Tasting - Crane Lake Riesling 2013

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Riesling
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery review: The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine.
Great with grilled red meat, sausage and chicken. Best served slightly chilled.

My review: This wine smelled of a hard candy. The smell matched the taste as the wine went down like a dessert wine, tasting like hard candy. This wine should not be drank in great amounts as it leaves a very sugary taste in the finish.

This was tasted without food

Tasting - Crane Lake Shiraz 2013

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Shiraz
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery review: Beautiful ruby appearance, with blackberry and pepper notes. Tannins and fruit marry well for a soft finish. This wine pairs well with sharp cheddar cheese and hazelnuts. Also try it along with roast lamb at Easter time, veal marsala, or grilled salmon.

My review: Dark red wines usually offer a more bitter smell, but this offered the sweet smell of vanilla as well. It also had an over ripened pomegranate smell to go along with it. The taste was full and peppery, but the finish was full of vanilla. Multidimensional, would drink again.

This was tasted without food

Tasting - Georges Duboeuf Nouveau 2015

Name: Georges Duboeuf
Variety: Nouveau
Region: Beaujolais
Country: France
Year: 2015
Price: $12

Winery review: George Duboeuf is THE king of Beaujolais.  His wines are full of pop, charm and great flavor and his Beaujolais Nouveau is no exception.  A cornucopia of expressive fruit wrapped in an almost-bubblegum-like frame; it is the flagship Nouveau.

My review: The nose on this wine was poor. It smelled rotten, as if the grapes had gone bad before fermentation. With that though, the taste of the wine was surprising. It tasted like a sweet red currant at the beginning but finished with a very dry and acidic taste. The finish was weak but the wine offered enough variety to be enjoyable.

This was tasted without food

Tasting - Maipe Torrontes 2014

Name: Maipe
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2014
Price: $14

Winery review: The wine has a spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body. Well-balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish.

My review: Maipe Torrontes had the smell of a strong ipa. Grapefruit and alcohol. The taste attacked the back of the mouth and was way too powerful to enjoy. The wine was very one dimensional and didn't really have a unique taste too it besides fermented grape juice.

This was tasted without food

Tasting - Tonnino Pinot Grigio 2014

Name: Tonnino
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $14

Winery review: Tonnino’s exotic example of Pinot Grigio has a straw to pale gold color. It is fresh and clean on the nose with fruity notes of pear, green apple and white peaches. The palate is true to the nose with a fresh acidity, coriander and lime notes followed by a crisp finish. This wine pairs well with youthful aperitifs, clams or mussels, pastas and risotto dishes.

My review: This wine smells like pears and apples. The wine has a very immediate tartness of a sour apple which overpowers the whole wine aspect. The finish is tart and undesirable.

This was tasted without food

Tasting - Peter Mertes Sweet Red Dornfelder 2014

Name: Peter Mertes
Variety: Sweet Red Dornfelder
Region: Mosel
Country: Germany
Year: 2014
Price: $12

Winery review: The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine.
Great with grilled red meat, sausage and chicken. Best served slightly chilled.

My review: Sugar. That's what this wine smelled of with maybe a little bit of honey or vanilla. The taste was sweet, with little taste of alcohol. It wasn't too sweet though like most desert wines. The finish was strong but tasted of berries and left me wanting more.

This was tasted without food

Tasting - Castello Sonnino Chianti Montespertoli 2010

Name: Castello Sonnino
Variety: Chianti Montespertoli
Region: Chianti
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $15

Winery review: A blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia del Chianti. Rich and modern, with a dark, saturated color and aromas of graham cracker and lemon rind. A juicy palate packed with plum and raspberry is carried by a creamy texture that’s rather toasty in terms of flavor. The finish is round, full and chocolaty.

My review: The only nose I got off this wine was pepper. A lot of pepper. The taste was very dry and instantly dried out my tongue. Way too dry for me. You could taste the tanic structure all the way through but no real flavor or finish.

This was tasted without food

Tasting - Bolla Bardolino Magnum 2013

Name: Bolla
Variety: Bardolino
Region: Bardolino
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $18.00

Winery review: A blend of 60% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara this bright ruby red wine has hints of black cherry on the nose.  It is soft and fruit-forward, with black-fruit flavors followed by a bright and fresh finish. Serve it as the Italians do – young and lightly chilled. Pairs perfectly with fleshy fish, beef, lamb, red-sauced pastas and pizza.

My review: This wine had the generic red wine smell of cherry, vanilla, and oak with a hint of pepper. The taste was very dry, with a sense of cranberry coming through. The taste stayed with it through the finish on the back of the mouth.

This was tasted without food

Tasting - Tenuta le Velette Orvieto Classico 2011

Name: Tenuta le Velette
Variety: Orvieto Classico
Region: Orvieto
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $18.00

Winery review: The Berganorio Orvieto is a subtle wine with a bright palate. It shows white flowers on the nose and light citrus notes in the mouth. Its neutral character means it can accompany a wide range of foods. A blend of 30% Trebbiano, 30% Grechetto, 20% Malvasia, 15% Verdello, and 5% Drupeggio. The estate has 103 hectares on the hill opposite the hill town of Orvieto.

My review: This wine smells like a spiked glass of apple juice. The flavor is strong and carries a bitterness to it that really hits the roof of the mouth. The finish was strong and enduring and may have continued on into the next tasting.

This was tasted without food

Tasting - Aveleda Praia

Name: Aveleda
Variety: Praja
Region: Vinho Verde
Country: Portugal
Year: 2013
Price: $10

Winery review: A blend of 40% Arinto, 30% Loureiro, 20% Trajadura and 10% Azal.
Full of fruit, a lasting peach flavor targeted with laserlike acidity through the finish. It has the bite of salty ocean air and a lot of zing. For langoustines.

My review: The nose on this wine was of an apple cider, and it began to go down like that as well. Interestingly the wine was sweet, but had a weird bitter taste to it with the mid palate. The finish was weak and couldn't hold its own.

This was tasted without food

Tasting - Dona Sol Shiraz, Petite Syrah & Symphony

Name: Dona Sol
Variety: Shiraz, Petite Syrah  & Symphony
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: N/A
Price: $6.95

Winery review: Shiraz has a unique jammy fruit character that is well represented in the Sweet Red. Both on the nose and on the palate, jammy fruit, like strawberries, cherry pie and red licorice, entices the senses and pair well with cheeses and desserts.

My review: This wine straight up smelled of alcohol. The taste was completely different. It tasted like cranberry juice that could be served at a child's birthday party, I couldn't stomach too much of this due to the sugar. The wine also had a finish that left a dry feel on the palate.

This was tasted without food

Tasting - Velvet Crush Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petite Sirah

Name: Velvet Crush
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petite Sirah
Variety: White Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: N/A
Price: $18.00

Winery review: Velvety smooth texture just like its name. Soft tannins and lush dark fruit character. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah bring backbone and character, while the Merlot balances out the blend for a soft, smooth texture.

My review: This wine smelled like the grapes were left out to dry before fermentation and created sort of a raisin smell. I didn't feel a lot of body when drinking this to my dislike, but if I did I would have viewed this wine on better terms. It went down smooth and fruity but left a little alcohol taste on the palate.

This was tasted without food

Tasting - Grand Cru Pinot Noir

Name: Grand Cru
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $6.95

Winery review: This ruby-colored wine has aromas of raspberry, cherry and a hint of vanilla. Flavors of cherry and plum lead to a soft velvety finish. This wine can be enjoyed by itself. It is also an excellent accompaniment with Brie, goat cheese and smoked salmon. Lamb shanks and pork tenderloin are a favorite
main dishes to pair with this wine

My review: This was a very unique smelling pinot noir. The smell came off like a burnt marshmallow. When drinking I could feel a strong tanin structure. I think stemming from the unique smell, this wine had a sweet lasting finish that most reds don't have.

This was tasted without food

Tasting - Prime Brume Garganega

Name: Prime Brume
Variety: Garganega
Region: Soave
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $11.00

Winery review: Pale color. Fruity, floral minerally inviting aromas of passion fruit, white grapefruit, spice poached pear, and papaya with a lean, racy, bone-dry medium body and a smooth, complex, long lemon, passion fruit, raw hazelnut, and wet stones finish with no tannins and light oak. From the tantalizing nose full of exotic fruit, citrus and minerality thru to the long, crisp finish, this soave can seamlessly go from cocktail hour thru to vibrantly flavored dishes.

My review: This wine has a surprisingly bitter smell and that can be tasted when initially drinking the wine. The finish however, is sweet and left a unique and weird finish that I haven't yet learned how to describe.

This was tasted without food

Tasting - Quintas Melgaço Blue Vinho Verde

Name: Quintas Melgaço Blue

Variety: Vinho Verde

Region: Vino Verde
Country: Portugal
Year: 2013
Price: $10.00

Winery review: Refreshingly crisp white wine from Portugal--Vinho Verde is soft, light and refreshing, and is an uncompromising and ideal wine for everyday pleasure. Its bright color and pineapple aromas are followed by citrus notes. The palate is clean and fresh. Vinho Verde is an excellent accompaniment to fish and shell fish, white meats and salads.

My review: There's a melon and citrus smell. The taste was almost carbonated and sparkling. Very sweet with a smooth finish where I couldn't taste any alcohol at all.

This was tasted without food

Tasting - Crane Lake White Zinfandel

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: White Zinfandel
Region: N/A
Country: California
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery 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 pâté to spicy Asian dishes, glazed ham, and grilled sea bass.

My review: A light red wine with a very sweet smell. Like most desert wines the initial taste was very sweet but this one was more multidimensional and had many unique and interesting tastes. I could taste that many berries were implemented into the taste.

This was tasted without food