Tasting- Blackstone Pinot Noir

Name: Blackstone Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California

Country: United States

Year: 2011

Price: $9.00

Review: Deep red brilliant with violet hints. Complex, fruity, and predominant red fruits. Easy to drink, round with persistent sweetness, very well balanced with sweet tannins.
My Review: This wine smelled tart with black cherry undertones.  It tasted well balanced, with hints of nutmeg.  This wine had a light buttery aftertaste and was very smooth, especially considering the alcohol percent. I liked this wine.

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Reserve Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône

Name: Reserve Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône

Variety: Blended
Region: Rhône Valley

Country: France

Year: 2010

Price: $14.95

Vintage Cellar Review: As for their other values, the 2010 Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône Reserve (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cinsault) displays loads of ripe flavors. It is very concentrated for a Côtes du Rhône, and is actually an amazing wine. Classic garrigue, black cherry liqueur, lavender, licorice and spice box are all present in this full-bodied, intense, and rich Côtes du Rhône. This is a sensational effort to drink over the next 4-5 years, although it might last even longer.

My Review: This wine smelled like tobacco, cherries and spice. I tasted pepper and black licorice with a little cherry.  This wine was dry.  I did not like this wine. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Lobetia Tempranillo

Name: Lobetia Tempranillo

Variety: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. It shows a nice cherry color with a violet shade because of its youth. Red berries and cherries on the nose. On the palate it is fresh, slightly astringent, and harmonious with a long finish.

My Review: This wine smelled like black cherries.  I tasted cherries and tannins with mild spice.  I though this wine was so-so.  It was not as bold as other tempranillos I've tasted before. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Lobetia Chardonnay

Name: Lobetia Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. Clean, bright color with a greenish-yellow tone. On the nose, exotic fruits like pineapple. Full flavored, fresh, with good acidity in the mouth, it finishes with tropical fruits.

My Review: This wine smelled like honeysuckle and pineapples.  I could taste pineapples and other tropical fruits I could not identify.  I though this wine was so-so. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele

Name: Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele

Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Veneto

Country: Italy

Year: NV

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Named after the famous restaurant in Italy! This is their house white wine! Coppery color from extended skin contact, round and rich texture with juicy melon aromas and flavors with a sweet fennel note on the ultra smooth finish. Great value Grigio! Drink now.

My Review: This wine smelled like pears and canteloupe.  It tasted strongly of pears and apples.  It was smooth and had a sweet aftertaste.  I liked this wine.

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Wilson Daniels Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Central Coast, California

Country: United States

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Orange blossom and citrus permeate the aromas. Alluring flavors of orange and grapefruit dominate the palate. Bright acidity balances the plush mouthfeel, resulting in a clean finish.

My Review: This wine smelled like citrus and flowers.  I mostly tasted grapefruit.  This wine was crisp and refreshing.  I liked this wine. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Chandon Sweet Cuvée

Name: Chandon Sweet Cuvée

Variety: Blended
Region: California 

Country: United States

Year: NV

Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: This wine is an innovative sparkling wine style revealing vibrant stone fruit and floral aromas with rich, luscious mouthfeel. This wine enlivens the senses and sparks spontaneous moments, complementing your passion for a good life.

My Review: This wine had a predominately floral nose.  I tasted pears with a little spice.  This wine had the perfect amount of carbonation.  I thought this wine was so-so.  

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Black Ridge White Zinfandel

Name: Black Ridge White Zinfandel

Variety: Zinfandel
Region: California

Country: United States

Year: NV

Price: $3.95

Vintage Cellar Review: This fruit forward White Zinfandel displays fresh aromas and crisp flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. It is incredibly food friendly and will pair well with burgers, sandwiches, fruit salad, and more.

My Review: I smelled cherries and strawberries.  This wine tasted like strawberry creme.  It was very fruity and crisp.  I think this wine would pair well with chocolate.  I liked this wine. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Ksana Bonarda

Name: Ksana Bonarda

Variety: Bonarda
Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina 

Year: 2008

Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. To the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Bonarda. Finishes solid. Very sweet, berry smell with some rooty undertones. Kind of dry, makes your lips pucker

My Review: This wine smelled like cherries with a little tobacco and spice.  This wine was a little hot and too dry for my liking.  I tasted cherries and spice, but do not think this wine was well balanced.  I did not like this wine. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Concannon Shiraz

Name: Concannon Shiraz

Variety: Shiraz
Region: California

Country: United States

Year: 2008 

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: This is an extremely rich, full bodied wine with a dark fruit core.  Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dark cherry are followed by more berry fruits and chocolate and mocha on the palate.

My Review: This wine smelled like grass and blackberries.  I tasted berries and spice.  This wine was dry and had a mild coffee aftertaste.  I thought this wine was so-so.

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Caprice de Bastor Lamontagne

Name: Caprice de Bastor Lamontagne

Variety: Blended (60% Semillon, 36% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Muscadelle)
Region: Sauternes

Country: France

Year: 2004

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Very clean, with lemon, mineral and honey aromas that follow through to a medium body. Shows vanilla, apple and melon flavors, with a medium finish. Lightly sweet.

My Review: This wine smelled strongly of honey and herbs.  It tasted exactly like liquified honey-herb flavored Ricola cough drops, my least favorite flavor of all time.  Perhaps this wine is past its prime.  I did not like this wine. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Torre Castillo Alegre

Name: Torre Castillo Alegre

Variety: Monastrell
Region: Jumilla

Country: Spain

Year: 2010

Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: 4 months in new American oak barrels. Bright ruby-red. Dried cherry, pipe tobacco and rose aromas, with a hint of woodsmoke. Sweet and fleshy on the palate, with blackberry and cherry flavors complimented by licorice and a suggestion of dried herbs. The cherry and smoke notes repeat on the finish.
My Review: This wine smelled like a cherry fruit roll-up.  It was very spicy and smokey, too over the top for my taste.  I could not taste any fruit; it was masked by the smoke and spice.  I did not like this wine.     

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Wilson Daniels Merlot

Name: Wilson Daniels Merlot

Variety: Merlot
Region: Central Coast, California

Country: United States

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Made predominantly from Paso Robles grapes, the wine is fullbodied and silky yet robust, with aromas of black cherry and plum and a palate of blackberry, raspberry and blueberry jam laced with vanilla and toast.

My Review: I smelled plums and blackberries.  I could taste the oak from the barrels, but it was not overwhelming.  I tasted blackberries and raspberries.  This wine was well balanced.  I thought this wine was so-so.  

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Bricco Dei Tati Rosé

Name: Bricco Dei Tati Rosé
Variety: Barbera

Region: Piedmont

Country: Italy

Year: 2012

Price: $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and rose petals, this an ideal wine with shellfish, salads, chicken, and appetizers.

My Review: I smelled strawberries and floral perfume.  I tasted berries and thought this wine was crisp and refreshing.  I thought this wine was so-so.  

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California

Country: United States

Year: 2009

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: This bleached blonde beauty is reminiscent of fresh green apples, pineapple and has hints of hibiscus blossoms. The concentration of zesty lemon and gooseberry fills your mouth leaving notes of thyme and melon behind. The bright acid in this wine gives you a zing while the fruit keeps your mouth watering for more. This wine pairs beautifully with a grilled prawn salad with a grapefruit vinaigrette, veggie spring rolls or grilled tilapia with mango salsa.

My Review: This wine smelled like citrus and pears.  It was very crisp.  I tasted apples, pears and another fruit I could not identify.  I think this wine would pair well with mild cheese to slightly curb the acidity.  I liked this wine.  

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Veleta Tempranillo Rosado

Name: Veleta Tempranillo Rosado

Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Granada

Country: Spain

Year: 2010

Price: $3.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Fresh in flavor and crisp in texture, this dry rosé offers berry, tart cherry and light herbal flavors, with firm acidity and a clean finish. Focused and juicy.

My Review: This wine smelled like cherries.  I tasted a hint of cherry mixed with strawberry.  This wine was very crisp and dry.  The taste was not over the top and was balanced well.  I liked this wine.  

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Veleta Brut Vino Espumoso Rosado

Name: Veleta Brut Vino Espumoso Rosado

Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Granada

Country: Spain

Year: NV

Price: $3.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Rosé salmon with copper reflections. Slow rising fine bubble that forms “lace” and “rosary”. In the nose is complex and elegant with red fruit, citric, exotic, fresh flowers, and notes of dry fruits and dry flowers. Fresh, gentle, and alive. Perfectly integrated “perlage” with serious and subtle flavors of dry fruits, pomegranate and lemonade. Long lasting scent of flowers and herbs.

My Review: This wine smelled like citrus and fruit, but I was not able to identify any specific fruits. It tasted crisp with a very light spice. I tasted pears and it had a nice aftertaste.  The sparkling aspect of this wine was a little much.  I thought this wine was so-so.  I probably would have liked the wine more if it was not carbonated. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Ruta 22 Malbec

Name: Ruta 22 Malbec

Variety: Malbec
Region: Patagonia

Country: Argentina 

Year: NV

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Stout and dense from the beginning, with blackberry and violet aromas. Despite being a bold and dark Malbec, this is fresh and composed, with sweet blackberry and cassis flavors. Good on the finish, with candied fruit and caramel sweetness.

My Review: This wine smelled like berries and licorice.  I did not taste much because the spicy taste from the grape was overwhelming.  I could not taste fruit.  This wine was too bold for me.  I did not like this wine. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Château Serres Sainte Lucie Corbières

Name: Château Serres Sainte Lucie Corbières

Variety: Blended (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre)
Region: Corbières

Country: France

Year: 2010

Price: $4.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Superb dark garnet color with a few reflections of dark orange. Intense nose of ripe fruits, spices, and roasted coffee. The palate is rounded and full, with silky matured tannins and hints of vanilla. This wine is rich and powerful with layers of tannins.

My Review: This wine smelled like cherries, spices and licorice. It tasted like tobacco with a little cherry and was very spicy.  It was too dry for my liking.  I did not like this wine. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Cresta Azul

Name: Cresta Azul

Variety: Blended (Moscatel, Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo)
Region: Emporda

Country: Spain

Year: NV

Price: $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Peach, orange cream and vanilla flavors mingle in this softly bubbly white. Off-dry, but with crisp acidity and a clean finish.

My Review: This wine was very pale, almost clear in color.  It smelled like sugared peaches and pears.   I tasted sweet pears and whipped cream.  This wine was sparkling but not over bubbly.  I liked this wine. It would be a good dessert wine due to its sweetness.  

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Canyon Road Chardonnay

Name: Canyon Road Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California

Country: United States

Year: 2011

Price: $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Medium- bodied wine with notes of crisp apple and ripe citrus fruit with a hint of cinnamon spice. Delicious complement to grilled chicken, lighter pasta dishes or mild cheeses.

My Review: This wine smelled like citrus. It tasted crisp with a hint of apples. I though this wine was well-balanced. I liked this wine, although it was not my favorite chardonnay. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Sainte Victoire Côtes de Provence

Name: Sainte Victoire Côtes de Provence 

Variety: Blended (50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Cinsault)
Region: Provence

Country: France

Year: 2011

Price: $8.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Bright salmon pink; typical of the fresh but warm Provence style. Refined and complex on the nose, with summer fruit and floral notes. Dry and crisp, with a delicate flavor and full texture.

My Review: This wine smelled like flowers and grapefruit.  It was dry and I definitely tasted the Syrah from the light spicyness. This wine was so-so. It was an easier drinking wine.

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Tres Ojos Garnacha

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha

Variety: Garnacha (aka Grenache)
Region: Calatayud

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review: The wine has a brick red color with a bouquet of red raspberries, spice and white pepper. The palate is incredibly concentrated and rich. The modern styles of Garnacha in Spain are continuously being perceived worldwide as wines of extraordinarily good quality. This wine is fruity, juicy and shows a great depth, ripe tannins, length but yet with wonderful elegance and lightness. Enjoy with sausages, roasted meats, aged cheeses etc.
My Review: This wine smelled like pepper and berries. It was very smooth and tart. I did not like the mouth feel; it coated my mouth and felt flour-y. This wine was so-so, but would have been a lot better with cheese. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Montebuena

Name: Montebuena

Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Rioja

Country: Spain

Year: 2010

Price: $8.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it’s an excellent value for Rioja.

My Review: This wine smelled like spiced strawberries and cherries. It tasted spicy with bold tannins. This wine was too bold for me. I did not like it. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Emeri de Bortoli Sparkling Shiraz

Name: Emeri de Bortoli Sparkling Shiraz

Variety: Shiraz
Region: Southeastern Australia 

Country: Australia

Year: NV

Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: A relatively light, fresh style of sparkling Shiraz, with berries and hints of chocolate picking up just a touch of sweet vanilla on the finish.

My Review: This wine smelled very sweet like jam or jelly.  I could taste the mild spice of the Shiraz and a little raspberry.  However, the carbonation was too overpowering for me. I did not like this wine. This wine would haven been better without the fizz. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Potluck Sweet Malbec

Name:  Potluck Sweet Malbec

Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Deep red brilliant with violet hints. Complex, fruity, and predominant red fruits. Easy to drink, round with persistent sweetness, very well balanced with sweet tannins.

My Review: This wine smelled sweet with light spice.  It tasted tannic and slightly floral.  This wine was so-so.  

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Domaine de Grange de Payan

Name: Domaine de Grange de Payan

Variety:  Grenache
Region: Cotes du Rhone

Country: France

Year: 2012

Price: $8.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Intensely spicy and precise, with lively red berry flavors and a hint of black pepper. The Grenache, which makes up the majority of the wine, is deeper and more powerful, offering cherry and black raspberry qualities lifted by zesty minerality.

My Review: This wine smelled spicy and peppery.  It tasted dry and very spicy.  It had an afterbite.  I did not like this wine. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Tinto Figaro

Name: Tinto Figaro

Variety: Garnacha (Grenache)
Region: Calatayud

Country: Spain

Year: 2009

Price: $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Figaro is 100% Garnacha, made from a selection of the best grapes grown in the oldest vineyards. While not truly an "oaked wine", a short stay in oak barrels provides a nice spicy flavor boost. Bright violet. Dark berry and cherry aromas show a jammy aspect. Supple and gently sweet, with good lift to its black raspberry and boysenberry flavors. Smooth and broad on the finish, leaving behind a hint of spiciness. Extremely easy to drink and an excellent value.

My Review: This wine smelled like sweet, cherry jam.  I tasted cherries and some spice.  This wine was so-so. 

Food: Not tasted with food

Tasting- Maipe Malbec Rosé

Name: Maipe Malbec Rosé

Variety:  Malbec
Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2011

Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Intense pink color with violet hints. Fresh red fruit bouquet, strawberry and cherry flavors, balanced acidity, dry and lingering finish. Excellent with tuna or green salad, pasta, spicy Asian dishes.

My Review: This wine smelled floral.  It was very smooth with a hint of spice.  I liked this wine.  It was my favorite out of the 5 wines I tasted. 

Food: Not tasted with food