Tasting - López Panach Tempranillo

Name: López Panach Tempranillo

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: Castilla

Country: Spain

Year: 2009

Price: $3.95

Shop Review: This wine boasts a beautiful red ruby color with a purple hue; brighter than its previous vintages.  This wine’s fresh and bright with nuances of dark fruits like blackberries, black currants and raspberries.  Inviting aromas of spices, wild flowers and violets.  Fresh in the mouth with good structure, well-balanced acidity and a medium finish.

My Review:  This ruby wine had vegetal aromas and a certain staleness to it.  It also tasted vegetal and dry, and honestly the work I kept thinking was “yucky.”

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - Accūro Torrontés

Name: Accūro Torrontés

Variety: Torrontés

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: $9.95

Shop Review: Light gold, tropical notes of mango, pineapple, mineral, mouth-filling, lively acidity, stylish.

My Review:  This wine is almost clear in color.  The dominant aroma on the nose is peach gummy rings.  Upon tasting it, the wine is tart but otherwise tastes like water.

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - Marie Antoinette Pouilly-Fuissé

Name: Marie Antoinette Pouilly-Fuissé

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Burgundy

Country: France

Year: 2009

Price: $16.95

Shop Review: An expressive nose that is primarily comprised of floral and orchid fruit aromas gives way to notably more complex and finer medium-bodied flavors that offer a touch of minerality on the relatively dry and citrus-infused finish.  This is very forward and will drink well almost immediately.

My Review:  This Burgundy is very light in color, almost clear.  It has a nose of light fruits and pear.  It has a green apple taste with a light, tart finish.

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - Morada Sangria

Name: Morada Sangria

Variety: Blend

Region: N/A

Country: Spain

Year: NV

Price: $4.95 (1L)

Shop Review: A traditional Spanish drink made with red wine and citrus extracts.  Garnet color and fresh on the palate.  Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruitlike peach, banana or apple.

My Review:  When I saw that this wine was going to be at the tasting, I was very excited since I had some sangria in Spain a few years ago, and that is when I began to fall in love with wine.  On the nose, it smelled of the citrus extracts, such as orange peel, zesty, citrusy with some herbal notes.  Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the taste.  It tasted fruit juicy and syrupy, like it was artificially made.  The only saving grace was the hint of cinnamon on the finish.

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - Oak Vineyards Chardonnay

Name: Oak Vineyards Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Napa Valley

Country: United States

Year: 2010

Price: $5.95 (750mL); $10.95 (1.5L)

Shop Review: This light straw-colored Oak Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay expresses smoky aromatics with nuances of apple and lemon zest that continue onto the palate where they flourish into citrus, orange blossom, and smoked oak flavors until meeting a crisp, medium finish.

My Review:  On this nose, this Chardonnay is appley with hints of light fruits.  It is also slightly floral smelling.  Taste-wise it is very smoky and buttery with a smooth finish.

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - Opera Prima Sweet White

Name: Opera Prima Sweet White

Variety: Blend

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2010

Price: $5.95

Shop Review: Flowery and sweet smelling, then round and fairly smooth in the mouth.  The flavor package of tropical fruits galore is pleasant and shouldn’t offend anyone.  Finishes clean and easy.  A mango boat of flavor.

My Review:  This sweet white blend had aromas of gummy peach rings and mango.  This wine is super sweet with peach flavors.  If would be perfect for an after dinner drink!  I grabbed a bottle for myself after tasting this dessert wine.

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - Senda 66 Tempranillo

Name: Senda 66 Tempranillo

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2008

Price: $8.95

Shop Review: The 2008 Senda 66 spent 8 months in new French oak.  Purple/black in color, it sports a fragrant nose of spice box, lavender, blueberry, kand blackberry.  Smooth-textured, layered, and remarkably rich on the palate for its humble price, this lengthy effort will drink nicely over the next 5-6 years.

My Review:  This Tempranillo is a dark ruby, almost black.  It has aromas of dark fruits, cherry, blueberry and other types of berries.  I can’t taste much because my mouth is almost instantly dried by the tannins.  While I couldn’t taste much, this wine had a cocoa finish.  I think it would be best to listen to the review and wait a few more years for this wine to mellow.

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - Sierra Cruz Carmenere

Name: Sierra Cruz Carmenere

Variety: Carmenere

Region: Maule Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2009

Price: $6.95

Shop Review: As a member of the Cabernet Sauvignon family, Carmenere (pronounced car-men-yare) originated in Bordeaux as one of the grapes permitted for use in the red blends of that storied region.  Chilean winemakers have embraced it an several wineries in that country produce is as a single varietal.  The ’09 Sierra Cruz is a very pleasant, soft, medium-bodied wine that has fresh Cabernet-like aromas and flavors of spice, dark fruit and black pepper.  It is a great value and also would be a nice match with marinated and grilled skirt or flank steak.

My Review:  This Carmenere is a dark ruby with purple edges.  It has smoky and spicy aromas.  This wine is full-bodied with heavy tobacco flavors.  The tannins are slightly harsh, so it would be best paired with food or left to age longer.

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Chardonnay

Name: Lost Vineyards Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Unknown

Country: Argentina

Year: NV

Price: $3.95

Shop Review: Pale golden color.  Perfumed peach, pineapple, and nougat aromas.  Round and soft with a fruity-yet-dry medium body.  Tangy apple skin and lemon zest notes lift the fruit nicely on the finish.

My Review:  This Chardonnay is pale hay, almost clear in color.  Its aromas were faint, yet it smelled oddly familiar, but I couldn’t place it.  This wine tasted tart with pineapple flavors.

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - Sierra Cruz Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Sierra Cruz Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Maule Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2011

Price: $6.95

Shop Review: This Chilean Sauvignon Blanc just oozes with bright citrus flavors and a nose of herbs and grass.  Stylistically, it is a cross between the herbal, grassy wines so prevalent in Sonoma Country and the riper, more fruit forward products of New Zealand.  Match it with pasta sauced with arugula, pine nuts, mushrooms and parmesan.

My Review:  This Sauvignon Blanc is pale hay, almost clear in color.  It has lemony citrus aromas with hints of fresh cut grass.  It tastes tart with lemon-lime and grassy flavors.  It is slightly too acidy for my tastes and has an odd finish that I can’t place.

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - Bogle Petite Sirah

Name: Bogle Petite Sirah

Variety: Petite Sirah

Region: Clarksburg

Country: United States

Year: 2009

Price: $12.95

Shop Review: Voluptuous and full-bodied on the entry, the heady aromas of black currants and plums awaken the senses.  Lusciously jammy and inky in appearance, the concentrated fruit wraps itself around tones of pipe tobacco, leather and cocoa, to mesmerize the palate.  Juniper and spice seduce the supple tannins, as this wine finishes long and lingering, but not before a final touch of acidity charms the balanced mouthfeel yet again.

My Review:  This dark, almost black Petite Sirah has aromas of dark fruits and tobacco.  It had cherry and smoky flavors.  It has harsh tannins that should mellow out over time or should be consumed with food to balance it out.  I’m personally not a fan of smokiness/tobacco, but I highly recommend it to those who are.

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - Hey Mambo Sultry Red

Name: Hey Mambo Sultry Red

Variety: Blend (Syrah, Barbera, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Malbec, Alicante Bouchet)

Region: Napa Valley

Country: United States

Year: 2010

Price: $11.95

Shop Review: Savor every drop of these eyebrow raising, proprietary blends combining traditional California and Italian varietals.  Hey Mambo is a tribute to classic Blue Note Record albums, while giving a glimpse into a bygone era, filled with music and energy.

My Review:  This blend has aromas of dark fruits and dark cherry.  Completely contrasting with the aromas, the flavors were big and complex.  It had dark cherry flavors, and an unexpected, yet enjoyable, spicy midpalate.  It had great structure with good tannins and a slightly dry finish.  My friend Laura was with me, and she usually doesn’t like red wines, so since we both walked out with a bottle, I would say this is a good buy for any wine lover!

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - La Lejania Chardonnay Reserve

Name: La Lejania Chardonnay Reserve

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Central Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2009

Price: $11.95

Shop Review: Medium bodied Chardonnay exhibits a creamy texture and good definition of fruit from the first sip.  A terrific option for Chardonnay drinkers looking for good value.

My Review:  This Chardonnay is very fruit-forward and tropical on the nose.  It tasted largely of tart pear.

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - Oxford Landing Estates Viognier

Name: Oxford Landing Estates Viognier

Variety: Viognier

Region: South Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Shop Review: A pale straw with lime green and lemon yellow hues, the Oxford Landing Estates Viognier 2010 has a lifted musk and honeysuckle aroma, with a hint of apricot and peach blossom.  The wine is richly textural on the palate with classic grainy Viognier minerality complemented perfectly with ripe flavors of late season peaches and apricots.  Suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

My Review:  Upon my initial sniffy sniff of the wine, I noticed a lot of light fruity aromas, including peach and apricot.  When I tasted it, there weren’t many flavors.  A tartness and acidity overwhelmed my palate.

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - Clara Benegas Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Clara Benegas Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: 70% Chardonnay, 30% Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2009

Price: $10.95

Shop Review: Elaborated with grapes from vineyards located in the province of Mendoza.  This delicious, natural, young and fresh wine is a result of the careful control of the vineyard and the morning harvest of the over ripened Chardonnay grapes.

My Review:  This pale hay colored wine had pineapple, fruity and tropical aromas.  It tasted tart and pineappley.  It was very simple and light.

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling

Name: Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling

Variety: Riesling

Region: Marlborough

Country: New Zealand

Year: 2008

Price: $18

Shop Review: Reminiscent of the Mosel, forward aromas of key-lime cream, fruit cocktail, ginger and honeysuckle leap from the glass and are carried through the poised palate.  The deliciously fruity flavors are counterbalanced by zingy acidity, leading to a firm, mineral-laden finish which leaves the impression of perfect dryness.  This is a sophisticated, classically-styled New Zealand Riesling that’s neither cloying nor viscous – a great foil for flaky white fish in lemon-butter sauce or any light, fresh cuisine.

My Review:  This light colored Riesling had a funky pear aroma.  It had pear flavors and was slightly too acidy for my taste.

I had this wine alone without any food.

Tasting - Horton Stonecastle Red

Name: Horton Stonecastle Red

Variety: Blend

Region: Monticello AVA

Country: United States

Year: NV

Price: $15

Shop Review: Deep garnet color, roasted nuts, herb, spice, and baked berry aromas.  A round supple entry leads to a dryish medium body with dark berry flavors.

My Review:  Before even sniffy sniffing this wine, I could smell a mustiness in the air.  This potent mustiness was confirmed after doing a sniffy sniff.  I got up enough courage to try it, and I have no idea what it tasted like, but it seemed like there was an overpowering flaw in the wine.

I had this wine alone without any food.