- Emeri de Bortoli Sparkling Shiraz
- 100% Shiraz
- South Eastern
- Australia
- NV
- $9.95
- Wine critics say it is relatively light, a fresh style of sparkling Shiraz with berries and hints of chocolate picking up just a touch of sweet vanilla on the finish.
- I found this sparkling Shiraz to have strong notes of berries on the nose, which I enjoyed. On the palate, I felt it came off more fizzy than I expected at first but decreased with more tasting. The mid palate was a bit acidic and tart with the berry flavors. The finish was a little dry.
- I did not taste with food.
- Tres Ojos Garnacha
- 50% Garnacha, 50% Tempranillo
- Calatayud
- Spain
- 2011
- $6.95
- Wine critics say this Tres Ojos Garnacha has a brick red color with a bouquet of red raspberries, spices and white pepper. The palate is very concentrated and rich. This red wine is fruity, juicy and shows great depth, ripe tannins, length but yet with a wonderful elegance and lightness. This goes best with sausages, roasted meats, and aged cheeses.
- I found the nose to be full of red berries and pepper. The spice and pepper was evident on the palate, but not too much, with the red berry fruit notes. The finish was a little dry.
- I did not taste with food.
- Montebuena
- 100% Tempranillo
- Rioja
- Spain
- 2010
- $8.95
- Wine critics say this Tempranillo has flavors of ripe cherry
and blackcurrant on the nose and palate. The texture is pliant and seamless
with good heft and back-end energy. The finish is smooth and sweet, with
fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side, but
this Tempranillo drinks well with about an hour of decanting. It’s an excellent
value for Rioja.
- I found the nose and palate of this wine to have notes of
black cherry and dark berries, especially raspberry with a little pepper.
- I did not taste with food.
- Sainte Victoire Cotes de Provence
- 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Cinsault
- Provence
- France
- 2011
- $8.95
- Wine critics say this rose is bright salmon pink in color,
which is typical of the fresh but warm Provence style. It is refined and
complex on the nose, with summer fruit and floral notes. Dry and crisp on the
palate, with a delicate flavor and full texture.
- I found the color to be a mix of pink, orange, and gold. The
nose was acidic with some fruit. On the palate this rose was mostly dry and
tart, with less fruit than I expected.
- I did not taste with food.
- Canyon Road
- 100% Chardonnay
- California
- United States
- 2011
- $6.95
- Wine critics say this Canyon Road Chardonnay is
medium-bodied with notes of crisp apple, ripe citrus fruit and a hint of
cinnamon spice. Goes best with grilled chicken, a lighter pasta dish or mild
cheeses.
- The color of this chardonnay was like most, a light gold.
The nose was full of apple notes. On the palate, the balance of apple, light
citrus fruit, and acidity was near perfect, with a hint of butter.
- I did not taste with food.
- Potluck Sweet Malbec
- 100% Malbec
- Mendoza
- Argentina
- 2010
- $7.95
- Wine critics say the color is a deep red with hints of violet. It is complex, fruity, and predominantly red fruits. This red is easy to drink, round with persistent sweetness, and is well balanced with sweet tannins.
- I didn't care for this Potluck Sweet Malbec. The nose was sweet, with strong red fruit notes. For a Malbec, I found it to be too sweet on my palate which I didn't enjoy.
- I did not taste with food.
- Domaine de Grange de Payan
- Grenache (majority, about 80% according to The Vintage Cellar)
- Cotes du Rhone
- France
- 2011
- $8.95
- Wine critics say this red is intensely spicy and precise, with lively red berry flavors and hints of black pepper. The Grenache is deeper and more powerful, with cherry and black raspberry qualities lifted by zesty minerality.
- I found this Domaine de Grange de Payan to be a Grenache that I don't care for. I felt the balance was off. On the palate, it was a bit more fruity at first, with notes of raspberry and cherry. From the mid-palate to the finish it gave off more of a spicy pepper flavor.
- I did not taste with food.
- Tinto Figaro
- 100% Garnacha
- Calatayud
- Spain
- 2009
- $6.95
- Wine critics say it is made from a selection of the best grapes grown in the oldest vineyards. Its short stay in oak barrels gave it a nice spicy flavor boost. The color is a bright violet. The dark berry and cherry aromas give off a jammy aspect. It's supple and gently sweet, with flavors of black raspberry and boysenberry. The finish is smooth and broad, leaving behind a hint of spiciness. This wine is very easy to drink and an excellent value.
- I found the nose on this Tinto Figaro to be a nice mix of raspberry and blackberry. The same fruits came through on my palate, as well as a little bit of pepper and spice.
- I did not taste with food.
- Maipe Malbec Rose
- 100% Malbec
- Mendoza
- Argentina
- 2011
- $7.95
- Wine critics say its color is an intense pink with hints of violet. The bouquet is a fresh red fruit. Flavors include strawberry and cherry. The acidity is balanced, with a dry and lingering finish. It goes well with tuna or green salad, pasta, or spicy Asian dishes.
- On the nose, this Maipe Malbec Rose gave off a nice strawberry aroma. On the palate, it was a little acidic with bold notes of cherry and strawberry.
- I did not taste with food.
- Cortenova Pinot Grigio
- 100% Pinot Grigio
- Veneto
- Italy
- 2012
- $7.95
- Wine critics say it is a brilliant straw color with reflections of emerald. The bouquet is fresh and floral with varying hints of pears, apricots and bananas. It is fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style. The aftertaste gives off a pleasing hint of almonds. This would pair best with seafood dishes, risottos with scampi, and spaghetti with clams. It would be perfect as an aperitif.
- The color of this Cortenova Pinot Grigio was almost clear, but it had a light golden tint. There were light fruit notes on the nose and the bouquet was very fresh and balanced. On my palate, there wasn't as much flavor but the light fruit and slight acidity was refreshing. I felt this was a white wine I would enjoy drinking slightly chilled, outside on a warm, sunny day.
- I did not taste with food.
- Monte Aman
- 100% Tempranillo
- Arlanza
- Spain
- 2009
- $5.95
- Wine critics say this Monte Aman was aged in American oak casks for five months and then spent three months in the bottle before being released in the market. The color is an inky ruby with ripe cherry and plum on the nose. It is smooth with deep dark fruit flavors complicated by bitter chocolate and anise. There is a spicy quality that adds lift and focus to the weighty fruit. This Tempranillo offers an appealing mix of power and energy.
- On the nose, this Tempranillo was quite fruity with plum. I sensed the same flavors once I tasted this red, but also with a bit of a spice/pepper.
- I did not taste with food.
- Cortenova Montepulciano d' Abruzzo
- 100% Montepulciano d' Abruzzo
- Abruzzo
- Italy
- 2010
- $6.95
- Wine critics say this Cortenova Montepulciano d' Abruzzo is a deep ruby red color with violet highlights and a pleasant, fruity bouquet. It has a full body, soft tannins and good acidity. Goes best with pasta dishes and red meats.
- The nose was very bold with strong berry notes and the body seemed quite thick.
- I did not taste with food.
- Maipe Chardonnay
- 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier
- Mendoza
- Argentina
- 2012
- $7.95
- 30% malolactic fermentation and 30% was aged in French oak barrels. Wine critics say this Maipe Chardonnay is a yellow, golden color with hints of green. This wine is crisp and filled with white peach, pear, green apple flavors, and toasty vanilla. The finish is long and crisp. It pairs best with creamy soups, pork, veal, or vegetables.
- My palate found this Chardonnay to be mildly acidic, with flavors of citrus and pear. It also seemed a little oaky for a white wine.
- I did not taste with food.
- Villa d' Orvieto
- A blend of Grechetto, Procanico (Trebbiano), Malvasia
- Umbria
- Italy
- 2011
- $6.95
- Wine critics say this Villa d' Orvieto is fresh and crisp with a beautiful floral bouquet. It goes best with appetizers, fish, chicken, and salads.
- I actually enjoyed this white wine blend. I found the body to be quite mild and creamy, with a little butter.
- I did not taste with food.
- Dibon Cava
- 45% Macabeo, 30% Parellada, 25% Xarel-lo
- Penedes
- Spain
- NV
- $9.95
- Wine critics say this Dibon Cava is light gold in color with lots of bubbles. It offers aromas of apples and pears with nice floral notes. Crisp and light-bodied on the palate, the stone fruit flavors are accompanied by a mild minerality and balanced acidity.
- I found the aroma was very similar to champagne. On the palate, it was quite acidic with flavors of apple.
- I did not try with food.
