Vivacious Vino - Review of The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc

Name: The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc

Variety: 100% Chenin Blanc

Region: ?

Country: South Africa

Year: 2012

Price: $7.95

With/Without Food: No food




Wine Review: "One of the greatest buys I have tasted this year is this under $10, 100% Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape. A super flowery-scented nose includes notions of ripe honeydew melons and pears. This medium-weight, fresh, fruity, crisp, dry, textbook Chenin Blanc will provide immense pleasure over the next 12 months." Robert Parker – 90 Points




My Review: Was told this was made from the biggest grown grape in South Africa. A very sweet smell like candy and sugar. Dryer than the Norton wine during this same tasting (see other blog post). A little heavier than the Norton as well! Crisp and light taste and smell, and also tasted the melon.

Vivacious Vino - Review of Norton Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Norton Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2012

Price: $12 (on sale for $5.95)

With/Without Food: No food




Wine Review: Aromas of pithy citrus and pineapple are decent but unrefined, while flavors of tangerine and pineapple are tropical, zesty and what they are. This is nothing more than a fresh, simple, citrusy white to sip on the patio.




My Review: I thought it had a high acidity. Very citrusy and light, and I tasted and smelled pear and oranges. After talking to the people around me we decided that the zesty smell and the tropical undertones were apparent. Not a bad tasting.

Vivacious Vino - Review of Weinkeller Erbach Flonheimer Adelberg Sylvaner

Name: Weinkeller Erbach Flonheimer Adelberg Sylvaner
Variety: 100% Silvaner
Region: Rheinhessen
Country: Germany
Year: 2010
Price: $18 on sale for $4.95
Alcohol Content: 10% 
With/Without Food: Without food at The Vintage Cellar

Wine Review: “The fruity, mouthwatering wine has a nice acidity-sugar balance and comes from the so called 'Rheinhessen-Switzerland', the heartland of Rheinhessen. It has a floral bouquet and is full of lemon zest, hint of passion fruit, and smells like yellow fruit, lemon-grass and green tea, all wrapped around a pleasant creaminess and a semi-dry profile. The finish is zippy and refreshing. Perfect for party on the deck as it comes in a liter bottle!”

My Review: Great smell! Smelled like sweet tea or limonade. Definitely smells and taste of peach, apricot, and mangos. Definitely light and refreshing after the reds. I ended up getting a bottle of this wine and my friends and roommates LOVED it!

Vivacious Vino - Review of Montebuena Rioja

Name: Montebuena Rioja
Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio
Region: ?
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95
With/Without Food: Without food at The Vintage Cellar

Wine Review: "(100% Tempranillo, raised entirely in American oak): Vivid ruby. Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it's an excellent value for Rioja."  - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (September 2012), 90 pts

My Review: Very strong smell. A little harsh at first, but then the black current or black cherries. Unlike a lot of reds I've had in the past the after taste wasn't unpleasant! It holds onto flavors until the end. Not as peppery as the other red from this tasting and was much softer. Pretty yummy for a red!

Vivacious Vino - Review of Delaroche Cotes du Rhone

Name: Delaroche Cotes du Rhone
Variety: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
With/Without Food: Without food at The Vintage Cellar

Wine Review: "This semi-opaque ruby, custom cuvée of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre is made specifically for Fran Kysela. It exhibits very fresh, ripe dark red fruit with very good palate weight and depth and ends with rich fruit notes. Made from organically grown grapes. Incredible value!" - I-WineReview (December 2013), 90 pts.

My Review: While I'm not usually a fan of red wines, I actually really enjoyed this one. It really smelled of chocolate and oak. It also had a peppery and oak flavor to it. Honey, rum, and earthy were also things that came to mind when tasting it. Definitely one of the first red wines, that I could actually see drinking more than a few sips of!

Vivacious Vino - Review of Maipe Torrontes

Name: Maipe Torrontes
Variety: 100% Torrontes
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95
Alcohol Content: 12%
With/Without Food: Without food at The Vintage Cellar

Wine Review: Spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body.  Well balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish. Best enjoyed in its youth either by itself, or as a wonderful partner with smoked meats, mild to medium-strong cheeses, seafood and a great partner for spicy food as well.

My Review: Smelled so good! Very sweet, fruity, and floral (Daisies/Roses)! It was a little acidic and dry, but good. I liked two of the other wines from this tasting, but I love trying all of the new wines! 

Vivacious Vino - Review of Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio
Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio
Region: Venezie
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Alcohol Content: 12% 
With/Without Food: Without food at The Vintage Cellar

Wine Review: Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots, and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the finish. Pairs well with seafood dishes, risottos with scampi, spaghetti with clams, sole in white wine. Perfect also as an aperitif.

My Review: At first the smell was a little harsh, but after a few swirls the smell was citrusy. I could also smell and taste bananas, pears, orange and lime citruses. As with most Pinot Grigios, I really enjoyed this wine!

Extra Notes: Ended up buying a bottle! So yummy!