Vivacious Vino - Review of Brethren of the Road Syrah

Name: Brethren of the Road Syrah

Variety: 100% Syrah

Region: Mendocino, California

Country: United States

Year: 2012

Price: $13  

Alcohol Content: ?

With/Without Food: Without Food

Wine Review: Kenny’s Syrah is a dead ringer for some of the great Syrahs that come out of Northern France, but his is created in the California backyard of Mendocino. The elements of elevation, rugged terrain, and coastal fog that define the Santa Cruz Mountains helps Kenny create a Syrah that is all about purity and finesse rather than outright power. With bright, pickled berry flavors it’s a fine example of the beautiful subtle nuances that result from the attention to detail and thoughtfulness required for all-natural winemaking.

My Review: Earthy, very earthy! Smoky smell and taste. High levels of tannins. Longer finish since it has a fuller body. Not my favorite red, but one of the first Syrah’s I’ve tried, definitely want to try more Syrahs! Smell is a little acidic, but you can also smell the fruits.

Extra Notes: Got this from ClubW.com! Figured I would give wine delivery a shot! This is the second wine I've gotten from them and I think it's a cool service!

Vivacious Vino - Review of XO Riesling

Name: XO Riesling

Variety: 100% Riesling

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington

Country: United States

Year: 2012

Price: $13  

Alcohol Content: ?

With/Without Food: Without Food

Wine Review: Columbia Valley is a big deal. It takes up one-third of Washington’s land mass and is home to 99% of the state’s grapes. Most notably, the Riesling fruit. It’s the most versatile, complex and food-friendly of all the white grapes and it thrives in the Pacific Coast climate. No other varietal can be crafted to express such a wide array of characteristics — from bone dry to dessert sweet. But XO marks the spot on the perfect balance between Reisling’s two-faced nature. It’s not too sweet, not too sour. A refreshing divergence from the slew of bottles overflowing with sugar, XO will bring a kiss of lemon and pineapple flavors and lovingly embraces a myriad of dishes full of herbs and spices.

My Review: Sweet, refreshing, yummy!! A little sour smell and taste, citrusy, would be great during the spring and summer. Definitely lemon, lime, pineapple, and mango flavors and smells! Sometimes I think Rieslings are a little to sweet, but this had a nice balance!

Extra Notes: Got this from ClubW.com! Figured I would give wine delivery a shot!

Vivacious Vino - Review of Cupcake Vineyards Malbec

Name: Cupcake Vineyards Malbec

Variety: 100% Malbec

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2012

Price: $9.99

Alcohol Content: 13.5% 

With/Without Food: Without Food

Wine Review: Discover the allure of Argentina with a deep, delectable Malbec from Mendoza. A heady, yet dry nose of blueberries and leather opens up to a palate of intense chocolate, mocha and plums. A soft velvety texture and hint of spice leads to a finishing note of toasted oak. We carefully select the best fruit from our Mendoza vineyards, picking dark and delicious berries that mature gradually and gracefully. Rooted in stony alluvial soil, the grapes are harvested, gently crushed and left to ferment slowly with extra skin contact. Aging in oak barrels results in a full, soft, intense and rich Malbec.

My Review: In my search for a red wine to like, this has gotten me one step closer! I was a skeptic of the smell and taste because I heard it smelled just like a red velvet cake. These people were right! It definitely had the usual earthy, red smell, but it also smelled and tasted like chocolate and sweet. It was a dry wine with a long finish, but it was enjoyable!

Vivacious Vino - Review of Cielo Pinot Grigio

Name: Cielo Pinot Grigio

Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio

Region: Montorso Vincentino

Country: Italy

Year: 2012

Price: $9.99

Alcohol Content: 12% 

With/Without Food: Without Food

Wine Review: Clean and fresh with balanced fruit and acidity and a hint of spice on the finish. Best drunk young.

My Review: The smell is fruity and a little acidic. As with most Pinot Grigios, this wine has smells and flavors of pears, apples, melon, and watermelon. This was also a little sweeter and I tasted something I hadn’t been able to name until this wine, which was Airhead’s taffy. It was like drinking either the watermelon or mystery flavored Airheads. Definitely yummy and for the price I think it was really good!

Vivacious Vino - Review of Conde Villar Vinho Verde DOC

Name: Conde Villar Vinho Verde DOC

Variety: 50% Loureiro, 40% Arinto, 10% Trajadura

Region: ?

Country: Portugal

Year: 2012

Price: $20 (on Wednesdays at Boudreaux’s it’s only $10)

Alcohol Content: 10.5% 

With/Without Food: Without Food

Wine Review: Visual: Bright and clear with light hay reflexes. Aroma: Abundant and elegant floral tones joined by pleasant and fresh citrus tones. Flavour: Complex structure. Round and soft with a good aftertaste. Perfect balance between alcohol and acidity.

My Review: The smell is fruity, no acidic smell. You can smell the fresh orchards of apples, a little citrus (lemon and grapefruit), pears and apricots. It is a sparkling white wine and is just the right amount of sweet and right amount of dry! When tasting you can taste the citruses from the smell plus a little lime and orange. The apple taste is like a green or yellow delicious apple. Again, the apricot flavor is there! So yummy!!!

Extra Notes: I always go to Boudreaux’s Wine Wednesday and while I always plan to try a new wine, I never make the commitment to it! I have to get this wine! Out of everything I’ve ever tried in my entire wine drinking life, this is my TOTAL favorite!