Sassy Wine Belly

Podere Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2009, Osimo, Italy - $34

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 04:51:00 +0000

Purchased this Umani Ronchi wine at La Traviata for $34/bottle. It is a blend of 90% Montepulciano and 10% Sangiovese. According to the distributor's website, it is fermented in stainless.

Aroma - raisins
Taste - raisins, fresh, a little black tea, a little wood, soft tannins

Like! Had it with Caesar Salad and Fettuccine con Funghi.Yummy!!!

Sebastopol Hills Pinot Noir 2010, Sonoma Coast, CA - $10

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 04:32:00 +0000

Purchased for $10/bottle at Trader Joe's.

Aroma - dark fruit
Taste - dark berry, black pepper, chocolate, coffee, leather, wood, dry, soft tannins, good acid, light-bodied

Heavy for a Pinot Noir. Surprisingly dark fruit. Good for the price - interesting!

Chateau Ste Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Columbia Valley, WA - $13

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:39:00 +0000

I purchased this wine for $13/bottle at Western Beverages - it retails for $15/bottle on the winery's website. It is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Syrah, 2% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.

Aroma - dark fruit, dark cocoa
Taste - dark fruit, dark cocoa, strong tannins

Good, not as smooth as the Charles Krug we just had, but good for the price. We had it after dinner with dark chocolate-covered blueberries.

Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Yountville, CA - $20

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:16:00 +0000

JB brought this wine over for dinner tonight. It is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Syrah, and 1% Malbec.

Aroma - dark fruit, spice
Taste - dark fruit, dark chocolate, moderate tannins, very smooth and silky

Love this wine! Went great with veggie chili!

Toad Hollow Goldie's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009, Russian River Valley, CA - $14

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:39:00 +0000

I purchased this wine at Western Beverages for $14/bottle. It is 100% Pinot Noir and was rated 86 by Wine Enthusiast. It retails on the winery's website for $16.99/bottle.

Aroma - bright cherries, light spice
Taste - bright cherries, light black tea, very very light-bodied, soft tannins

This wine would go with just about anything - it's very light, and yet very pleasant. I'll definitely purchase it again! It went GREAT with ceviche, sweet potato fries, roasted cauliflower, and turkey with gravy. Yum!!! I think I'm in love again!

Gloria Ferrer Estate Pinot Noir 2008, Carneros, CA - $13

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 06:58:00 +0000

I purchased this wine for $13/bottle at Western Beverages. Past vintages have been rated by Wine Enthusiast and Wine & Spirits in the high 80s to mid 90s. It is 100% Carneros Pinot Noir.

Aroma - cherries, slight smoke, spice
Taste - cherries, slight smoke/gunpowder, spice, black tea, soft to moderate tannins, well-balanced

I really like this wine! It may be another favorite Pinot Noir of mine!

Happy Hour Tempranillo and Pinot Noir

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:39:00 +0000

Had some girlfriends over tonight, including one in town for just a few days. EC loves Tempranillo, so I made sure to have plenty on hand for her!

Riva Rey Tempranillo 2007, Rioja, Spain - $7.50/bottle
I purchased this wine at Austin Wine merchant for $7.50/bottle. See my previous tasting notes here!

Iuvene Cosecha Tempranillo 2009, Rioja, Spain - $10/bottle
This wine is 100% Tempranillo - I purchased it at Austin Wine Merchant for $10/bottle.

Nieto Senetiner Reserva Pinot Noir 2010, Mendoza, Argentina - $8.75/bottle
This wine is 100% Pinot Noir and I purchased it at Austin Wine Merchant for $8.75/bottle.

All of these wines were nice - sorry, but no individual tasting notes!

Snack included candied nuts, truffle oil popcorn, potato chips, tortilla chips and guacamole, marinated olives, crackers/Parmesan cheese/honey, Greek salad, fresh dates, pistachios, cranberry bread, peppermint bark, and dark chocolate-covered pomegranate seeds.

Yummy with everything!

Trivento Amado Sur Red Blend 2009, Mendoza, Argentina - $11

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:27:00 +0000

I purchased this wine at Western Beverages for $11/bottle and brought it to DC's Pause n Pour. It is a blend of 73% Malbec, 15% Bonarda, and 12% Syrah. Wine Spectator rated it a 90.

Aroma - black fruit
Taste - black fruit, black tea, moderate tannins

Like it!

JB's Glögg Party - Red Wines

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 03:28:00 +0000

Every year JB throws this AMAZING party named after the Swedish mulled wine, Glögg! There is always plenty of food and wine. The food includes Swedish meatballs, cucumber salad, roasted potatoes, chips and several kinds of salsa, several different cheeses (including Manchego and Brie), pepperkocker (Swedish ginger snaps), and chocolate truffles. The wines this year included the following:

Wild Horse Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Paso Robles, CA - $20
This wine is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Malbec, and retails for $20/bottle on the winery's website.

Aroma - black fruit
Taste - black fruit, strong tannins, dark cocoa

Good! Went great with the meatballs and Manchego cheese! See my previous tasting notes for this wine.

Campellares Tempranillo 2009, Rioja, Spain - $11.75
This wine is 100% Tempranillo from Bodegas San Pedro Apostol. I purchased it at the Austin Wine Merchant for $11.75/bottle.

Aroma - red fruit
Taste - red and black fruit, soft tannins, a little wood, dark cocoa

Like! Went well with all of the foods, including the black bean salsa and the tropical salsa.

Firestone Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Santa Ynez Valley, CA - $20
This wine from the Santa Ynez Valley is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 10% Malbec, 2% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. It retails for $20/bottle on the winery's website. JB bought this bottle at the winery.

Aroma - dark fruit, dark cocoa
Taste - dark fruit, dark cocoa, moderate tannins

Like this wine a lot!

Firestone Estate Syrah 2008, Santa Ynez Valley, CA - $25
This wine is 100% Syrah from Firestone Estate in Santa Ynez Valley, and retails for $25/bottle on the winery's website. JB also bought this bottle at the winery.

Aroma - black fruit, a little spicy
Taste - black fruit, a little smoky, moderate tannins

Like it!

R de Bardos Ars Romantica Tempranillo 2007, Ribera Del Duero, Spain
MS brought this wine to the party.

Aroma - dark fruit, a little hot
Taste - dark fruit, black currant, moderate tannins

Good!

Santa Julia Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Mendoza, Argentina - $7

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 07:34:00 +0000

I purchased this wine at Western Beverages for $7/bottle. I used some of it for French Onion Soup. It is made from organic grapes.

Aroma - red and black fruit, a little hot, weak for a cab
Taste - red and black fruit with a hint of beer, moderate tannins, thin

This wine is a maybe for drinking by itself. It tasted great in the soup!

Falesco Assisi Rosso 2009, Italy - $15.75

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:27:00 +0000

I purchased this wine at Austin Wine Merchant for $15.75/bottle. It is a blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine Enthusiast rated this wine 90 points.

Aroma - dry black fruit, a little musty
Taste - black fruit, a little musty, a little tobacco and wood, moderate tannins

Okay, but for the same price the Avignonesi Rosso di Montepulciano 2009 is my preference.

Septima Malbec 2010, Mendoza, Argentina - $9

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:17:00 +0000

We brought this wine to TV night. I purchased it at Western Beverages for $9/bottle. Past vintages have rated in the high 80s by Robert Parker and Wine Enthusiast.

Aroma - black fruit, a little hot
Taste - black fruit, black tea, a little wood, soft tannins

Like!

Galan Carmenère 2009, Lontué Valley, Chile - $9

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:57:00 +0000

We brought this wine to CC's for TV night. I purchased it at Austin Wine Merchant for $9/bottle.

Aroma - raisins
Taste - raisins, soft to moderate tannins, light black tea finish

Good! Also see my previous tasting notes for this wine!

Don & Sons Pinot Noir 2008, Sonoma Coast, CA - $14

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:50:00 +0000

MS and SD brought this Pinot Noir to TV night. It retails for around $14/bottle at Whole Foods.

Aroma - cherries, spice
Taste - cherries, spice, a little sweet tobacco, soft tannins

Good with all of our snacks, including truffle oil popcorn, chips and salsa, and falafel chips and hummus.

Château Bel Air Bordeaux Supérieur 2009, France - $10

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:20:00 +0000

I purchased this wine for $10/bottle at Western Beverages.

Aroma - black fruit, spicy
Taste - black fruit, spicy, moderate to strong tannins, dark cocoa, like it!

Austin Wine Merchant Tasting - German Liters

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:24:00 +0000

Messmer Pinot Noir 2009, Rotwein Trocken Pfalz - $17.50/liter

This wine comes in liter bottles because of German tradition. The Rhein Pfalz region of Germany resides near Alsace along the border of Germany and France, and the Rhein in Germany is known as the Rhone in France.

Aroma - damp red fruit
Taste - red cherries, black tea, dry, good acidity

This is an okay wine for the price.

Evodia Old Vines Garnacha 2009, Calatayud, Spain - $13.50

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:22:00 +0000

CC brought this wine to share at TV night tonight. He purchased it at Royal Blue for $13.50/bottle. It is 100% Grenache, and Wine Advocate rated it 89 points.

Aroma - red and dark fruit, a little hot
Taste - red and dark fruit, spicy, moderate tannins

Nice! See my previous tasting notes here and here!

Murphy-Goode Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, California - $15

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:54:00 +0000

AP brought this wine to share at TV night. It retails online for around $15/bottle. It is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon blended with Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc.

Aroma - dark fruit and chocolate
Taste - dark fruit, moderate tannins, dark cocoa finish

Nice!

Riva Rey Tempranillo 2007, Rioja, Spain - $9

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:32:00 +0000

MS and SD brought this wine to TV night. Austin Wine Merchant carries it for $9/bottle.

Aroma - red and dark fruit, a little musty
Taste - red and dark fruit, a little musty, dry, dark cocoa finish

A nice wine.

Updated - December 19, 2011
See the updated tasting notes here!

Mas des Bressades Cuvée Tradition 2010, AOC Costières de Nîmes, France - $11.99

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:30:00 +0000

I purchased this wine for $11.99/bottle at Austin Wine Merchant. The importer, Robert Kacher, states that this wine is 50% Syrah and 50% Grenache.

Aroma - dark fruit, a little smoky
Taste - dark fruit, a little sweet tobacco and black tea, moderate tannins

This wine went well with our dinner - whole wheat pasta with turkey, kidney beans, and spinach - yum!

I liked the 2009 vintage of this wine, too!

Tapiz Pinot Noir 2010, Mendoza, Argentina - $12

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 01:31:00 +0000

MS brought this over for nibbles. It is 100% Pinot Noir and retails online for approximately $12/bottle.

Aroma - black cherries
Taste - black cherries, moderate tannins, a little wood

Good!

Chateau Laroque Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1993, Bordeaux, France - $55

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 04:55:00 +0000

We dug this bottle out of my mom's pantry - apparently my brother brought it over one day but it was never opened. It is a red right bank Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Although I could not find the 1993 vintage online, I found nearby vintages ranging from $30/bottle (1995) to $100/bottle (1990). The 1994 retails online for $55/bottle.

Aroma - aromatically challenged - dark fruit
Taste - black fruit, light black tea, soft to moderate tannins

Lots of sediment at the bottom of this one! It's a nice wine - subtle, and better after having breathed a couple of hours.

Cantora Carmenere/Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Colchagua Valley, Chile

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:33:00 +0000

MS and SD brought thus wine over for dinner tonight. It is a blend of equal parts Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Aroma - black fruit, slightly old world/musty
Taste - black fruit, moderate tannins, black tea, a little wood

Went great with the chicken tortilla soup that MS made!

Bisceglia Aglianico del Vulture Terra di Vulcano, Lavello, Italy - $13.75

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:28:00 +0000

I purchased this wine at Austin Wine Merchant for $13.75/bottle. It is 100% Aglianico and was rated 90 points by Robert Parker.

Aroma - red and dark fruit
Taste - red and dark fruit, black tea, dark cocoa, strong tannins

I like this wine! It went well with our Minestrone Soup tonight!

Wild Horse Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Paso Robles, CA - $20

noreply@blogger.com (Sassy Wine Belly) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:56:00 +0000

Had this wine at JB's for dinner.

Aroma - black fruit
Taste - black fruit, sweet cedar, moderate tannins, dark cocoa finish

Good - like!

See my updated tasting notes for this wine here.