Tasting #79 Red

Name: 2008 Sendra 66
Grape: Tempranillo
Color: dark purple
Smell: blackberry, blueberry
Taste: spicy, blueberry
Dryness/Sweetness: very dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Spain

Alcohol Content: 14%
How much? $8.95
Would you drink it again? At least one more time.

Other reviews:
From the Vintage Cellar:
"The 2008 Senda 66 spent 8 months in new French oak. Purple/black in color, it sports a fragrant nose of spice box, lavender, blueberry, and blackberry. Smooth-textured, layered, and remarkably rich on the palate for its humble price, the lengthy effort will drink nicely over the next 5-6 years."

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #78 Red

Name: 2009 Sierra Cruz
Grape: Carmenere
Color: dark red
Smell: woody, smoky
Taste: spicy, dark fruit like blackberry
Dryness/Sweetness: dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Chile

Alcohol Content: 13%
How much? $6.95
Would you drink it again? At least one more time - I think I bought this to try with food.

Other reviews:
From the Vintage Cellar:
"As a member of the cabernet sauvignon family, carmenere (pronounced car-men-yare) originated in Bordeaux as one of the grapes permitted for use in the red blends of that storied region. Chilean winemakers have embraced it and several wineries in that country product it as a single varietal. The 2009 Sierra Cruz is a very pleasant, soft, medium bodied wine that has fresh cabernet-like aromas and flavors of spice, dark fruit and black pepper. It is a great value and also would be a nice match with marinated and grilled skirt or flank steak."

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #77 White

Name: Lost Vineyards
Grape: Chardonnay
Color: pale straw yellow
Smell: not a lot
Taste: fruity, pear
Dryness/Sweetness: sweet
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Argentina

Alcohol Content: 12.5%
How much? $3.95
Would you drink it again? I'd keep it in mind - not really sure why, but it wasn't totally terrible.

Other reviews:
From the Vintage Cellar:
"Pale golden color. Perfumed peach, pineapple, and nougat aromas. Round and soft with a fruity-yet-dry medium body. Tangy apple skin and lemon zest notes lift the fruit nicely on the finish."

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #76 White

Name: Sierra Cruz
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Color: white
Smell: citrus, grassy
Taste: tangy
Dryness/Sweetness: sweet
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Chile

Alcohol Content: 12%
How much? $6.95
Would you drink it again? At least one more time

Other reviews:
From the Vintage Cellar:
"This Chilean Sauvignon Blanc just oozes with bright citrus flavors and a nose of herbs and grass. Stylistically, it is a cross between the herbal, grassy wines so prevalent in Sonoma County and the riper, more fruit forward products of New Zealand. Match it with pasta sauce with arugula, pine nuts, mushrooms and Parmesan."

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #75 Red

Name: 2009 Lopez Pancha
Grape: Tempranillo
Color: red
Smell: green beans, vegetables
Taste: leathery
Dryness/Sweetness: semi dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: ?

Alcohol Content: 13%
How much? ?
Would you drink it again? If someone else bought it - this was not my thing


My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #74 White

Name: 2010 Accuro Mendoza
Grape: ?
Color: white
Smell: sweet, pear, apple
Taste: tart
Dryness/Sweetness: slightly dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Argentina

Alcohol Content: 13%
How much? $4.95 on closeout
Would you drink it again? I'd keep it in mind.

Other reviews:
This wine received 90 points from Robert Parker. I don't taste it.
My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Attimo Winery

“Let our moments be your moments…”

4025 Childress Road
Christiansburg, VA 24073

(540) 382 – 7619

wine@attimowinery.com
www.attimowinery.com

M Th F S 11am to 6pm
Sun 1pm to 6pm

Description:
This winery is located very close to Virginia Tech in a near by town, Christiansburg, VA. The couple that owns the winery grew up in New Jersey and fell in love with the area while attending Virginia Tech. The winery is not in a traditional location and my first thought was that it is a local, neighborhood winery. It is literally located in the middle of a neighborhood.

I love their mission!

“Attimo is dedicated to celebrating the everyday moments of life. Attimo means “in the moment,” and we strive to provide an inviting and comforting place to enjoy the moments that you choose to spend with us.”

All of their wines are named after moments in life.

Overall, this was a positive experience. They have a different approach to tasting. You walk in to a living room type set up and chose where you want to sit. A server comes over and does a tasting for you and your party only. This is not your traditional wine bar tasting. I thought it was a really cool idea, but in reality it seems a little awkward. This is only my opinion, tell me what you think! I have to be honest with you all, I am disappointed that I didn’t get to keep the glass. But that is one of the only complaints I have.

The tasting starts at $5.00 and you can add on the reserve wine list for an extra $3.00. The glass itself is $2.00 and not included in the tasting.

Whites

(1)
Name: Masquerade
Grape: Chardonnay
Color: pale yellow
Smell: soft, light fruit
Taste: creamy, oaky (aged 7 months in oak)
Alcohol: 12.5%
Price: $19

Rating: 3 – It was good, but the price is pretty high for what it is.

Comments from Attimo: This creamy chardonnay is the same base wine as our Yesterday’s Song, with masked with significantly more oak. Dry, Smooth & buttery, but still fruity. Pairs well with cheese plates and creamy foods.

(2)
Name: Sonnet 98
Grape: Vidal Blanc
Color: white
Smell: floral, not overly peary
Taste: crisp, floral
Alcohol: 13%
Price: $17

Rating: 4

Comments from Attimo: This Vidal, with its soft undertones and vibrant floral bouquet brings to mind crisp spring mornings and the first spring flowers bursting forth to find the sun.

(3)
Name: I Do
Grape: Traminette/Petite Manseng Blend
Color: white
Smell: citrus
Taste: smooth, citrus
Alcohol: 13%
Price: $17

Rating: 5 - A good sweet, but not as much as Sweet Mountain Laurael for Chateau Morrisette.

Comments from Attimo: I do is a semi-sweet white wine with tropical fruit flavors on the nose, citrus notes on the palette, and a crisp, clean finish. This blend combines the best qualities of each grape to create something new.

Reds

(4)
Name: Deep Silence
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Color: red
Smell: pepper, smoky, dry
Taste: medium body, smoky, berry
Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $18

Rating: 4 - This was a good "had a long day" kind of wine.

Comments from Attimo: This smooth Cabernet franc is calming with traditional flavors of pepper, blackberry, and currant. It can be paired with Mediterranean dishes and goes well with ham, pork and veal.

(5)
Name: AD 325
Grape: Chambourcin
Color: deep purple color
Smell: earthy
Taste: cherry, bold
Alcohol: 13.8%
Price: $16

Rating: 5 – Pretty good.

Comments from Attimo: This Chambourcin, brings together a rich, brilliantly colored wine with vibrant aromatics and slightly-sweet flavor. Chambourcin is best served with chocolate, as the flavors intermingle exceptionally well.

(6)
Name: Vertex
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Color: red
Smell: black currant, rich, oaky
Taste: oak, smooth, dry (not as much as dry as Deep Silence)
Alcohol: 13%
Price: $20

Rating: 4 – The meaning of this name is crossroads.

Comments from Attimo: This bold and unassuming Cabernet Sauvignon with rich tannins and intense plum flavors, reaches a peak of spiciness.It can be paired with bold meats and rich pasta meals.

Dessert Wines

(7)
Name: Sweet Berry Sunset
Grape: Raspberry/Red Wine Blend
Color: brown color
Smell: raspberry
Taste: RASPBERRY (no mistake), good blend of all these things
Alcohol: 12.5%
Price: $13

Rating: 4 – This was really, really good. Very sweet, definitely a dessert wine.

Comments from Attimo: Our raspberries and blackberries are grown in the vineyard, and harvested at the peak of ripeness. This mixed berry wine provides a sweet and fruity blend with the red table wine.

(8)
Name: Sudden Downpour
Grape: Apple/White Wine Blend
Color: ?
Smell: slight bourbon sent
Taste: apple, sweet
Alcohol: 12.5%
Price: $13

Rating: 4 – This was mulled in bourbon chips

Comments from Attimo: This sweet apple wine, blended with white table wine embodies a quality of surprise, with warm vanilla notes drawn from the aged bourbon barrel.

(9)
Name: Seduction
Grape: Tinta Madera/Touriga Nacional/Souzao
Color: brownish
Smell: raisin
Taste: raisin, smooth, port like, very hot on the finish
Alcohol: 18%
Price: $26

Rating: 2 – Did not mean to try this by the glass. Way too hot on the finish and overall not my thing.

Comments from Attimo: This vintage Ruby dessert wine conjures up flavors of dark chocolate, raspberry, blackberry and a slight touch of nuttiness. Perfect for a cold winter night.

Awards

Yesterday's Song

Bronze: International Eastern Wine Competition

Bronze: Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition

Gold: Virginia Wine Lover’s Classic 2011

Sonnet 98

Double Gold: International Eastern Wine Competition

Best in Class: International Eastern Wine Competition

Gold: Virginia Wine Lover’s Classic 2011

Silver: Wines of the South Competition

I Do

Silver: Wines of the South Competition

Deep Silence

Bronze: Wines of the South Competition

A.D. 325

Second: Red, Western Division, Virginia Wine Lover

Bronze: International Eastern Wine Competition

Gold: Virginia Wine Lover’s Classic 2011

Silver: Wines of the South Competition

Vertex

Bronze: Wines of the South Competition

Sweet Berry Sunset

Gold: Virginia Wine Lover’s Classic 2011

Sudden Downpour

Bronze: Wines of the South Competition

Tasting #65 Sangria

Name:Morada Sangria
Grape: I dunno, something red
Color: plum red
Smell: fruity
Taste: citrus, fruity, simple
Dryness/Sweetness: sweeeet
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Spain

Alcohol Content: 7%
How much? $4.95 per Liter
Would you drink it again? I'd keep it in mind to mix with something for a college party. Better than a gin bucket.

Other reviews:
From the Vintage Cellar:
"A traditional Spanish drink made with red wine and citrus extracts. Garnet color and fresh on the palate. Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit like peach, banana or apple."

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #64 Red

ADD PICTURE Name: Cortenova Primitivo 2010
Grape: Primitivo
Color: dark red
Smell: deep floral rose, reminds me of Valhalla but it’s not
Taste: dark luscious fruit
Dryness/Sweetness: dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Italy

Alcohol Content: 13%
How much? $3.95 (closeout), $7.95 (on sale)
Would you drink it again? At least one more time – I bought it again to try

Other reviews:
From the Vintage Cellar:
“Dark, ruby-red color with violet highlights. Intense and fragrant bouquet with a rich array of red and black fruit aromas and flavors. Harmonious and velvety on the palate. Great balance and structure. Excellent with grilled or roasted meats, games and cheese."

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #63 Red

Name: Canyon Road 2010
Grape: Pinot Noir
Color: red
Smell: raspberry, cherry
Taste: raspberry, cherry, lack of spice
Dryness/Sweetness: dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: California

Alcohol Content: 13%
How much? $6.95
Would you drink it again? At least one more time

Extra thoughts? I bought a bottle and hope it tastes as good for the price as it did at the Vintage Cellar

Other reviews:
From the Vintage Cellar:
“This Pinot Noir expresses tantalizing flavors of ripe cherry and wild raspberry and finishes with brown, vanilla spices and smooth finish.”

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!