Wine Tasting Blog- Santa Luz Sauvignon Blanc, Riebeek Chenin Blanc, San Elias Carmenere, Ilurce Tempranillo, Coastal Vines White Zinfandel

Name- Santa Luz Sauvignon Blanc
Variety- 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region- Valle Central
Country- Chile
Year- 2013
Price- $11

Winery Review- This Chilean Sauvignon Blanc has pure fruit and crisp palate with notes of herb and lemon curd culminating in a lively finish.

My Review-  Fruity smell, not really getting anything specific. Tastes a little sour and acidic, lime taste. A good tasting wine.

I tasted this on its own.

Name- Riebeek Chenin Blanc
Variety-100% Chenin Blanc
Region- Swartland
Country- South Africa
Year- 2014
Price- $10

Winery Review- As the unofficial drink of the Riebeek Valley, the Riebeek Chenin Blanc is the perfect every day wine that offers uncomplicated quality for the novice and connoisseur alike.
Packed with upfront tropical fruit, the nose charms with an abundance of guava and gooseberries. The pallets follows through with fruit flavours, balanced by a crisp acid to ensure a fresh and fruity style of wine.
Grapes came from both bosstok and trellised vines with some of the vineyards as old as 46 years. Fermentation was done at lower than usual temperatures to capture the fresh fruit flavours.

My Review- Smelled of grapes and maybe some floral aroma. Tasted some tropical fruit that I would describe as kiwi. Very enjoyable.

I tasted this on its own.

Name- San Elias Carmenere
Variety- 100% Carmenere
Region- Valle Central
Country- Chile
Year- 2014
Price- $9

Winery Review- On the nose the San Elias Carmenere captivates with earthy tones, hints of plums and reminiscences of violets.
Balanced acidity and the intense fruitiness of this wine are to notice on the palate. The finale appears not very long but with very good structure. Before adding the yeast, the wine passed cold maceration. After fermentation it was left on the lees whereby it developed intense fruitniness and structure.
An ideal companion for mediterranean kitchen and grilled vegetables.

My Review- Smelled of some cherry and plums, which were definitely present in the taste as well. The finish was spicy with a bit of alcohol burn. Liked it but didn't love it.

I tasted this on its own.

Name- Ilurce Tempranillo
Variety- 100% Tempranilo
Region- Rioja
Country- Spain
Year- 2008
Price- $14

Winery Review- Dark, bulky and fairly oaky for a wine of modest DNA. The palate is forceful, juicy and high in acidity, while the flavors of grape juice and black plum are semisour, with leftover oak and vanilla dominating the finish.

My Review- Smelled cherries, much more dominantly than the last wine. Taste was cherry and plum, the taste faded quickly at first and then lingered, but never really changed. Probably one of the favorite reds I've ever had.

I tasted this on its own.

Name- Coastal Vines White Zinfandel
Variety- 100% Zinfandel
Region- California
Country- USA
Year- 2013
Price- $7

Winery Review- This White Zinfandel has a beautiful pink salmon color and crisp acidity. The wine shows juicy fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry, with a tangy sweet finish.

My  Review- Smelled very sweet and the taste didn't do anything to sway that notion. Tasted like green apple which was refreshing but just too sweet to be enjoyable.


I tasted this on its own.