Tasting - Bolla Moscato

Name: Bolla

Variety: Moscato
Region: Pavia
Country: Italy   
Year: ?
Price: $9.95   
Shop/wine critic/winery review:

Loaded with juicy exotic fruit, mature apricot, yellow peach and tangerine flavors, this sweet and delightful wine is perfect for Sunday brunch or picnics.

Your Review:

Again, its a Moscato.  What more can I say? Definite fruit flavors, smelling like sugar coated dried apricots.  Having the big bottle was nice; very cost-efficient.  I really need to try a Moscato with food.  I think it would be good to see how it pairs. 

 

Tasting - Monte Degli Angeli Sangiovese

Name: Monte Degli Angeli

Variety: Sangiovese Region: Puglia Country: Italy  Year: 2013 Price: $7.95  Shop/wine critic/winery review:

The aromas are rich and dark, with lots of black cherry and a hint of balsamic. In the mouth the wine is round and energetic, with cherry and black raspberry fruit complemented by hints of damp earth. If you like Sangiovese-based wines like Chianti or our best-selling Colsanto from Umbria, you'll love this! The wine is ripe, fresh, and fruit-driven with a wonderful dash of earthy complexity at the end. Buy it by the case and drink with pizza, grilled poultry, and pasta.

Your Review:

This had a weaker nose and weaker flavor.  Definite notes of cherry, and something more acidic.  It had a thinner weaker density, and some earthiness was noted.  Didn't try this with food, but it probably would be good with some.  Not a bad wine, by any means, just nowhere near the flavor of the Pinotage.  Which I feel is a good thing.

 

 

Tasting - Oracle Pinotage

Name: Oracle 
Variety: Pinotage 
Region: ? 
Country: South Africa 
Year: 2014 
Price: $7.95 
Shop/wine critic/winery review:

An unusual style of Pinotage with complex aromas of black pepper, smoke, tomato, and dark fruit. The palate is packed with ripe mixed berry flavors, making this unoaked red wine a real crowd-pleaser. 
Your Review:

Wow.  This had a pepper and smoke nose that really intrigued me.  As soon as I tasted it I imagined a big meaty tomato that had been rolling around in dirt.  Not a beautiful image, but that was the wine.  The gentlemen at the Vintage Cellar informed me that Pinotage is an engineered grape that has a particular taste.  I don't think I am a fan.  Still fantastic to try.