Name: Snap Dragon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Sonoma, California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95
Winery Review: Snap Dragon Cabernet Sauvignon is fruit foreword and easy to enjoy, showcasing deep flavors of cherry, blackberry, and spice with a hint of currant and smooth tannins. A perfect wine to drink by itself or pair with grilled or roasted meats.
My Review: This wine has a nice dark cranberry, ruby color. On the nose this wine has hints of cherry, plum, and currant. This wine is a little flabby on the palate, it starts very smooth with sweet hints of fruit but finishes absent of flavor or dryness. I would not purchase this one again.
Name: Monte Aman
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Arlanza
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95
Winery Review: Fermentation of selected grapes in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Aging in American oak casks for 5 months followed by 3 months in the bottle before being released in the market. Inky Ruby. Ripe cherry and plum on the nose. Smooth and fleshy, with deep dark fruit flavors complicated by bitter chocolate and anise. A spicy quality adds lift and focus to the weighty fruit. Offers an appealing mix of power and energy and drinks very well right now.
My Review: This wine has a very dark, complex color that indicates the length of its aging. The nose of this one is not very pleasing to me, I noticed a rubbery smell along with some cherry. On the palate this wine is no better for me, it is hollow, with a little bit of spice and dryness.
Name: Cortenova Montepulciano d' Abruzzo
Variety: Montepulciano d' Abruzzo
Region: Abruzzo
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95
Winery Review: Deep ruby red color with violet highlights and a pleasant and fruity bouquet. Full bodied, soft tannins and good acidity. Excellent with pasta dishes and red meats.
My Review: The wine has a dark cranberry, ruby color that is nice. The nose of this wine is a pleasing bouquet of butter popcorn, plum, and currant. On the palate, this wine is smooth, has sweet fruit hints on the mid-palate, and some spice along with a dry finish.
Name: Maipe Chardonnay
Variety: 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Winery Review: 30% malolactic fermentation, 30% was aged in French oak barrels. Brilliant yellow golden color with green hints. The wine is crisp and filled with white peach, pear, green apple flavors, toasty vanilla. Elegant and luscious wine, well balanced. Crisp and long finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, pork, veal, and vegetables.
My Review: The color of this wine is a nice light golden. On the nose this wine is very aromatically pleasing with notes of honey, orange, peach, and pear. The palate of this wine is buttery, but at 14.5%, it has a hot finish. The wine also finishes dry and has very subtle flavors.
Name: Villa d' Orvieto
Variety: Grechetto, Procanico (Trebbiano), Malvasia
Region: Umbria
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Winery Review: Fresh and crisp, it has a beautiful floral bouquet. It is wonderful with appetizers, fish, chicken, and salads
My Review: This wine has a very light, almost clear appearance. The bouquet of this wine is very subtle, but I note some fruit and lilly in it. On the palate this wine is very light, slightly sweet, and tangy.
Name: Morada Sangria
Variety: Red blend
Region: N/A
Country: Spain
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $4.95
Winery Review: Morada Sangria is a traditional Spanish drink made with red wine and citrus extracts. Garnet color and fresh on the palate. Pasteurization preserves the color, aromas, and flavors. At 7% alcohol, it is very refreshing with around 85 grams of sugar. Sangria is now one of the hottest items in the beverage industry and it's growing exponentially year to year. Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit like peach, banana, or apple.
My Review: This Sangria has a refreshing color, lighter than most reds. The nose is very full of fruit, particularly orange and cranberry. The Sangria is very sweet and refreshing, it tastes like cranberry juice with a splash of orange juice in it. It would go down easily on a hot summer day.
Name: Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 60% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Argentina
Country: Argentina
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $4.95
Winery Review: It is dry and contains subtle tobacco undertones with a black licorice, cherry scent. The oak is in the background. Would pair well with hamburger or a steak rather than stand alone.
My Review: The color of this wine is a dark red, with a brown-ish hue. The nose of this had a rubber scent, along with nutmeg and raisin. On the palate I found this wine to be silky smooth, a little bit of spice and heat on the mid-palate, but finished dry and smooth again (no heat on the finish). I did not try this with food, but commenting on the "winery review" above, I think that this would be good with or without food.
