Name: Coastal Vines
Variety: White Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $6.95
Vintage Cellar Review:
This White Zinfandel has a beautiful pink salmon color and crisp acidity. The wine shows juicy fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry, with a tangy sweet finish. Pairs well with mild cheeses, crab cakes, and spicy Asian cuisine.
My Review:
The aroma of this wine was also pineapple to me. It was very light and sweet with notes of berry and pear. The wine had a smooth finish and was a good end to the tasting.
I did not have any food while tasting this wine.
Name: Ilurce
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: $14.00
Vintage Cellar Review:
88 points - Stephen Tanzer
Dark purple. Zesty, youthfully medicinal aromas of dark berries, licorice and cracked pepper. Juicy and fresh, with smooth texture and sweet cherry and spice flavors framed by dusty tannins. Finishes with a suggestion of slightly roasted fruits and good clinging persistence. Delivers a lot of power and richness for the money.
My Review:
While the review above states the color was a dark purple, I observed the color to be more of a brown-red. I could taste notes of cherry, oak, and definitely spice (maybe coriander?). This wine was very complex and deep that had a lasting finish.
I did not have any food while tasting this wine.
Name: San Elias
Variety: Carmenere
Region: Valle Central
Country: Chile
Year: 2014
Price: $9.00
Vintage Cellar Review:
This medium-bodied red offers roasted plum, kirsch, sage and game notes, with light tannins supporting the spicy finish.
My Review:
The notes I got from this wine were vanilla, and a nutty flavor. I thought this wine was not very complex, and very one note. However, reading the description above makes me feel that I should probably be expanding my pallet.
I did not have any food while tasting this wine.
Name: Riebeek
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2014
Price: $10.00
Vintage Cellar Review:
Fresh kiwifruit, green apple and almond notes bounce along, showing a flash of plantain on the friendly finish. Drink now.
My Review:
Initially there was a very strong aroma of pineapple. Compared to the Santa Luz this wine was not as sweet and more complex. I could taste notes of kiwi and pear. Overall, I enjoyed this much more than the Santa Luz.
I did not have any food while tasting this wine.
Name: Santa Luz
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Valle Central
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $11.00
Vintage Cellar Review:
Like any good Sauvignon Blanc, this opens with oceanic aromas of citrus fruits, sea foam and minerality. In the mouth, it is juicy and stony, with washing acidity. Flavors of honeydew, lime and a nice grassiness finish firm, with good backbone. Drink this with salads, shellfish and ceviche.
My Review:
This wine was very light and sweet. It had a nice, strong citrus aroma that I really enjoyed. However, I had a lot of trouble picking up any various notes. Overwhelmingly, I tasted grape.
I did not have any food while tasting this wine.
Name: Canyon Road
Variety: Moscato
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $12.00
Vintage Cellar Review:
Floral, with tea rose and cherry blossom notes, this balanced Moscato shows flavors of ripe white cherry, candied plum and almond on the smooth finish.
My Review:
This moscato was very sweet and the flavor of berries really came through for me. So much so that I did not get much of the floral notes, or the almond. That being said I really liked this wine (probably because it tasted more like juice to me).
I did not have any food while tasting this wine.
Name: Resonata
Variety: Nero D'Avola
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $14.00
Vintage Cellar Review:
The grapes are soft pressed and the juice is placed in stainless steel along with the skins for a maceration of 8 to 10 days with daily pumping over of the juice to extract more color and sweet tannins. Dense ruby red with violet reflections. Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice. Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background. Excellent with lamb, grilled and barbecued meats, dishes with olives or capers and seasoned cheeses.
My Review:
As mentioned previously, I have a hard time distinguishing the differences in red wines. However the spices of this wine came through very clearly and hit me immediately when it touched my tongue. I also could taste a very deep wood and earth note.
I did not have any food while tasting this wine.
Name: Canyon Road
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $12.00
Vintage Cellar Review:
Rich, fruit forward cherry flavors, soft tannins, a medium body and smooth velvety finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, salmon, and savory pork dishes.
Your Review:
I have a harder time differentiating between red wines than with white. This pinot noir was sweeter than other reds I've had in the past and the taste really evolved in your mouth. The finish was smooth and overall I liked it!
I did not any food while tasting this wine.
Name: Maipe Chakana Wines
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95
Vintage Cellar Review:
Spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body. Well balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish.
My Review:
I really enjoyed this wine. It was deeper and warmer than the Hugl that we had tasted previously. I could both and taste a vanilla, earth flavor which I now realize may have been the floral notes they were describing above.
I did not have any food while tasting this wine.
Name: Hugl Weine
Variety: Gruner Veltliner
Region: Niederosterreich
Country: Austria
Year: 2013
Price: $14.00
Vintage Cellar Review:
"A fresh scent of green pears greets the nose.
What follows comes in a light, crisp citrus vein, supported by a rounded
mouthfeel. A refreshing wine for immediate drinking. - Anne Krebiehl, MW"
My Review:
This wine was very light, both in color and in taste. The color was an extremely pail yellow, almost white. The taste was sweet and I could smell and taste tropical citrus, almost like a pineapple. I enjoyed the wine because it was so light and I could understand why the tasting began with this wine.
I did not have any food while tasting this wine.
