I just got back from a business trip in Missouri and while my flight was delayed I stopped for some wine flights and tasting at Vino Volo in the St. Louis Southwest Terminal. Me stop for wine, surprise, surprise!
The Tiny Bubbles Tasting was a great way to start. Very cold, light, and refreshing.
*I started with CAVA from Raventos Rosell winery. The grapes are a Macabeo Blend. It had notes of citrus, pear and green apple and an interesting nutty taste. I rated this a 3.8.
*Next was Gran Cuvee Champagne from Moutard Winery was lovely. On the nose it had bright aromas of apple and honey and tasted like green apple, lemons and toast.
I rated this bubbly a 4.1.
*A sparking Rose from Domaine Bousquet followed leading me into a Red tasting. This was an organic wine with red fruit flavors, plum, apple and balanced with a hint of bread giving it a nice smooth finish. I rated this unique Rose a 4.0.
Sommelier Series tasting: (CA vs France Pinot Noirs)
*I began with a 2021 Pommard from Domaine Blaine-Gagnard
I rated this wine a 3.8 for no other reason than it was drinkably good but I wouldn’t necessarily buy it again and wouldn’t stock it in my wine fridge. I would however like to compare to other Pommard’s as I’m less familiar and typically like Pinot Noir. It had notes of Strawberry, cranberry and Black Tea, medium in body and mineral finish.
*2021 Sea Smoke from Sonoma County was next and also the Pinot Noir Grape. I was excited to try this one as I had heard it was really good. I really enjoyed it and rated it a 4.4. It was fuller in body, smooth yet intense with a silky finish. It had notes of Black fruit, fig and pomegranate as well as spice.
Wagner Family Series Tasting:
*First up for this Tasting was a 2021 Napa Valley Merlot called Emollo. This was bold yet smooth red with notes of black fruit, cinnamon and tobacco. I enjoyed the subtly smoking/spice finish. I rated this one a 4.0.
*Next was Caymus, a 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This was the stereotypical Cab from Napa. It had delicious dark berry notes, black currant and licorice rounded out with coffee and nutmeg on the finish. I love Cabs and rated this beauty a 4.6.
*Last was a voyage 11 Argentian Malbec from Caymus Vineyards called Red Schooner. This unique wine is produced from grapes from Argentina shipped to Napa Valley for processing. It has big, bold notes of dark fruit and leaves you with a velvety and smooth mouth feel. I rated this special wine a 4.1. It is unlike any other Malbecs in the world.
