Tasting- Martini & Rossi Rosato Vermouth

Name: Martini & Rossi Rosato Vermouth
Variety: Vermouth
Region: Hierarchy
Country: Italy
Year: non-vintage
Price: $7.95
Wine Critic Review: This fresh and fruity Vermouth has a unique taste that comes from the mixing of several aromatic herbs with subtle pomegranate, raspberry, cinnamon, and lemon flavors.
My Review: This was a really interesting wine.  The nose reminded me of fruit cough syrups and came across as very sweet.  It tasted strongly of sweet cherry and was very spicy. I could pick up strong notes of spice, particularly cinnamon.  It tasted like hot cinnamon candies and was very syrupy and overwhelmingly sweet.  I could not taste any of the lemon or raspberry mentioned in the wine critic's review.  It was interesting, but not something I would ever buy to drink on its own.  I think it would work much better as a mixer for a cocktail.  It was not my favorite wine I have had from the Vintage Cellar.  I did not eat any food with this wine.

Tasting- CalNaturale Paso Robles Cabernet

Name: CalNaturale Paso Robles Cabernet
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region:  Paso Robles, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $3.95 (on sale)
Wine Critic Review: This wine begins with a very nice aromatic bouquet of mixed berries, vanilla, and a little green olive.  Tasting this dry, medium-bodied wine shows some dull jammy fruit and a good about of oak and tannins.  The dry and dusty finish is very long and features a little burst of spice at the very end.
My Review: This wine had a very sharp and tannic nose.  It was kind of bland on the first taste and I could not pick up on any of the berries or vanilla flavors that the wine critic suggested.  It tasted earthy and musty and I could not pick up many fruit notes.  It was overwhelmingly dusty, dry, and moldy with a little hint of cherry.  It was not an unpleasant wine but there was nothing special about it. I loved the packaging!  I did not eat any food with this wine.

Tasting- Valle Reale Cerasuolo D'abruzzo Rose

Name: Valle Reale Cerasuolo D'abruzzo Rose
Variety: Montepulcian Rose
Region: Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC
Country: Italy
Price: $7.95 (on sale)
Year: 2011
Wine Critic Review: This wine is medium dry.  It has a beautiful intense pink color with perfumes of wild cherries and Bon-Bons.  It tastes of strawberry jam and wild herbs with a wonderfully fresh background.
My Review: This wine had a very sweet nose.  It tasted light and extremely tart with strong fruit flavor.  I could taste strawberry and sour raspberry.  Most interestingly, I could taste that musty, moldy, earthy taste that sometimes accompanies old raspberries.  This wine was ok on its own, I think it would have been better with food because it is so tart and dry.  I did not eat any food with this wine.

Tasting- Pascual Toso Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Pascual Toso Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Barrancas

Country: Argentina

Year: 2009

Price: $6.95 (on sale)

Wine Critic Review: This Sauvignon Blanc has good acidity balanced by a degree of softness.  It is full bodied with a sweet finish.  It is light, straw green in color and has aromas of herbs with hints of tropical fruits such as lemon, coconut, and melon.  This wine is light enough to be enjoyed on its own or can be paired with pasta, seafood, salads, or vegetarian dishes.

My Review: This wine had a surprisingly sweet nose, I could pick up hints of fruit and sweet strawberry.  It had a light flavor and was not sweet at the first taste, compared to what I was expecting after the nose.  I could definitely taste sour lemon, it was very tart but still pleasant.  I was not able to pick up as much of the tropical fruit flavor that the wine critic review mentioned.  This wine was ok, I think it would have tasted better if it was paired with food.  I did not eat anything while drinking this wine.

Tasting- Juliet Primo Amore

Name: Juliet Primo Amore
Variety: Sparkling wine make with a blend of Garganega & Moscato grapes
Region: Frizzante
Country: Italy
Year: no vintage
Price: $5.95 (on sale)
Wine Critic Review: This white wine is semi-dry with light citrus fruit flavors, a pleasantly tart mid-palate and a crisp finish.  This wine would work very well as a pre-dinner aperitif or as a dessert wine.  There were nice aromas of apple and flowers on the nose.  Flavors of pear, apple, and peach kept this wine from being too sweet.  This wine would be a perfect partner for fruit-based desserts, simple biscuits, or on its own.
My Review:  This was a very pleasant sparkling wine.  I did not pick up much on the nose except for a little tartness and citrus.  It was light, tart, and bubbly at the first taste.  I could definitely taste peach and also picked up hints of lime on the flavor.  However, I did not taste the apple that was suggested by the wine critic review.  It was very refreshing and worked well on its own.  I did not eat any food with this wine.  This is definitely a good purchase that I will look for again!

Tasting- Damascus Brewery "BassMagic" Ale

Name: Damascus Brewery BassMagic

Variety: Light Ale

Region: Damascus, VA

Country: USA

Year: non-vintage

Price: I got a growler of this beer as a birthday present, so I do not know the price.

Critic Review: "This light ale was inspired by the famous Bass beer of England, but came out with fruity notes that makes you think of Magic Hat #9.  Delicious and very easy to get carried away with."

My Review: This was a sweet and tangy beer that was very light and refreshing.  I could taste some hints of peach and lemon.  I drank this beer with lasagna, which was a great compliment to the hearty meal.  It had a great flavor that became less fruity with the food.  This was my first beer from the local brewery and I was very impressed.  I am excited to try other beers from the Damascus Brewery.

Tasting- Ironstone Old Vine Zinfandel

Name: Ironstone Old Vine Zinfandel

Variety: Zinfandel

Region: Lodi, California

Country: USA

Year: 2011

Price: $7.95 (on sale)

Wine Critic Review: Grown in vineyards that are over 45 years old, this medium-bodied Zin has exceptional varietal character with lovely aromas of dark fruit and blackberry.  Subtle pepper spice mingles with richly concentrated fruit flavors of blackberry, ripe plums, and fresh red raspberries.  Barrel aging created its smooth, silky finish and unprecedented depth.  A wonderful wine pairing for a variety of dishes.

My Review: This wine really surprised me.  It had a very tannic and tart nose. The first taste was very dry and almost bitter.  The wine was spicy, peppery, and pleasantly dry.  I could taste hints of red fruit as well.  The more I tried the wine I really began to enjoy it.  I did not eat any food with this wine.