We tasted nine wines which included the house wines of Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon
Musanti NV Brut Sparkling Wine Pendes- from Spain ($7.50)
Zeppoli's Description- Lemon blossoms, green apple, toast and honeydew melon are front and center in this crisp refreshing Spanish Sparkler. Silky supple with lingering flavors, yet a tingle of crisp acid on the finish. A combination of traditional cava grapes but this wine is not made in the traditional methode champenoise (which is required by Spanish law to be called Cava). This is made with the Charmat process and may only be called 'Spanish sparkling wine'.
My notes- This wine smelled like rubbing alcohol. There were also hints of lemon and citrus on the nose. It was a very crisp wine. There was a long finish that dragged out the citrus elements that were present in the smell.
Mars and Venus Chardonnay (2006) from the Central Valley, Chile- $8.99
Zeppoli's Description- This Chardonnay is juicy and fresh with pineapple and citrus notes and a silky smooth texture. Serve it with roasted chicken, shellfish or pasta dishes in a light cream sauce.
My notes- This wine had a very fruity nose. The most noticeable scents were of berries and a sweet, almost sugar smell. This wine tasted pretty much exactly how it smelled. There were fruity notes with hints of citrus. It was also a very smooth, light wine.
Rubus (2009) Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley, California- $11.99
Zeppoli's Description- This wine has hints of tropical fruit, pear and New Towan ripened apples. The wine is barrel fermented, but not overtly and is balanced just like a Joe Swann or Sonoma-Cutrer wine. This is Chardonnay for the lover of white burgundy-flavorful, balanced and delicious.
My notes- With this wine you could really smell the oak from the aging process. There were also noticeable buttery smells. The wine was tart, crisp and lemon-y notes. There was also a slight burn to the after taste of the wine.
Borrealis (2010) "The Northern Whites" from Willamette Valley, California- $12.99
Zeppoli's Description- Te aroma practically covers the full fruit spectrum with notes of papaya, quince, yellow apple and hints of grapefruit and lime made all the more exotic with whiffs of jasmine and sandlewood. On the palate it starts with a slightly sweet expression of ripe fruit with a crisp and balance and evolves to a delicious fresh finish of grapefruit and lime.
My notes- This wine had a fruity nose. It smelled sweet and of apples that was mentioned in the Zeppoli's description. It was a very sweet wine with a tangy apple taste.
Zeppoli's Description- "This wine has a nice purple color and the bouquet practically jumps from the glass; smoky, meaty notes; soon ripe cassis and black cherry emerge; the palate is similar, with the fruit taking the lead; nice tannins and acidity perk the fruit up again near the finish, which is crisp yet lingering. A top value wine." Beverage Dynamics 88 points
My notes- This wine smelled like black pepper and different spices. The taste of this wine was very smooth. It was slightly spicy, as the smell indicated. This was also a very crisp wine. Not too overwhelming on the palate.
Kenwood (2009) Yulupa Cabernet Sauvignon from California- $11.99
Zeppoli's Description- 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot. Deep in color with rich, ripe-fruit aromas of cherries and plums followed by fragrant notes of cinnamon and cocoa nibs. Full-bodied, with a rich lingering finish. Aged 20 months in french and American oak. Delicious with any pork, beef or lamb, this Cabernet Sauvignon also pairs well with a variety of pasta dishes.
My notes- This wine smelled on dark fruits. There were also floral notes in the smell. This wine was rather smooth. The taste of the wine had cherry elements, which were picked up in the smell. There was a tart finish.
Rubus (2009) Old Vine Zinfandel from Lodi, California- $12.99
Zeppoli's Description- Ruby red in color, with red fruit, rasberry, and spice on the nose. This wine is medium in body, with notes of ripe cherry, cedar box, cinnamon, anise, black pepper, and hint of smoke on the palate. It has a long, silky finish.
My notes- The wine had strong pepper smells with hints of cinnamon. There was also an odd smoky smell to the wine. This wine tasted of dark fruit, cinnamon and pepper. There was depth in the flavor that gave the mouth a pleasing quest to make out the flavors.
Mars and Venus Merlot (2007) from Central Valley, Chile- $8.99
Zeppoli's Description- Smooth, rich and well balanced with berry and cocoa flavors framed by a sturdy structure-a real wine drinker's Merlot. It is perfect with pizza, pasta or even a good steak!
My notes- This wine smelled fruity, however there was a slight smell of alcohol that made gave the wine an unsettling smell. The smell was completely different than the taste of the wine. This wine was very smooth and had a good balance of flavors. There were hints of spice that gave the wine depth.
Trentadue (2009) Block 500 Merlot from Sonoma County, California- $18.99
Zeppoli's Description- 96% Merlot, 1% Montepulciano, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot. The wine's characteristics are typical to the Estate fruit with aromas and flavors of dark stone fruit, black licorice and earth. Further aeration reveals layers of blackberry, herbs, cedar and tobacco. On the mouth the wine is complex and full-bodied with ripe, balanced tannins, a juicy middle and long smooth finish. The low pH and tannin structure will support several years of aging.
My notes- This wine smelled of pepper. There were hints of smokiness that added depth. The wine had a good body with slight hints of fruit. There were also notes of pepper in the taste. This wine left a spicy after taste.
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