Tasting - Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: CA
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
Winery Review:

"Well-balanced flavors of dark berries and plums. Spicy fruit finish."

 My Review: 
The smell of this wine surprised me because although it was from CA, it had a very earthy and mushroom aroma that reminded me of old world style wines.  On my initial taste, I noticed flavors of blackberries and plum that slowly faded to a more earthy, spicy aftertaste.  This wasn't a bad red wine but still not one of my favorites.  I tried this wine without food.

Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillion

Name: Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillion
Variety: 80% Chardonnay 20% Semillon
Region: Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95
Winery Review:

"Chardonnay Semillon is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon. It 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: 
The aromas of this wine included melon, fruit, and a different smell that was close to butterscotch.  The taste of the wine came off as very acidic and crisp with little of the sweetness in the taste that was present in the smell.  Tropical fruit was also noticeable.  It had a medium body so a bit heavier than other white wines.  I did not try this wine with any food.

Tasting - Canyon Road Pinot Noir

Name: Canyon Road Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: CA
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95
Winery Review:

"Rich, fruit forward cherry flavors, soft tannins, a medium body and a smooth velvety finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, salmon, and savory pork dishes."

 My Review: 
The nose of this wine reminded me of fresh raspberries mixed with cherry jolly ranchers.  After tasting, the first thing that hit me was the big fruit flavor of ripe dark fruits such as cherry and red currant.  The tannins were very mild and soft in this wine which together with the medium body created a very smooth texture.  I liked this wine and although I tried it without food, I am going to pair it with some salmon in the future.

Tasting - Indwe Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Indwe Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Winery Review:

"Grapes are meticulously sourced from our grape producers along the Coastal region of the Western Cape ensuring complexity and freshness in the wine. Indwe Sauvignon Blanc is full of layers, balance and persistence. The wine is imbued with tropical and citrus notes, with hints of melon and gooseberry flavors."

 My Review: 
The smell of this wine reminds me of melon and apple along with a strange smell that is almost a mix of cheese/cucumber.  The taste of this wine was also a little different than other Sauvignon Blancs I have had before.  I got the melon and slight fruity taste that I am used to be also a more buttery aspect and another fruit taste that was very different than anything I have ever eaten (maybe Gooseberry?).  It is well balanced with its acids and is very crisp.  Overall not bad but I think it would have been better with some appetizers as opposed to no food.

Tasting - CV Chocolate Wine

Name: CV Chocolate Wine
Variety: No Idea
Region: Michigan
Country: United States
Year: No year provided
Price: $15 (On Sale $7.95)
Winery Review:
"A marriage of milk chocolate, red wine, and cream!"


 My Review: The aroma is very similar to chocolate milk with just a little hint of the bitter smell that some red wines tend to carry.  Almost smells like bitter chocolate.  The taste is very rich and decadent.  The texture is thick, full, and creamy with strong tastes of milk chocolate and cream.  I've only ever had one other chocolate wine before and this is by far the best.  Almost tastes like melted chocolate.  I did not try this wine with food but you really didn't need to for this one.

Tasting - Barefoot Moscato

Name: Barefoot Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: CA
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $6.99
Winery Review:

"Delightfully sweet with lush fruity aromas. Hints of citrus skip across flavors of juicy peach and ripe apricots. A bright, crisp finish dances in at the end. It’s a bit sweeter than our Riesling."
 My Review: 
Strong smells of tropical fruit come through on the nose along with peach.  Very fruity aroma that smells quite good.  The taste mimics the smells very well.  Flavors of pear and peach come across with other sweet fruits that are harder to pick out individually.  The Moscato is light and crisp with an aftertaste that is sweet and refreshing.  I really liked this wine.

Tasting - Glen Ellen Proprietor's Reserve Merlot

Name: Glen Ellen Proprietor's Reserve Merlot
Variety: 100% Merlot
Region: CA
Country: United States
Year: 1997
Price: No Idea (My parents had it and didn't want it)
Winery Review:
Since I didn't buy this wine personally, I wasn't able to talk to anyone at the store about the wine.  The bottle is also a small sample bottle size so it doesn't say what to expect.

 My Review:  The wine smells strongly of berry preserves with a bit of an earthy, chocolate smell as well.  This Merlot is similar to many merlots I have had in the past.  The initial flavor of blackberry and ripe fruit fades away to a more earthy, woody aspect.  It has a medium body with a subtle tannin structure that still leaves that mouth feeling dry with an aftertaste of bitter-sweet chocolate.  For having been a Merlot aged for 17 years, it is pretty decent.  I did not try this wine with food.