Tasting- "Rosemount Estate Moscato"

Rosemount Estate
Moscato
Australia
2012
$12 --> $3.95

Winery Review: "Clear, medium-lemon yellow in appearance; lovely citrus and honeysuckle aromas with lemon, honeysuckle, apple and ripe yellow plum flavours. Serve chilled with angel food cake or fresh fruit and mild cheeses."

My Review: Moscato, and other extremely sweet wines, are wines I am just not very into. Luckily, this wine was a bit more acidic and toned down in the honeysuckle scent than most others I have tried, with a slightly sweet apple flavor as well, but it was still too sweet for my taste. I could see this pairing well with a light and sweet dessert as the review suggests but I always prefer a rich red paired with a chocolate dessert over the light and sweet ones. In my opinion, this was a very well done Moscato (especially at the reduced price) but I would still pass as this is just not a wine that appeals to my tastes. I would (and did!) definitely recommend this wine to my friends who do enjoy sweet wines. 

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Garnacha de Fuego"

Garnacha de Fuego
Old Vine Grenache
$8.95
Aragon, Spain

Winery Review: 92 Points Wine Advocate "The Garnacha de Fuego, a 100% Grenache cuvee, was aged in both stainless steel and neutral French oak. There are 10,000 cases for the United States. This amazing wine boasts a dark ruby/purple color along with a sweet kiss of jammy black cherries intertwined with crushed rock notes that give the wine an undeniable minerality. As it hits the palate, a full-bodied, voluptuous texture takes hold and the flavor profile moves towards blacker fruits (ripe raspberries and black currants) intermixed with camphor and forest floor. This full bodied, rich, glycerin-filled effort should drink well for 4-5 years, perhaps longer."

My review: This was a very complex ruby red wine. On the nose it was jammy and smokey with a peppery spice and earthiness, very typical of the Spanish garnachas I have tasted. The obvious fruits I smelled were black currant and cherries. This wine was very full bodied and rich which would pair very well with many of my favorite hearty dishes. Although I enjoyed this wine, I thought a 92 was a bit high of a rating but I would still purchase this wine considering the low price point.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico"

Librandi Ciro
Variety: Rosso Classico
Italy
$14 - $7.95

Winery Review: "Don’t let the pale garnet color fool you: this is a substantial wine. Aromas of red fruits and spice complement undertones of cranberries, wild berries, and plums. On the palate, ripe tannins and good body make for an incredibly rich, yet easygoing red wine. Pair this wine with sausage, spicy curry sauces, hot soppressata, and tandoori chicken."

My Review: This wine had a light rust color. It had lots of bright red fruits, particularly plums, and lots of spice on the nose. I thought this wine was a refreshing and would be a good red wine to just sip on with friends without food.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Angove Viognier"

Angove
Viognier
Australia
2009
$15 - $5.95

Winery Review: "Bright light straw in colour with some green hues, this wine has a lush ripe tropical fruit aroma. This is a fuller bodied white which fills the mouth with heady flavours of apricot, peach and citrus. Angove Nine Vines Viognier is perfect for today's relaxed life-style and is the ideal accompaniment to grilled prawns with chilli and garlic or roast pork."


My Review: This wine was very clean, crisp, and refreshing. This wine had flavors of apricot, peach, and citrus as the winery review suggested. I could see myself sipping on this wine at a summer family gathering while munching on hors d'oeuvres or with a light lunch/light early dinner in the sun.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting' "Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blank"

Yealands Estate
Sauvignon Blank
New Zealand
2008
$21 - $7.95

Winery Review: "This aromatic wine shows lifted flavours of blackcurrant with underlying notes of wet stone and thyme. The palate is elegant yet full with sufficient weight and texture, balanced by a flinty minerality. This wine is a fantastic match with foods such as cheese salad, poultry dishes and a wide range of seafood dishes including freshly shucked natural oysters, prawns, green lip mussels and creamy scallops."


My Review: This wine had wet stone, earthiness/thyme, and some weak perfume notes as well as an extremely funky smell I was unable to identify. I kept smelling the wine to try to figure out what that funkiness was and smelled an oytster/seafood smell but was unable to completely nail what it was. This wine was decent but whatever that one smell was made this wine a pass for me. Perhaps this wine would be better suited to pair with food rather than sip alone.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling"

Heinz Eifel Shine
Riesling
$9.95
Germany

Winery review: "This drier-styled Riesling is bright, fruity and floral with crisp acidity and clean flavors of apple, pear and peach that compliment its stony minerality and earthy complexity. It serves well as an aperitif and matches a wide variety of foods, like lighter salad dishes, shellfish, cream sauces and also anything with a touch of spice."

My review: The nose on this wine was a floral and mineral peach, pear, and apple with a hint of honey with the same flavors on the mid-palate. This is was a very interesting and complex wine considering the slightly earthy components mixed with the floral. I would purchase this wine in the future. Despite being a dryer German style wine, it was still a bit sweeter than I prefer to pair with savory dishes but I do like the suggestion of serving it as an aperitif depending on what else is being served and would enjoy this with a lighter dessert that was not very sweet.

This wine was tasted without food. 

Tasting- "Atlas Cumbres Cabernet Sauvignon"

Atlas Cumbres
Cabernet Sauvignon
$15 → $6.95
Argentina

Winery review: "Intense red color with violet highlights, with clean, fresh and complex aromas of berries, plums, figs and pepper. Strong personality is in perfect balance with a medium body and pleasant tannins. Ideal for: red meats, cheeses and strong sauces."

My review: This was definitely, in my opinion, the strongest wine from the tasting. It was a jammy red wine with a hint of toasted oak and spice. I have had wines produced by this vineyard before and every wine I have tasted so far has been solid--this wine is no exception. This Cabernet is typical of the strong Argentinian wines I enjoy. I would sip on this wine or pair it with red meats and sauces as the review above suggests. 

This wine was tasted without food. 

Tasting- "Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau"

Georges DuBoeuf
Beaujolais Nouveau
$14 → $3.95
France

Winery review: "Balanced and lightly creamy, offering pretty flavors of plum sauce and raspberry coulis threaded with hints of ground spice. Elegant, with a floral finish. Drink now."

My review: This wine had raspberry and plum notes and a spoiled milk quality. I had paired this exact wine with my Thanksgiving dinner and enjoyed it when it was fresh but tasting it in April left much to be desired. Drinking it this time around just tasted stale and it was definitely past its prime. I absolutely understand why the description added "Drink now." I think it is appropriately priced at $3.95 and picked a bottle up for cooking wine but would pass on the bottle for sipping.

This wine was tasted without food. 

Tasting- "Bricco dei Tati Rose"

Bricco dei Tati
Rose
$7.95
Italy

Winery review: "Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries and rose petals. This is ideal with shellfish, salads, chicken, and with appetizers."

My review: This wine smelled like exactly  like candied strawberry with very faint hints of rose and cherry.This was a strange wine because it was extremely sweet but also had an acidic bite to it as well. It was absolutely not my taste. I would not pair this with any food but I would especially avoid savory dish pairings with this wine.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Frascati Volpetti"

Frascati
Volpetti
Malvasia, Trebbiano,
Greco
$7.95
Italy

Store review: "Straw yellow in color with a soft, delicate perfume, fruitful flavor, dry and harmonious taste. Perfect with appetizers, soups, fish."

My review: This wine had a bit of a perfume quality with green apple and lemon notes. This was a very simple and straight froward wine; It was crisp and would pair very easily with many light foods. 

This wine was tasted without food. 

Tasting- "Toso Moscato"

Toso

Moscato
Italy
$9.95

Winery Review: "This Moscato is reminiscent of honeysuckle and rose petal. The quality is equivalent to a top level Asti Spumante DOCG. Sweet sparkling wine obtained from a careful selection of the Moscato grapes. It has a pale straw yellow color with fine foam and bubbles. Tropical fruit flavors, refreshing.
Excellent to match desserts, fruit and dried pastries"


My Review: This was a well done Moscato--not overly sweet like many others. This Moscato smelled like strawberries and honey. I would enjoy this as a breakfast wine to sip on before a Hokie football game. It was very light and refreshing.


This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Thorn Clarke, James Goddard Shiraz"

Thorn Clarke
James Goddard Shiraz
Australia
$7.95

Winery Review: The outstanding 2011 James Goddard Shiraz (aged 14-16 months in American and French hogsheads) delivers considerable value and flavor authority. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by notes of blackberries, black currants, licorice, graphite and subtle barbecue smoke. Rich, fleshy, and dense, it is best consumed over the next 3-4 years.

My Review: This wine smelled like smokey oak with hints of blackberries, black currants, and licorice. I  really enjoyed this wine. I thought it was complex and interesting.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "El Sierro Temprenillo/Cabernet Sauvignon"

El Sierro
Temprenillo/Cabernet Sauvignon
Spain
2011
$7.95

Winery Review: "Dark ruby in color with rich aromas of red fruit and light spices. It is a real knock-out with delicious flavors of dark cherries, blackberries and vanilla all perfectly integrated. The Tempranillo provides wonderful spice and fruit, while the Cabernet Sauvignon gives structure and depth with the beautiful use of oak."

My Review: This wine smelled like vanilla and smokey oak. There was a hint of blackberry and other red fruit and a hint of spice. This wine had good tannic structure and was very enjoyable. I thought it was a great buy given the $7.95 price tag. 

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Atlas Cumbres Torrontes"

Atlas Cumbres
Torrontes

Argentina
2010

$5.95

Winery Review: "Yellow colour with greenish nuances. Very intense aroma of fresh grapes, flower perfume and mature peaches. Fresh in the mouth. Light and easy to drink. Ideal with seafood, Thai and Chinese food."

My Review: This wine was peachy and had a creamy fruit loops flavor. It was a very interesting wine with a medium long finish. This is one of my favorite whites I have tasted.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Avery Quinn Chardonnay"

Avery Quinn
Chardonnay
California
2011
$6.95

Winery Review: "The 2011 vintage marks a return to form for this great value Chardonnay. The aromas feature creamy, mellow, golden apple, pineapple, fresh butter and a touch of vanilla. Then rich, ripe, flavors of yellow pear, pineapple, fresh apple, cream and buttered toast swell up and fill your mouth before a juicy, apple and caramel inflected finish makes your mouth water (and smile!)."

My Review: I got notes of apple, pears and honey on the nose. This wine was a bit buttery with a hint of vanilla.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Bellafina Pink Moscato"

Bellafina
Pink Moscato
Italy
$9.95

Winery Review: "A blend of Moscato and Rabosos grapes it has a pale rose color, notes of
red berries (strawberry and raspberry), with the characteristic and fragrant bouquet and
palate that is typical of the Moscato grape."


My Review: The only thing I smelled on this wine was artificially flavored strawberry candy and when I tasted it, it tasted just like a strawberry jolly-rancher. Many people enjoy the very sweet wines but this wine was absolutely not for me.


This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Weinert Carrascal"

Weinert
Carrascal
Argentina
2008
$13.95

Winery Review: :Aged for two years in cask, the 2008 Carrascal is a blend of 40% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. It has a rustic blackberry, scorched earth and leather-scented bouquet with touches of pressed flowers. The palate is well-balanced with crisp tannins, expressive black tarry fruit and a Bordeaux-like finish. Drink now-2016."


My Review: This was an extremely earthy wine. It had moss, leather, and oak smells wrapped in a wet tire. The only actual fruit I smelled was black currant. I really enjoyed this interesting and complex wine.


This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Santa Julia Malbec"

Santa Julia
Malbec

Argentina
2012
$8.95

Winery Review: "The nose is full of mellow raspberry and cherry, while the palate is fleshy and round, with blackberry and a touch of raisin. Plump, not edgy, and ready to drink, with coffee and mocha notes on the finish."


My Review: This wine was very jammy with a deep ruby color. I definitely found the raspberry and cherry along with red currant. This was extremely smokey with notes of chocolate and coffee. This wine was very easy to sip alone; It goes down so easily it could be dangerous if you aren't paying attention!

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Gougenheim Torrontes"

Gougenheim
Torrontes
Argentina
$9.95

Winery Review: "The 2012 Torrontes comes from Chilecito in La Rioja. It has a light floral nose with touches of lemon peel and nectarine. The palate is crisp and taut, showing far more vivacity and fruit that the nose implied, finishing with a flourish of apricot and white peach. Drink now."


My Review: The citrus was the first thing I smelled on the wine followed by some floral sweetness. The orange and lemon were also apparent on the mid-palate and this wine finished with a crisp peach note.


This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Santa Julia Pinot Grigio"

Santa Julia
Pinot Grigio
Argentina
$8.95

Winery Review: "Light and clean, which compared to other Argentine Pinot Grigios is not something to dismiss. Feels solid and punchy, with orange and mango flavors. Has nice overall clarity and balance, with a citrusy finish."


My Review: This wine was very floral with notes of pears and orange on the nose. It had an orange and very light and clean finish. This would be a great wine to sip during the summer. 

This wine was tasted without food. 

Tasting- "Jam Jar Sweet White Muscat"

Jam Jar
Sweet White Muscat
2011
$8.95

Winery Review: "100 % Muscat. 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 hint of honeydew melons."

My Review: I smelled honey with hints of citrus, melon, and a floral aroma. There was an obvious peach flavor on the mid-palate. Overall this was a crisp and enjoyable dessert wine with a soft melon finish.


This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Entrada Malbec"

Entrada
Malbec
Chile
2013
$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."


My Review: This wine overwhelmed me with a smokey tobacco smell. The only other aroma I was able to pick up was a bit of blackberry. Blackberry was the main flavor I got on the mid-palate. I did not love this wine but I think it was an excellent wine for the price point.


This wine was tasted without food

Tasting- "Vina Borgia Borsao"

Vina Borgia
Borsao
Campo de Borja
Spain
2012
$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."

My Review: This was a ruby medium bodied wine with strawberry, red currant, and other red fruits on the nose. It had a little well balanced spice. I really enjoyed this wine and felt it was a great price for the quality. I plan on pairing this wine with a hearty beef dish in the near future.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Peter Lehmann Chardonay"

Peter Lehmann
Chardonnay
Australia
2010
Regular Price $20 Sale Price $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.

My Review: This light bodied wine had notes of apple, pear, peach, and melon on the nose. There was an interesting bread smell I had not yet encountered in wine. It had a slightly tart and crisp finish.


This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting-"Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla"

Protocolo
Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
Spain
2012
$6.95

Winery Review: Mostly Airen with a little bit of Macabeo .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.


My Review: On the nose this wine had notes of subtle melon, honey and citrus. The obvious flavors on the midpalate were citrus and melon, the melon much more apparent here.


This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Kepe Tempranillo"

Kepe
Tempranillo

16.95

La Rioja, Spain

2012 

Barclay’s Wine Co. Review: "Carefully made in an absolutely incredible winery, the result is packed full of ripe fruit. The nose illustrates this as fresh red and black fruit wafts up from the glass with raspberry, strawberry, plum and blackcurrant most notable. Flavors of deep fruit lead on a fresh and soft palate that lingers all the way through the finish. A versatile food wine, it will pair with a lot of food. Prime examples are pizza, pasta, meats off the grill and even hearty fish entrees. Say hola to our next #1 best seller."

My review: This was a great wine at a great price. I can absolutely see why it is a best seller. I love big wines wines with complex spicy dark fruit, particularly black currant, and this wine fits the bill. Raspberry, strawberry, and plum were also very prominent aromas. I had this wine on its own but I would definitely like to pair it with a great cut of beef on the grill.

This wine was tasted without food. 

Tasting- "Kiyapura Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenere"

Kiyapura

Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenere

$15.95

Valle Central, Chile

2012 

1000 Corks Review- "A bright ruby red, this wine has charming aromas of ripe red fruit and spices like black pepper with maybe even a hint of vanilla. Full-bodied with elegant tannins, there is no mistaking that this is a juicy red. Chocolate and red berries define the palate with a subtle of coffee in the finish." 

My review: Like the last wine I reviewed, this wine had the Carmenere grape. It also had an overwhelming bitterness and burnt bitter coffee flavor when I first opened it, although this blend was slightly more mild than the straight Carmenere wine and did become much more mild after decanting a bit and even very pleasant to drink. It was full bodied and had very complex spicy red fruit while still maintaining some of the coffee flavors, thankfully much more mild now.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Carma Carmenere"

Carma

Carmenere
$16.95
Curico Valley, Chile
2012

Heartwood and Oak Review: "Made from fruit that comes from the center of the industry in Palmilla, this Carménère is some of the finest in the country. Ten-year old vines lend a maturity to the wine. Raspberries and cherries lead the aroma of the wine, along with an herbaceous note. The red fruit notes continue on the palate, with complexity added by spicy flavors and a note of bittersweet chocolate and toasted coffee beans. The wine is juicy and delicious and a great, easy-drinking Carménère."

My review: I disagree wholeheartedly with Hearwood and Oak claiming this wine to be "easy-drinking." This wine had a hint of red fruits with an extremely overwhelming tobacco and bitter burnt coffee flavor that made it very difficult to drink. I had some cheese with it which seemed to help to cleanse the palate between sips so the flavors were not as overbearing but I still could not get over the bitterness and burnt flavors. I only let it decant an hour before drinking so perhaps if I had decanted it for about fifteen more hours the wine may have palatable. After trying a Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon blend with a similar flavor profile, I think it may be that this grape just has those properties.

This wine was tasted with cheese.

Tasting- "Gattavecchi Vernaccia"

Gattavecchi 

Vernaccia

Tuscany, Italy

$14.99

2012 

Winery Direct Review- "Plenty of floral, citrus and subtle tropical fruit character in this crisp, dry and refreshing white. Just a touch of spice on the zesty finish. Enjoy with seafood, salads and as an aperitif."

My Review: Like some of the other wines I reviewed before, this wine was tasted in a tiny paper cup but I was still able to pick up the strong citrus fruit and floral component. It was crisp and dry. I really would have enjoyed this with some shrimp scampi or some scallops. 

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Casalino Chianti"

Casalino

Chianti

Tuscany, Italy

$7.99

2012

Winery Direct Review: "A delicious Chianti with ripe plum and raspberry aromas. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, fruity aftertaste. Montalbano, one of the seven Chianti subzones, is an ancient hill near Florence that was the hunting park of the Medici."

My Review: Of the Italian wines tasted in the paper cups, this wine was my favorite. I was able to actually pick up the plum and raspberry a bit. It was definitely full-bodied with a long finish. I enjoyed this wine and would consider picking up a bottle.

This wine was tasted without food. 

Tasting- "Vasco Sassetti Sangiovese"

Vasco Sassetti

Sangiovese

Montalcino, Italy

$8.99 

2011

Winery Direct Review: "All the flavor and style you can ask for, with plenty of plummy, smoky, anise flavors, impressively put together with a good but not overwhelming dose of tannin. This is a really fun little wine to drink."

My Review: Like the last wine I reviewed, this wine was given to me in a tiny paper cup which prevented me from being able to distinguish many of the aromatic flavors; however, I did get smoke and red fruit with a well balanced, at least from what I could tell, tannic structure. I would like to try this wine again in an actual wine glass to give it a fair shot given the low price.

This wine was tasted without food. 

Tasting- "Rosso di Montepulciano Vecchia Cantina"

Rosso di Montepulciano

Vecchia Cantina (Chianti blend)

$11.99 

Tuscany, Italy 

2012 

Winery Direct Review: "This easy drinking red is delicious, with loads of soft red flavors and ripe tannins. Medium-bodied, with a pleasing texture and marvelous finish. A fruitier, less intense version of this style, try this wine with your favorite pasta
dishes."

My Review: This wine was rather boring to me. It was difficult to get the aroma of the wine as we were given tiny paper cups that would hold only about 2 tablespoons. I smelled red fruit but was unable to distinguish anything specific. I would pass on this wine given the tasting experience I had. 

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Enebral Tinta de Toro"

Enebral
Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo)

2009 

Castilla Leon, Spain
$14.99

Wine Advocate Review: "The 2009 Enebral spent nearly a year in new French oak before bottling without filtration. Aromas of toasty oak, mineral, spice box, licorice, and blackberry compose the bouquet of this round, supple, nicely proportioned wine."

My Review: I had originally decanted this wine to pair with barbecued chicken while back at my parents' house for dinner. My mom had assured me they had barbecue sauce; however, that turned out to not be the case so we ended up just grilling the chicken with some salt and pepper. The oakiness of this wine did compliment the smokiness and pepper on the grilled chicken. I don't think this was the best wine to pair with the chicken as the red fruit and licorice were a little overpowering but the other spices and the oak components salvaged the pairing a bit. We ended up drinking it without food after dinner where it was much more enjoyable. 

Tasting- "Tertre du Moulin Bordeaux"

Tertre du Moulin
Bordeaux Blend
Libournais, Bordeaux, France
2011
$15.00

Vivino Review: "The nose was wood, fruit, cherry, stems, saw dust, river rock, and a very subtle vanilla.The taste was black cherry, and maybe blackberry and/or plum. The vanilla was there too, and still very subtle. The body was medium and it was dry. The finish was black cherry, and very tannic."

My Review: I really liked this wine. I definitely got the earthy flavors and dark fruits, notably plum, blackberry, and black currant, but I did not get any vanilla. I tasted this wine on it's own and it was very easy to drink but I do enjoy medium dry wines and do not mind strong tannins in most wines.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Regina di Renieri Syrah"

Regina di Renieri

Syrah

Toscana, Tuscany, Italy

2009

$34.99

Total Wine Review: 94 points Wine Spectator "A powerful, brooding red, with effusive blackberry, plum, leather, spice and saline flavors. A lush texture and ample fruit covers the structure, but there are abundant tannins lurking underneath. The finish picks up earth and mineral elements."

My review: I really enjoyed this complex and full-bodied Italian wine. It was earthy and had mineral notes. This wine was full of blackberry, plum, and red fruits. I would not purchase it for myself at the current price and I do believe the wine spectator was a little overly generous with it's rating.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "First Light Moscato"

First Light
Moscato 

Non-Vintage
Regular Price: $15, Sale Price: $7.95
Australia

Wine Shop 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."

My Review: This wine smelled like extremely sweet tropical fruit and lychee. I was pleasanly surprised that, despite the nose, it was very well balanced. I was afraid to try this wine after smelling it but once I tried it, I felt this was a wine I could sip on after a nice meal. This is likely one of the best and well balanced Moscatos I have tried. 

This wine was tasted without food. 

Tasting- "CalNaturale Cabernet Sauvingnon"

CalNaturale
Cabernet Sauvignon
Paso Robles 2009
Regular Price $16 

Sale Price $10.95 1 Liter, $5.95 500 ml
Paso Robles, California

Wine Shop 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."

My Review: This wine was extremely jammy and smelled almost exactly like black currant. I thought it tasted a little green and herby, in a good way, and did pick up on the cedar a bit. I liked the broad tannins but this wine was just okay for me. On paper this wine sounds exactly like wines I enjoy but when I tasted it, it fell a little flat. I would not ever buy this wine at $16 and I passed in favor of other, similarly priced, wines at $10. 

This wine was tasted without food. 

Tasting- "Georges Duboeuf Beajolais Nouveau"

Georges Duboeuf
Beajolais Nouveau
2013
Regular Price $15 Sale
$7.95
Beaujolais, France

Wine Spectator 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."

My Review: This wine spelled like raspberries were mixed in with a strawberry banana smoothie with a hint of peach; it also tasted like that crazy smoothie mixture and I did not like it. I thought it did not offer enough tannic structure to balance out all the strong fruit flavors so overall this wine fell flat for me. This was one of my least favorite Beajolais Nouveaus I have tried. 

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Beltrame Friulano"

Beltrame
100% Tocai Friulano
2009
Regular price: $15, Sale Price: $9.95
Friuli, Italy

Wine shop 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." 

My Review: I noticed it was a staw-colored yellow with a green tint like the review said. I thought it smelled lemony and floral but could not pick out any distinguishable fruits. I agreed it was dry and soft like the review above and had an almond and peachy aftertaste.

This wine was tasted without food. 

Tasting- "Mas Llunes Maragda"

Mas Llunes
Maragda (Grenache Blanc)
2010
Regular price: $16, Sale: $9.95
Emporada, Spain

Wine Shop 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."

My Review: This wine hit heavy on the citrus and honey on the nose. I tasted melon on the mid palate and thought it had a dry and acidic finish, which I like in a white wine. I agree it was a pleasant wine. Overall this was probably my favorite wine from the tasting  but I was not blown away by any of this week's offering.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Sonnenband Moscato"

Sonnenband
Moscato
Spain
Non-Vintage
Regular Price: $20 Sale Price: $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.


My Review: This wine was extremely floral and had strong perfume notes along with citrus on the nose. It did not smell very sweet but when I tasted it, it definitely had the extreme sweetness of a typical Moscato. It had the same flavors as present on the nose plus a very pronounced tropical fruit flavor and sweetness. This wine was definitely too sweet for my taste.


This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon"

Neu Direction
Cabernet Sauvignon
Mendoza, Argentina
Regular Price: $15 Sale Price: $7.95
2010

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."

My Review: This winemaker absolutely knew what he/she was doing when making this wine. This was an extremely jammy and complex wine. It is full of dark fruit, particularly blackberry, plum, and black currant, and chocolate. It did have a chewy texture and an extremely well balanced finish. This is one of my favorite wines I have tasted in a while. I bought one bottle but I wish I had bought more because I shared with friends who could not get enough of this wine! 

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Champteloup Pinot Noir"

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Champteloup
Pinot Noir
Loire Valley, France
2011
Regular Price: $15 Sale Price: $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"

My Review: Although the winemaker did not employ any wood while crafting this wine, I picked up a smokey oak flavor. The smell of cherry and strawberry were obvious along with other bright fruits. Like the winery review states, it had a soft and smooth palate. 

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Baumann Gentil Classiq"

Baumann
Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris
Regular Price: $17 Sale Price: $9.95
Alsace, France
2012

Shop 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."

My Review: This was a crisp and extremely well balanced wine containing my favorite white grapes--Gewurztraminer and Riesling. It was extremely floral with hints of citrus and light fruit. It had the same flavors plus a hint of stone on the tongue. 

This wine was tasted without food. 

Tasting- "Fattori Runcaris Soave"

Fattori
Runcaris Soave (Garganega)
Soave, Italy
2010
Regular Price $15; Sale Price $7.95

Wine Enthusiast Review: 86 Points "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."

My Review: This was a very floral wine with hints of honey, citrus, and herbs. It had the same notes on the tongue. This was a solid light wine but it did leave me wanting more complex flavors to be expressed.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "The Royal Chenin Blanc"

The Royal
100% Chenin Blanc
2012
$7.95
Western Cape, South Africa

Robert Parker review- "One of the greatest buys I have tasted this year is this under $10, 100% Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape. A super flowery-scented nose includes notions of ripe honeydew melons and pears. This medium-weight, fresh, fruity, crisp, dry, textbook Chenin Blanc will provide immense pleasure over the next 12 months." 90 Points

My review: This wine was very floral with lots of light fruits. I smelled citrus, pears, and apricot. It was a medium bodied dry and fruity wine with a floral and citrus finish. I enjoyed this wine very much and would definitely like to try it on a hot day. 

This wine was tasted without food. 

Tasting- "Charles Thomas- Cotes du Rhone"

50% syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre
2011
Rhone, France
$9.95

Winery Notes: "Clear ruby wine with overtones of red berry fruits. Round and supple with smooth finish. A good all around red for meat courses, poultry, and light cheese. Best drunk now while fresh with good keeping up to 4 years."

My review: I smelled lots of red fruit including black currant, raspberry, and cherry. It also had an earthy leathery smell and a strange burnt popcorn smell. It had a smooth finish. All in all this was a good wine but the burnt popcorn smell really was an interesting smell I have never come across before in wine.

This wine was tasted without food.

Tasting- "Codorniu Pinot Noir"

Codorniu
Pinot Noir
2013
$13.95
Cava, Catalonia, Spain

Tasting notes: "The exclusive presence of this variety epitomises the concept of producing a cava that combines an elegant and distinguished air with freshness and vigour. A cava that can be regarded as different, unique and authentic. A new cava, brimming with personality and an incomparable flavour that will be appreciated by discerning palates.

Critical Acclaim- "The Non-Vintage Codorniu Pinot Noir comes entirely from a single vintage. Cherry blossom and strawberry aromas lead to a spicy, savory dry sparkling wine that will pair nicely with jamon." 88 Points The Wine Advocate

My review: This was a very floral wine with notes of cherry, apple, strawberry, and blueberry. It had a very crisp and dry finish. This sparking wine was one of the more interesting Roses I have tried. I did enjoy this wine. 

This wine was tasted without food. 

Tasting: "Borsao Garnacha"

Borsao 

Grenache

Campo de Borja, Spain

2012

$7.95

Winery Review: "Harvested from the vineyards that lay under the watchful eye of the region's highest mountain, Moncayo, Borsao is a carefully crafted wine from the birthplace of Garnacha, Aragon. Vinified to highlight the grape's rich color and deepest flavor Borsao can be enjoyed on its own or with a broad range of foods."

My review: I would absolutely buy this wine again. This was a very dark wine you definitely could not see through. It was an extremely complex wine, particularly considering the price, with cherry, raspberry, violet, other dark fruit, and various spices on the nose. On the mid-palate it had all the flavors of the nose with a hint of earthiness and vegetation. It was a bit acidic but I only ran it through an aerator so I likely should have let this breathe a little longer. This very full bodied and complex wine is the exact wine I am looking for at my price point.  

This wine was tasted without food