2/14 Tasting - Gabriella Chianti

Name: Gabriella Chianti
Variety: Sangiovese
Country: Italy
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95

Shop's Review: This beautiful wine has the very deep red, almost purple, color that you would expect in a Chianti.  The first thing you notice is the fruit, balanced by a bit of spice.  It’s a good dry wine with a bold flavor.  Even with it’s boldness, this Chianti is velvety smooth.

My Review: This was the strongest smelling wine of the day.  My nose detected strong notes of mixed berries.  It was a dry wine that tasted earthy.  It had a tart and bitter finish.

I did not drink this wine with food.

2/14 Tasting - Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

Name: Lavarini Valpolicella Classico
Variety: 65% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella and 10% Molinara
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Shop's Review: The red ruby color and the dry taste give this wine joviality and cordiality.  It is fresh and fruity, with lovely strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors, with nice spice and a silky texture.

My Review: This wine smelled like apple cider and cherries.  I detected smokiness and subtle hints of sweetness and spice.

I did not drink this wine with food.

 

2/14 Tasting - Dom de Mirail Cabernet/Merlot Rose

Name: Dom de Mirail Cabernet/Merlot Rose
Variety: Cabernet, Merlot
Region: Cotes de Gascogne
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Shop's Review: There is a fresh, crisp character to this light rosé.  It is eye-watering in its refreshing character, with balancing acidity, smoothing out the edges with a touch of caramel.

My Review: This wine had virtually no scent.  It had a very light taste with small hints of sweet fruits.  It almost tasted like a fruit flavored water.

I did not drink this wine with food.

2/14 Tasting - Norton Torrontes

Name: Norton Torrontes
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Mendoz
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Shop's Review:

Greenish yellow with hints of gold, this Torrontés has intense aromas of white peach, rose petal, and jasmine.  Norton Torrontés 2011 is pleasant and well balanced on the palate.

 

My Review: My nose detected hints of sweet fruits especially apples.  Although it smelled sweet, it was a dry wine that had nutty flavors.  This wine also had a short finish.

I did not drink this wine with food.

2/14 Tasting - Dibon Cava

Name: Dibon Cava
Variety: Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo
Region: Northeastern Spain (Near Barcelona)
Country: Spain
Year: NV
Price: $9.95

Shop's Review: The nose offers regal yeast and richness, while the palate has complexity to prop up apple, citrus and grapefruit flavors.  Solid from front to back, with health and freshness.

My Review: This was carbonated wine that smelled like crisp and fresh grape juice.  It was a little tart with hints of apple.  It had a short finish.

I did not drink this wine with food.

2/3 Tasting - Opera Prima Pink Moscatto

Name: Opera Prima Pink Moscatto
Variety: 97% Muscat, 3% Tempranillo
Country: Spain
Year: NV
Price: $5.95

Shop Review: This fine sparkling presents and intense aroma of fresh berries and
tropical fruits with hints of white flavor petals. Delicate bubbles caress the palate offering a silky and pleasant sweetness well balanced by a crisp, refreshing finish. Ideal on it own, as an aperitif or with all types of sweets and desserts.

My Review:  This rose colored wine was bubbly when poured.  It smelled light and crisp like Champagne.  My nose detected floral and fruity scents.  It was a carbonated and semi-sweet wine that tasted floral.  It had a light finish.

I did eat food with this wine.

2/3 Tasting - Black Opal Shiraz

Name: Black Opal Shiraz
Variety: 100% Shiraz
Region: South Eastern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Shop Review:  The Black Opal wines are sourced from vineyards found in South Australia along the Limestone Coast, at Langhorne Creek and in the infamous Barossa Valley.  Black Opal Shiraz is rich red in the glass.  Aromas of blackberry, pepper and spice followed with rich plum flavors round out the palate.  Soft tannins give structure to the fruit-driven palate.

My Review: This ruby colored wine had a spicy smell.  I detected raspberry and strawberry notes.  It was smooth and light.  It tasted woody and had an interesting walnut finish.

I did not eat food with this wine.

 

2/3 Tasting - Sokol Blosser Meditrina

Name: Sokol Blosser Meditrina
Variety: 50% Syrah, 22% Pinot Noir, 28% Zinfandel
Region: Oregon
Country: United States
Year: NV
Price: $7.95

Shop Review: It's created from the finest Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel. The taste is lush and velvety with expressive notes of raspberry and cherry.  It pairs nicely with pasta and anything off the grill.

My Review: This wine was garnet in color.  The smell was not very strong but I detected vinegar and cherries.  It was a light wine with woody undertones.  It had a short finish.

I did not eat food with this wine.

 
 
 

2/3 Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon

Name: Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/Semillon
Variety: 80% Chardonnay, 20% Semillon
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2008
Price: $5.95

Shop Review: Gotham’s 2008 Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon.  It gives a moderate intensity of melon, guava, apricot and butterscotch aromas.   The medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity along with plenty of tropical fruit flavors and a medium-long finish.

My Review:  This wine had the light and crisp smell like that of Champagne.  I also detected fruity notes.  It was a bitter wine with a berry aftertaste.  It had a medium finish.

I did not drink this wine with food.

2/3 Tasting - Beringer Riesling

Name: Beringer Riesling

Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

Shop Review: This wine is the perfect balance of honeysuckle and bright peach

flavors.  A perfect compliment to light fare, appetizers, or just sharing with friends.

My Review: This wine had a light smell with traces of almonds.  My palette detected floral and earthy tastes.  It was a semi-sweet wine with a short finish.

 I did not eat food with this wine.

1/31 Tasting - Primo Amore Moscatto

Name: Primo Amore Moscatto

Variety: Muscat
Region: Puglia
Country: Italy
Year: Unknown
Price: $10.95

Critic’s Review: Straw-yellow with golden reflections and a delicate mousse.  Fruity and very inviting, with intense scents of peaches and exotic fruit.  Fresh and pleasantly sweet with a taste that reveals its varietal characteristic.

My Review: Smelled very fresh and fruity.  It was a delicous carbonated semi-sweet wine.  It tasted like fresh picked grapes with hints of other fruits.  I wish I could have had a couple glasses.  This was definitely the best wine of the day!

I did not drink this wine with food.

1/31 Tasting - Finca del Castillo Tempranillo

Name: Finca del Castillo Tempranillo

Variety: Tempranillo
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $4.95

Shop Review: Rooty, spicy and baked on the nose, with aromas that lean towards

raisin. The palate is more gritty and acidic, with raisin, cola, and
spicy flavors. Darkens up on the finish, which is long and peppery,
with adequate juiciness and a final note of tomato.

My Review: This wine did smell like raisins, I also got notes of walnuts.  It was very strong and tart.  It didn't taste like much of anything to me except maybe spices.  It had the least amount of flavor.

I did not drink this wine with food.

1/31 Tasting - Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Name: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Variety: Gamay
Region: Burgundy
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $3.95

Shop Review: Bright and tangy, offering a classic banana note on the nose, with flavors of raspberry, wild strawberry and light spice. Modest finish.

My Review: This wine had unexpected fruity smells.  It smelled like bananas and cherries.  I was surprised that it actually tasted very woody and bitter.  I didn't enjoy this wine.

I did not drink this wine with food.

1/31 Tasting - Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Name: Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95

Shop 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 Chardonnay had a very earthy smell.  I did taste apples but it finished with a strong bitter taste.  The aftertaste kind of ruined the wine for me. 

I did not drink this wine with food.

1/31 Tasting - La Cappuccina Soave

Name: La Cappuccina Soave
Variety: Garganega
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Shop Review: Bright straw yellow in color.  Delicate on the nose, with notes of

flowers and almonds.  Dry, well-structured and delicately fruity, with hints of bitter almonds on the finish that is typical of Garganega-based wines.

My Review: Smelled like fresh and crisp grape juice.  A dry and acidic wine with a very bland taste.  I didn’t get any of the sweet fruitiness.  I didn't care for this wine.

I did not drink this wine with food.