Tasting- "Gran Crucero Ltd.

Name: Gran Crucero Ltd.
Variety: 50% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Carmenere
Region: Colchagua Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2008
Price: $25.95
Critic Review: "Deep ruby.  Wild aromas of cassis, dark chocolate, smoky herbs and earth, along with a touch of incense.  Then supple and pliant, offering juicy redcurrant and bitter cherry, smoke and licorice flavors.  The sappy finish lingers with good authority and echoes this smoky note."
Personal Review: This wine was extremely different and something like I have never tasted.  It was very complex and very good.  I did taste smoky favors, chocolate flavors, and a little flavor of incense.  I thought it was really good and something very different.
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting- "Crucero Syrah Reserve"

Name: Crucero Syrah Reserve
Variety: Syrah
Region: Colchagua Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2010
Price: $13.95
Critic Review: "Syrah, the legendary grape of the Norther Rhone AOC's of Cote Rotie, hermitage, and Cornas delivers ample flavor for a reasonable price.  This Reserve Syrah is aged in French oak for 6 months.  The wine  exhibits ripe black fruit flavors and a touch of white pepper.  This medium bodied red wine will age well for 3-5 years.  Serve with red meat, game, and stews."
Personal Review: This wine has a slight oak-y flavor (not as much as the Merlot) and it was complex enough to be interesting.  There was a slight peppery/spicy taste at the end of the taste.
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting- "Crucero Pinot Noir Reserve"

Name: Crucero Merlot Reserve
Variety: Merlot
Region: Colchagua Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2010
Price: $13.95
Critic Review: "Aged in 50% oak barrels (American and French) for 10 months.  A red ruby color, complex aromas with hints of black fruits, confiture and some spicy aromas in perfect harmony with the wood.  The palate displays juicy and soft tannins that makes the wine very easy to drink.  A long persistent finish.  Pairs well with chicken, game, pasta."
Personal Review: This wine was very oaky and complex.  I really liked this wine and would consider getting it.
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting-"Crucero Chardonnay"

Name: Crucero Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Colchagua Valley
Country: Chile
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $19.95/ 3L Box
Critic Review: "Attractive yellow color with some green tones.  Its intense varietal character evokes ripe citrus fruits, with floral and honeyed tones along with well integrated wood.  In the mouth it is rich, round and fruity with some creamy notes."
Personal Review: I have never tried a Chardonnay that I have liked, except this one.  It was not as bitter as other Chardonnays I have tried and it had more of a sweet flavor.  It has a very floral taste but I did not taste the woody flavors.
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting- "Crucero Sauvignon Blanc"

Name: Crucero Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Colchagua Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2011
Price: $9.95
Critic Review: "Sauvignon Blanc is the fabled grape of both Bordeaux Blanc and the Loire Valley (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume). This varietal exhibits aromas of musk melon, pine, & grass. The finish is zesty and citrus-like, and goes very well with chicken and seafood."
Personal Review: I smelled a very melon/grade flavor when I first smelled the wine.  Upon tasting, I tasted a citrus-y flavor.  I liked this wine.
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting-"Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling"

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine
Variety: Riesling
Region: Pfalz
Country: Germany
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95
Critic Review:"Flint and mineral notes accent pineapple and lime aromas, while on the palate, the wine shows plenty of ripe, citrusy fruit flavors. Tangy acids on the long finish provide balance."
Personal Review: The smell of this wine was like Concord grape juice.  I liked the taste of the wine-it was the perfect amount of sweet without being over-board and there was a little tangy aftertaste.  Pretty good dessert wine.
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting-"Don Ramon Tinto"

Name: Don Ramon Tinto
Variety: 75% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo
Region: Campo De Borja

Country: Spain
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $7.95
Critic Review: "Aged 3 months in American Oak casks. Ruby red in color, with creamy aromas of earth and cherry. Flavor turns toward deeper and darker black cherry and raspberry on a medium framework. A subtle earthiness underneath the bright fruit adds some depth and complexity."
Personal Review: I didnt smell much of anything upon smelling the wine.  This was was very simple and not complex.  The aftertaste was very different and a little tangy.
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting-"Resonata Nero D'Avola"

Name: Resonata Nero D'Avola
Variety: Nero d'Avola
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95
Critic Review: "Dense ruby red with violet reflections. Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice. Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background."
Personal Review: I did not smell anything different upon the smell of the wine.  I thought the wine was simple and good.  There was not many flavors going on and a little on the watery side, but a good simple wine to drink.
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting-"Protocolo Blanc"

Name: Protocolo Blanc
Variety: airén and macabeo
Region:
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $6.95
Critic Review: "Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value."
Personal Review: I did not smell anything during the smell of the wine.  On the taste, I thought it was very simple and not many flavors going on.  I tasted a little bit of melon.
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting-"Santola Vinho Verde"

 Name: Santola Vinho Verde
Variety: Vinho Verde

Region: Douro
Country: Portugal
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $7.95
Critic Review: "Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this
is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit
flavors. Off dry and very fresh."
Personal Review: The smell of this wine resembled concord grape juice.  I did not like this wine at all; it was very bitter and the after taste was awful.
With/Without Food:  I tried this wine without food.

Tasting- Lost Vineyards Spumante Dolce

Name: Lost Vineyards Spumante Dolce
Variety: Moscato and Malvasia
Region: 
Country: Italy
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $4.95
Critic Review: "Pale silvery straw color. Floral aromas of apples, peaches, and potpourri follow through on a round, frothy entry to a fruity medium bodied sweet wine with good depth and tangy peach fruit and a breezy, harmonious green apple kissed finish."
Personal Review: "I really smelled the apple in this wine before I tasted it.  After I tasted, it was very carbonated (sparkling) and it was sweet.  I also noticed a flowery taste."
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting- Charles Thomas Cotes-du-Rhone

Name: Charles Thomas Cotes-du-Rhone
Variety: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre

Region: Cotes-du-Rhone village of Pont Saint Esprit
Country: France
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $8.95
Critic Review: "Well- made, with loads of berry fruit and a heady, meaty, peppery nose with a hint of Provencal herbs, the wine is fresh, lively, and best drunk over the next 2 years."
Personal Review: The smell and taste of this wine was flower-y.  I thought that it had a strong taste and a little bitter/tarty after taste.
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting- Coreto Tinto

Name: Coreto Tinto
Variety: Tinto
Region: Lisboa Region
Country: Portugal
Year: 2008
Price: $6.95
Critic Review: "This red from the Coreto range has loads of dark berry fruit with a hint of new oak creating a soft, velvet structure that makes it very to easy drink. Red currant and juicy acidity. "
Personal Review: The smell of this wine was oak-y/woody and a little bit of flowers.  The body of this wine was not smooth and not complex.  I tasted a little oak/tobacco.
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting- Morro Bay White Oak Estates Chardonnay

Name: Morro Bay White Oak Estates
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95
Critic Review: "Vanilla cream soda nose with a slice of fresh cut pineapple. Full body, tropical fruit, spice and pleasing vanilla oak note linger in the finish. Sweet flavor on the palate is from sur-lie aging the wine on the primary yeast lees for 7months. A versatile style of wine that can be served chilled with fine cuisine or a glass with friends."
Personal Review: This wine was very oak-y and I was surprised because I was not expecting that out of a white wine.  I think this is the first white wine I have had with an oak flavor.  At the very end of the taste I could taste a hint of vanilla."
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting- Cantina Villafranca Frascati

Name: Cantina Villafranca Frascati
Variety: 45% Malvasia di Candia, 15% Trebbiano Toscano, 25% Malvasia del Lazio,
15% Grechetto

Region: Frascati

Country: Italy
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $7.95
Critic Review: "Intense yellow color with greenish reflections. Characteristic persistent fresh and fruity aromas. Excellent as an aperitif and paired with fish, seafood or white meat."
Personal Review: "The smell of this wine was like concord grape juice, which I know will turn into something I don't like.  This wine was very bitter and tarty and it had a burning after taste."
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting- "Opera Prima Moscato"

Name: Opera Prima
Variety: Moscato
Region: Vinos de la Tierra
Country: Spain
Year: non-vintage
Price: $5.95
Critic Review: "its bright fruit aromas of lychee and lime are appealing and the flavors of honeydew, lime and lychee are delightful.  Great for cake or fruit-based desserts."
Personal Review: "The smell of this wine was overtaken by its carbonation.  I did smell some flowers or blossoms.  The taste was very sparkling.  I did taste flowers and lychee though. I liked this wine but I like semi-sparkling better than full sparkling."
With/Without Food: I had this without food.

Tasting- "Le Lapin Multiplicity"

Name: Le Lapin Multiplicity
Variety: blended
Region: Paso Robles, California
Country: United States
Year: non-vintage
Price: $6.95
Critic Review: "Multiplicity is a blend of grapes that rabbit ridge is keeping under wraps for now.  The nose is black cherry, blackberry, a little plum and some spice with a touch of forest floor.  The palate is full of fruit and spice, with flavors of black cherry and a slight cranberry note.  Nice firm tannins and a medium finish."
Personal Review: "The smell of this wine was fruity and complex.  The taste was crazy!  It had so many different flavors I could not keep track.  I did taste a hint of spice at the end of the taste."
With/Without food: I tried this without food.

Tasting- "Marques de Moral Crianza Tempranillo"

Name: Marques de Moral Crianza
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Valdepenas
Country: Spain
Year: 2007
Price: $7.95
Critic Review: "Medium red.  Aromas of redcurrant and cherry, plus a hint of dried rose.  Fleshy and smooth, with moderate depth to its slightly bitter red fruit favors.  Finishes with decent breadth and grip, with the redcurrant element joined by a hint of white pepper."
Personal Review: "This wine was very light and thin.  I thought it tasted very bitter.  I was excited to try this wine but I like more complex wines better."
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting- "Coldstream Hills Sauvignon Blanc"

Name: Coldstream Hills
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Yarra Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2009
Price: $7.95
Critic Review: "Predominately fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks with a small portion barrel fermented in older French oak, the wine is blended, bottled and released three to four months after fermentation.  The nose shows fragrant gooseberry characters with underlying passionfruit and lychee aromas.  Minerally, stalky notes are evident and provide addition complexity.  The palate is a fine and elegant style with zesty lemon acidity and length.  Varietal characters of passionfruit pulp and gooseberry dominate with hints of lemon peel in the background."
Personal Review: "The smell of this wine smelled just like grape juice: very sweet and fruity.  The taste was more tangy and zesty and not fruity.  I do not know what gooseberry tastes like so I could not find that flavor."
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Tasting-"Royal Chenin Blanc"

Name: Royal Chenin Blanc
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2009
Price: $4.95
Critic Review: "This wine packs a deceptive punch.  and that punch tastes of apples, pears and quince, with an appealing herbal note that helps it pair well with salads and other light fare.  Don't drink it too cold, or you might miss all the fruit." (Washington Post June 2010)
Personal Review: "The smell of this wine was very citrus-y and fruity.  However when I tasted the wine, it had a huge punch to it that was tangy and not very fruity.  The wine made my eyes water and it was super sour."
With/Without Food: I tried this without food.

Winery Visit: Chateau Morrisette

The beautiful winery where the tour took place.

I have never been to a winery before and the winery at Chateau Morrisette was amazing!  The place was absolute beautiful and the wines were pretty delicious too!


We learned many things from the tour guide and we saw where the wine was stored and bottled.  Although the grapes are not grown at the winery, 90% of the grapes that they order are from the state of Virginia.  It is really nice that they use mostly Virginia fruit and it is just as tasty as California!  We learned that most of the wine is stored in oak barrels (very expensive), however some are stored in steel barrels like the Viognier.  The most expensive oak barrels are saved for the Chardonnay.

Some of the oak barrels that were holding the wine.

As for their red wines, the keep the skins and seeds on and within the grape while the ferment it.  The winery also presses their own grapes right there at the winery.

Containers that hold almost 3,000 gallons of wine!



 The wines are bottled at the winery.  The bottlers use a nitrogen process at the end before the cork is placed in order for the wine to stay preserved.  Chateau Morrisette uses mostly synthetic corks in their bottles.  However, they do use some natural corks as well.  If they do, the wines have to be stored upside down.
 

This is where the bottles are topped with Nitrogen and corked with a synthetic or natural cork.


The amount of bottles that are made every day is outstanding.  Below is a picture of the wines that were just bottled within the last 2 days.  There are cases behind that as well.

 Hundreds of bottles of wine made in one day!

We had such a great time on the visit and we learned so much that we didn't know about wine.  This was such a great way to get out and learn more about wine.  After the tour we got to taste some of the wine.  Also, we got to taste the Merlot that was just bottled 2 hours prior!

  All of us by the wine barrels.

After the tour we had some amazing wine!

Dinner- "Chateau Morrisette"

Dinner at Chateau Morrisette with all of our friends!

On Saturday, January 28, 2012 a big group of our friends went to Chateau Morrisette for their famous dinner.  The restaurant was just beautiful!  It looked like a log cabin on the inside and it was a really nice atmosphere.  I ordered lump crab dip for appetizer, veggie lasagna for entree, and a chocolate moose cake for dessert.  I also ordered a bottle of Merlot to go with my meal.

Merlot made everything taste better :)

 

Name: Merlot
Variety: Merlot, Chambourcin, a small amount of Caberbet Franc for depth, and was finished with a bit of Tannat for added structure.
Year: 2007
Region: Virginia
Country: United States

Price: $15.99
Critic Review: "Reminiscent of Old World reds, this ruby red vintage fuses leather, black tea and tobacco box aromas with plum and berry flavors.  Medium bodied, velvet-textured and slightly spicy, this wine pairs wonderfully with game meats, lamb, and mushroom dishes.
Personal Review: When I first tasted this wine, I could really smell an oaky flavor and a little bit of spice. Upon tasting I could also smell the oak and spices.  This wine was amazing by itself and even better when it was paired with food.
With/Without Food: I tried this wine with and without food.

The lump crab dip was the best thing ever!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Merlot paired amazing with the lump crab dip.  I did not taste the oaky flavor of the merlot with this appetizer.  I noticed that there was a little more of an after taste of a tingly/spicy sensation.  The crab dip was cooked with a little bit of Fidal Blanc.

Veggie Lasagna filled with mushrooms, onions, and zucchini!

The veggie lasagna was amazing and a good pairing with the Merlot.  Comparing the taste of the Merlot with all the other foods that I tried it with was very different.  All the other foods made the taste slightly different, however, I thought that the taste with this was more like the taste I had when I tried it without food.  I really noticed the pepper taste and the dryness from the tasting without food.

We were way too full but opted for Chocolate Moose Cake anyways.

 The Chocolate cake was to die for!  I noticed while having the Merlot with the cake that the sweetness from the dessert seemed to make the taste of the wine more noticeably dry.  That did not bother me at all and it was an excellent pairing.

My boyfriend came in to visit and he joined us for the dinner.

All the girls came too :)

This was a great experience and I can not wait to get back to Chateau Morrisette very soon!

Tasting- "Chateau Morrisette Sweet Mountain Laurel"

Name: Sweet Mountain Laurel
Variety: Native American Grape Varieties
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $9.99
Critic Review: "A unique and refreshingly sweet dessert style wine made from Native American grape varieties.  Firm acidity balances the sweetness, producing a crisp finish with aromas of freshly picked grapes.  Pour over fresh berries and sponge cake or blend with vanilla ice cream and fruit for a creamy dessert smoothie"
Personal Review:  The initial smell of this wine smelled just like concord grape juice.  The taste was flowery and very sweet.  I am not sure that this is my type of wine because it is so sweet.  I would like to try it over the sponge cake though!
With/Without Food: I tried this without food

Tasting- "Chateau Morrisette Frosty Dog"

Name: Frosty Dog
Variety: Ice Wine
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $18.99/375mL
Critic Review:"Freezing resulted in a concentrated aromatic juice, which when fermented became this sumptuous, complex dessert wine.  Aromas of apples, citrus, and orange blossoms are accentuated by lively acidity.  The lingering finish drips with honey, pear, and subtle mango flavors.  This delightful wine is a great dessert by itself, and can also be served as an aperitif. 
Personal Review: I was really excited to be able to try an ice wine and I wasn't sure what to expect.  It was extremely sweet but it was very good.  I am not sure that I would be able to drink much of this wine, the tasting was enough!  However, I did taste flavors of flowers.
With/Without Food: I tried this without food

Tasting- "Chateau Morrisette Chambourcin"

Name: Chambourcin
Variety: Chambourcin
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $15.99
Critic Review: "Aromas of plums and berries lift from this dark violet wine, augmented by gentle notes of black tea.  Tasting quickly fills the mouth with rich fruitiness, suggesting cherries and blueberries.  Silk and soft, this medium to full bodied wine features a fruity and exceptionally long finish, revealing glimmers of black pepper. Chambourcin is an exceptionally smooth and food-friendly wine.  Enjoy it with grilled meats, sausages, roasted poultry, and dishes with mushrooms."
Personal Review: This wine had an oaky flavor and the wine was stored in an oak barrel for 2 months.  I tasted a cranberry flavor in this wine.  I thought that this wine was very similar to the Pinot Noir.
With/Without Food: I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting- "Chateau Morrisette Liberty"

Name: Liberty
Variety: Chamourcin, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $11.99
Critic Review: "This dry red wine is blended from five of Virginia's finest grape varieties.  Bursting with deep flavors and aromas of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, and plum, Liberty features a long finish with hints of toast and spice.  This sumptuous wine is a worthy tribute to Liberty."
Personal Review: I have noticed as I am trying different wines that I really like the complex flavors of the blended wines, so naturally I really liked this wine.  I noticed that this wine tasted a lot like smoking a fruity hookah.
With/Without Food: I tried this wine without food.

Tasting: "Chateau Morrisette Viognier"

Name: Viognier
Variety: Viognier
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $18.99
Critic Review:  "This delightful wine entices with classic varietal aromas of fresh peaches and honeysuckle.  Tasting reveals nuances of pear, melon and honey.  The well-balanced, silky texture eases into a smooth, clean finish glimmering with the suggestion of apricots and limes.  This wine pairs well with shellfish, broiled seafood, and grilled or roasted chicken and pork."
Personal Review: This wine was finished in a stainless steel barrel so there were no tastes of oak or wood.  This was made out of a Virginia grape and it was very fresh and crisp.  The taste of the wine made my mouthwater and there was a key-lime finish.
With/Without Food: I tried this wine without food.