Wine Tasting: Vintage Cellar

Wine Tasting: Vintage Cellar
March 23, 2023
By: Lucy Becker

For someone who has never been to a wine tasting place before, I was excited, yet nervous for this experience. I met up with a friend of a friends at Vintage Cellar located on South Main Street in Blacksburg. We got to try 5 different wines.

Château De Blaignac - Bordeaux Rose (2015)
$9.95
Bordeaux, France

Shop Review: This Rose Bordeaux is pale pink in colour with a strawberry tinged appearance. Fantastically fresh and vibrant on the nose with aromas of strawberries and red currants, the predominantly Cabernets blend balances intensely well with the lovely clearness of red berry fruits. Very well balanced and fresh, the wine culminates in a very aromatic and lingering finish. 80% Cabernet Franc 10% Cabernet Sauvignon 10% Merlot.

Self Review: I thought it was interesting that this Bordeaux is actually a Rose. Apparently, it is not very common with a light tannin. I did think it had a crisp flavor, and enjoyed it very much. The wine tender encouraged to pair it with chicken or fish, but that fish helps bring out more flavor.

Slow Press - Sauvignon Blanc (2016)
$6.95
Monterey, California

Shop Review: This Monterey County Sauvignon Blanc is bursting with crisp, refreshing notes of citrus and passionfruit. It is sur lie aged to bring out the fullest flavors and a richer mouthfeel, and reveals a tropical, fruit-forward flavor profile. Pair with oysters on the half shell, spinach salad with goat cheese and walnuts or citrus garlic shrimp.

Self Review: Love, love, loved this wine sample. I could taste the tropical fruits in the wine, as well as having a nice after taste. I learned that it was surlie aged, which gives more layers to the white wines.

Tres Ojos - Garnacha (2020)
$9.95
Calatayud, Spain

 

Shop Review: Our Tres Ojos - "three eyes" - is named after an ancient walking bridge in the city of Calatayud. The bridge's three arches earned it the nickname 'tres ojos'. This Garnacha is whole berry fermented, like a Cotes du Rhone Rouge. It displays a brick red color with a bouquet of red raspberries, spice and white pepper. The palate is incredibly concentrated and rich. Fruity and juicy with a great depth, ripe tannins, and length, yet wonderful elegance and lightness. 85% Old Vine Garnacha and 15% Tempranillo

Self Review: This wine I found interesting because I had never heard of it till the tasting. Apparently, it is exclusively known in Spain and Rhone Valley, France. The taste was very bold and had a lingering tartness on my tongue. The wine tender explained that it is paired with a chicken pasta with a thick tomato sauce is the most ideal to drink with, but can also be paired with pork chops, lamb, and steaks as well.

Carmen - Cabernet Sauvignon (2016)
$7.95
Maipo Valley, Chile

Shop Review: Aromas of fresh berries, baking spices and chocolate get this wine going. The palate bursts at the seams, boasting a toasty black-fruit flavor with grip and intensity. Delicate yet intense blackcurrant with hints of clove and mocha.

Self Review: I am not the biggest fan of red wines, however I was impressed with this one. I could definitely taste the berries in the wine, however, not the chocolate flavor. I suppose I may have not been focusing on the correct sense for the wine, even after smelling and swirling.

St. James - Mango Sweet Wine
$1.95 per 375ml can
St. James, Missouri

Shop Review: With the weather warming up, St. James Winery has the answer for the perfect tropical escape! Our new, year-round fruit wine was a past customer's favorite seasonal wine selection, Mango! This sweet wine is made from 100% pure, ripe mangos with no added artificial flavors or colors.

Self Review: Of all of the wines tried, this was by far my favorite. I liked the sweetness and bold flavor of the mango and was very surprised to read that one can is the equivalent of a half bottle of wine. That was a big sell for me, so I decided to buy 4 and bring them home to Northern Virginia for the weekend and have my mom try it.