Tasting - Avery Quinn Chardonnay

Name: Avery Quinn Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Napa, CA
Country: US
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95 (On Closeout)
Winery Review:
"The 2011 vintage marks a return to form for this great value Chardonnay.  The aromas feature creamy, mellow, golden apple, pineapple, fresh butter and a touch of vanilla.  Then rich, ripe, flavors of yellow pear, pineapple, fresh apple, cream and buttered toast swell up and fill your mouth before a juicy, apple and caramel inflected finish makes your mouth water (and smile!)."

 My Review: 
I really enjoyed the smell of this wine.  Apple and butter were most present but a subtle hint of tropical fruit and vanilla was noticeable.  After tasting it, I noticed apple, pear, pineapple, and just a little bit of vanilla.  The texture was very rich and creamy.  There was definitely a light caramel aftertaste to the wine.  I tried this wine without food.

Tasting - Bellafina Pink Moscato

Name: Bellafina Pink Moscato
Variety: Moscato/Rabosos Blend
Region: Italy
Country: Italy
Year: ?
Price: $9.95
Winery Review:

"A blend of Moscato and Rabosos grapes it has a pale rose color, notes of red berries (strawberry and raspberry), with the characteristic and fragrant bouquet and palate that is typical of the Moscato grape."

 My Review: 
This Moscato gave off the similar floral bouquet of others I have tasted with an added aroma of grapefruit that was quite strong.  Definitely a dessert wine, the wine tasted quite sweet with similar flavor of Moscato I am used to with an added hint of ripe berries and grapefruit.  The wine was smooth and very light bodied.  Overall, a good sweet wine that I tried without any food this time.

Tasting - Weinert Carascal

Name: Weinert Carascal
Variety: 40% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, & 25% Merlot
Region: Argentina
Country: Argentina
Year: 2008
Price: $13.95
Winery Review:
"Aged for two years in cask, the 2008 Carrascal is a blend of 40% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. It has a rustic blackberry, scorched earth and leather-scented bouquet with touches of pressed flowers. The palate is well-balanced with crisp tannins, expressive black tarry fruit and a Bordeaux-like finish. Drink now-2016."

 My Review: 
This wine gives off aromas of tart cherry and red fruit with a little bit of an earthiness aspect.  The flavor profile of this wine is very unique.  Blackberry and ripe red fruit hit the tongue first but these flavors fade quickly to reveal an earthy, leathery flavor.  The finish is a bit smokey and reminds me of the taste in the air after sitting around a fire pit outside at night.  It was medium to heavy bodied with a strong but well balanced tannin structure.  Very unique, good wine I tried without any food pairings.

Tasting - Santa Julia Malbec

Name: Santa Julia Malbec
Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Argentina
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $8.95
Winery Review:

"The nose is full of mellow raspberry and cherry, while the palate is fleshy and round, with blackberry and a touch of raisin. Plump, not edgy, and ready to drink, with coffee and mocha notes on the finish."

 My Review: 
So far I haven't liked most of the Malbecs I have tried this year so I was a little hesitant to try this without forming a bit of an opinion already.  The smell was very jammy, giving off aromas of strawberry and cherry.  The taste was a little less fruit focused, with hints of blackberry and plum coming through but not punching me in the face.  The wine was medium to light bodied and had a light tannin structure.  The aftertaste had a pleasant coffee note which I really liked.  I tried this wine without any food.

Tasting - Gougenheim Torrontes

Name: Gougenheim Torrontes
Variety: 100% Torrontes
Region: Argentina
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $9.95
Winery Review:

"The 2012 Torrontes comes from Chilecito in La Rioja. It has a light floral nose with touches of lemon peel and nectarine. The palate is crisp and taut, showing far more vivacity and fruit that the nose implied, finishing with a flourish of apricot and white peach. Drink now."

 My Review: 
The nose of this wine was very lemony with just a hint of floral notes and a little bit of nectarine/clementine as well.  The taste of the wine was fairly similar to the aromas it gave off.  At first, fruity characteristics such as lemon and nectarine came off strongly.  The fruit faded quickly though, leaving a very crisp, acidic bite to the finish.  Overall, this wine I tried by itself without food was okay but nothing I would really buy in the future.

Tasting - Santa Julia Pinot Grigio

Name: Santa Julia Pinot Grigio
Variety: 100% Pinot Gris
Region: Argentina
Country: Argentina
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95
Winery Review:

"Light and clean, which compared to other Argentine Pinot Grigios is not something to dismiss. Feels solid and punchy, with orange and mango flavors. Has nice overall clarity and balance, with a citrusy finish."

 My Review: 

This wine is one of my favorite Pinot Grigios so far.  The smell is very fruity, with tropical notes of mango and pineapple very noticeable.  With the taste, it is a very thin bodied wine with mango and apple coming through with a slight hint of orange that gives way to a lemony after finish.  Very well balanced between sweetness and acidity.  I tried this wine without food.