Tasting - Sonnenband Moscato Magnum

Name: Sonnenband Moscato Magnum
Variety: 100% Moscato
Region: Spain
Country: Spain
Year: Unsure
Price: $20 (Sale for $9.95)
Winery Review:
"This wine is intricate with the delicate perfumes of white flower blossoms, profound tropical fruit sweetness, and energized by citrus nectars."

 My Review: The smell seems fairly simple with mainly floral notes and just a hint of fruitiness.  The actual taste was very different from the aroma.  The sweet, tropical fruit flavors instantly hit me and almost overwhelmed me at first.  I got a little bit of the floral flavor toward the end but it was nowhere near as strong as the sweet fruit.  The texture was light but almost creamy.  I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $15 (Sale for $7.95)
Winery Review:
"This Cabernet Sauvignon shows very good purity of fruit and skillful winemaking.  This wine is full of black-fruit aromas, depth and style.  The palate pushes ripe plum and berry fruit along with chocolate, and the finish is chewy and correct in terms of tannins and structure."

 My Review: This was a very interesting, memorable wine.  Notes of ripe plum and raspberry came through on the nose with a hint of chocolate.  The texture was medium bodied with the wine providing a tingling feeling while not being too hot.  Mexican chocolate (chocolate with hint of peppery spice) was the most dominant flavor that combined very well with the berry and plum taste that came through initially but didn't linger nearly as long as the chocolate taste.  I really enjoyed the chocolate and fruit combination with this wine.  I didn't try it with food but I think it would be great with some dark chocolate.

Tasting - Champteloup Pinot Noir

Name: Champteloup Pinot Noir
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Loire Valley
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $15 (Sale for $7.95)
Winery Review:
"In the heart of France's Loire River Valley lies the Touraine wine region.  Although it produces vast amounts of well-priced, fresh, mostly white wines, lovely reds like this are broadening Touraine's appeal.  This wine may seem familiar to you.  It is a sibling of the Touraine Sauvignon Blanc we've offered for years.  Serge de Bucy employs a light touch in his winemaking, using no wood and doing as little as possible to preserve the freshness.  Bright cherry and strawberry fruits are followed by a soft, smooth palate."

 My Review:  Very sweet, fruity aromas of blackberry, cherry, and strawberry jam on the nose.  The body was medium, with strong fruit flavors coming through in the initial taste that fade slowly to a bit of a peppery flavor (mainly black pepper).  I honestly missed the woody, oak notes that were lacking because of the lack of wood used in production of the wine.  No food was tried in paring with this wine.

Tasting - Baumann Gentil Classiq

Name: Baumann Gentil Classiq
Variety: Blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris.
Region: Alsace
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $17 (Sale for $9.95)
Winery Review: 
"A delicious and fresh blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris.  Light aromas of fresh fruit and delicate white flowers start your journey, followed by crisp flavors of stone and citrus fruit.  A well balanced acidity on the dry finish ends this French blend beautifully."

 My Review: The smell is very floral, hints of pine needles and poinsettia petals coming through.  The taste is quite similar to the smell with strong floral components that give way to a light citrus flavor.  The finish is clear and crisp that cleanses the palate.  I didn't try this wine with any food. 

Tasting - Fattori Runcaris Soave

Name: Fattori Runcaris Soave
Variety: Unsure, mix of white grapes
Region: Soave
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $15 (Sale for $7.95)
Winery Review:
From the local Italian word for "to work the soil," Runcaris represents an easy, fresh expression of Soave Classico with lingering aromas of citrus, yellow rose, honey, jasmine, and dried herbs.
86 Points - Wine Enthusiast

 My Review:  I can smell citrus fruit and honey from the glass.  Once tasted, the citrus flavor comes across but immediately fades to a crisper taste that is more floral in origin.  The wine is very light and leaves no real lingering aftertaste of any kind.  I didn't try this with any food.

Tasting - Foxhorn Vineyards Merlot

Name: Foxhorn Vineyards Merlot
Variety: 100% Merlot
Region: South Eastern

Country: Australia
Year: Not Sure
Price: $3.99
Winery Review:
“Our luscious, soft Merlot layers crushed berry aromas with rich plum flavors.  Subtle hints of toasty oak complement this smooth, medium-bodied wine."


 My Review:  Aromas of plum and ripe, red berries present that matches the ruby red color of the wine.  The first flavor that comes through is plum with a woody oak aftertaste that is not overbearing at all.  The tannin structure is quite good with a pleasant tingling sensation that coats your mouth as you swish it around.  The wine has a medium body that was quite smooth.  For a boxed Merlot, this is actually quite good.  The fruit and oak are very well balanced.  I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Foxhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Foxhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: South Eastern

Country: Australia
Year: Not Sure
Price: $3.99
Winery Review:
“Our Cabernet Sauvignon is a smooth, medium-bodied dark red with aromas of blackberry and spice.  The wine is rich and balanced with tannins adding structure and complexity."


 My Review:  First thing that hits you right away is the blackberry aroma.  It is intense along with subtler notes of black current and a little nutmeg.  The taste is quite similar to the nose with blackberry and a good spiciness (what reminds me almost of allspice) coming through initially with a tingling, black pepper finish.  The wine was medium bodied and quite smooth.  Not a bad buy overall.  I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - Taylor Cream Sherry

 


Name: Taylor Cream Sherry
Variety: Doesn't Say
Region: Canandaigua

Country: New York
Year: Not Sure
Price: $6.99
Winery Review:
“A full bodied, moderately sweet sherry with nuances of toffee and roasted nuts.  Delicious with dessert or after dinner.  Serve chilled or at room temperature."


 My Review:  Right off the bat I smell rich fruit that matches that dark red hue of the wine perfectly with a hint of buttery toffee.  The taste came across as very sweet at the beginning but with the tingling sensation and heat of the alcohol coming across after the initial taste.  Almonds with a hint of English toffee come across on the finish that lingers for several seconds.  I tasted this wine at room temperature.

Tasting - Thorn Clarke First Light Moscato

Name:  Thorn Clarke First Light Moscato
Variety: 100% Moscato
Region: Barossa Valley

Country: Australia
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Winery Review:
“Ripe lychee, tropical fruits and musk on the nose as you near the glass. Lovely grape and stone fruits and on the palate is highlighted with the subtle sweetness and spritz that makes this such a fun drink. Low in alcohol and nicely balanced acidity ensure you will want more than one glass of this easy drinking wine."


 My Review:  Apple, melon, tropical fruit, and floral scents come across on the nose.  The wine itself has a thin body that is slightly carbonated giving it a creamy texture.  It has a pleasant sweet taste with plenty of the tropical fruit present.   The aftertaste of fruit lingers for a very small amount of time giving way to a clean, crisp finish.  I had this wine with crabcakes and when paired with them, the sweeter notes were less present and it carried a more refreshing, crisper fruit taste directly after eating the crabcake.

Tasting - Señorío de Sarría Viñedo Número

Name: Señorío de Sarría Viñedo Número
Variety: 100% Garnacha
Region: Puente La Reina

Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Winery Review:
“One of the finest roses I have tasted this year, the 2012 Vinedo No. 5, made from 100% old Grenache vines from a single vineyard, is loaded with character.  It is an expressive, medium-bodied, light salmon/pink-colored, dry rose with flamboyant, jammy strawberry and raspberry characteristics.  A beautiful texture as well as a long finish result in a terrific rose.  Readers may be interested to know it was chosen as the best Spanish rose in a competition held by 500 sommeliers.  Drink it over the next year."
 Robert Parker 90 points

 My Review: The smell reminds me of strawberry jam.  The initial flavor of strawberry comes through with a bit of heat tingling the inside of my mouth.  It has a nice, medium-body texture and has a lingering berry flavor that lasts after the sip.  In the future I think decanting this wine would go a long way of bringing out more fruit notes and taking away some of the alcoholic heat.

Tasting - Angove Zibibbo Sparkling Moscato

Name: Angove Zibibbo Sparkling Moscato
Variety: 100% Moscato
Region: Southern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2011?
Price: $15 (On Sale for $7.95)
Winery Review:
“This is a tasty and generous Moscato that opens with plush aromas of honey, peach syrup, white flower, and fragrant exotic fruit.  There's a nice sensation of fullness and creaminess in the mouth that is backed by the foamy effervescence of this sparkling dessert wine."

 My Review: This wine was just awesome.  I really didn't get too many strong aromas on the nose.  Subtle hints of apple, fruit, and honey stood out.  The texture was rich and creamy with a flavor that was full and reminded me of apple cider.  It was sweet yet the carbonation dialed back some of the sweetness allowing the creaminess of the texture to present itself.  It almost reminded me of what hard sparkling apple cider must taste like (it probably does exist but I've never had it...).  I enjoyed this wine without food but it would be perfect for dessert along with some type of cobbler.

Tasting - Fetzer Malbec

Name: Fetzer Malbec
Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $12 (On Sale for $7.95)
Winery Review:
“Delicious Malbec is 100% from Mendoza, Argentina.  It has a vibrant red color with violet tones.  Subtle and delicious aromas with an intense mixture of red fruits, plum, and cherry jam.  On the palate it's juicy and has intense wood-like tannins that make it a rustic, yet versatile wine. Long finish."

 My Review: Aromas of strawberry, cherries, and other red fruit are subtle but present.  After sipping, notes of plum and fruit juice come across first then give way to a dryer, more earthy flavor.  Hint of heat from alcohol present throughout but disappears with a smooth, fruity finish.  Not a bad red wine but I would have enjoyed a bit more woody complexity to it.  I tried this wine alone without food.

Tasting - Tres Ojos Garnacha

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha
Variety: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, & 10% Mourvedre
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Winery Review:
“This semi-opaque ruby, custom cuvee of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre is made specifically for Fran Kysela.  It exhibits very fresh, ripe dark red fruit with very good palate weight and depth and ends with rich fruit notes.  Made from organically grown grapes.  Incredible value!"
- I - WineReview (December 2013), 90 pts.

 My Review: I really liked the aroma of this particular wine; a sweet fruity smell of dark red fruit reminding me of berries and jam invited me to take a sip.  The taste was less distinct than the smell.  While red fruit came across, it was not nearly as sweet as the smell with a little bit of a peppery taste that lingers during the aftertaste.  A pleasant tingling sensation was noticeable.  The wine was full bodied and while not as sweet as I had anticipated, fairly good overall.  This wine was tasted without any food.

Tasting - The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc

Name: The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc
Variety: 100% Chenin Blanc (known as Steen Grape in South Africa)
Region: Wester Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Winery Review:
“One of the greatest buys I have tasted this year under $10, 100% Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape.  A super flowery-scented nose includes notions of ripe honeydew melons and pears.  This medium weight, fresh, fruity, crisp, dry, textbook Chenin Blanc will provide immense pleasure over the next 12 months."
90 Points - Robert Parker

 My Review: Smells of honeydew melon and floral scents stand out on the nose with a slight hint of apple.  The flavor comes across as sweet but with a good balance of acidity.  Apple is most present with the melon coming in later.  Very crisp with no real aftertaste at all.  A good wine overall that I enjoyed.  I didn't taste this wine with any food pairings.

Tasting - Norton Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Norton Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $12 (On Sale for $5.95)
Winery Review:
“Aromas of pithy citrus and pineapple are decent but unrefined, while flavors of tangerine and pineapple are tropical, zesty, and what they are.  This is nothing more than a fresh, simple, citrusy white to sip on the patio."


 My Review: Smell was very straightforward with citrus notes, mainly of pineapple.  The taste itself was a little more on the dry side with some pineapple and lemon coming through but not lingering for very long.  Texture was thin and it was a very simple, one note taste.  Overall not bad but nothing very memorable about it.  Think it might be better in the future to try with a light food like bread and cheese.

Tasting - Weinkeller Erbach Flonheimer Adelberg Sylvaner

Name: Weinkeller Erbach Flonheimer Adelberg Sylvaner
Variety: 100% Sylvaner
Region: Rheinhessen 
Country: Germany
Year: 2010 
Price: $18 (On Sale for $4.95)
Winery Review:

“The fruity, mouthwatering wine has a nice acidity-sugar balance and comes from the so called 'Rheinhessen-Switzerland', the heartland of Rheinhessen. It has a floral bouquet and is full of lemon zest, hint of passion fruit, and smells like yellow fruit, lemon-grass and green tea, all wrapped around a pleasant creaminess and a semi-dry profile. The finish is zippy and refreshing. Perfect for party on the deck as it comes in a liter bottle!”


 My Review: This wine surprised me quite a bit.  The aroma has a very floral, clover hint that reminds me of being in a wild field.  Some banana came through as well.  The flavor on the other hand was very sweet with everything from hints of melon to apricot present.  The texture was creamy with an aftertaste that was soft and light.  One of my favorites so far.  I had it without any food pairings.

Tasting - Montebuena Rioja

Name: Maipe Torrontes 
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: Spain
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95
 Winery Review:

"(100% Tempranillo, raised entirely in American oak): Vivid ruby. Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it's an excellent value for Rioja."
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (September 2012), 90 pts


 My Review: I was completely surprised by how much I liked this red wine.  The smell was a combination of dark fruit (mainly currants) with a woody hint lingering in the background.  Strong berry and tree fruit flavor flavor but with the charred oak taste added that gives it a hint of an aged whiskey.  The texture was smooth and rich with a little bit of pleasant numbing.  I sampled this wine without any food.