Tasting - Rex Goliath Zinfandel

Name: Rex Goliath

Variety: Zinfandel

Region: Madera, California

Country: USA

Year: N/A

Price: $5.90

Winery Review: This wine screams classic Zinfandel, with an abundance of ripe blackberry and cherry flavors, earthy, spicy, coffee/mocha notes and depth and complexity that really round out the flavor profile!

Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled really alcoholic and of blackberries and plum. The wine tasted very tannic and I did not like it. It was hard to decipher the flavors in the wine because it was so dry and tannic that it was distracting (mostly because I was making funny faces and struggling to swish this stuff in my mouth). Some of the flavors I finally tasted after a few tries were blackberries, plums, dark green vegetables (such as spinach and asparagus). The wine also was slightly smokey and was quite chewy. I would definitely not recommend this wine because it was really and tasted how it was priced - cheap. I did not have this wine with any food to affect the flavor. 

Tasting - Champteloup Pinot Noir

Name: Champteloup

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: Loire Valley

Country: France

Year: 2011

Price: Regular Price: $15.00; Sale: $7.95

Winery Review: In the heart of France’s Loire River Valley lies the Touraine wine region. Although it produces vast amounts of well-priced, fresh, mostly white wines, lovely reds like this are broadening Touraine’s appeal. This wine may seem familiar to you. It is a sibling of the Touraine Sauvignon Blanc we’ve offered for years. Serge de Bucy employs a light touch in his winemaking, using no wood and doing as little as possible to preserve freshness. Bright cherry and strawberry fruits are followed by a soft, smooth palate.

Personal Review: This wine smelled like dark fruit jam, specifically like plums, raspberries, and blackberries. It also smelled really smokey like wild fire smoke. The taste was a little peppery, smokey, and tasted like the dark fruits I noted in the smell, along with cherries. I did not have this wine with any food and I did not really like it.

Tasting - Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Neu Direction

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: Regular: $7.95; Sale: $7.95

Winery Review: This Cabernet Sauvignon shows very good purity of fruit and skillful winemaking. This wine is full of black-fruit aromas, depth and style. The palate pushes ripe plum and berry fruit along with chocolate, and the finish is chewy and correct in terms of tannins and structure.

Personal Review: When I smelled the wine, it reminded me of the whiskey my friends make me take shots of. It was also very jammy smelling and reminded me of alcohol-filled chocolate. The taste was nose-tickling, tannic, alcoholic, dry, and smokey with a dark chocolate aftertaste. It was very chewy and full-bodied. This wine did not "mess around" so-to-speak, and honestly, I did not like it. I feel as though an experienced wine taster would love and appreciate the complexity of this wine, but it was a little too harsh for me. It was significantly more alcoholic than any other wine I have tasted and felt very heavy in my stomach. I did not have any food with this wine and I would definitely not recommend having it with food, because it is enough by itself.

Tasting - Sonnenband Moscato Magnum

Name: Sonnenband

Variety: Moscato

Region: Unknown

Country: Spain

Year: Unknown

Price: Regular: $20.00; Sale $9.95

Winery Review: This wine is intricate with the delicate perfumes of white flower blossoms, profound tropical fruit sweetness, and energized by citrus nectars.

Personal Review: This wine mostly smelled like honey and white flowers. It was super sweet but tasted pretty good. It was chewier than most white wines which was unexpected and pleasing. The wine also tasted of pineapple, citrus fruits, and peaches

Tasting - Baumann Gentil Classiq

Name: Fattori Runcaris 

Variety: Blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris.

Region: Alsace

Country: France

Year: 2012

Price: Regular: $17.00; Sale: $9.95

Winery Review:  A delicious and fresh blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, 

and Pinot Gris. Light aromas of fresh fruit 

and delicate white flowers start your 

journey, followed by crisp flavors of stone 

and citrus fruit. A well balanced acidity 

on the dry finish ends this French blend 

beautifully.

Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled like pineapple, apples, strawberries, blackberries, and flowers. The wine tasted of citrus, lemon and pineapple. I was surprised that I did not taste a lot of the aromas in the wine. It was very complex and I loved the wine. I did not have it with any food.

Tasting - Fattori Runcaris Soave

Name: Fattori Runcaris 

Variety: 100% Garganega

Region: Soave

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: Regular: $15.00; Sale: $7.95

Winery Review:  From the local Italian word for “to work the soil,” Runcaris represents an easy, fresh expression of Soave Classico with lingering aromas of citrus, yellow rose, 

honey, jasmine and dried herbs. 86 Points – Wine Enthusiast:

Personal Review: On the nose, this wine smelled like flowers, honey, lemon, and slightly like dirt. The wine tasted like honey, root vegetables, rubber, and dirt. I really enjoyed this wine and would recommend it because it was pretty complex for being a white wine. I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - CigarZin Zinfandel

Name: CigarZin

Variety: Zinfandel

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: 2011

Price: $15.00

Winery Review: Looking for an unapologetic, big bold wine? CigarZin is packed with rich, ripe, blackberry flavors and a touch of spice mixed with aromas of cocoa. CigarZin is ready to be unleashed on a big, juicy steak or barbecued anything, full of flavor, absent of compromise.

Personal Review: On the nose, this wine was full of blackberry and currant, and was slightly citrus-y, like grapefruit. I could also smell hints of dark chocolate. This wine was slightly dry-tasting and tasted of blackberries and blueberries. The wine was a bit spicy and had a peppery aftertaste. I really enjoyed this wine and thought it would pair well with pretty much any dinner, especially a juicy burger or steak. I did not have this wine with any food but it was amazing by itself.