Convincing my friends to go try free wine was not difficult to do. We piled in the car and arrived at the Vintage Cellar where they were eager to serve us a few wines.
Name: Domaine Massiac
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Minervois
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $13.95
Vintage Cellar Review: Viticulture in the Languedoc is often characterized by over cropping and concomitant dilute wines with little or no character, varietal or otherwise. Such is not the case with the superb Sauvignon Blanc that renders a rich varietal character in combination with a sense of place that can only be described as "south of France." The wine is perfect on its own as an aperitif or for seafood or shellfish dishes of any kind be they appetizer or main course, sure to please.
My Review: I found this Sauvignon Blanc to be very dry and acidic. I enjoyed it but I found the taste difficult to describe. I can see how it'd be good as an aperitif.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Variety: Classico Abboccato
Region: Umbria
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $9.95
Vintage Cellar Review: The "abboccato" in the name means the wine is just off-dry, of about the same sweetness as the Vouvray we featured recently. But the Italian word "abbocare" mean "to bite," so we've also go a a nice bright crispness on the finish. The grape here is principally Trebbiano, Italy's most widely planted (and sometimes uninteresting) white grape. Here it is enriched with Malvasia Blanca, giving it a luscious fruit and flowers redolence that makes it most refreshing.
My Review: This tasted similar to the Sauvignon Blanc we tried first, but a bit fruitier. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's sweeter though. I still was not able to tell what flavors are incorporated but I would drink this wine again.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Dom Chene
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Macon Villages
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $14.95
Vintage Cellar Review: Richly textured, wine delivering broad orchard fruit and peach skin flavors supported by vibrant lime acidity and stony mineral notes. This is a ripe, rich, wine that's very seductive from the first but with fantastic vibrancy on the finish and lingering flavors of yellow apple and limestone. A fine young Burgandy that will delight fans of New World unwooded Chardonnay, too!
My Review: I would describe this wine as acidic and fruity. After I read the store's review, I started to taste the peach though that may have been only because I read it.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Variety: Cab/Merlot Rose
Region: Gascony
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95
Vintage Cellar Review: Wow, that's some Rose! There is a fresh, crisp character to this light rose. It is eye-watering in its refreshing character, with balancing acidity, smoothing out the edges with a touch of caramel.
My Review: This one was my favorite! I am still finding it difficult to assign words to the taste but it was fruity and sweeter than they others. My friends said they could taste the caramel that the store review mentioned. I bought a bottle so I'm looking forward to trying it again!
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Variety: 75% Syrah and 25% Carignan
Region: Minervois
Region: Minervois
Country: France
Year: 2008
Price: $17.95
Vintage Cellar Review: Chateau Massiac's red wine is a blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Carignan. The vines are grown in rocky clay-limestone soil, a geologic composition common to the estate. It is dark in color and rich when young, with dominant flavors of blackcurrant. These primary fruit aromas give way to herb/garrigue characteristics as the wine opens
My Review: I loved the smell of this wine. The taste was well balanced and I really enjoyed it. This is definitely something I would try again.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
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