Wine Tasting: Scarlet Path Zinfandel

Name: Scarlet Path

Varietal: Zinfandel

Region: Lodi, California

Country: United States

Year: 2019

Price: $8.99

Shop/wine critic/notes online: "An enjoyable, fairly straightforward Zinfandel with red fruit and tobacco on the nose. To taste, red fruit such as cherry and hints of tobacco, mild earthy tones and maybe some faint spice at the finish. Medium-bodied, some acidity present. Would buy again. Drink with other Zin lovers who don’t mind some acidity, a little dryness, and a little boldness." From Joshua Kozlowski on Vivino: https://www.vivino.com/users/joshua.kozlowski/reviews/229821843.

References from Wine Folly book: From Page 189 in the Wine Folly book, Zinfandel is a fruit-forward but bold red wine that is loved for its jammy fruit and smoky, exotic spice notes. It originates from Croatia. Typical flavors and profiles of Zinfandel from the North Coast of California are blackberry, black plum, crushed gravel, allspice, and white pepper.

Personal review: Smells like dark cherry, plummy. It tasted fruity and a lot less tannic/full bodied than I expected it to be. It was velvety and luscious with a woody/oak finish. I really enjoyed this Zinfandel and it is definitely one of my top red wines now.

Wine Tasting: Quarter Cut Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Quarter Cut

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Mendocino County, California

Country: United States

Year: 2021

Price: $9.99

Shop/wine critic/notes online: "14.5% alcohol but it didn't hit me like most bourbon barrel's, very smooth and didn't much taste the bourbon as usually do. Flavors of Black cherry, dark fruits, jamy, vanilla and oak." From Sam Cracchiolo on Vivino: https://www.vivino.com/users/sam-crac/reviews/214408282

References from Wine Folly book: From Page 88 in the Wine Folly book, Cabernet Sauvignon is the world's most popular wine, and a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, originating from Bordeaux. These wines are concentrated and well-suited for aging, and have a rich flavor and high tannin content. Typical flavor profiles of Cabernet Sauvignon include black cherry, black currant, cedar, baking spices, and graphite. 

Personal review: I could smell vanilla, black cherry, and some sort of clover/spice in it. It tasted full-bodied and had decently high tannins. The oak from the bourbon barrel aging really came through, along with the vanilla. I really enjoyed this wine, and this is added to my list of reds that I actually enjoy. I think I'm starting to figure out that when it comes to reds, I like ones that have that more woody/vanilla flavor profile to it.

Wine Tasting: Castleridge Carneros Chardonnay

Name: Castleridge Carneros

Varietal: Chardonnay

Region: Napa Valley, California

Country: United States

Year: 2021

Price: $12.99

Shop/wine critic/notes online: "The color is a shiny wheat yellow. The nose is lemon, apple, peach, vanilla, pineapple, nectarine, a little honey, and lightly floral. The Castleridge Carneros Chardonnay 2021 is a smooth, rounded wine with some interesting elements of the mid-palate. This Chardonnay tastes like lemon curd, green apple, tart grapefruit, spice, juicy peach, and Anjou pear. The mid-palate adds vanilla cream, melon, that salty/nutty on-lees thing, and dried apricot. The acidity is well-balanced, the flavors have plenty of time to unfold and the wine has excellent length." From Domaine Dave on cheapwinefinder: https://cheapwinefinder.com/37996/castleridge-carneros-chardonnay-2021/

References from Wine Folly book: From Page 96 in the Wine Folly book, Chardonnay is one of the most popular grapes and made in a wide variety of styles, from sparking Blanc de Blancs to rich, creamy whites aged in oak. Typical flavors and profiles of Chardonnay from California are yellow apple, pineapple, lemon zest, pie crust, and nutmeg. 

Personal review: I thought that it smelled fruity and citrusy and a very faint hint of vanilla and clove. It was creamy with more forward notes of vanilla and spice when tasting, and the higher 14.2% alcohol came through. I really enjoyed this Chardonnay and this might be one of my favorites. I didn't try this with any food, but I would love to try this with an alfredo or seafood dish.

Wine Tasting: Elementalist Pinot Grigio

Name: Elementalist

Varietal: Pinot Grigio

Region: Mendocino County, California

Country: United States

Year: 2021

Price: $8.99

Shop/wine critic/notes online: "Light, floral, apricot nose, the palate is lemony, crisp green apple and hints of honeydew melon. A slightly lingering finish(which I like), which gives it more body than your typical, run-of-the-mill PG. It's inspired me to try more California PGs!" From Patricia Syvrud on Vivino: https://www.vivino.com/users/patricia.syvrud/reviews/246187402 

References from Wine Folly book: From Page 149 in the Wine Folly book, Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio) is a pink mutation of Pinot Noir that is famous for zest white wines that range from dry to sweet. Typical flavors and profiles of Pinot Grigio are white peach, lemon zest, cantaloupe, raw almond, and crushed gravel. I thought that the Elementalist Pinot Grigio was more on the dry side, and I could definitely pick out the lemon and peach notes.

Personal review: I thought that it was light, with more forward citrus scents (lime and orange), and a little bit of pear. It was very crisp which took me off guard, feeling like a punch to the mouth. I was able to taste more of the lemony/peach flavors from it which was pleasant. I don't think this was my favorite Pinot Grigio, but I did enjoy it. I did not taste this wine with any food.