Wine Tastings: 2014 McManis Family Vineyards Viognier

The other day I was looking for a white to have for pairing purposes.  While poking around the shop, I noticed a Viognier.  I've tasted very few Viognier as most of the time, I have tried wines that were blended with Viognier.

They were generally pretty good and had a distinct flavor to them.  This bottle was only $10US, but it seem to get somewhat decent reviews, so I picked it up.

Tasting Notes:
Light gold in color. Medium plus body with aromatics of wet gravel and light lemon lime scents. Creamy flavors of citrus and honeydew that comes off semi sweet initially and then tails into nice tangy finish.

Final Thoughts:
One of the better $10 wines I've purchased in some time.  QPR heaven.

Wine Tasting: 2014 Orbit Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

I visited my local wine shop today and there was an distributor there offering tastings of their products.  I tried three of them and found one to be to my liking and picked up a bottle of it.  

You would think this wine is it, but it's not.  They were also tasting an Orbit wine, but it was the Cabernet Sauvignon.  The bottle I picked up was also a Cab, just not the Orbit which I did try, but was all that fond of.

While perusing the Pinot Noir section, I noticed they had an Orbit Pinot Noir.  Given the Cab didn't spark much interest, I don't actually know why I was drawn to it.   Well, tonight that is what we're tasting.  2014 Orbit Pinot Noir from California's Russian River Valley.

Tasting Notes:
A beautiful translucent ruby hue. Thin scents of pomegranate and volcanic rock. Buoyant fruit flavors of red cherry, backed with light plum and a red apple rind. Very fruit forward and quite lively.

Final Thoughts:
Better than expected from an $18US Pinot Noir and definitely a surprise from my Orbit Cab tasting initial thoughts.  Though I tend to really like many of the Pinot Noir's coming out of the Russian River Valley. (Miro being one of my favorites)

Wine Tasting: 2006 Casanuova delle Cerbaie Brunello di Montalcino

This evening we are going with a nice Brunello who's window is just opening up.  A 2006 Casanuova delle Cerbaie Brunello di Montalcino.

I picked up two of these from a shop (online) in New Jersey.  Occasionally I'm able to grab some great deals from them and this was definitely one of them.

Tasting Notes:
A beautiful translucent black cherry in color.  Scents of prune, apricot, and cloves.  Flavors of red plum,  leather, clay, and tobacco.  Medium bodied, tannic, with a nice balanced acidity.

Final Thoughts:
Very nice! Not too heavy, but carries a bounty of flavors and complexity.