Vintage Cellar Tasting - Crane Lake White Zinfandel (Week #5)

Name: Crane Lake
Grape Variety: White Zinfandel 
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Store Review: Light pink wine with floral and tropical aromas: flavors of strawberry, peach and raspberry with a touch of sweetness. This wine is an easy sipping wine that also pairs well with a wide variety of foods ranging from crab cakes or páté to spicy Asian dishes, glazed ham, and grilled sea bass. 
My Review: This wine had a beautiful ruby red-pink color. On the nose it smelled full of peach and raspberries. After the previous wine, almost anything could be better, but I really did enjoy it. There were additional hints of orange and peach on the palette too with just enough acid to make it interesting. 

*Did not have with food

Vintage Cellar Tasting - Vina Galana

Name: Vina Galana

Grape Variety: Alicante Bouchet 

Region: N/A

Country: Spain

Year: 2012

Price: $9.95

Store Review: From the rare Alicante Bouchet, one of the few grapes in the world with red flesh, this wine has a plush texture carrying flavors of brandied cherry and chocolate ganache in this round red. Light tannins and gentle acidity impart a lovely, balanced structure.

My Review: I did not like this wine at all. On the nose, I could already tell it was going to be acidic and alcoholic. It had a lot of hints of lime, reminding me of tequila. There may have been some black pepper in there. It made me cringe. The initial taste wasn't bad but it was soo unbalanced. Maybe it needs more aging time or food to cover up the awful lime-pepper-alcohol combination. 

*Did not have with food

Vintage Cellar Tasting - Tonnino

Name: Tonnino
Grape Variety: Syrah
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95
Store Review: An intense red color. Aromas of violet and blackcurrant enriched by hints of licorice and black pepper. In the mouth it is full, round, slightly tannic and with a spicy note on the finish. 
My Review: On the nose, I got aromas of wood and vanilla. It smelt creamier as opposed to the crisp whites tasted beforehand. There was an initial taste that was very tannic, but then a full peppery taste in the mid-palette. It was pretty light bodied for a red.

*Did not have with food

Vintage Cellar Tasting - Riebeek Cellars

Name: Riebeek Cellars
Grape Variety: Viognier
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa 
Year: 2015
Price: $7.95
Washington Post Review: This is a luscious viognier, featuring a deep yellow color, that explodes with juicy peach and honeysuckle flavors. Viognier can easily become flabby, but this one manages to keep its figure within bounds. I recommend this for immediate, lip-smacking enjoyment. 
My Review: This wine was a very clear yellow color. The smell was floral, light, and full of honey. However, it did not taste sweet at all. It was bitter and didn't have a lot of stand-out flavors. I didn't like it. 

*Did not have with food

Vintage Cellar Tasting - Dom Michel Thomas

Name: Dom Michel Thomas
Grape Variety: Sancerre Rose Pinot Noir
Region: Loire
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95
Stephen Tanzer Review: Score: 90. Bright orange-pink. Lively, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh red berries, orange peel and honey suckle, with a hint of anise building in the glass. Dry and nervy in the mouth, offering vibrant strawberry and orange pith flavors and a suggestion of rose pastille. The floral element comes back on the finish, which lingers with very good spicy persistence. 
My Review: The smell was very acidic with hints of lemon. I could feel it in the back of my throat, that's how powerful it was. It was pretty watery at the beginning with a strong grape fruit blast on the mid palette. It was strong and full bodied. 

*Did not have with food

Vintage Cellar Tasting - Crane Lake Gewurtztraminer (Week #4)

Name: Crane Lake
Grape Variety: Gewürtztraminer
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Store Review: Slightly high-toned notions of rose petal mingle with lemon on the nose and palate of this lightly sweet, richly textured yet balanced Gewürtztraminer. This is not as heady as you may expect and will be a treat with spicy Asian dishes. Lychee and rose petal make another very fetching appearance on the finish. 
My Review: This sweet yellow had a beautiful blend of mango and flowers on the nose. It had a high amount of sugar but it wasn't overwhelming. I really enjoyed this wine and purchased a bottle for myself. After all, it is "National Drink Wine Day."

*Did not have with food

Vintage Cellar Tasting - Codirosso

Name: Condirosso
Grape Variety: Chianti 
Region: Tuscany 
Country: Italy 
Year: 2014
Price: $13...Sale $7.95
Store Review: Ruby red color with purple reflections. Intense vinous bouquet with hints of violets and dark cherry fruit. The flavor is full of ripe fruit and a hint of spice. It is well balanced and dry. The finish is persistent and satisfying. 
My Review: Red and green pepper on the nose. There was a noticeable kick of spice in the mid-palette. It was thinner than the previously tasted Indwe Pinotage.

*Did not have with food

Vintage Cellar Tasting - Indwe

Name: Indwe
Grape Variety: Pinotage
Region: N/A
Country: South Africa
Year: 2013
Price: $12...Sale $5.95
Robert Parker Review: "A disclaimer: I have never cared much for Pinotage, the indigenous South African grape variety, but this 2013 Pinotage from Indwe, named after the country's national bird, the blue crane, comes across like a light Pinot Noir. Subtle notes of cherries, spice, and forest floor are followed by a round, light to medium-bodied, pure, seductive, well-crafted wine." Drink now-2016.
My Review: An immediate aroma of black cherry and black pepper hit my nose. It was bold but full bodied and had a creamy consistency. It was delicious and my favorite of the day! 

*Did not have with food

Vintage Cellar Tasting - Palacio de Bornos

Name: Palacio de Bornos
Grape Variety: Verdejo
Region: Rueda
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $12...Sale $5.95
Wine Enthusiast Review: Score: 89. Zesty and clean, with pure grapefruit and passion fruit aromas. It's charged up but perfectly balanced, with bright, focused citrus and pineapple flavors. Lemony acidity keeps the finish rolling, then throw in some chive and fresh greens and you have a spot-on Verdejo.
My Review: This wine was very yellow. It was hard to get a clear nose on this wine after just having the Tonnino, but I thought it had an oaky smell. It had a high acidity content and a weird after taste. I thought it was unbalanced and I was not a fan.

*Did not have with food

Vintage Cellar Tasting - Tonnino Grillo 2014

  

Name: Tonnino
Grape Variety: Grillo
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $14...Sale $7.95
Store Review: Fruit-forward and tangy, this light-bodied, snappy white offers flavors of guava, apricot, candied grapefruit zest and stone. Drink now, 20,000 cases made. 
My Review: This white wine was full of floral and fruity aromas. Right off the bat I could smell apricot. There is definitely a higher level of acids/tannins as opposed to alcohol and sugar. The after-taste tasted like granny smith apples. 

*Did not have with food

Tasting - Peter Mertes Platinum (Week 3)

Name: Peter Mertes Platinum
Grape Variety: Riesling Magnum
Region: N/A
Country: Germany
Year: 2014
Price: $18...Sale $9.95
Store Review: "Light-bodied slightly sweet white wine; medium pale slightly greenish yellow. Inviting fresh white peach aroma and flavors. Easy to drink and not complicated, but what's there is very pleasant, and flavors develop in the glass." ~ Winery notes
My Review: This wine was very clear. It was full of citrus on the nose, particularly hints of grapefruit. It also had a citrus taste as well. I really did not like this wine, I did not think it was sweet at all and I tend to like the sweeter whites better.

*Did not have with food

Tasting - Crane Lake

Name: Crane Lake
Grape Variety: Petite Sirah
Region: Lodi, California 
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Store Review: This wine is ruby-purple colored; notes of blackberry, plums and spice predominate the nose and flavors. The tannins give a soft, full mouth feel.  
My Review: I did not get much from this wine on the nose, but I did get hints of black cherry. The flavor was full of plum, but other than that, not very flavorful. I was not a fan of this wine.

*Did not have with food

Tasting - El Cortijillo

Name: El Cortijillo 
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain 
Year: 2014
Price: $9...Sale $5.95
Store Review: Bright purple. High-pitched red berry and floral scents display good clarity and a hint of cracked pepper. Shows a touch of jamminess to its pliant black raspberry and cherry compote flavors, with a spicy quality adding vibrancy. Finishes with good focus and no obvious tannins, leaving a sweet berry note behind.
My Review: This wine had hints of caramel on the nose. It smelled creamy-vanilla like. My friend thought it smelt like grahm-crackers which I would agree with. There were noticeable tannins when I tasted it but it had a sweet after taste. 

*Did not have with food

Tasting - Les Clos Francs Vouvray

Name: Les Clos Francs Vouvray
Grape Variety: Chenin Blanc 
Region: Loire Valley
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $21...Sale $7.95
Store Review: The cool climate in the Vouvray appellation area insures good acidity, which is balanced by the distinctly fruity character of the Chenin Blanc and the mineral qualities imparted by the soil. Thanks to these natural elements, this Vouvray combines elegance and vigor with honey dipped pears and an inherent freshness. 
My Review: This wine did not have much of a smell. It had a medium body and was refreshing. I wasn't incredibly impressed by it. 

*Did not have with food

Tasting - La Lejania

Name: La Lejania
Grape Variety: Chardonnay 
Region: Central Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2015 (the picture above was taken from the internet)
Price: $10...Sale $6.95
Store Review: A refined and suave style, which a rich array of white fruit and cream flavors, featuring a plush texture. Ripe citrus and pear notes fill the smooth finish. 
My Review: This wine was a very light yellow color. My nose is not working to it's full potential right now because I'm very sick, but I thought it smelt like grape juice with hints of pear. It had a watered out initial taste and a strong mid-palette. 

*Did not have with food

Tasting - Yellow Tail (Red Moscato Bubbles) Week 2

Name: Yellow Tail
Grape Variety: Red Moscato Bubbles Non Vintage
Region: Australia
Country: Australia
Year: N/A
Price: $10...Sale $5.95
Store Review: With a gorgeous deep pink hue, this is a wine that offers scrumptious aromas of lifted tropical fruits, ripe fresh strawberries with black currant and raspberry texture. Its flavor is a vibrant Moscato, with fresh forest fruits and strawberries and a nice dose of sweetness.
My Review: The color was a beautiful red with a top layer of bubbles. It kind of resembled soda at first. It smelled sweet like I would expect any moscato to be. I thought it tasted similar to champagne with more hints of raspberry and cranberry.

*Did not have with food

Tasting - Beringer

Name: Beringer Founders' Estate 
Grape Variety: Smooth Red Blend
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $15...Sale $5.95
Store Review: A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Without a doubt, very smooth and uniquely blended. Not too dry but not too sweet. Has a foundation of raspberry and blackberry that lingers in the finish. A slight hint at vanilla and some spice when it touches your tongue. 
My review: I thought it had a very similar smell to the Yellow Tail (Cabernet/merlot). This wine had lots of legs. It was sweet and light-bodied, which was surprising compared to the reds that I am used to. It had tiny notes of pepper but not overwhelming at all. 

*Did not have food with this wine!