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.