East Coast

Back in October, we did a tasting featuring East Coast wines. I think the reason I procrastinated so much with getting this post up is that we weren't blown away by these wines as a whole. That's not to say that the wineries on the East Coast do not produce fantastic wines-- we enjoyed our visit to Blue Mountain Vineyards that I mentioned in the last post, many delicious things were had at Wine in the Woods, and Drink Local Wine is even coming to visit Maryland because we're so cool.

(Wines not exactly in order of tasting)

A. Turk Mountain Vineyards La Tour d'Afton 2008 (Virginia) - more info

Appearance: Dark, pretty, long legs

Nose: 4

Intensity: 3

Balance: 3

Complexity: 2 - cheese brings out complexity (we had chevre)

Finish: 2.7

Comments: Very dry, tart, best with goat cheese.

B. Flickerwood Wine Cellars Flickerberry Dew (Pennsylvania) - more info

Appearance: Ruby, garnet, very pretty

Nose: 5

Intensity: 4

Balance: 1

Complexity: 1.5

Finish: 2

Comments: "I don't even think it's alcoholic. I'm drinking juice." "Leaves me wanting water." Remind's Katie of Boordy's Jazzberry, would be great as a reduction over ice cream.

Katie's favorite

C. Wagner Vineyards Estate Bottled Niagara (New York) - more info

Appearance: Clear, straw, very pale

Nose: 2.5 - sugar, leather, smells like peanut skin

Intensity: 4

Balance: 1

Complexity: 1.7

Finish: an unfortunate 3

Comments: Would make a good white sangria.

D. Red Newt Cellars Salamander White (New York) - more info

Appearance: Pale, blonde, disappears into ceiling

Nose: 4.5

Intensity: 1.3

Balance: 3.9

Complexity: 4

Finish: 4

Comments: "They're really nice there." "I taste a hint of newt!"

Everyone but Dan loved this one.

E. Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling 2011 (New York) - more info

Appearance: Stained ceiling

Nose: 3 - delightful honey

Intensity: 2

Balance: 4

Complexity: 3

Finish: 3

Comments: Crisp, with is lasted longer, kind of tart, powerful thighs. "For a riesling, I'm surprised!"

F. Blue Mountain Mountain Spice Apple Wine (Pennsylvania) - more info

Appearance: "'tis yellow."

Nose: 4 - spicy

Intensity: 3.2

Balance: 3.5

Complexity: 3

Finish: 4

Comments: Honey and spicy and apple-y. "I wanna add caramel to it."

California

Yes, I'm a slacker. California was June's selection and it's already almost August! But let's get on with it--

We did California at Dan's place so we could show off the new bar. There were a lot of people, and subsequently a large wine selection. Please do not judge us too harshly from the following image, as the empty bottles make us look a little less than classy.

A. Bohemian Highway Merlot 2009 - more info

Appearance: Dark, creepy red, scarlet, blood, ruby, garnet, cranberry (I think this was less a descriptive effort and more of people acting like a thesaurus)

Nose: 3.5

Intensity: 2

Balance: 3

Complexity: 2

Finish: 2.3

Comments: Warms the heart, had nice legs, would make a good sangria, simple.

Dan and Katie liked it

B. Ghost Pines Zinfandel 2009 - more info

Appearance: Blood-looking, very dark, pretty, blackberry, prune juice, purple-ish

Nose: 3

Intensity: 1

Balance: 3

Complexity: 3.3

Finish: 4.5

Comments: Pops and punches, Mike Tyson wine, blackberry and vanilla, jammy, hangs in the back, dense, fruity, dry

Jen and Dan liked it, not Ashley (2) approved.

C. Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - more info

Appearance: watery purple, between the first two, leggy

Nose: 3.5 ("Smells like communion," effervescent)

Intensity: 1.5

Balance: 2 (acidic)

Complexity: 2.7

Finish: 2 (lingers, but not in a good way)

Comments: Probably good with red meat, bacon pizza
Ashley L. and Kerri liked it.

D. Snap Dragon Red Blend 2008 - more info

Appearance: dark silk, ruby, crimson, vermillion

Nose: 2.5

Intensity:  1.2

Balance: 4

Complexity: 3

Finish: 2 (intense but quick)

Comments: "It's good," "solidly smooth," a good generic wine, good with spicy food, brings out the smokiness in barbeque.

One of Jen's go-to reds, Ashley L. likes, Michelle's fave.

E. Robert Mondavi Pinot Grigio 2010 - more info

Appearance: light yellow, straw

Nose: 3

Intensity: 2

Balance: 3.9 (watery, light)

Complexity: 2

Finish: 1.1 (no oompf)

Comments: Would go well with hearty fish, chicken, or crab. Drinkable, but not substantial on its own, tastes watered down with white grape juice.

Dan likes

F. Serafina Cellars Malvasia Bianca 2009 - more info

Appearance: same, Jewish, cloudy

Nose: 3.8 (sweet)

Intensity: 3.4

Balance: 1.5

Complexity: 4

Finish: 3

Comments: Tastes like it's mixed with cider, Welch's, coppery, mineral, flavor builds, smells sweeter than it tastes, likely good with yogurt. "I got goosebumps drinking that."

Katie and Zach's fave

G. Running with Scissors Chardonnay 2010 - more info

Appearance: golden, yellow, straw

Nose: 4 (sweet, grassy, straw, oats)

Intensity: 1

Balance: 3.9

Complexity: 2

Finish: 3

Comments: Smell is reminiscent of hay fields, taste is berry, tart.

Ashley L.'s fave, Jen likes

H. Cherry on Top white blend 2010 - more info

Appearance: yellow

Nose: 3.3 (sweet, after rain)

Intensity: 2

Balance: 3 (apple!)

Complexity: 3.5

Finish: 2

Comments: Can taste the chenin blanc, smooth, in and out really quickly, pair with french vanilla ice cream.

Jen's fave

I. Menage a Trois Moscato 2010 - more info

Appearance: yellow

Nose: 3.5

Intensity: 2

Balance: 2.2

Complexity: 2

Finish: 3

Comments: "I find this wine shallow and pedantic." "Makes a valiant effort, but it just doesn't get the job done." "We're drinking Rhianna right now..."

J. d'Arenberg The Stump Jump Sticky Chardonnay 2008 - more info

Appearance: golden, dehydrated

Nose: 1.5 (Capri Sun)

Intensity: 2

Balance: 3 (for a dessert wine)

Complexity: 2

Finish: 3.8 (long and agonizing)

Comments: Simple syrup, golden raisin, good for a dessert wine.

July's Pacific Northwest selection coming soon!