Tag: red wine

Tobaccology’s Mysterious Cigar and Chateau Ste. Michelle 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon

Exciting! Don’t you love when your favorite Tobacconist hands you a cigar and says, “Try this and let me know what you think? Or the winemaker shows up to your tasting bring out a bottle of wine that hasn’t been released to the public. The logical response with that huge Chester cat grin, “It will be my pleasure”. Ok, maybe not that response, LOL but it is an exciting experience. Experiencing the unknown and excited about what’s to come. I find it honorable to be asked of your OPINION. 

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The Cigar Experience 

IMG_2144Amoxes (the husband) and I was given a Tobaccology’s Mysterious Cigar, a cigar we never tried; and you know me, a perfect opportunity for a blog. 

Out of habit when trying a new cigar, I sniff the foot. It is the same premise as sniffing wine before sipping. Sniffing prepares your senses and gives insight to what’s to come-sets up the cigar and wine experience, most of the time. The foot has barnyard aromas, wet wood, very earthy.  

First draw – smooth with a white pepper flavor. The second and third draws, which I find myself licking my lips, the wrapper has a slight sweet note. Right from the beginning, the cigar is producing bold earthy flavors and the spice is growing on the palate.  I will preference, prior to smoking the cigar (few hours), I singed my tongue on some black tea.

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Amoxes is picking-up some herbal notes.  However, he could not wait to pop the cork on a bottle of 2015 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon.  He mentioned the cigar enhanced the tannins. Hmmm… I’m going to wait to pair with wine until I’m half -way through the cigar. It’s safe to assume Tobaccology’s Mysterious Cigar will continue to evolve for the good.

Another puff… GOODNESS, this is a smooth complex smoke; now I’m detecting floral notes. I will mention that the cigar has a nice even burn.

Wine Time

Screen Shot 2018-08-01 at 1.34.12 PM.pngI can not wait any longer, WINE TIME! 

Oh My! Chateau Ste. Michelle is fruit-forward with big black fruit flavors. I agree with Amoxes, the wine paired with Tobaccology’s Mysterious Cigar creates bold and firm tannins.

Second sip, DELICIOUS and JUICY fruit flavors mmmm….  I LOVE Chateau Ste. Michelle wines!  The cigar paired with the wine produces bold earthy flavors with a soft grassy finish.

Lately, Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Noir has become our everyday drinking wine. I most definitely will be adding the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon into the rotation.  What is fantastic? The wine is under $20. If you’re intrigued, check out Chateau Ste. Michelle 2015 CabSauv Tasting Notes.

Conclusion: Tobaccology’s Mysterious Cigar is an elegant smooth complex medium-bodied cigar and pairs perfectly with Chateau Ste. Michelle 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Enough writing, time to enjoy this experience and PSSITA!

Salute!

P.S. The last quarter of the cigar, the floral and pepper notes have dissipated and Tobaccology’s Mysterious Cigar has evolved into a full-bodied smoke. WOW! 

Mediterranean Cellars – “Diamonds, Wine and Tradition; What More Can You Ask For!”

 

“The wine doesn’t start in the barrel; it starts in the vineyard.” — Louis Papadopoulos (Southern Living, October 2006)

This quote describes perfectly the experience my husband and I had at Mediterranean Cellars. The memorable moment began in the parking lot of the vineyard. Immediately, we were welcomed by a beautifully spirited (yes, felt this instantly), woman (Katie, the owner). Surprisingly, she recognized me and welcomed me back to the vineyard.

Yes, this was not my first or second visit. My first visit, which was years ago was not pleasant (there’s no need to rehash the experience :\ ). What kept me coming back to the Mediterranean Cellars was its beauty, in particular the grapevine pathway to the tasting room that transferred you to the Mediterranean. In addition, Mrs. Papadopoulos’ interest in the guests opinions of the wines; just that personal touch kept me coming back and the beautiful views.

 

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Background

One cannot write a blog on Mediterranean Cellars without discussing the owners Louis and Katie Papadooulos unique background. Did you know, the owners of Mediterranean Cellars are jewelry designers? YUPPER, DIAMONDS! Louizos E.L.P. Goldsmiths, Inc. is a family own business for four generations. For the past twenty-three years, they sell diamonds at wholesale prices. The jewelry store is operated by their son and located in Oakton, VA, (www.louizoselp.com).

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The Wines

The 2013 Chardonnay, which is the first wine in the tasting have Vidal Blanc flavors. The 2011 Moscato does not possess true Moscato characteristics. The 2013 Viognier, the last wine in the tasting is aged in oak and produces hints of butter and creaminess and taste like a Chardonnay. ???? Perplexed, my mind is flooded with questions; what is the winemaker’s thought process? What is his reasoning behind restructuring the composition, creating flavors that we are not accustom to tasting? I check the wine bottles wondering if they are mislabeled; the Tasting Room Clerk smiles. My senses are like a circuit board that is misfiring. Feeling confusion and delight, I find myself wondering if we are merely part of the winemaker’s experimentation and there’s some hidden camera evaluating each guest reaction to the wine :).

Foot stopping, head swaying from side to side, tongue gracing my lips with every sip. I’m trying to find logic of what I’m experiencing, searching for some form of “traditional” characteristics of each varietal, which only produces more questions. The Tasting Room clerk explains in maintaining the true winemaking tradition, there’s less filtering, which allows the grapes true characteristics to emerge. Hmmm…. interesting. 

2008 Calypso – a rose’ aged in stainless steel and french oak. fruit aromas and citrusy flavors. STAR 

Time for Some Reds:

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2013 Chambourcin – 100% full-bodied red wine with spicy flavors – STAR

2008 Cabernet Franc – aged french oak with plum and spice flavors. Yes, I gave it a STAR.

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon – rich garnet color, full-bodied; yes, I’m picking up blueberries flavors. FANTASTIC – STAR

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Then there’s Rechina, known as “Retsina” in Greek. Retsina is only produced in Greece and the U.S. exclusively by Mediterranean Cellars. Mediterranean’s Rechina is refreshing, “mentholing”. Retsina has an unique taste because pine resin is added to the white wine. Folks, this is indeed an unique wine. – STAR

Being red wine lovers, we are very impressed with Mediterranean Cellars red wines!

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Perfect Summation – With traditional European and American winemaking techniques, “the end product is a unique combination of tradition and new ideas, as the winemaker’s spirit and inspiration is experienced in each sip of every wine.”

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If you’re looking for warm hospitality and unique wines, I encourage you to visit Mediterranean Cellars and maintain an open mind. In addition, if they’re not crowded, you can even enjoy a cigar :).

Salute!

 

Mediterranean Cellars
8295 Falcon Glen Road
Warrenton, VA 20186
540-42-1984
website: http://www.mediterraneancellars.com
email: info@mediterraneancellars.com

Stone Tower Winery – Wine with a Taste of Interior Design

 

Even though, it has been awhile since our last visit, Stone Tower Winery is still worth writing about. From the decor that makes you wonder if you walked into a home decor shop to wines that may you question if you are in Virginia.

THE ARRIVAL

Upon arriving to tasting counter, I had to browse every corner of the tasting room and admire the furnishing. I am in decorating heaven. For a moment, I forgot I was at a vineyard because I found myself checking for price tags. My favorite place is the back room with the beautiful iron doors. (exhaling)

I shared my excitement with the tasting clerk on how much I love the tasting room furnishing, they should have a sign on where customers can purchase the furnishing. Smiling widely, I could tell this was not her first time a customer expressed their love of the furniture. She informed us that the owner of the vineyard also own Belfort furniture DING! DING! That is why the tasting room is decorated so nicely. I love Belfort furniture, which is in Sterling,VA (belfortfurniture.com).

 

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courtesy of stonetowerwinery.com

 

Stone Tower Winery
courtesy of stonetowerwinery.com
courtesy of stonetowerwinery.com

 

THE TASTING

2015 Wild Boar Sauvignon Blanc – I will admit I was skeptical. A Sauvignon Blanc produced in Virginia. Hmm…. to my surprise this wine posses true Sauvignon Blanc characteristics. Crisp white wine with red grapefruit and lemon flavors and minerality on the finish. VERY TASTING!

2015 Wild Boar Viognier – BOLD floral aromas; crisp white wine with soft sweet tart flavors; leaves you wanting more. If I heard correctly the grapes are from Orange County; I’m assuming Virginia and not California. Either way the Viognier is REFRESHING!

2015 Wild Boar Rosé – An unique rose with soft tangerine flavors, mild tannins and a long oaky finish. Reminds me of an orange wine. I would sip on this wine. Varieties: 54% Malbec, Norton, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. Believe it or not, this is my favorite, thus far, in the tasting. THUMBS UP!

2014 Wild Boar Pinot Noir – BOLD fruity and hint of licorice aromas; earthy and cranberries flavors. Young but has good structure. The grapes are from Willamette, Oregon. GOOD!

2014 Wild Boar Malbec – 75% of the grapes from Napa Valley, CA. Medium bodied with earthy and prunes flavors and firm tannins. My husband picked up blueberry jam aromas and flavors. The smoky flavors in the wine should pair well with a cigar. I recommend laying down, definitely has potential. GOOD!

2014 Wild Boar Sanglier Noble – WOW! My palate is in heaven. THIS IS DELICIOUS! Rich with dark cocoa flavors. A blend of Bordeaux varietals. I agree the Cabernet Sauvignon definitely dominates the other varietals. WINNER! Of course, this was our wine purchase for the day.

Since we practically had the vineyard to ourselves (as you can see from the pictures 🙂 ), we were able to enjoy a cigar with the Sanglier Noble, which paired nicely. 

 

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Stone Tower Winery is a must visit, especially if you need decorating ideas. 🙂 For updated wine vintages visit their website:

Stone Tower Winery
19925 Hogback Mountain Rd.
Leesburg, VA 20175
stonetowerwinery.com

 

SALUTE!

Distasteful Wine = Wine Slushies

 

I do not like talking bad about a wine, so I decided to use the term “I’m not able to appreciate the wine at this moment”. However, there comes a time when a wine is not good. It is not about not being able to appreciate a wine or your pallet is not mature enough. Do not make excuses for wines that are not good for consumption. Yes, you can call me a wine snob and I will nod in agreement. However, I try very hard to appreciate all wines.

Unfortunately, I am having one of those wines this evening. After a very stressful day and working 11 hours on a Friday, I am too tired to go to the store or the Vineyard to pick up some wine. My palate is rejecting every sip, body is physically cringing, trying to shake off the distasteful flavors.

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Crazy enough, I was told the wine won many awards, a Governor’s cup, with that being said you know that I am referring to a Virginia wine. GOODNESS! What other wines were in the competition?! The wine does have a beautiful color and the label is nice. This is the second bottle I have tasted (not this evening 🙂 ) and the experience is the same, UGH! I should have selected another wine. But, I thought it was just a bad bottle; maybe it’s two bad bottles?  I will not reveal the winery because Mama always said (in her southern accent), “If you don’t have nothing nice to say, then don’t say nothing at all.”  Time to head downstairs and select another wine. 

Folks, life is too precious and  time is too valuable to waste on drinking BAD wine. I need to remember my mantra: “Amore Vita (love life)”. Loving life does not mean wasting your time drinking nasty wine.  Better yet, turn a bad situation into something good and make wine slushies or wine popiscles.  Here are a couple recipes:

Blackberry Wine Popsicles from Real Simple 

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courtesy of Pastryaffair.com

 

Wine Slushies by Woman’s Day 

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courtesy of purewow.com

SALUTE!

“This is Good Sh..!” – Decoy 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon

Does Decoy 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon measure up to our first experience? Hmmm, I hope so.

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I’m watching the wine flow through the aerator and I find myself asking, “What is this grape juice?” 

Decoy’s is thin-watery with deep plum coloring. The husband has already taken a sip and immediately Decoy receives multiples nods of approval, which was followed by “This is Good Sh..!” O_O with more nodding. YUPPER! (Can’t make this up; remember the blog is called, “Treevinos, Not Your Ordinary Wine Blog!”)

Let’s see if Decoy 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon measures up to MY first experience, which was at Burke Cigars, Burke, VA or were we just caught up in the ambiance of good company, celebration, cigars, wine and art. Before I continue, I have to give thanks to Shami-Owner of Burke Cigars, and All for the warm hospitality, THANK YOU!

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wine, cigars and Dominoes

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Omar Fratello new cigar blend. Complex & Great Smoke from beginning to end!

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Amoxes Art at Burke Cigars, Burke, VA

Sniff and Taste time: smokey and peppery aromas and flavors of black pepper, fruit-forward and grapey. YUP! “This is good Sh..!” 🙂Decoy 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is pairing well dinner: Digiorno pizza and salad.

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In addition to pizza, Decoy 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon  paired well with Omar Fratello of Fratello Cigar new signature cigar. A complex blend that immediately produces vanilla bean flavors and evolves to herbal and floral notes. Also, you can not help to admire the fine-smooth construction. A Great Complex Smoke!

 

Well folks, Decoy 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon has measured up to our first experience and more. 

Another good find in the Target wine aisle and for only $20.00.

Salute! Sante!

Yes, the Glass Matters! – Cosentino Winery “The Red”

Does the Glass Matter? YES!

I thought he knew better; but he is so not in the mood to care. I am poured a non-aerated glass of The Red in a white wine glass. The aromas are not affected by this neglect to detail, but it most definitely is effecting the taste. All I am experiencing is a mouthful chalky tannins with a hint of cocoa and black fruit. 

 

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Love this chart! Future Wine Blog 🙂

After a glass change and some breathing time, the tannins are still commanding and juicy cherry, cocoa, pepper and tobacco flavors emerge with a slight mineral finish on the front-end of my palate. The longer The Red is allowed to breathe, the aromas and flavors magnify. YUMMY!

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The Red is composed of 96% Petit Syrah and 4% Petit Verdot . If you are not familiar with these varieties, Petit Syrah has dark hues, firm tannins and is typically used as a blending wine to provide color and structure. Petit Verdot is a Bordeaux varietal with dark fruit, cedar and spicy flavors and bold tannins.

 Another good selection from Target’s wine aisle. Average cost: $22.00

For more information and to purchase Cosentino wines visit http://www.cosentinowinery.com.

I think this is the shortest wine blog I have written, hooray for you. Short and Sweet!

Salute! Sante!

Ghost Pines – Red, Black and Blue Berries Galore!

At First Taste

I’m so impressed by Ghost Pines Red Blend! A last minute wine selection turned to a wonderful surprise. We are greeted with BOLD aromas of strawberries that my husband and I in unison said, “Do you smell that, wild strawberries?!”

Eyes bright and head nodding in agreement, acknowledging this wine is good. Fruit-forward and juicy berry flavors. No disrespect to the wine, we are force to drink the wine out of plastic cups. Goodness, I can only imagine the flavors that will emerge if were sipping from a wine glass.

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A Proper Tasting

Yes, we had to see if Ghost Pines Red Blend held up to its initial “hype” and I am here to say, YES INDEED!

Ghost Pines Red Blend is a delicious fruit-forward red wine, filled with fruity blackberry and blueberry flavors with hints of spice. The only other wine I have tasted that delivered blueberry flavors was “Carnivore”. I was in the middle of SAQ in Montreal, Canada and was blown away. Well Ghost Pines Red Blend you have done it; I am blown away! A GREAT TARGET FIND!

Ghost Pines Red Blend is produced by Louis M. Martini family, who has been producing wine since the 1960’s. Ghost Pines is named after the 178 acres vineyard in Napa Valley and for the grey pines that “loom” the Northern California hillsides.

Ghost Pines Red Blend consist of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Syrah and Primitivo (isn’t this same as Zinfandel) from multiple wine producing counties, such as Sonoma County, Lake County and Napa County and aged nine months in oak to create toast, vanilla and cola flavors.

For more information view  Ghost Pines Red Blend Winemaker Notes at www.ghostpines.com .

As you can see, Ghost Pines wines are readily available in Northern Virginia. WOWZER!

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Average cost: $18.00

SALUTE!

2012 “Frenchie”, Benjamin Franklin Red Wine – Not Just for Dog Lovers!

14798848_10208066560678160_1247250745_nI am so impressed with how my girlfriend’s appreciation for wine has progressed. I remember when she would only drink Glen Ellen White Zinfandel. (Yes, I’m sure many of us can relate; in the beginning, White Zinfandel was our wine of choice. Shoot, at one time, I recall when White Zinfandel was the number consumed wine). Over time she has come to appreciate light to medium-bodied red wines. The full-bodied tannic red wines are still not her cup of tea, but in due time :).

On her travel to California, she visited Frenchie Winery at Raymond Vineyards and brought me back a bottle of 2012 “Frenchie”, Benjamin Franklin red wine blend. The wine label TOO CUTE!

AROMAS: Bold fruity aromas with hints of cocoa and a slight spice/black pepper.
TASTE: Big juicy flavors that reminds me of a Zinfandel, full-bodied ripe cherries.  
COMPOSITION: 46% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot and 9% Petit Syrah.

“Frenchie” is not available to the public, only available to wine club members. It was explained that the tasting was held in beautifully lush red/cranberry private room with cranberry colored drapes that hung from the ceiling. The tasting room setting made you feel like you were in another era of time.

What is so fantastic that she had a wonderful experience and is intrigued to try other red wines. Two-thumbs up for Frenchie Winery!!

For more information on Frenchie Winery at Raymond Vineyards visit: www.frenchiewinery.com.

Frenchie Winery (at Raymond Vineyards)
849 Zinfandel Lane
Saint Helena, CA 94574

Salute! Sante!

2014 Halos de Jupiter, Cotes du Rhone

Your Everyday Drinking Wine

I’m at Total Wines to pick-up a bottle of wine for a friend. My radar goes off and I spot a wine tasting. I do not know about you, but I can not pass-by a wine tasting.

I’m purchasing a wine for a friend, whose wine consumption consist only of Ménage à Trois. No disrespect intended, but to assist in broadening her wine experience, I’ve been introducing her to different vineyards and varieties.

Since she prefers red wine, I do not bother tasting the whites. The first of the two red wines is a 2013 Halos de Jupiter, Cotes du Rhone. A fruit-forward medium-bodied red wine, PERFECT! Well, it would have been perfect if they had the 2013 Jupiter in stock :/. I was assured the 2014 Jupiter was “just as good” (by the way, the sales clerk continued to pour the 2013 and no, I was not able to taste the 2014). So of course, I had to also purchase the 2014 Jupiter for myself; I can not gift a wine without knowing if the wine is any good (poor me :)).

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2014 Halos de Jupiter, Cotes du Rhone posses a deep rich color with fruity, cherry and spicy aromas; fruit-forward, juicy cherry, raspberries flavors and a mild spice on the finish. A medium-bodied red wine blend with complexity. The 2014 Halos de Jupiter is 83% Grenache and 15% Syrah – VERY NICE!

Exactly what I had in mind, a good everyday drinking wine. YUP, the sale clerk was correct, the 2014 Jupiter is “just as good” as the 2013 Jupiter!

Food pairing: red and white meats: roasted chicken, pork, veal, and duck
Cost: $16.00

Salute!