Tasting - Color Block Chardonnay

 

Name: Color Block

Variety: Chardonnay

Country / Region: Chile

Vintage: 2023

Price: $6

Wine Review: Some reviews I found on the website, Vivino, included mentions of "Apples, crisp, dryer side, light in body, nice finish. Good with pizza, salmon." Some other users also said and I quote, "Notes of guava, cantaloupe and lemon are consistent throughout" along with "Crisp and refreshing! No Oak, no butter. Full is pear and tropical fruit flavors. Very fresh and enjoyable" (“Color Block Chardonnay”).

Wine Folly: As said in the Chardonnay general section in Wine Folly, Chardonnay is "made in a wide range of styles from sparkling Blanc de Blancs to rich, creamy white wines aged in oak." Food wise Chardonnay "pairs best with subtle spices and flavors. For example, try matching it with creamy, buttery flavors and soft textures" such as Lobster. Other tasting notes include fruitiness (more specifically a lemon taste) and spices such as nutmeg.

Review: This was my first Chardonnay ever and it did not disappoint! Rich flavors of tropical fruits and cinnamon were present from the start with great aromas of different tree fruits. When comparing my tasting to the Wine Review and Wine Folly I noticed all of the aspects that were listed. The wine had a fresh and creamy taste to it with oak being noticeable as well. Along with this hints of spices were also present with the cinnamon enhancing the overall taste of the wine. Great wine for the price, and will continue to explore more Chardonnays and pair them with food in the future.

I did not taste this wine with food. 

Tasting - Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Name: Dark Horse

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Country / Region: California 

Vintage: 2022

Price: $10

Wine Review: According to a critic review on Dark Horse's website, the "'Bold - Complex - Oak'... with bold dark fruit and a complex mix of herb and spice knit together by toasted oak, all present aromatically and as palate flavors" (“Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon V22 750ML”).

Wine Folly: In the Cabernet Sauvignon general section in Wine Folly, it is a "cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc" with "high tannin content" and rich flavors. It has flavors of black currant, baking spices, and graphite, and is usually higher in alcohol content with a bigger body and high tannins comparatively to other wines. Because of all of these things, food like grilled meat such as a burger is a great pairing ("Wine Folly").

Review: This Cabernet Sauvignon was great! I really enjoyed the coffee taste it presented and sugary note aftertaste. It reminded me of toffee in a way with spices like cinnamon and dried herbs contributing as well. According to the critic's reviews, there was bold dark fruit present with spices and oak which I noticed not only through the aroma of the wine but also as I first took a sip. The tannin content wasn't as high as I have had with other Cabernet Sauvignon's but still contained that amazing rich flavor.

I did not taste this wine with food.