Tasting - Chateau Morrisette Our Dog Blue

Name: Chateau Morrisette Our Dog Blue

Variety: Blend of Riesling, Traminette, Vidal Blanc, Petit Mensang

Region: Floyd, VA

Country: USA

Year: 2009

Price: $10.99

Reviews: 

"This popular white wine is a semi-sweet Riesling-Traminette blend, using Vidal Blanc for added depth. Aromas of melons, citrus fruits, apricots, and delicate flowers highlight the soft finish of this soothing wine. Serve chilled with fruits and cheeses, fish, or spicy foods."

--- Winery Notes

My review: 

This white wine was a pale color. It had a very sweet and fruity aroma. Smelled of apricots and citrus, with a light floral aspect. I thought it smelled very similar to some other reislings I've tried. It tasted fruity and was rather sweet. I don't usually like overly sweet wines as they can get a very sugary, grape juice taste. The sweetness of this wine was nicely balanced by the acidity and the fruity flavors stood out more than the sugar. I was able to try this wine at Chateau Morrisette and it went nicely with fruit and cheese. It would be a good wine for relaxing on a nice day.

Tasting - Edna Valley Vineyard Merlot

Name: Edna Valley Vineyard Merlot

Variety: Merlot

Region: San Luis Obispo, CA

Country: USA

Year: 2009

Price: $19.99, on sale for $9.99

Reviews: 

I was unable to find much information about the 2009 vintage, but here are the notes from the winery on the 2006 vintage...

"Our 2006 Merlot opens with inviting cherry, blackberry and vanilla aromas. Black currant and caramel develop across the palate with subtle hints of tarragon and coffee. Juicy fruit supports the body and adds length to the mid palate, with smooth tannins that hold together for a nice finish. A very approachable and food-friendly wine, the Merlot pairs nicely with a variety of foods including soft, ripe cheeses, wild mushroom pasta, or sausage pizza."

My review: 

This was the third wine from Edna Valley Vineyard that I was able to try at during a small tasting at Kroger. The merlot was a dark red, almost purplish color. It did not have a very strong aroma. All I was able to pick up was a slight fruitiness with a hint of cherries and the general "red wine" smell, but not much else. The flavor was pretty weak and the wine just tasted rather flat. There wasn't a whole lot to it and I didn't really notice anything special.

Tasting - Edna Valley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Edna Valley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: San Luis Obispo, CA

Country: USA

Year: 2009

Price: $19.99, on sale for $9.99

Reviews: 

"Dusty vanilla, leather and cocoa powder lead to jammy black fruit notes. A classic medium bodied style with ripe fruit layers of flavor. Balance between acidity and fine firm tannins."

--- Winemaker's Notes

My review: 

There was a nice dark red color to this wine. Aroma of blackberries, vanilla, and a little bit of spice. Very smooth mouthfeel with a light tannic component. Lightly fruity and well-balanced. I don't like overly dry red wines and I found this one to be quite smooth and nicely balanced. Got it on sale at Kroger for $9.99 so this was a good cabernet sauvignon for the price.

Tasting - Edna Valley Vineyard Paragon Chardonnay

Name: Edna Valley Vineyard Paragon Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: San Luis Obispo, CA

Country: USA

Year: 2009

Price: $19.99, on sale for $9.99

Reviews: 

"Our Chardonnay captures the essence of the Edna Valley, showcasing complex peach, pear and tropical flavors that have developed slowly on the vine. A refined, terroir-driven minerality dances through the silky midpalate, joined by caramel, clove and cinnamon. Gentle winemaking leaves a subtle impression of creaminess and balances the bright fruit that carries through the finish. A wine that offers a little bit of everything, this appealing Chardonnay pairs with a variety of foods such as salmon with lentil salad, chicken tagine or pasta with spring peas and pancetta"
--- Winery Notes

My review: 

Wine is pale yellow in color. Has a nice fruity aroma with a light smell of peaches and citrus on the nose. I picked up a gentle spiciness aspect as well. It has a nice combination of flavors with the spice balancing the peaches and citrus. This is a well-balanced medium-bodied chardonnay. There was a special at Kroger so this wine was only $9.99. I found this to be a really nice chardonnay for that price.

Tasting - Chateau Morrisette 2011 Dry Rosé

Name: Chateau Morrisette Dry Rosé

Variety: 100% Chambourcin

Region: Floyd, VA

Country: USA

Year: 2011

Price: $17.99

Reviews: 

"Our newest wine, Château Morrisette Dry Rosé is made by separating juice from the grapes prior to fermentation, resulting in this lovely rose-colored wine. Made from 100% Chambourcin grapes, our Dry Rosé is crisp and juicy, with the character of citrus and strawberries, gently augmented by subtle suggestions of peach and banana evolving from the lingering, aromatic finish. This wine is food friendly, pairing well with ham, roasted poultry, sweet Italian sausage, and most any savory, non-spicy foods. Try it with chocolate-covered strawberries!"

---Winery Notes

My review: 

This wine is a light pink color in a glass. I picked up the subtle aroma of strawberries and peaches on the nose. It had a very clean smell that was lightly fruity. It tasted very light and crisp. It has a very soft flavor that isn't very strong. I tasted a very light fruitiness, but no real distinct flavors. This is a very light wine that would be refreshing on a warm sunny day. I was able to enjoy this wine with lunch at Chateau Morrisette and it was a nice accompaniment to a fresh fruit and cheese plate. Not an overly flavorful wine, but definitely light and refreshing.

Tasting - Musaragno Pinot Grigio

Name: Musaragno Pinot Grigio

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Veneto

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $10

Reviews: 

"A Venetian favorite!  It is crisp and dry, rich and spicy with hints of peach and honey... perfect with salads, pasta, chicken and fish!  Musaragno is an organic wine estate near Venice, Italy."

--- Winery Notes

My review: 

Pale yellow in color. It has a very light fruity smell. Get an aroma of apples, peaches, and citrus on the nose. This white is very light with a subtle taste of green apples and citrus. It is well balanced and has a crisp finish. I really enjoyed this wine as it was very flavorful but still light and crisp. I tasted this wine with veal scallopine prepared in a light white wine sauce and it went nicely with it. A wine that I would definitely try to get again. 

Tasting - Ravenswood Vintners Blend Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Ravenswood Vintners Blend Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Sonoma County, California

Country: USA

Year: 2009

Price: $10

Reviews: 

"Cab credentials? No need to carry 'em. Our 2009 vintage is as real as it gets, with strong tannins and juicy fruit aromas backed by bold blackberry, black currant, toasted oak, and vanilla flavors. This wine matches up with a big ol' hunk of steak smothered in bearnaise or grilled pork chops. Utensils optional."

--- Winery Notes

My review: 

I had high hopes for this cabernet sauvignon after trying a chardonnay from the same vineyard. This one has a very deep, dark red color. I picked up a very slight hint of blackberries on the nose. There weren't many characteristics that really stood out in this wine. The aroma was very distinctly just "red wine." The flavor was not very complex either. I found this to be overly tannic and very very dry. There was a slight oakiness though. I was disappointed in this purchase because I didn't get much out of it. It very much just smells and tastes like red wine.