Talk-A-Vino

What home run has to do with the wine tasting? Not much, of course, except when you try four random wines and they all taste great, somehow it seems that “home run” is a good way to adequately describe your experience.

I think nowadays Saturday wine tasting is pretty much a norm for majority of the wine stores. If I have time, I usually stop by the wine tasting at Cost Less Wines in Stamford. There are typically four wines open, and out of the four I would  find one or two which I really like. This last Saturday’s tasting was different, as I actually liked all four, and they literally were one better than another.

There were two wines from Argentina and two from Chile (both wineries are owned by Trinchero Family Estates out of California). Interestingly enough, all four wines were priced at $13.99. Here are the notes:

2010 Carmen Gran Reserva Chardonnay Casablanca Valley, Chile – Perfect acidity, very much similar to Chablis – great balance, nice green apple flavor, touch of oak and very long and mouthwatering finish. Drinkability: 8-

2010 Doña Paula Estate Torrontés Cafayate Valley, Salta, Argentina – Extremely perfumed nose – you literally think that you are smelling a nice English or French soap. Of course it is a bad idea to compare wine and soap, but actual smell is highly invigorating, and I use the comparison here in a positive way  – rose petals with touch of lavender on the nose. Light and delicate on the palate, however bringing very explicit orange flavors. Very balanced with good acidity. Drinkability: 8-.

2010 Doña Paula Estate Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina – it seems that lately I have a tendency of single -word wine reviews. Round! (how is that for the review?). Perfect balance of fruit, tannins and acidity, soft tones of the dark fruit with enough underpinning in the oak flavors. Drinkability: 8.

2009 Carmen Gran Reserva Petite Sirah Maipo Alto, Chile – I don’t know about you, but it was my first encounter with Chilean Petite Sirah. Dark fruit, plums and sour cherries on the palate, full bodied and powerful, very balanced, good acidity. Drinkability: 8.

Don’t miss wine tastings in the stores – whether you will like the wine or not, you will learn something new.

For more home run wine tastings – cheers!