzi

Variety: Neor D’Avola

Region: Sicily 
Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $8.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Very dark purple, with a reddish-violet edge, typical of this grape.  Black plums, a hint of licorice and subtle spice, not overly complex but appealing.  A big mouth full of juicy black fruit is well structured by tart acidity and soft but distinct tannins. 

My Review: The color of this wine is pretty dark but still a true red color.  The smell is peppery and spicy and there is a dry and bitter aftertaste to this wine.  For my taste it is too dry.  It feels nutty.  It creates the sensation of licking hundreds of walnut shells, and its rather uncomfortable on the middle of the tongue.  There isn’t too much fruitiness.  I would say this wine is a little harsh and very very dry. 

Tasting Tres Ojos Rose

Name: Tres Ojos Rose

Variety: Garnacha Tempranillo

Region: Catatayud 
Country: Spain

Year: 2009

Price: $1.95

Vintage Cellar Review: 50% Tempranillo 50% Garnacha This medium rose-colored Rosado boasts a spicy red cherry/plum nose with a soft lush attack of red berry fruit flavors and a crisp dry finish.  Simple and refreshing and a natural for tapas.

My Review: The smell is vaguely of strawberries, really light and inoffensive, doesn’t smell too alcoholic.  The color is not fairy light and the smell is not at all spicy.  The taste is semi-dry but sweeter than expected.  The little tang is pleasant, and finished very smooth and cool.  This simple wine doesn’t offer much in complexity but for the incredibly low price it has a nice hint fruit and cherry.