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