Wine Tasting Week of 3.11

Name:San Elias

Variety: Sauvingnon Blanc

Region: Central Valley

 Country:Chile

 Year: 2012

Price: $12.95

Wine Critic/Review: Pale in color with a gooseberry bouquet and fresh zesty flavor. Excellent aperitif or with salads, fish and poultry. Serve chilled. 13% alcohol content.
Personal Review: Soft pale straw translucent color. Aromas of honey, melon, and cucumber- hints of lighter fruits and maybe some creamy, sweet lemon. Maybe just a little cat pee- but in a good way (probably the only time anyone would ever say that!). Very light acidity, mellow and a little dry but I still detect some residual sugar! Some tart flavors on the finish but a much softer finish than expected. Not all too complex but its a nice shapely wine. I drank this wine right out of the fridge so I didn't detect too much alcohol. I ate some spicy food before enjoying this wine. I prefer drier whites (except moscato! Love that stuff) so this sat well with me.

Name: El Petit Bonhomme

Variety: Blend-55% Monastrell, 30% Garnacha and 15% Syrah

Region: Jumilla 

Year: 2011

Country: Spain

Price:~$9/glass (@ a bar in downtown Montreal)

Wine critic review: "Sweet generous aromas, plummy red fruits, full body and soft tannins from a blend of Monastrell, Garnacha and Syrah. The winemaker is Montreal-born Nathalie Bonhomme. Delicious wine, superb value." - Mary Bailey, The Tomato, December 2012
Personal Review: Smell is woody and mild fruit- I could smell some orange peel and berry flavors, including raspberry and blackberry jam. Clean and freshly balanced on the palate. Is medium body, has medium tannin, some flowery and spicy notes. Has a  light acidity on the taste and medium finish.

Name: Biagio Toscana

Variety:Sangiovese 85%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%

Region:Toscana

Year: 2007 Vintage

Country: Italy

Price:$15

Wine critic review:Nice complexity in a fresh "Supertuscan" style from selected Sangiovese grapes, with gentle tanins rounding out a soft vanilla-oak finish. Biagio Red is smooth and ready to enjoy with no further lengthy bottle aging required.(Oops!)

Personal Review:Dark brown red with some hints of vanilla and pear skin flavors. Some deep plum and raspberry flavors. Maybe blackberry and dried blueberries. Smell is woody. Medium acidity and bold tannins. Nice long finish. Little chalk but I like it! Probably would have been better when it was originally purchased. I bought this under the impression that all red wine ages. Nope!
Update: I drank this 12 hours later and it was the SHIT! Opening up the wine really does make a difference!!

So what DOES cassis taste like? Le Madérisé by Cassis Monna & Filles

The black currant, also known by Quebecers as gadelle noire, is a remarkably fragrant, purplish-black berry. The first European settlers brought this delectable treasure with them when they came to the Americas. At the time, the fruit was already widely appreciated for its medicinal qualities. We now also know that the black currant is brimming with vitamin C, is an anti-oxydant, anti-inflammatory and contains polyphenol which has numerous virtues, including immune-system boosting capacities.

Cassis Monna & filles grows many varieties of black currants, including the Titania and the Ben Lomond, which have a strong aroma, are abundant in juice and are highly resistant to plant diseases. The black currant is also perfectly adapted to harsh Québec winters. The fruit is harvested over a two-week period in early August when the fruit is perfectly ripe and bursting with flavour.

Name:Bonera, by Cantine Settesoli

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon blend

Region: Sicily

Year: 2011

Country: Italy

Price: ~$16

Wine critic review: Blend of Nero d'Avola/Cabernet Sauvigno; This dry ruby coloured wine features medium empyreumatic, spicy, floral and fruity scents and offers a broad texture as well as smooth tannins.(Saq.com)

Personal Review: Not a very shapely wine on the pallet. Low tannins and some residual sugar. Weaker color and too much clarity. Not a very dark, bold wine. Some hints of spice and smell of cassis. Didn't do much for me.

Name: Le Madérisé by Cassis Monna & Filles

Variety: Black currant

Region: Quebec

Year: 2011

Country: Canada

Price: $12.95 Canadian dollars (~1:1 exchange rate)

Wine critic review: This wine is a magnificent blend of roasted coffee, date and woody aromas. It is best served chilled as an aperitif wine or as a digestif enjoyed with bittersweet chocolate. Use it in your sauces and marinades for a sweet and unique twist that your guests will simply love. Once it is opened, it can be stored in the refrigerator for over six months.

Personal Review: Dark red purple color. Very sweet smell of berries... but it was cassis after all. Sweet smell of cassis jam or another kind of preserve. Bam with jam. Couldn't trace any alcohol content- probably because it was chilled. I'd say stick this in the fridge at least 2 hours before and take out 20 min later to get optimal temp. Had a little bit of an acidic or lemon finish. Served with dinner as an aperitif.