Last Week's Tasting Notes

​Owen Roe Coop White ($10.99, was $14.99)
Yakima, Washington
From the producer: 
"You don't let the fox guard the henhouse.
Celebrating the endearing thief in this cautionary tale, the Owen Roe employees humbly bring you COOP, a co-operative employee share wine. Through peerless plundering of the Owen Roe henhouse, we share 100% of the success of this wine."

Viognier 70% Muscat 17% Rousanne 13%

From me:
This is what I'd call a "geeky" wine. The blend is a little unusual, particularly for a domestic wine. Viognier and Rousanne are commonly part of white Rhone blends, but the addition of Muscat increases both the fruit and floral characters of this wine. Muscat also adds, as one might imagine, a muskiness similar to what I have sensed from tradtional Orvietos. All in all, this wine is very tasty, fruit forward with an earthy undertone, and certainly a conversation piece!

Chaminé Vinho Tinto ($10.99)
Alentejo, Portugal
From the producer:
"Cortes de Cima is a family winery in southern Portugal. Our grapes are grown sustainably in our own vineyards.

Chaminé is a blend of fully ripened, selected Portuguese grapes. With soft, balanced tannins and intense, ripe berry fruit character. Chaminé is ready for your immediate drinking pleasure."

45% Tempranillo 30% Syrah 12% Touriga Nacional 7% Trincadeira 6% Alicante Bouschet

From me:
Chaminé, while containing the usual grapes from Alentejo (Tempranillo, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet), also has a significant Syrah content. This balances out the dark fruitiness that the other grapes lend the wine, and it provides a little more structure. While this is certainly fruit-driven, there is a m ild spiciness and a soft tannin to keep it interesting. This wine is not oaked.

The Riddler Lot 5 ($16.99, was $19.99)
Napa, California
From the producer:
"The Riddler has all the varieties you would expect in a Napa Red. Our riddle for you is what are they?

Tasting notes: Hints of bright wild raspberries mix with fresh plums and violets. Red fruit flavors linger endlessly on your palette."

From me:
Since the wine company that makes this wine also makes a varietal Cab, and since they are in Napa, it's safe to assume that the base of this blend is Cabernet Sauvignon. Beyond that? Take your best guess! It's a smooth, bold blend that will please a broad variety of palates. Watch out, though, its comes in at a whopping 15.2% abv!