Tasting - "La Sera Red Ambrosia"

Name: La Sera Red Ambrosia
Variety: Red Blend
Region: Emilia-romagna
Country: Italy
Year: 
Price: $9.75
Winery Review: Light, sweet and really easy. Nuance and style rather than theatrics in this wine. A great pairing with desserts especially after a dinner where you serve heartier dishes and wines and dont want to step too far backwards. 
 
My Review: This wine smelled of artificial apple. It was very sweet with a taste of strawberry. It had aspects of carbonated fruit juice. Not my type of wine.

Tasting - "El Portal Barrel Select"

Name: El Portal Barrel Select
Variety: Red Blend
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 
Price: $9.99
Winery Review: Both Zinfandel and Merlot are popular grapes on their own and this marriage proves that the sum can be greater than its parts. Concentrated blackberry and cherry aromas are joined by notes of black currant, plum, spice and violet. Fruit forward flavors are accented with a touch of sweet tobacco and spice. A smooth texture and ripe tannins make this wine very food friendly.

My Review: This wine I was disappointed with. I think it may have been because I did not pair it with food. The nose was not very evident. It was very weak in that respect. The taste did not make up for it either. I did find flavors of cherry and plum but overall it was not pleasant. Next time I will have to try it with food.

Tasting - "Stone Briar Classic Red"

Name: Stone Briar Classic Red
Variety: Red Blend
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $9.99
Winery Review: Deeply colored wine with intense aromas of ripe berry and spice. Flavors of blackberry and raspberry with a hint of toasty oak and vanilla are carried through a refreshing finish by soft tannins.

My Review: The color of this wine was very dark. The nose of the wine was very fruity but almost like cooked fruit. There was a bit of the oak monster in this wine but still the wine was good enough to enjoy.

Tasting - "Geja's Big Bold Red"

Name: Geja's Big Bold Red
Variety: Red Blend
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $12.99
Winery Review: A wine with attitude. It's big and bold and unabashedly lip-smackingly delicious – ripe fruit flavors float over a fine structure of ripe tannins and natural fruit acidity. "Keep pouring, I'll tell you when to stop".

My Review: This wine had a beautiful nose. It had floral and earthy components as well some berry components. This was definitely in my top 5 noses I have had so far. The taste was also very pleasing. The tannins were very nice and made the wine very drinkable.

Tasting - "Marietta Old Vine Red Lot Number 56"

Name: Marietta Old Vine Red Lot Number 56
Variety: Red Blend
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 
Price: $14.95

Winery Review: Lot 56 continues the tradition of consistently great wine. The aromas of the Zinfandel based blend are bright and rich with red and dark berry fruits followed by hints of earth and spice. The mouth feel is lush and full. The finish is marked with ample acidity to bring the wine to a balanced finish.

My Review: The color of this wine was a deep ruby red with almost a brown tint to it. The nose was very rich and earthy. It had great berry flavors like dark red cherries. It also had a little bit of the oak monster but overall it was a solid wine.

Tasting - "Pietra Santa Sacred Stone Red"

Name: Pietra Santa Sacred Stone Red
Variety: Red Blend
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 
Price: $9.95
Winery Review: Dark ruby in color, with warm, plummy aromas, a hint of raisins and a dash of spice; floral and peppery notes on the nose carry over to the palate with a burst of fragrant pepper and bright red fruit. Full bodied, tart and somewhat tannic, with an intriguing minerality lurking behind the forward fruit and peppery spice. Powerful alcohol (14.8%) leaves a distinct warmth in the finish. Made by a California producer and bearing no regional appellation or vintage, it's described as a "Rhone-style blend," with Syrah, Carignan, Grenache and the less characteristically Rhonish Sangiovese and Zinfandel.

My Review: It had a dark ruby red color. This wine had a floral nose. It has a very strong plum flavor, with hints of dark cherries. It had very nice tannins.

Tasting - "Four Bears Sauvignon Blanc"

Name: Four Bears Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Sonoma County
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $12.95
Winery Review: Our Sauvignon Blanc fruit was 100% whole-cluster pressed to minimize astringency from the skins. Once settled, a portion of the juice was placed in small neutral French oak barrels, while the majority was moved to stainless steel tanks for fermentation. This combination allows the wine to develop a balance of crispness and tropical fruit flavors. The wine in barrels was sur lie aged and stirred consistently. The final blend was a combination of lots that provided a perfect balance of richness, bouquet and mouth feel.

My Review:This wine had a very tropical nose. It had pineapple and I think mango components. The first taste was strong with grapefruit. It had very strong citrus. It had a smooth mouth feel.

Tasting - "Foggy Ridge Pippin Black"

Name: Foggy Ridge Pippin Black
Variety: Hard Cider
Region: 
Country: USA
Year: 2010 Price: $25.95
Winery Review: Newly released Pippin Black combines hard cider from Newtown Pippin and Arkansas Black apples with Virginia apple brandy. To gild the lily we age this blend on Hungarian Oak. Butterscotch and caramel notes combine with rich apple flavor, making this apple port ideal with blue cheese and walnuts.

My Review: This cider was not very aromatic. It had a slight smell of liquor. The taste was like a sour apple. A strong acid component was evident. It reminded me a bit of apple pie.

Tasting - "Original Sin Newtown Pippin Cider"

Name: Original Sin Newtown Pippin Cider
Variety: Hard Cider
Region: New York
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $12.95
Winery Review: The Newtown Pippin apple originated in what is modern day Queens NY, a true local that gained such huge popularity in the 1800’s that it was one of our most exported agricultural items to the UK, a favorite of Queen Victoria’s. Now cidermaker Gideon Coll brings it back to the lime-light as a single varietal slightly sparkling cider. Clean and crisp with a mouth-filling creaminess that makes you crave another sip. Don’t be fooled by the almost water-clear color, there’s lots of tart apple flavors and the transition from sparkling to still is an intended progression.

My Review: This cider was not very aromatic but only had hints of apple. It was very light on the palate with a clean apple taste. It was not very exciting so I would give it a pass.

Tasting - "Foggy Ridge Hard Cider First Fruit"

Name: Foggy Ridge Hard Cider First Fruit
Variety: Hard Cider
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $17.25
Winery Review: Though he failed as a winemaker, Thomas Jefferson excelled in cidermaking—Foggy Ridge Cider's First Fruit features Jefferson's favorite cider apple, the Hewe's Crabapple, as a key ingredient of this best selling blend. Ashmead's Kernel, Parmar, Harrison and Graniwinkle contribute to this crisp refreshing cider. Tannin from the crabapples as well as the Harrison apple, combined with acidity from Ashmead's Kernel create a balanced hard cider that is refreshing with meals or on its own. Expect a fresh apple aroma, tart fruit flavor with ginger and pear notes and rich mouth feel. First Fruit is made using only Virginia grown apples which makes it an exceptional Virginia Cider that Mr. Jefferson would be proud to drink. First First Fruit won a gold medal in the 2010 International Eastern Wine Competition as well as a gold medal at the State Fair competition in 2011. R.S. 1.3%

My Review: This was the first of the hard ciders I tasted. I have not had much experience with ciders but I will describe what I smelled and tasted. This cider smelled just like applesauce. It was very clean and had a huge explosion of apple taste. It seemed that it had a lot of residual sugars. I did enjoy it though.

Tasting - "Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc"

Name: Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: 
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009
Price: $18 regular / $9.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: A classy Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with piercing aromas of ripe gooseberries and intense lime and passionfruit flavours. The wine was made from a blend of fruit grown in the Wairau and Awatere Valleys spanning a range of different climates. Would be an ideal match with a herbed salmon dish.

My Review: This wine had a very light yellow color. It had a nice clean nose. It had little flavor. There was not too much to this wine.

Tasting - "Rocland Duck Duck Goose Chardonnay"

Name: Rocland Duck Duck Goose Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2009
Price: $15 regular / $7.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: Duck Duck Goose wines are made up of a Chardonnay that is nonoaked and fresh fruit driven with melon and citrus overtones. It has strong varietal characteristics that pair beautifully with light foods such as fish, shellfish and cheeses.

My Review: It is a golden yellow color. This chardonnay was a little hot for me. It also had a very sharp finish. I did not like this wine.

Tasting - "Morro Bay White Oak Chardonnay"

Name: Morro Bay White Oak Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: San Luis Obispo, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $14 regular / $5.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: Toasted oak, butter and crisp apple/pear fruit aromas. The texture in the mouth is like a knife cutting a green apple. Together these disparate areas and flavors create a symbiosis that fills the tongue and echoes down the palate.

My Review: This wine had a very buttery nutty nose. On my first taste it was buttery and oaky. It also seemed to have floral aspects. It did have a clean finish.

Tasting - "Crane Lake Moscato"

Name: Crane Lake Moscato
Variety: 75% Muscat, 25% Proprietors Dry White
Region: Napa and Sonoma, California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $12 regular / $6.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: This sweet wine is light in color with floral aromas including notes of orange blossom, jasmine and honeysuckle. Flavors include peach, melon and spice.

My Review: This wine had a very fruity smell. It was very sweet and fruity. It had a clean light finish

Tasting - "Dona Sol White Zinfandel"

Name: Dona Sol White Zinfandel
Variety: White Zinfandel
Region: Sonoma, California
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $8 regular / $4.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: Voluptuous blush wine that has hints of strawberry and fresh fruit in its wide range of aromas. As the wine flows into the palate, fresh fruit and sweet cherries are evident. Ends with a smooth sweet finish. Pair with seafood (light & heavy), shellfish, pork, cheese, poultry, and desserts.

My Review: This wine smelled very fruity. It was very light and clean. It tasted very fruity. I mostly taste cherry flavors but not a good taste overall. It was definitely not my favorite.

Tasting - "Coldstream Hills Sauvignon Blanc"

Name: Coldstream Hills Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Yarra Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2009
Price: $27 regular / $7.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: There is an emphasis here on varietal fruit and length of flavour, which the cool climate bestows on each grape variety. The Yarra Valley wines are designed to be enjoyed upon release & are attractive when young, but will certainly reward careful cellaring.

My Review: The color was a deep yellow. The wine had an earthy nose. The flavor was very nutty. It had a clean nice finish.

Tasting - "Three Rivers Merlot"

Name: Three Rivers Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Columbia Valley, Oregon
Country: USA
Year: 2006
Price: $27 regular / $7.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: Supple and full-bodied, with bright fruit notes of huckleberry, Bing cherry and raspberry, with hints of cedar and sweet spices from the extended oak aging.

My Review: This wine had a deep dark color normal to a merlot. It had a floral nose. On first taste it seemed a little hot but it blanced out for me with some great merlot flavors. It has been one of favorites I have tasted so far.

Tasting - "Los Alisos Syrah"

Name: Los Alisos Syrah
Variety: Syrah
Region: Los Alamos Valley, California
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $23 regular / $7.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: Los Alamos Valley is generating great interest among winemakers and wine critics for the quality and character of its Syrah. The region has a flair for producing wines with the peppery aromatics of a cold climate, and yet displays the rich intensity of warmer locales. Our Syrah is dark, dense and sinfully opulent with ripe scents of blueberries, white pepper and earth.

My Review: The color of this wine was deep dark red. The nose was very grapey. It was very smooth and had a very nice finish. I enjoyed this wine very much is on my try again list.

Tasting - "Dona Sol Merlot"

Name: Dona Sol Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Sonoma County, California
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $8 regular / $4.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: Everything you’d expect from a California Merlot - classic plummy fruit aromas on the nose with just a touch of spice and tobacco. Medium-bodied on the palate with plump, ripe fruit and soft tannins that make this an easy-drinking wine.

My Review: The color of this wine was a deep dark red.  It had a very full body. The wine had a very strong mouth feel with peppery flavors. I tasted this merlot with marinated pork butt and mashed potatoes, which went very well together. It was a great meal with great friends.

Tasting - "Beringer Pinot Noir"

Name: Beringer Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Napa Valley, California
Country: USA
Year: unknown
Price: $8 regular / $4.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: Winemaker Hook chose to use a combination of whole-berry and whole-cluster (carbonic) fermentations to accentuate the forward fruit aromas and flavors. Gentle punching down of the caps preserved the Pinot's brightness and extracted color, aromas and flavors without compromising the varietal's silky texture. After pressing, the wine was quickly put into seasoned small Burgundian oak barrels (approximately 1/3 new) and aged for six months.

My Review: The color of this wine was a light red. The nose was floral and fruity. I tasted some type of berry but could not differentiate which. The taste was a little hot but did have the floral flavors.

Tasting - "George Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2011"

Name: George Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2011
Variety: Beaujolais Nouveau
Region: Rhone
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $12 regular / $3.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: Beaujolais Nouveau is a young red wine made from handpicked Gamay grapes grown in the Beaujolais region of France, where the beverage accounts for half of the region's production. While most red wines improve with age, Beaujolais Nouveau is all about freshness.

My Review: The color of this wine was light red. The nose was very fruity. I smelled hints of cherries. The taste of the wine was fruity but also had a peppery aspect to it. It was very smooth on the palate.

Tasting - "Robert Mondavi Solaire Pinot Noir"

Name: Robert Mondavi Solaire Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Santa Lucia, California
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $21 regular / $7.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: Our Solaire by Robert Mondavi 2008 Pinot Noir shows off deep, complex flavors of black cherry and red raspberries, with hints of rose petal, violet, and red licorice.  A background of smoky cinnamon, vanilla, and five-spice nuances comes from aging in toasted oak barrels.  This wine has nice weight on the palate, with a lush texture and smooth, silky tannins that support the flavors through the lingering finish.

My Review: The color of this pinot noir was a very light red. The nose was not very strong but was very floral. The taste was very light and easy on my palate. It was very smooth with nice clean finish.

Tasting - "Horton Vineyard Red"

Name: Horton Stonecastle Red
Variety: Blended from Horton Vineyards choicest vinifera grapes
Region: Gordonsville, VA
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $15 regular / $8.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: Like the beautiful Tudor-style winery where it was born, this rich red wine from the Piedmont of Virginia has a solid foundation of tannins from a tasteful, graceful superstructure of lush dark fruit. The red-roofed signature tower is likewise evoked by the long, balanced finish.

My Review: The color was a deep dark red showing a full body. The nose was clean and fruity. It had a smooth finish with a nice aftertaste. I tasted it with spaghetti with a venison meat sauce.

Tasting - "Into Zin Zinfandel"

Name: Into Zin
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: Lodi, California
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95 
Winery Review: Spicy, jammy, ripe round plum with juicy soft finish. Goes well with marsala chicken, pepered steak or broiled lamb shank.
 
My Review: The color was a dark red with almost a purple or even black hue. It smelled a little hot but this was actually the spicy flavors coming through the nose. I tasted it with a very peppery venison stew. The peppery flavors of the wine along with the smoky, peppery flavor of the stew went extremely well together.

Wine Tasting Wheel

Wine Tasting Wheel

Tasting - "Cellar 8 Pinot Grigio"

Name: Cellar 8 Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Sonoma County, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $13 regular / $4.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: The 2009 Cellar No. 8 Pinot Grigio opens with inviting aromas of honeysuckle flower, white peach and fresh pineapple. This refreshing wine exudes flavors of melon, honey and lemon zest, with subtle hints of spice and a crisp, clean finish. It would be a perfect accompaniment to fresh salads, creamy avocado soup, or served as an aperitif.

My Review: I found it very difficult to distinguish many of the white wines to a significant degree. It had very nice golden yellow color with a clean fresh aroma. It was very smooth and crisp.

Tasting - "Tamas Estate Zinfandel"

Name: Tamas Estate Zinfandel
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: Central Coast, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $15 regular / $7.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: At Tamás Estates we've made it our passion to fashion California wines in a style honoring their varietal heritage. Our Zinfandel has flavors of raspberry, strawberry jam, cherry and vanilla. With a rich mouthfeel, integrated oak and a long fruity finish, this wine compliments a variety of meat selections and spicy foods. Hop on the bus for a multinational wine tour experience and stamp your passport for world taste.

My Review: I thought it looked a little thin with a light red color. It smelled a little spicy. It had a fruity flavor that I couldn't decide of which fruit. It did have a great sharp finish.

Tasting - "Hardys Nottage Merlot"

Name: Hardys Nottage Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: Riverland
Country: Australia
Year: 2009
Price: $15 regular / $4.95 close-out sale
Winery Review: Red berry, plum and cassis notes layered with subtle oak and hints of aniseed, warm spice and chocolate. The palate is soft and well balanced with dark plum and cherry complemented by seamlessly integrated oak. The Nottage Hill Merlot marries superbly with Slow roasted capsicum with glazed vegetables.

My Review: At first look, it seemed very thin with a dark cherry color. It also seemed to have a brownish purplish hue to it. It was very well balanced and very smooth. I did taste some type of berry I was not sure of, and a little bit of the oaky flavor.

Tasting - "Faraway Farm Shiraz"

Name: Faraway Farm Shiraz
Variety: 100% Shiraz
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2009
Price: $15 regular / $5.95 close-out sale
Winery Review:There is special place in Africa, far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, where soaring mountains dominate the stark landscape. Tucked away behind these mountains you will find our vineyard. This is the home of Faraway Farm. Our Shiraz will spoil you with flavors of rich juicy blackberry, dark spice and just a hint of black pepper. Drink with close friends.

My Review: It has a dark red color. On my first smell I thought it was floral and peppery. I thought it was a just a tiny bit hot but I might have just experienced more of the pepper. I personally wouldn't buy it.

Just bought a case of wine for 75 bucks.

This is what happens when you go to a close out sale at the vintage cellar after tasting 20 different wines. I am proud to have bought my first full case of wine! It was only $75 for 12 bottles worth a total of $200. This is awesome!

Tasting - "Faraway Farm Cabernet Sauvignon"

Name: Faraway Farm Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Western Cape

Country: South Africa

Year: 2009

Price: $15 regular / $5.95 close-out sale

Winery Review: There is a special place in Africa, far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, where soaring mountains dominate the stark landscape. Tucked away behind these mountains you will find our vineyard. This is the home of Faraway Farm. Our Cabernet Sauvignon will spoil you with rich flavors of ripe blackberry and plums. Drink with close friends. 

My Review: It has a very deep dark red color showing a full body. The first smell was very earthy. It was very smooth and well balanced with a great finish. It went very well with cheese.