Tasting - Cupcake Red Velvet

Name: Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet

Variety: Blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: 2011

Price: $11.99

Winery Review: Tasting Cupcake Red Velvet revealed cocoa, blackberries and black cherry on the palate.  This was the unexpected pleasant surprise, given the nose.  This is a very smooth and easy drinking wine.  Not dry at all. Well balanced tannins were noted mainly on the front of the tongue and the mouthfeel reminded me of 2% milk.  Creamy for a wine. The finish was long and very enjoyable.  As advertised, hints of coconut were present in the lingering finish.  Additionally, there was no sting of alcohol on the breathe out which was another pleasant suprise from this wine. Overall, I really enjoyed Cupcake Red Velvet.  It’s a great sipper on its own and the Zinfandel base makes for a super smooth easy drinking wine.  Pair with cheesecake.

My Review: The aroma was tangy, hits you right away, and you can almost taste the bitterness. There is a slight hint of dark chocolate. The first taste is very subtle followed by a strong, creamy finish filled with tannins. It had notions of cherry dark chocolate, like the aroma. I paired this wine with a homemade udon noodle soup. The wine was definitely overpowering due to the fact that the soup was very light. I also tried a piece of Hershey's milk chocolate with it, and it was a great pairing. It was like the chocolate prepared the palate for what what would come with wine.