Tasting- Morada Sangria

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.

Tasting- Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Tasting- 2010 Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola

Name: Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola
Variety: Nero D'Avola
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Very dark purple, with a reddish-violet edge, typical of this grape. Black plums, a hint of licorice and subtle spice, not overly complex but appealing. A big mouth full of juicy black fruit is well structured by tart acidity and soft but distinct tannins.

My Review: The color of this red is a very dark red, near purple. On the nose I smelled a rubbery smell mixed with some dirt and licorice. The wine had a fruity taste, a little bit of spice on the mid palate, and finished dry.

Tasting- 2009 Tres Ojos Rose

Name: Tres Ojos Rose
Variety: 50% Tempranillo, 50% Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $1.95

Winery Review: This medium rose-colored rosado boasts a spicy red cherry/plum nose with a soft lush attack of red berry fruit flavors and a crisp dry finish. Simple and refreshing and a natural for tapas.

My Review: This wine is not the typical rose color, rather it is more of a watered-down cranberry color with a hint of orange. The nose also does not smell like a rose, but rather more like a more complex red. I noticed hints of plum and blackberry. This rose tasted smooth with a little spice, and finished bitter. For $2, it is a steal.

Tasting- 2011 Les Perles Piquepoul

Name: Les Perles Piquepoul
Variety: Piquepoul
Sub-region: Cotes de Thau
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Light and young, this is a straightforward but enjoyable selection that would be an ideal match for light fare such as grilled chicken salads or fluke. Apple flesh, nectarine, and sweet citrus oil aromas and flavors appear on the nose and palate, while the short finish is infused with a flavor of green melon rind.

My Review: This wine was very lightly colored, almost clear. The nose was very aromatic, almost perfumey, with a sweet lily scent. On the palate this wine started off buttery, bitter on the mid-palate, and finished sweet and a little tart. The flavor change was quick but noticeable, and refreshing.

Tasting- 2008 Gabriella Chianti

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

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

My Review: I found the color of this wine to be a little lighter than described, more of a dark cranberry. The nose smelled like rubber and tomato sauce to me, not a bad smell, but not refreshing either. This Chianti was dry, with  very powerful and bold flavor. I noticed the tomato, some spice, and a little fruit and some acidity. Overall this wine was too flavorful alone and I think would be better paired with food.

Tasting- 2010 Lavarini Valpolicella Classico

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

Winery 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: The color was a dark cranberry, ruby red. On the nose I detected chocolate, plum, and some spice. The wine started smooth on the palate, had a subtle spice on the mid-palate, and finished dry.

Tasting- 2011 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

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

My Review: The color is pink (as a Rose should be) with an orange tint to it. The nose has a fruity, sweet smell to it, but I could not figure out what it was that I was smelling. The taste of this wine was sweet, fruity, and finished with some bitterness.

Tasting- Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

Name: Dibon Cava Brut Reserve
Variety: Xarelo-lo, Parellada, Macabeo
Region: Penedes
Country: Spain
Year: Non-Vintage
Price: $9.95

Winery 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 wine looks almost like sparking water it is so lightly colored and clear. I found the nose of this to have crisp green apple, peach, and a light citrus smell. The taste was kicked off with the zing of carbonation and sweetness followed by a smooth and powerful burst of flavor that lingers. This would be a good alternative to champagne if you wanted it.

Tasting- 2010 Tarima Montastrell

Name: Tarima Monastrell
Variety: Monastrell (also known as Mourvedre)
Region: Alicante
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $10.00

Winery Review: Made from monastrell grapes grown on gnarled vines, in the rugged, arid climate of Alicante, Tarima blossoms in your glass with notes of licorice, chocolate, and a hint of dark violet.

My Review: First off, this wine was great. It has a very dark color, near black in the glass. The nose of this wine gives off smells of blackberry, chocolate, and a slight metallic smell. The overall bouquet was not that impressive. What was impressive was the complexity of the palate of this red. The wine starts off with a little bit of spice, has a punch of fruit on the mid-palate, and finishes dry revealing a mature tannic structure.

Tasting- 2010 Smoking Loon Merlot

Name: Don Sebastiani & Sons Smoking Loon Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $8.99

Winery Review: Our California Merlot has aromas of concentrated wild strawberries and tea leaf, with a touch of herbaceous sage for extra complexity. On the palate, this wine has classic Merlot character, with bright cranberry and cherry flavors and a light herbal note, expertly balanced with integrated oak and hints of milk chocolate. Medium-bodied with moderate tannins, the zesty acidity makes this an excellent wine for food-pairing.

My Review: One word. Obsessed. I really liked this merlot because it has so many different aspect to it. The color of this wine is ruby red, it looks like a dark cranberry juice. The nose of this wine is awesome. I noticed a blend of cranberry, plum, raspberry, and chocolate that made me keep sniffing this one over and over again. The flavor of the merlot starts out a little fruity and sweet, is warm but soft on the mid-palate, and finishes dry. I really enjoyed the complexity and balance of this wine.

Tasting- Sokol Blosser Meditrina

Name: Sokol Blosser Meditrina
Variety: Pinot Nior, Syrah, Zinfandel
Region: Oregon
Country: United States
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $7.95
 
Winery Review: 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 has a dark red color with a brown-ish hue. The nose smells like butter popcorn with a slight acidic tang, and a hint of raspberry. The taste overall is smooth and well balanced starting with fruit and ending dry. It is a good wine, but I would not want to bring this to a social event because of the styling of the bottle (it is pretty girly).

Tasting- Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Name: Opera Prima Pink Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: Spain
Country: Spain
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: This fine sparking presents an 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 its own, as an aperitif or with all types of sweets and desserts.

My Review: This wine looks like a blush in a sparking wine bottle. The nose is very full of soapy, floral smells, along with some fruity (strawberry and raspberry) notes. The taste of this is very sweet and smooth, though I did not notice any of the carbonation during the tasting.

Tasting- 2009 Beringer Reisling

Name: Beringer Reisling
Variety: Reisling
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

Winery 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: Has a nice light yellow color, crisp and clear looking. The nose of this wine is very subtle with hints of apple, peach and the sweetness of honey. The Beringer Reisling does not disappoint on taste. On tasting, the wine was almost buttery, very smooth, and only slightly sweet. Beringer hit the nail on the head with this reisling, not too sweet, but very soft subtle flavors in a velvety smooth wine. I really liked the balance, nose, and taste of this wine. As I have tasted more wines I have gotten away from whites (particularly sweet ones), but this is something that I could get into. Great all around, and it is definitely on the list of things to have again.

Tasting- Wine Men of Gotham Cardonnay/Semillon Blend

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

Winery Review: Gotham's 2008 Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon 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 has a nice light yellow/gold to it. I noted slight hints of oak, pineapple, and a little grass on the nose of this wine. Though the bouquet had a sweet smell, the initial taste was actually a little sour. The flavor starts smooth and subtle but finishes strong with some heat and acidity coming through.

Tasting- 2012 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Name: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
Variety: Gamay
Region: Beaujolais, Eastern France
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $3.95, originally $13

Winery Review: There is charming sweetish red crushed berry fruit and warm floral mineral scents.Well balanced red fruit flavors throughout the mid-palate. A lovely light but solid finish tricks you into thinking that this wine could be a barrel sample of one of the 10 Beaujolais Crus and not a "mere" nouveau.

My Review: On the nose, I noticed hints of butter along with fruit. The wine has essence of raspberries, and sugar coated strawberry. The fruit flavor comes through on the palate to give this red a full bodied flavor and finishes dry.

Tasting- 2011 Balck Opal Shiraz

Name: Black Opal Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: South Eastern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95, originally $12

Winery Review: This Shiraz has a strong plum flavor with a smooth, velvety finish.

My Review: This wine has a fruity hint, but also has notes of cinnamon. It is very smooth on the palate, and does not dry my mouth out. Definitely a good red for those who want to get their feet wet with red wines.

Tasting- 2008 Masked Rider Gunsmoke Red

Name: Masked Rider Gunsmoke Red
Variety: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Petite Sirah, 15% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2008
Price: $5.95, originally $14

Winery Review: This young 2008 blend shows aromas and flavors of fresh fruit, plums, black currant, herbs, espresso notes and complemented with touches of earth. A smooth mouth, round tannins and a tasty finish.

My Review: This blended wine has some floral and spice  aromas on the nose, with notes of earth. I did not notice the fruit until I tasted the wine and came back for a second smell. The fruit helps to sweeten this red as it has a distinct parching sensation.

Tasting- 2010 Bodega Norton Sangiovese

Name: Bodega Norton Sangiovese
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95, originally $12

Winery Review: Red with violet hints. Aromas of red berries, strawberries and raspberries. Fresh fruit on the mouth, with pleasant finish

My Review: This might sound weird, but the nose of this wine smelled like tomato sauce. It was not overpowering, but it was there. This aroma was tasted in the spiciness of this wine. There was a short distinct spice in the mid-palate. The wine was dry, balanced, but with a subtle lingering spice. I did not get any of the fruit flavors described in the winery's tasting notes.

Tasting- 2011 Bodega Norton Torrontes

Name: Bodega Norton Torrontes
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Lujan de Cuyo, Mandoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95, originally $12

Winery Review: Greenish yellow in color with tinges of golden. Very perfumed prevailing fruity and flowery aromas, such as white peach, roses and jasmine. Pleasant on the palate and well balanced.

My Review: There are strong notes of flowers in the nose, and also a slight soapy smell. The bouquet of this wine is very full and relatively strong for a white. The wine is dry, but still well balanced.