4/25 Tasting - Reserve Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône

Name: Reserve Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône
Variety: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Cinsault
Region/Country: Rhone Valley, France
Year: 2010
Price: $14.95/ 750mL; $38.95/ 3L

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

My Review: My nose detected hints of spice, tobacco, and dried cherries.  It was a dry, full-bodied red.  Cherry was the only taste my palate detected.

I did not drink this wine with food.

4/25 Tasting - Lobetia Tempranillo

Name: Lobetia Tempranillo
Variety: Tempranillo
Region/Country: La Mancha, Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $10.95

Shop's Review: Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the
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 had a strong nose of dried plums and cherries.  It was definitely an Old World style wine because it was dry, tart, earthy, and floral.

I did not drink this wine with food.

4/25 Tasting - Lobetia Chardonnay

Name: Lobetia Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region/Country: La Mancha, Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $10.95

Shop's 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 chardonnay smelled like fresh beach air, pineapples, and peaches.  It was semi-sweet wine with a heavy tartness.  It tasted like apricots and had a long finish.

I did not drink this wine with food.

4/25 Tasting - Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele

Name: Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region/Country: Veneto, Italy
Year: NV
Price: $7.95

Shop's 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 white wine smelled like crisp grape juice, honeydew, and honey.  It was acidic, dry, and thin-bodied.  It had hints of dry fruits.

I did not drink this wine with food.

4/18 Tasting - Concannon Shiraz

Name: Concannon Shiraz

Variety: Shiraz

Region: Central Coast, California

Year: 2008

Price: $7.95

Shop's 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 spices and dried raspberries.  My palate detected blackberries and blueberries.  This was a dry wine.

I did not drink this wine with food.

4/18 Tasting - Ksana Bonarda

Name: Ksana Bonarda

Variety: Bonarda

Region/Country: Mendoza, Argentina

Year: 2008

Price: $9.95

Shop's 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: As soon as I smelled this wine, I immediately thought about the smell of walking into a Starbucks.  I also detected a hint of strawberry jam.  It was a dry, tannic, and bitter wine that tasted like leather and earth.

I did not drink this wine with food.

4/18 Tasting - Black Ridge White Zinfandel

Name: Black Ridge White Zinfandel

Variety: Zinfandel

Region: California

Year: NV

Price: $3.95

Shop's 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: My nose detected cherries, dark berries, and spice.  This was a semi-sweet red wine that tasted like apples and blackberries.

I did not drink this wine with food.