Wine Tasting: 2006 Shotfire Shiraz

Name: Thorn-Clarke Shotfire
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Barossa Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2006
Current Price: $15-$20

Winemaker's Review:
With a Barossa heritage of six generations, and years of carefully planned vineyard development, it's little wonder that Thorn-Clarke produces fine and true examples of the wines that have made this region world famous. When our ancestor James Goddard discovered gold in 1870 in the Barossa, so began a family dynasty intrigued by geology. A fine legacy reflected in the family's expertise in producing wines that characterise the individual terrior of our vineyards. Shotfire Ridge immortalises the shotfirer's hazardous job of setting and lighting the charges in the mines. As he cried 'fire's on!' to clear the site quickly, he would run for shelter behind the nearest ridge. This wine is another outstanding Barossa Shiraz. The bouquet has lifted fruit aromas, while the palate displays typical Barossa varietal Shiraz characters of chocolate and plum fruit. Expert use of oak has resulted in subtle vanillin flavours.
-David Clarke (Vigneron)

My Review:
First of all let me start off by saying how fortunate I am to have a boyfriend whose parent's are willing to share their wine collection with me. I probably wouldn't have tasted a wine of this caliber if it wasn't for them.     This wine was so dynamic! It was a very beautiful deep red. Upon the first sniff it had a great nose with dark cherries, plum, blackberries. It also had a woody, earthy smell. The woody smell wasn't overpowering though. Everything had a nice balance. On the first taste it was a little acidic and tannic. I let it breathe for about 20 minutes and the acidity and tannins weren't as noticeable. I can only imagine how great it would've tasted if it was allowed to breath for an hour or two.
I could taste the oak and earthiness of this wine first, then I got a bitter dark chocolate aspect mixed with the dark cherries and blackberries. Every sip of this wine was so different then the last. It was intriguing and probably the first time I've had a wine that was this complex. We had the wine with a dinner of lasagna and french bread, but I believe it would've been better suited with a nice steak. Overall, I wish I had a bottle of this wine all to myself to sip and mull over all night long!

Wine Tasting: 2011 Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend

Name: Apothic Red
Variety: Blended (Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon)
Region: Modesto, California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: ~10

Winemaker's Notes: Inspired by the "Apotheca," a mysterious place where wine was blended and stored in 13th century Europe, Apothic Red offers a truly unique wine experience. A masterful blend of rich Zinfandel, smooth Merlot, flavorful Syrah, and bold Cabernet Sauvignon creates layers of dark red fruit complemented by hints of vanilla and mocha.

My review: I had this wine with great dinner of salmon and broccoli. It was a dark colored wine. On the nose, I smelled the alcohol and raspberries and dark cherries. It also smelled woody. On the taste it was definitely fruit forward with a oaky, tannic finish. It wasn't a bad wine for the price point. Definitely a drinkable wine but not the best.

Wine Tasting: 2011 Chateau Ste Michelle Harvest Select Sweet Riesling

Name: Chateau Ste Michelle Harvest Select
Variety: Sweet Riesling
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Country: USA
Year: 2011

Wine Maker's Notes: Enjoy Classic Washington state Riesling in this rich, sweeter style with juicy "dribble down your chin" flavors of peach and apricot. Balanced with bright acidity for a luscious mouthfeel.

My Review: I tried this wine at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Chicago after a long day shopping the Magnificent Mile. This was my first Riesling, and I have to say I wasn't disappointed! It was a beautiful yellow color and smelled of pear and a sweeter apple. On the taste it was relatively smooth with sweet and fruity flavors of apples and a hint of citrus. It was a little tart on the finish. It was definitely one of the sweetest wines I have tasted. I did not have any food with this wine.

Wine Tasting: 2012 Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Cupcake Vineyards
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2012
Price: ~$10

Wine Maker's Notes: Our vineyard works hard to bring you the zestiest, most refreshing Sauvignon Blanc from the cool Marlborough Valley. Here the grapes mature slowly, giving them complexity and a vibrant zing, reminiscent of a lemon chiffon cupcake. The aromas are integrated, delighting the senses with flavors of Meyer lemons, Key limes and a finish that awakens the appetite. Serve chilled with oysters on the half shell or with a rich, creamy lobster risotto.

My review: After watching the Gary V. video on Sauvignon Blancs, I had to go out and try one! This wine is a light golden color. On the smell, it gives off a aroma that reminds me of fresh cut grass. And I do pick up a slight "cat pee" smell that we talked about in class. On the taste, it is HEAVY on the lemons. Picture this, you're sitting outside on a cool summer day. Your neighbor has just finished mowing their lawn and comes over to give you a nice glass of cold, not very sweet, lemonade. That picture right there just about sums up this wine. I did not consume any food with this wine.

Wine Tasting: 2011 Arca Nova Vinho Verde

Name: Arca Nova
Variety: Vinho Verde (50% Loureiro, 40% Arinto, 10% Trajadura)
Region: N/A
Country: Portugal
Year: 2011
Price: $8.99

Wine Maker's Notes: Arca Nova white Vinho Verde is a product of Nature. With fresh and fruity aromas, this wine is ideal to pair with Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. To taste and to drink this wine is a prize to the land, to the vineyard and to man.

My review: Almost clear in color, this white wine was selected for a wonderful meal of chicken picatta prepared for me by my boyfriend. I know I talk a lot about chicken picatta on here, but that meal was his choice, not mine! Anyways, back to the wine. On the nose this wine smelled like green apples and citrus. On the taste it was nice and smooth with a little bit of fizz (though no where near the fizz of a sparkling wine). This wine was quite fresh and definitely tasted like green apples with a little lemon thrown in. On the finish, it lit up the sides of my tongue a bit--a sensation I'm really beginning to like. Pairing this wine with the lemon and capers in the chicken picatta really toned down the green apple taste, but the wine was still good none the less. For $9, I'm not complaining!