Name: Jam Jar Sweet Wine
Variety: Moscato Blend
Region: Westiern Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
Winery Review: Soft floral hints add depth to the otherwise straightforward ripe peach and nectarine aromas. There's a good balance in the mouth, with a nice acidic lift and slightly lime edge to cut the sweetness on the finish and close with the faintest hints of honeydew melon.
Personal Review: This Moscato blend smelled like peaches, sweet honeydew melon, and very floral. The wine was super sweet and tasted of honey, nectarines, ripe honeydew melon, and had a hint of lime in the mid-palate, which made it more interesting. I loved this wine and I was excited that I could taste the lime mentioned in the description because I feel like that is a more difficult taste to detect, especially while tasting wine. This is the first wine I have had that included lime as a flavor. I really liked this wine and would definitely recommend it because it takes sweet wine a step beyond the norm. I did not have this wine with any food.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Tasting - Entrada
Name: Entrada
Variety: Malbec
Region: Nancagua
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Winery Review: Firm and structured, this is a solid wine, laced with mineral acidity and tight tannins. It has a juicy, blackberry fruit component cutting through the texture.
Personal Review: This wine smelled jammy, peppery, and of blackberries and dark currants. The taste was a little rubbery-flavored with blackberries and currants also coming through. Mid-palate, the wine was a little spicy. The wine's texture was smooth and it had a nice, long finish. I did not have this wine with any food.
Variety: Malbec
Region: Nancagua
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Winery Review: Firm and structured, this is a solid wine, laced with mineral acidity and tight tannins. It has a juicy, blackberry fruit component cutting through the texture.
Personal Review: This wine smelled jammy, peppery, and of blackberries and dark currants. The taste was a little rubbery-flavored with blackberries and currants also coming through. Mid-palate, the wine was a little spicy. The wine's texture was smooth and it had a nice, long finish. I did not have this wine with any food.
Tasting - Peter Lehmann Chardonnay
Name: Peter Lehmann
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Barossa Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: Regular: $20.00; Sale: $9.95
Winery Review: The 2010 Chardonnay presents subtle notes of spiced apple slices and ripe peaches with hints of freshly baked bread and melon. Light bodied, clean and refreshingly crisp in the mouth, it offers just enough apple and pear flavor concentration, finishing with medium-long persistence. Drink it now to 2014.
Personal Review: This Chardonnay smelled of peaches and grapefruit and had a slight buttery-oaky smell as well. The wine was crisp and slightly dry. At first it like freshly baked bread you would get from a gourmet bakery, but in the finish, was sour and fruity with flavors of peach, melon, lemon, and sour apple coming through. I did not like this wine just because it has a little too much going on, but I thought it was interesting it incorporated so many flavors. I did not have this wine with any food.
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Barossa Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: Regular: $20.00; Sale: $9.95
Winery Review: The 2010 Chardonnay presents subtle notes of spiced apple slices and ripe peaches with hints of freshly baked bread and melon. Light bodied, clean and refreshingly crisp in the mouth, it offers just enough apple and pear flavor concentration, finishing with medium-long persistence. Drink it now to 2014.
Personal Review: This Chardonnay smelled of peaches and grapefruit and had a slight buttery-oaky smell as well. The wine was crisp and slightly dry. At first it like freshly baked bread you would get from a gourmet bakery, but in the finish, was sour and fruity with flavors of peach, melon, lemon, and sour apple coming through. I did not like this wine just because it has a little too much going on, but I thought it was interesting it incorporated so many flavors. I did not have this wine with any food.
Tasting: Vina Borga Borsao
Name: Vina Borga Borsao
Variety: 100% Grenache
Region: Aragon
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Winery Review: 86 Points - Robert Parker - "Also made from 100% Grenache, the 2012 Vina Borgia was fermented and aged in stainless steel. Its medium dark ruby color is followed by abundant notes of strawberries and black cherries offered in a straightforward, medium-bodied, soft, hedonistic, round style. It is hard to believe a wine this good can sell for $7 a bottle. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years."
Personal Review: This wine smelled like blackberries, grapes, and cranberries. It tasted jammy at first and had a very peppery mid-palate and had a dry finish. The wine was medium-bodied with flavors of currants, blackberries, and cranberries coming through. I did not have this wine with any food.
Variety: 100% Grenache
Region: Aragon
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Winery Review: 86 Points - Robert Parker - "Also made from 100% Grenache, the 2012 Vina Borgia was fermented and aged in stainless steel. Its medium dark ruby color is followed by abundant notes of strawberries and black cherries offered in a straightforward, medium-bodied, soft, hedonistic, round style. It is hard to believe a wine this good can sell for $7 a bottle. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years."
Personal Review: This wine smelled like blackberries, grapes, and cranberries. It tasted jammy at first and had a very peppery mid-palate and had a dry finish. The wine was medium-bodied with flavors of currants, blackberries, and cranberries coming through. I did not have this wine with any food.
Tasting - Protocolo
Name: Protocolo Vino de la Tierra
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Castilla
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Winery Review: Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon, and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value.
Personal Review: This Tempranillo smelled minty with hints of honey, lemon, and orange. The wine was crisp, and consisted of orange, honey, and lemon flavors. It was quite bitter and a bit tart and dry at first but it had a long, smooth finish. It left my mouth a little dry, but it was also very refreshing at the same time. I really enjoyed this wine. I did not have it with any food.
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Castilla
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Winery Review: Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon, and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value.
Personal Review: This Tempranillo smelled minty with hints of honey, lemon, and orange. The wine was crisp, and consisted of orange, honey, and lemon flavors. It was quite bitter and a bit tart and dry at first but it had a long, smooth finish. It left my mouth a little dry, but it was also very refreshing at the same time. I really enjoyed this wine. I did not have it with any food.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Tasting - Eco Love
Name: R. Wines: Eco.Love
Variety: Riesling
Region: South Island
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009
Price: Sale: $18 - $7.95
Winery Review: Our South Island Riesling has a range and combination of flavors unlike any other. These flavors span citrus, root ginger, white peach, spices and florals. Eco.Love Riesling is made in balance to an off-dry style. Food Pairing: Asian Fusion, Seafood, Curry, and anything spicy.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled like cat pee, petrol, and like the beach. It did not smell super appetizing, but the beach smell made it a little better for me because I love everything about the beach. The wine tasted a lot sweeter than I expected it to after smelling it. It tasted like honeydew melon, peaches, and citrus fruits but was also a little tangy and spicy, similar to what I would expect from the smell. I actually really liked this wine because the flavors were interesting and made up for the weird smell. This is the first Riesling I have had that smells like petrol and cat pee, so it was definitely memorable. I did not have this wine with any food but I would love to try it in the future with seafood or Asian cuisine because I can imagine it pairing nicely with those foods.
Variety: Riesling
Region: South Island
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009
Price: Sale: $18 - $7.95
Winery Review: Our South Island Riesling has a range and combination of flavors unlike any other. These flavors span citrus, root ginger, white peach, spices and florals. Eco.Love Riesling is made in balance to an off-dry style. Food Pairing: Asian Fusion, Seafood, Curry, and anything spicy.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled like cat pee, petrol, and like the beach. It did not smell super appetizing, but the beach smell made it a little better for me because I love everything about the beach. The wine tasted a lot sweeter than I expected it to after smelling it. It tasted like honeydew melon, peaches, and citrus fruits but was also a little tangy and spicy, similar to what I would expect from the smell. I actually really liked this wine because the flavors were interesting and made up for the weird smell. This is the first Riesling I have had that smells like petrol and cat pee, so it was definitely memorable. I did not have this wine with any food but I would love to try it in the future with seafood or Asian cuisine because I can imagine it pairing nicely with those foods.
Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham
Name: Wine Men of Gotham
Variety: Chardonnay (80%) and Semillon (20%)
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95
Winery Review: Chardonnay Semillon is a blend of 80! Chardonnay and 20% Semillon. It gives a moderate intensity of melon, guava, apricot and butterscotch aromas. The medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity along with plenty of tropical fruit flavors and a medium-long finish.
Personal Review: This wine smelled floral and like peaches, melon peel and grapefruit. The wine was very dry and sour and tasted like peaches, orange peel, melon rinds. It was light, somewhat watery and had a long smooth, crisp finish. I liked this wine but it was slightly too dry for me to want to purchase it. I did not have this wine with any food.
Variety: Chardonnay (80%) and Semillon (20%)
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95
Winery Review: Chardonnay Semillon is a blend of 80! Chardonnay and 20% Semillon. It gives a moderate intensity of melon, guava, apricot and butterscotch aromas. The medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity along with plenty of tropical fruit flavors and a medium-long finish.
Personal Review: This wine smelled floral and like peaches, melon peel and grapefruit. The wine was very dry and sour and tasted like peaches, orange peel, melon rinds. It was light, somewhat watery and had a long smooth, crisp finish. I liked this wine but it was slightly too dry for me to want to purchase it. I did not have this wine with any food.
Tasting - Canyon Road
Name: Canyon Road
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Winery Review: Rich, fruit flavored cherry flavors, soft tannins, a medium body and a smooth velvety finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, salmon, and savory pork dishes.
Personal Review: This wine smelled like dark, ripe cherries, plums, and sweet blackberries. The wine was dry but also smooth at the same time with a creamy finish. It was chewy but not so thick that I felt sick after tasting it. It was very fruit-forward with dark red cherries, blackberries and plums. There was also a hint of apricot that kind of lightened up the flavor after the "punch" of fruit that was present upfront.
Tasting - Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon
Name: Toschi
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
Winery Review: Well-balanced flavors of dark berries and plums. Spicy fruit finish.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine was super alcoholic-smelling, spicy, and the only fruit I could detect were cherries. This wine tasted like plums and dark red berries. It had a slightly-rubbery mid-palate and a spicy finish. I did not like this wine due to the rubbery flavor and was not impressed with the flavors I could detect. It was a little too boring for me and nothing really made this Cabernet Sauvignon stick out. I did not have this wine with any food.
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
Winery Review: Well-balanced flavors of dark berries and plums. Spicy fruit finish.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine was super alcoholic-smelling, spicy, and the only fruit I could detect were cherries. This wine tasted like plums and dark red berries. It had a slightly-rubbery mid-palate and a spicy finish. I did not like this wine due to the rubbery flavor and was not impressed with the flavors I could detect. It was a little too boring for me and nothing really made this Cabernet Sauvignon stick out. I did not have this wine with any food.
Tasting - Indwe Sauvignon Blanc
Name: Indwe
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Coastal Region of
Country: South Africa
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Winery Review: Grapes are meticulously sources from our grape producers along the Coastal region of the Western Cape ensuring complexity and freshness in the wine. Indwe Sauvignon Blanc is full of layers, balance and persistence. The wine is imbued with tropical and citrus notes, with hints of melon and gooseberry flavors.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled of peaches, honey, citrus fruit, and orange peel. The taste took the wine a step further with honey and sweet melon mixed with tartness. I loved this wine because the balance between the sweetness and tartness was well-balanced and was very refreshing. I did not have this wine with any food.
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Coastal Region of
Country: South Africa
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Winery Review: Grapes are meticulously sources from our grape producers along the Coastal region of the Western Cape ensuring complexity and freshness in the wine. Indwe Sauvignon Blanc is full of layers, balance and persistence. The wine is imbued with tropical and citrus notes, with hints of melon and gooseberry flavors.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled of peaches, honey, citrus fruit, and orange peel. The taste took the wine a step further with honey and sweet melon mixed with tartness. I loved this wine because the balance between the sweetness and tartness was well-balanced and was very refreshing. I did not have this wine with any food.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Tasting - Shine Heinze Eifel
Variety: Dornfelder
Region: Rheinhessen
Country: Germany
Year: 2011
Price: $10.99
Winery Review: The reflection of the sun's rays off the Rhein River help to ripen these hearty red grapes, thus producing a full bodied wine with flavors of dark red fruits with a well balanced sweetness. Enjoy slightly chilled on its own or with cheeses, salads, pasta, and fish.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine had aromas of cranberries and blackberries. The taste was sweet and jammy with flavors of blackberries, crisp red apples, blueberries, and plums coming through. I tried this wine right after the super-dry Santa Luz Alba Chardonnay, so it might have affected my perceptions about the sweetness level of this wine. According to the store clerk, the wine is in the semi-sweet range. Based off of my experience, I loved this wine and would definitely consider purchasing it. I did not have this wine with any food.
Tasting - Yellow Tail Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: New South Wales
Country: Australia
Year: 2013
Price: $5.99
Winery Review: Vibrant cherry and raspberry flavors. Earth notes add complexity to the well balanced tannins in this lively Pinot Noir wine. Long flavorful finish.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled very acidic, tannic, dry, and of dark, bitter fruits. The wine tasted like sour plums and blackberries, and unripe cherries. It was very bitter and acidic. I hated this wine! This is the first Yellow Tail wine I have ever tried and it was an awful experience. I would definitely not recommend it to anyone. I also tried this wine with goat cheese and with block cheddar jack cheese and neither one of them seemed to open up the wine and make it fruitier. This wine was difficult to choke down and was a waste of $6.
Tasting - Santa Luz Alba
Name: Santa Luz Alba
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Colchagua Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $8.99
Winery Review: A medium-bodied wine offering lemon and pineapple aromas laced with notes of honey. Tropical fruit flavors merger with vibrant acidity on the finish.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled very fruity, however, the wine was very dry and sour. The fruits I could detect were sour citrus fruits and orange peel which gave the wine an overwhelmingly harsh bitterness. I tried this wine at The Gourmet Pantry and they suggested trying the wine with a piece of herbal cheese. After trying the wine with the cheese, a bit of sweet orange and tangy flavors came forward. The cheese was a lot dryer than the wine, so it also made the wine seem less harsh and a bit creamier. I did not like this wine by itself and I hated the cheese, but I feel like this wine would have gone excellently with blue cheese (which I like).
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Colchagua Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $8.99
Winery Review: A medium-bodied wine offering lemon and pineapple aromas laced with notes of honey. Tropical fruit flavors merger with vibrant acidity on the finish.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled very fruity, however, the wine was very dry and sour. The fruits I could detect were sour citrus fruits and orange peel which gave the wine an overwhelmingly harsh bitterness. I tried this wine at The Gourmet Pantry and they suggested trying the wine with a piece of herbal cheese. After trying the wine with the cheese, a bit of sweet orange and tangy flavors came forward. The cheese was a lot dryer than the wine, so it also made the wine seem less harsh and a bit creamier. I did not like this wine by itself and I hated the cheese, but I feel like this wine would have gone excellently with blue cheese (which I like).
Tasting - Finca del Castillo
Name: Finca del Castillo
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $4.95
Winery Review: Rooty, spicy, and baked on the nose, with aromas that lean toward raisin. The palate is more gritty and acidic, with raisin, cola, and spice flavors. Darkens up on the finish, which is long and peppery, with adequate juiciness and a final note of tomato.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine was jammy and smelled of blackberries, blueberries with a sourness similar to a Granny Smith apple. The wine tasted rubbery, acidic, and peppery with dark cherry and blackberry flavors. The wine was full-bodied and chewy. I did not care for this wine and I did not have it with any food.
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $4.95
Winery Review: Rooty, spicy, and baked on the nose, with aromas that lean toward raisin. The palate is more gritty and acidic, with raisin, cola, and spice flavors. Darkens up on the finish, which is long and peppery, with adequate juiciness and a final note of tomato.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine was jammy and smelled of blackberries, blueberries with a sourness similar to a Granny Smith apple. The wine tasted rubbery, acidic, and peppery with dark cherry and blackberry flavors. The wine was full-bodied and chewy. I did not care for this wine and I did not have it with any food.
Tasting - Molly Dooker
Name: Molly Dooker The Vionlinist VerdelhoVariety: Verdelho
Region: McLaren Vale
Country: Austria
Year: 2010
Price: Regular: $30.00; Sale: $14.95
Winery Review: 90 Points - Robert Parker "A blend of 1/3 Adelaide Hills fruit and 2/3 McLaren Vale, the 2010 The Vionlinist Verdelho give intense aromas of lemon juice, white pepper, coriander seed and a touch of grapefruit peel. Crisp, rich and very full in the mouth (15.5% declared alcohol), this Verdelho provides a great intensity of spiced citrus flavors with some poached pears and apple slices coming through in the long finish.
Personal Review: This wine smelled of citrus, pineapple, and of white pepper. The wine was very dry and sour with hints of lemon peel and grapefruit peel flavors, mixed with a hint of rubber. The wine had a hot aftertaste, however, it was interesting to taste grapefruit peel in the wine, because that is a flavor I had never tasted in wine. I liked this wine, but not enough to purchase a bottle. I did not have this wine with any food.
Tasting - Dos Fincas Cabernet Malbec
Name: Dos FincasVariety: Cabernet Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: Regular: $20.00; Sale: $12.95
Winery Review: 90 Points - Wine Enthusiast "An excellent wine for the money. All of Basso's current wines are rock solid, including this blend of Cabernet and Malbec, which shows jammy berry aromas backed by plump blackberry and strawberry flavors. Solid and flush throughout, with nary a flaw."
Personal Review: This wine was jammy and peppery on the nose and tasted of blackberries, blueberries, and plums. It was full-bodied and very tannic. I did not like this wine because it was not very interesting and it was too acidic for my taste. I did not have this Cabernet Malbec with any food.
Tasting - Evodia
Name: Evodia
Variety: Old Vines Grenache
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $9.95
Winery Review: 88 Points - Robert Parker "An Eric Solomon custom cuvee, the 2012 Evodia is 100% Grenache from a vineyard planted at more than 2,000 feet in pure decomposed slate soils. Some of the Grenache vines are over 100 years of age. The wine exhibits good density, plenty of richness, not the complexity or ethereal qualities of several of his other custom curvees, but beautiful fruit, a luscious texture and a hedonistic mouthfeel as well as finish. Enjoy this remarkable value over the next 2-3 years."
Personal Review: This wine smelled spicy, like freshly-ground black pepper mixed with blackberry jam. The Grenache tasted exactly how it smelled - peppery, spicy, and like blackberry jam - with some rubbery flavor included in the midpalate. The wine was bold, full-bodied and very tannic. I did not care for this wine, and I did not have it with any food.
Tasting - Rubus Cabernet Sauvignon
Name: Rubus
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley, California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: Regular Price: $100.00; Sale: $24.95
Winery Review: Its long finish displays full mature flavors of blackberry, currant, and chocolate with just a hint of toasty oak and black cherry. The tannins are refined and polished, allowing the fruit to be the focus. Serve this Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with a variety of bold preparations ranging from Osso Bucco to grilled red meats and cheeses.
Personal Review: This wine smelled like blackberries, dark chocolate, and dark, overripe cherries. The wine was thick and chewy with flavors of currants, dark chocolate, plums, blackberry jam, sour Granny Smith apples, and cherries. This Cabernet Sauvignon was also a bit spicy on the finish, which added some complexity. I could appreciate the blended flavors of the wine, but this was the 8th wine in a row I had tried and unfortunately, was not in the best of moods for trying wine at this point. I would love to try this wine again by itself so I can decide whether or not I really like it. Prior to trying this Cabernet Sauvignon, I tried two very similar-tasting red wines, so it was hard to set them all apart from each other. This wine tasted pretty good, but it did not blow me away. I even tried to clear my palate with some bread prior to trying this wine, but it did not really help.
Tasting - Bouchanie Bouche de Beurre Chardonnay
Name: Bouchaine Bouche de Beurre
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Napa Valley, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: Regular: $50.00; Sale: $24.95
Winery Review: The 2009 Bouchanie Bouche de Beurre Chardonnay from there Estate vineyard is a classic crowd pleaser with all of the glory of the rich, buttery California Chardonnay but stylishly balanced with bright Carneros texture and acidity. IT belies the cloying opulence so frequently associated with this style of Chardonnay. Bouche de Beurre pairs superbly with any rich cuisine accented with cream or butter, but also offers sufficient restraint to serve with well-seasoned sauteed shellfish or flavorfully-accented roasted poultry.
Personal Review: On the nose, this Chardonnay was overwhelmingly buttery and oaky-smelling with a hint of peaches. The wine tasted exactly like movie theater buttered popcorn and a grilled cheese all mixed together, earning the title of an "Oak Monster." This wine is the first Chardonnay I have tried that was this buttery. I thought it was really interested because it even tasted salty and a bit peppery on the finish. It was very full-bodied and very creamy for a white wine. I enjoyed this wine because it was completely different than any other wine I have ever tried, but I cannot imagine myself wanting to drink a glass of this Chardonnay because it is so rich. I did not have this wine with any food that may have affected its flavors.
Tasting - Manos Negras Torrontes
Name: Manos Negras
Variety: Torrontes, 5% Viognier
Region: San Juan
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: Regular: $15.00; Sale $5.95
Winery Review: 91 Points - Robert Parker (Robert Parker did not review the 2010 but of the 2009 said the following):
"Blended with 5% Viognier; fragrent with restraint, lively acidity, citrus notes add complexity."
Personal Review: This wine smelled a lot like honeydew melon, honeysuckle flowers, and tropical fruits, especially pineapple. The wine also tasted fruity but was pretty acidic, which could not be detected on the nose. The orange peel and grapefruit flavors enhanced the wine's complexity but the wine was also a little too hot and acidic for my taste. I did not have this wine with any food.
Tasting - Petrucco Ribolla Gialla Friuli
Name: Petrucco
Variety: Ribolla Gialla Friuli
Region: Friuli-Venezia
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: Regular: $20.00; Sale: $11.95
Winery Review: This well-priced Friulano would pair nicely with spicy Italian or Thai food thanks to the creaminess and richness of its mouthfeel. In addition, the wine offers a solid bouquet of peach and melon that would not compete with fragrant ingredients. 87 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled of peaches, citrus, and of small white flowers. It was crisp and fruity smelling. However, the tasted was dry, rubbery, sour, mouth-puckering, spicy, and a little hot. The fruits I could tasted were honeydew melon and lemon. The wine was quiet sweet-smelling, but it was definitely not super fruity or sweet-tasting. I did not like this wine and did not pair it with any food.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Tasting - Loredona Riesling
Name: Loredona
Variety: Riesling
Region: Monterey
Country: California
Year: 2011
Price: Regular: $15.00; Sale: $7.95
Winery Review: If you like your Rieslings on the sweet side, this pretty wine is for you. It’s brisk in Central Coast acidity, with citrus, peach, honeysuckle and spice flavors that finish clean and long.
Personal Review: This wine was super fruity on the nose, with aromas of fresh peaches, crisp gala apples, mangoes, honey, and a slight hint of strawberries. The taste took the wine to the next level with fruity sweetness, obvious mango-flavors, and hints of watery melon fruit such as honeydew and cantaloupe. the wine was brisk, cool, and refreshing and would be awesome to drink in the summer time. I loved this wine and would definitely recommend it! I did not pair this wine with any food, however, I think it is probably its best on its own.
Personal Review: This wine was super fruity on the nose, with aromas of fresh peaches, crisp gala apples, mangoes, honey, and a slight hint of strawberries. The taste took the wine to the next level with fruity sweetness, obvious mango-flavors, and hints of watery melon fruit such as honeydew and cantaloupe. the wine was brisk, cool, and refreshing and would be awesome to drink in the summer time. I loved this wine and would definitely recommend it! I did not pair this wine with any food, however, I think it is probably its best on its own.
Tasting - Maipe
Name: Maipe
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $8.95
Winery Review: Deep purple color with violet tints, complex plum, fig, strawberry, spices and floral aromas; rounded and velvety tannins, excellent length with a distinguished character. Excellent when paired with game, roasted red meats, pasta or pizza.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled like dark, bitter berries, specifically cranberries and raspberries. The Malbec tasted dry, sour, and of dark berries and plums. The wine was super tannic and I did not like it enough to finish the entire amount poured into my glass. I did not try this wine with any food, however, I think this wine would have paired well with a meaty dinner and would be interested in trying it with a steak. I had a cold while tasting this wine, so it may have affected my perceptions of the aromas/flavors.
Tasting - Villa d' Rosso Toscano
Name: Villa d' Rosso Toscano
Variety: 100% Sangiovese Grapes
Region: Montepulciano
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Winery Review: 100% sangiovese grapes and is a wonderful rendition of a velvety Tuscan red.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled jammy and like blackberries, cherries, and strawberries. The taste was sour, mouth-puckering, dry, and had hints of chocolate in the mid palate and aftertaste. The mouth-feel was full-bodied, tannic, and quite chewy. I tasted this wine when I had a cold, so I am interested in seeing what else I would be able to taste or smell if I tried this wine with clear sinuses. However, from what I could taste, I liked this wine and found it interesting. I did not try this wine with any food.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled jammy and like blackberries, cherries, and strawberries. The taste was sour, mouth-puckering, dry, and had hints of chocolate in the mid palate and aftertaste. The mouth-feel was full-bodied, tannic, and quite chewy. I tasted this wine when I had a cold, so I am interested in seeing what else I would be able to taste or smell if I tried this wine with clear sinuses. However, from what I could taste, I liked this wine and found it interesting. I did not try this wine with any food.
Tasting - Arnold Palmer Chardonnay
Name: Arnold Palmer
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: Regular: $20.00; Sale: $7.95
Winery Review: A vibrant Chardonnay from vineyards in cooler climates of California. Chardonnay is well known for its characteristic fresh apple fruit aromas and rounded, rich flavors. Weather during the 2011 harvest provided ideal growing conditions for lush, yet perfectly balanced fruit.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled like pineapple, peaches, and sweet apples. The taste was similar to the smell, with hints of citrus along with apple and pineapple flavors. I had a cold while tasting this wine, so it may have affected the flavor for me. I liked the wine, but I would be interested in trying it again to see if I can pick up any more aromas or flavors. I did not pair this wine with any food that could have affected its taste.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled like pineapple, peaches, and sweet apples. The taste was similar to the smell, with hints of citrus along with apple and pineapple flavors. I had a cold while tasting this wine, so it may have affected the flavor for me. I liked the wine, but I would be interested in trying it again to see if I can pick up any more aromas or flavors. I did not pair this wine with any food that could have affected its taste.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Tasting - El Sierro
Variety: Mostly Macabeo, 5% Chardonnay
Region: Valencia
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Winery Review: In the glass, there is a bright and shiny white wine with an incredibly welcoming, fresh appetizing aroma reminiscent of ripe tropical furits. The flavor is rich, balanced and extremely comfortable. the near-perfect all-purpose white wine. As an additional benefit, and good evidence that El Sierro reflect the new Spain, the bottle is sealed with the technical viewed perfect screw cap that at once eliminates any risk of cork flavor and keeps the fruit and wine fresher for longer time.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled like pineapple, citrus fruits, almonds, and walnuts. It tasted a little dry but was also sweet with some citrus fruits shining through. I tried this wine when I had a cold, so it may have affected my ability to detect certain aromas and flavors in the wine. However, from what I could taste, I liked the wine but did not think it was special. I did not have this wine with any food.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled like pineapple, citrus fruits, almonds, and walnuts. It tasted a little dry but was also sweet with some citrus fruits shining through. I tried this wine when I had a cold, so it may have affected my ability to detect certain aromas and flavors in the wine. However, from what I could taste, I liked the wine but did not think it was special. I did not have this wine with any food.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Tasting - First Light Moscato
Name: First Light
Variety: Moscato
Region: Unknown
Country: Australia
Year: Unknown
Price: Regular Price: $15.00; Sale: $7.95
Winery Review: Ripe lychee, tropical
fruits and musk on the nose as you near the glass. Lovely grape and stone
fruits and on the palate is highlighted with the subtle sweetness and spritz
that makes this such a fun drink. Low in alcohol and nicely balanced acidity
ensure you will want more than one glass of this easy drinking wine.
Personal Review: This wine smelled of peaches, flowers, plums, and lemon. The wine tasted like all of the fruits I mentioned above along with honey and strawberry, which I was surprised by because this is a white wine. The flavors were well-blended and the flavors were quite subtle. It was sweet and had the perfect amount of carbonation. I liked this wine and would consider purchasing it in the future. I did not have this wine with any food.
Personal Review: This wine smelled of peaches, flowers, plums, and lemon. The wine tasted like all of the fruits I mentioned above along with honey and strawberry, which I was surprised by because this is a white wine. The flavors were well-blended and the flavors were quite subtle. It was sweet and had the perfect amount of carbonation. I liked this wine and would consider purchasing it in the future. I did not have this wine with any food.
Tasting - CalNaturale Cabernet Sauvignon
Name: CalNaturale
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: Regular Price: $16.00; Sale: $10.95 1 Liter, $5.95 500 mL
Winery Review: 95 % Cabernet
Sauvignon with 5% Viognier this certified organic winery produces outstanding
quality at reasonable prices offering classic Cabernet flavors of fresh herb,
olive, cedar and cassis. Focused and intense, with a charming rustic side and
broad tannins that firm up on the finish.
Personal Review: The aromas of the wine overwhelmingly consisted of cranberries and grapes. However, the taste was a lot more interesting. Along with the jammy flavors, this wine was earthy, dry, hay-like, grassy, cedar, slightly smokey, and tasted a little like how a barn would smell. This wine was certainly interesting but I have to say I was not a fan of it. I am starting to discover if wine is really musky, earth, or wood-y, I do not particularly like it. I did not have this wine with any food.
Personal Review: The aromas of the wine overwhelmingly consisted of cranberries and grapes. However, the taste was a lot more interesting. Along with the jammy flavors, this wine was earthy, dry, hay-like, grassy, cedar, slightly smokey, and tasted a little like how a barn would smell. This wine was certainly interesting but I have to say I was not a fan of it. I am starting to discover if wine is really musky, earth, or wood-y, I do not particularly like it. I did not have this wine with any food.
Tasting - Georges Duboeuf Beajolais Nouveau
Name: Georges Duboeuf Beajolais Nouveau
Variety: Gamay
Region: Beaujolais
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: Regular Price: $15.00; Sale: $7.95
Winery Review:An aromatic red, with floral and white peach
notes accenting the black raspberry and plum flavors. This is open-knit and
fresh, offering light tannins on the finish.
- Wine Spectator
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine was very jammy and smelled of blackberries, cranberries, and sort of smelled like a banana fruit smoothie. The wine tasted exactly like it smelled and it was very thick and chewy in my mouth. I liked it a lot and it was really intriguing to me that a banana flavor was included in the wine because I had never had any other wine like this one before. I would definitely recommend trying it out. I did not have any food with this wine.
Tasting - Beltrame Friulano
Name: Beltrome Friulano
Variety: 100% Tocai Friulano
Region: Friuli
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: Regular Price: $15.00, Sale: $9.95
Winery Review: 100% Tocai Friulano Straw-coloured yellow with
a pale green tint express an intense, delicately aromatic and floral
bouquet.The flavour is dry, soft, slightly fruity, with slightly bitter nuance
in its almond aftertaste, and suggestion of peach.
Personal Review: On the nose, this wine was quite fruity but I could not pinpoint which fruits were included in the aroma. The wine tasted slightly lemon-y and was sour and bitter. It also tasted like a lot of other fruits, but again, I struggled with distinguishing them since they were all pretty muted and well-blended. I liked this wine but it annoyed me I could not point out many particular flavors or smells. I did not have this wine with any food.
Tasting - Mas LLunes Maragda
Variety: Grenache Blanc
Region: Emporada
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: Regular Price: $16.00; Sale: $9.95
Winery Review: This Grenache Blanc
is exquisitely sculpted with sharp acids and pinpointed minerals, and offers
orange, melon and vanilla-honey flavors. A delight to drink, at a great price
Personal Review: This wine smelled of honey, citrus furits, pineapple, melon and a little nutty - like almonds and walnuts. I could taste most of the aromas I picked up on the nose of the wine and also tasted hings of orange peel and apricots. The wine was also slightly sour. I liked this wine but it was not anything special to me. I did not have this wine with any food.
Personal Review: This wine smelled of honey, citrus furits, pineapple, melon and a little nutty - like almonds and walnuts. I could taste most of the aromas I picked up on the nose of the wine and also tasted hings of orange peel and apricots. The wine was also slightly sour. I liked this wine but it was not anything special to me. I did not have this wine with any food.
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