Tasting - Bolla Moscato

Name: Bolla
Variety: Moscato
Region: Pavia
Country: Italy
Price: Regular Price $9.95

Winery Review
Loaded with juicy exotic fruit, mature apricot, yellow peach and tangerine flavors, this sweet and delightful wine is perfect for Sunday brunch or picnics.

My Review

As always the Moscato is something that I am always excited to try. This wine did not disappoint. The nose was exceptional bringing to the forefront a strong smell of oranges and other slightly acidic fruit smells. I smelled a hint of jasmine on the end of the nose. The flavor overall however was slightly disappointing, it was slightly more bitter than I was expecting and it had a slightly higher alcohol feel than I was expecting. Overall it was still sweet and delicious.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Monte Degli Angeli Sangiovese

Name: Monte Degli Angeli
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Puglia
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: Regular Price $7.95

Winery Review
The aromas are rich and dark, with lots of black cherry and a hint of balsamic. In the mouth the wine is round and energetic, with cherry and black raspberry fruit complemented by hints of damp earth. If you like Sangiovese-based wines like Chianti or our best-selling Colsanto from Umbria, you'll love this! The wine is ripe, fresh, and fruit-driven with a wonderful dash of earthy complexity at the end. Buy it by the case and drink with pizza, grilled poultry, and pasta.

My Review

This wine unfortunately did not measure up as well as the previous red did. It offered the generic smell of black cherries, and a small hint of caramel on the nose but nothing that stood out as exceptional. It also allowed hints of earthy scents to make its way to the forefront. Its flavor was overly dry for my taste and it was too bitter for my liking. I feel like a lot of people could get excited about this wine, but it was not for me.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Oracle Pinotage

Name: Oracle
Variety: Pinotage
Country: South Africa
Year: 2014
Price: Regular Price $7.95

Winery Review
An unusual style of Pinotage with complex aromas of black pepper, smoke, tomato, and dark fruit. The palate is packed with ripe mixed berry flavors, making this unoaked red wine a real crowd-pleaser.

My Review

As we know by now, I was not too excited to taste another red wine as they are my least favorite. However this one was very different from the usual bunch. The nose gave off a deliciously sweet and warm scent of blackberries and caramel. A hint of currant slowly faded in from the back and brought everything together. The wine was not overly sweet or overly dry and had a lot to offer.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Alvarez de Toledo Godello

Name: Alvarez de Toledo
Variety: Godello
Region: Bierzo
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: Regular Price $7.95

Winery Review
Clean pale yellow color. Nose fruity, persistent and elegant aromas. Good backbone on the palate.

My Review

This wine was not particularly extraordinary in any aspect of its design. The nose was genuinely lacking for anything innovative and only gave off the faint smell of apples or citrus fruits. Its flavor was bland and shockingly sour on the tongue. The finish was lacking and I honestly do not think there was anything exceptional about this wine.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Villa Jolanda Brut

Name: Villa Jolanda
Variety: Brut
Country: Italy
Price: Regular Price $8.95

Winery Review
Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste.

My Review

This wine had a beautiful nose of pears and green apple. The finish offered a hint of other fruits that I had difficulty placing. The initial flavor was refreshing and light and finished with a slightly sour hint that lingered on the back of the pallet. A fairly intricate wine that I enjoyed.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Villa Pozzi Moscato

Name: Villa Pozzi
Variety: Moscato
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: Regular Price $8.95

Winery Review
Loaded with juicy exotic fruit, mature apricot, yellow peach and tangerine flavors, this sweet and delightful wine is perfect for Sunday brunch or picnics.

My Review

As always I was really excited to taste this wine as I love Moscatos. The nose on this wine was incredibly floral in nature. Jasmine and orange blossoms make themselves noticed as the floral scents fade and a hint of grapefruit comes in on the finish. This wine was incredibly sweet on the pallet and quite crisp. I found this wine endlessly refreshing.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Paul Laureano Tinto Classico

Name: Paul Laureano Tinto Classico
Variety: Trincadeira (40%), Aragonez (40%) and Alfrocheiro (20%)
Region: Alentejano
Country: Portugal
Year: 2013
Price: Regular Price $8.95

Winery Review
Paulo Laureano’s Classico is a delicious blend of the native Portuguese varietals Trincadeira (40%), Aragonez (40%) and Alfrocheiro (20%). This is a full bodied red that reveals all that the terror of Portugal has to offer. Light cigar tobacco and soft leather present beautifully on the nose. Dark, black fruits fill the mouth, but the wine flows smoothly over the palate, with a good bit of spice on the finish. Pair with spicy, cured meats and hard cheeses.

My Review

This wine had a very sweet smell. Like most red wines it gave off that textbook black cherry and caramel smell. I also got a hint of cocoa with this wine. This wine also gave off a very woody, earthy scent that was strangely inviting. The taste was incredibly bitter and very dry. It was uncomfortable almost to drink this wine and I probably would not recommend it to anyone.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Bodegas Atalaya Laya

Name: Bodegas
Variety: Atalaya Laya 70% Alicante Bouschet, and 30% Monastrell
Region: Almansa
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: Regular Price $8.95


Winery Review

88 Points – Stephen Tanzer

A blend of 70% Garnacha Tintorera, a.k.a. Alicante Bouschet, and 30% Monastrell; fermented in stainless steel, followed by four months in French oak.  Bright purple.  Cassis, blueberry, pungent herbs and mocha on the nose.  Smooth and open-knit on the palate, displaying fresh cherry and dark berry qualities and a hint of black pepper.  Finishes with gripping tannins and good length, leaving a subtle floral note behind.

My Review

The color on this wine was incredible. It was a deep deep purple-red color that just screamed excellence. The smell was very strong but gave off a lot of cherry smell coupled with that sweet caramel finish that I have come to expect from red wines. The wine was fairly dry and not sweet enough to compensate for how dry it made my mouth feel.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Name: Mars and Venus
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Central Valley
Country: Chile
Price: Regular Price $5.95

Winery Review
A very nice value Chardonnay that comfortably over-delivers vs. its modest price tag. No oak here, just bushels of clean, crisp, Chardonnay apple and stone fruit with a hint of caramelized pineapple.  Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white that's just perfect for parties or weeknight sipping.

My Review

This wine offered a lot to smell in terms of tree fruits. Apples and pears were endlessly abundant and shining through brilliantly. It had a slightly warmer smell than I expected but it worked well with the fruity aromas. The taste was slightly disappointing as none of the fruit smells really made it into the flavors and it left me expecting more from it. 

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Name: Cortenova
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: Regular Price $6.95

Winery Review
Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste.

My Review

This wine right off the bat had a strong fruity nose. It had crisp smells of apples and pears and really came through with more and more fruity scents as you continue to smell. It had a light citrus note about it and was very pleasing to the nose. It was very sweet to taste and those fruit smells came through in the flavor to make it feel really well rounded.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Black Opal Shiraz- Cabernet Sauvignon

Due to the snowday, none of the pictured wines were available to taste and the following is what vintage cellars had to offer.

Picture from google.com
http://www.luekensliquors.com/images/Black%20Opal%20Cabernet%20Merlot.jpg
Name: Black Opal
Variety: 65% Shiraz, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon 
Country: Australia
Price: N/A

Winery Review

But here we have a rich, drinkable red that is “full of berry, pepper, and spice aromas” (so says the winery’s website, and I agree) that also gives you some spice and pepper on your taste buds, along with very ripe dark fruit flavors.  Tannins are there, sort of.  I don’t really agree with the website’s claim that this is an “elegant” or a “full bodied” wine, but hey, their marketing people have to earn a living just like anybody else. 

I’d say this is a medium-bodied red that doesn’t really taste like cabernet or shiraz, but rather just tastes pleasant.  It isn’t silky or complex, but it doesn’t reek of cheapness either.  If you’re on a tight budget, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

My Review

I have to agree with the review on this one, the wine does not have a sense of complexity and did not present anything magnificent. I got a scent of cherry, caramel and small back end of cocoa for the smell. The flavor was nothing unique or different from any other red wine that I have tried in the past. This wine was very bitter and I did not enjoy.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Middle Sister Merlot

Due to the snowday, none of the pictured wines were available to taste and the following is what vintage cellars had to offer.

Picture by google.com
http://ei.isnooth.com/multimedia/8/6/7/image_1203548_full.jpeg
Name: Middle Sister
Variety: Merlot
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: N/A

Winery ReviewThis wine is from United States, California region. Warm ferments (80F+) mixed frequently for color extraction and fruit characters smells like ripe summer berries with a touch of vanilla tastes like lush berries lead into a lingering cocoa powder finish.

My Review

This wine gave off a strong smell of black current with an overwhelming hint of blackberry jam that complimented the acidity nicely. The scent of caramel came in off the back end to really finish this flavor profile nicely. Unfortunately the flavor was very bitter and unappealing and did not do the smell justice.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Canyon Road Merlot

Due to the snowday, none of the pictured wines were available to taste and the following is what vintage cellars had to offer. 

Picture from google.com
http://static.wine-searcher.net/images/labels/86/20/canyon-road-merlot-california-usa-10118620.jpg
Name: Canyon Road
Variety: Merlot
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: N/A

Winery Review
A dry, balanced wine with ripe cherry and blackberry flavors, and a nice edge of tannins to cut through beef and cheese. Great for inexpensive entertaining.

My Review

This wine had a slightly earthy component to it. Those tones were complimented nicely by a strong berry scent and yet another example of black cherry shining through in a red wine. The taste was very dry and incredibly acidic, I did not enjoy this wine.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Castle Rock Pinot Noir

Due to the snowday, none of the pictured wines were available to taste and the following is what vintage cellars had to offer. 

Picture from Google.com
https://www.ultimatewineshop.com/images/sites/ultimatewineshop/labels/t8282772gq_1.jpg
Name: Castle Rock
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: N/A

Winery Review
This Pinot Noir is elegant and medium-bodied, offering aromas of cherry, tea and herbal spice. On the palate, the wine gives flavors of black cherry, plum and spice. It is smooth with a silky texture and mild tannins. This versatile food wine pairs well with lamb, chicken, veal, salmon and light pasta dishes.

My Review

This wine had strong notes of Black Cherry and was well complimented with a hint of cocoa smell. It also gave off a short burst of caramel to accent the assortment of other smells. The taste was mildly dry and warm.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Black Opal Chardonnay

Due to the snowday, none of the pictured wines were available to taste and the following is what vintage cellars had to offer. 

picture from google.com
http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server4900/7a906/products/3796/images/4195/black_opal_chardonnay__17066.1405478766.1280.1280.jpg?c=2
Name: Black Opal
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: South East Australia
Country: AustraliaYear: 2013
Price: N/A

Winery Review
N/A

My Review

This wine had a strong apple nose, with a healthy hint of lemon and citrus notes. A melody of citrus was able to shine through and made it self very present in the flavor. The taste was very sweet and had a very strong alcohol flavor that complimented the sweetness well.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Crane Lake Riesling

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Riesling
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: Regular Price $5.95

Winery Review
Punchy lime and lemon mark this off-dry Riesling with a staccato rhythm, adding edge to honeyed tones of peach and honeysuckle. Exceptionally priced, it’s satisfying and elegant.

My Review

Right off the bat this wine smelled incredibly sweet. I knew that this was going to be one that I was going to like as the sweet wines are my thing. It had a strong citrus scent that finished nicely with a bit of a floral note. It also had that sweet almost honey smell to it. The flavor was as sweet as expected, however the aftertaste was sour and bitter which was completely unforeseen. I did still enjoy this wine even with the bitterness of the aftertaste.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Crane Lake Petite Sirah

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Petite Sirah
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: Regular Price $5.95

Winery Review
Shows a certain rustic simplicity now, with youthfully jammy flavors of blackberries, cherries and currants, sprinkled with cocoa and pepper and wrapped into dusty tannins.

My Review

The color of this wine was tantalizing from the very beginning. Even the very small sample size of wine was so dark that it was impossible to see through it. The smell was fantastic very fruity with a strong note of cherry. It had that textbook warm smell as well. Unfortunately everything that had me impressed was instantly killed when I tasted it. This was the most dry wine I have every tasted before. It had me looking for a bottle of water and although it had great flavor it was ruined for me with how dry it was.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Yellowtail Reserve Merlot

Name: Yellowtail
Variety: Reserve Merlot
Region: South Eastern
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: Regular Price $12, Sale $6.95

Winery Review
Round, velvety and mouthfilling, this is a satisfying Merlot at a bargain price. Aromas of black cherries and herbs fold in hints of cinnamon and mocha, while the flavors are generally fruity, but with a slightly tomatoey note. Soft on the finish. Drink now.  

My Review

This was another wine that I was having a difficult time placing a smell on. The most immediate thing I could notice was the cherry scent that is immediately apparent from the first sniff. A soft cocoa and caramel flavor slowly fade their way in after the initial smell dies down. This wine smelled really great. However it was a bit dry on the finish. It had a great fruity flavor that balanced everything nicely.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Takutai Pinot Gris

Name: Takutai
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Nelson
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009
Price: Regular Price $21, Sale $6.95

Winery Review
Since this wine weighs in at 14%, the fruit was clearly very ripe. That ripeness is reflected in the flavors as well, which feature nectarine and honey accented by hints of white pepper. It’s full bodied and lush, with a long finish that mingles the sensations of sweet and spicy.

My Review

This wine had smells that were fairly difficult for me to place. I perceived it as an earthy smell with a note of citrus. It was hard to figure out what citrus fruit it could have been. It smelled very fruity but was hard to distinguish which smells they were. The taste was overpoweringly sour, and then finished with a hard bitter feeling. It was almost painful to drink, the smell gives away nothing about how unpleasant the finish is. 

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - Mars & Venus Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Mars & Venus
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: Regular Price $10, Sale $5.95

Winery Review
Citrus and gooseberry aromas are mild but typical of the variety. A basic citrus palate delivers modest tangerine and nectarine flavors which lead to a mild, pithy finish showing light citric notes.

My Review

This wine immediately delivered a strong lemon scent mixed with a variety of other citrus notes. There was an orange hint underneath it all. I also smelled a small note of green apple and a cool melon. The taste was surprisingly hot and overwhelmingly bitter. I did not like this wine, because it was far too bitter and did not deliver enough to the palette.

I did not eat food with this wine.