Summit Estates Sweet Merlot

Name: Summit Estates Sweet Merlot

Variety: Merlot

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington

Country: United States

Year: 2009

Price: $8.99

Winery review: “An interesting take on Merlot – slightly sweeter with a little more residual sugar. Great flavors toasty marshmallow vanilla, cherry, and plum. Good balance that does not make this syrupy or cloying.” 90 pts – Beverage Dynamics.

My review: This wine was definitely interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever had a red wine that tasted sweet until this one. The nose is very faint. I tried other red wines right before this wine and they had a really strong smell compared to this one. I barely smelled a hint of berries and it did not smell alcoholic at all. The taste was just like the nose, very weak. All I could catch was a nice, mellow sweetness in the mid palate. The sweetness disappeared by the end, leaving the usual drier, red wine taste in your mouth. I actually did really like this wine because it was not overpowering.  I did not try this wine with food.

Rondel Brut Cava

Name: Rondel Brut Cava

Variety: N/A

Region: N/A

Country: Spain

Year: N/A

Price: $7.99

Winery review: “More fruity than dry, this “extreme brut” is filled with soft peach and nut flavors, their fragrance lifted by white pepper and floral tones of white lilies. Briny and fresh, the flavors last.” 90 pts – Wine & Spirits.

My review: This wine smelled like peaches and very fresh. As for the flavor, it wasn’t as fruity as I expected. I could taste a hint of peach but mostly it tasted pretty dry. However, the texture of the carbonation helped it feel pleasant and refreshing. I did not try this wine with food. I bought this wine to share at home.

Quinta de Ventozelo Ruby Reserva Port

Name: Quinta de Ventozelo Ruby Reserva Port

Variety: N/A

Region: N/A

Country: Portugal

Year: N/A

Price: $15.99

Winery review: Fruity, spicy and velvety, with red berry aromas and a supple texture, Reserva Ports are characteristically filed between LBV and Ruby Ports. Fermentation takes place in traditional lagares, followed by 2-3 years of aging in American oak. It is then filtered before bottling.

My review: This was my first time trying a port and I loved it! It smells very different from a red wine, and I did not expect that. It smelled very, very fruity like berries and it was a deep penetrating smell, more like the smell of liquor. This wine tasted very sweet and fruity in the mid palate, and I tasted the tannins at the end. I did not feel the necessity to try this wine with food like with other red wines because it didn’t feel empty. I almost felt like I was drinking a light liquor. I did not try this wine with food and I don’t think I would need to in order to get its full potential. I bought this wine!

Dominican Oaks Intarsia

Name: Dominican Oaks Intarsia

Variety: Other Reds

Region: Napa Valley, California

Country: United States

Year: 2008

Price: $19.99

Winery review: One immediately notices the deep rich color of this intriguing blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Zinfandel. With intense aromas of black and red berries shaded by hints of spice on the palate, Intarsia is well-balances with a long velvety finish.

My review: This wine felt lighter bodied than other reds. It smelled fruity and the color was an amazing violet. The taste wasn’t very tannic until the end. I could taste some sweetness in the mid palate but it was gone by the end; kind of disappointing. I still found this blend more interesting than having just one type of grape. I did not try this wine with food.  

Montoya

Name: Montoya

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, California

Country: United States

Year: 2008

Price: $16.99

Winery review: This elegant and smooth offering from the heart of Napa Valley displays an abundance of blackberry, plum and currant flavors tempered by a hint of toasty oak. A great value for a wine from this prestigious region. Match with grilled steak, lamb or sausage.

My review: This wine had a deep aromatic smell of berries. The taste was very dry and tannic but sort of refreshing on the mid palate. At the end the wine still feels very tannic. I felt this wine was a little unbalanced since I felt more going on through the mid palate and just a plain taste at the end. I did not try this wine with food.

Castello del Trebbio Chianti Reserva

Name: Castello del Trebbio Chianti Reserva

Variety: Sangiovese

Region: Chianti Rufina, Tuscany

Country: Italy

Year: 2006

Price: $24.99

Winery review: “Reveals captivating red cherry, plum and marzipan aromas, with a lovely violet twist. Enters bright, fresh and smooth, with lively acidity nicely framing the sweet red cherry and raspberry flavors. Finishes long and pure.” – 91 pts, International Wine Cellar

My review: This wine smelled amazing. I caught a hint of berries and sweet fruits on the nose. The taste was very tannic and not fruity like I expected. At the end it tasted dry and very acidic. I did not try this wine with food but it would have been a lot better.

Martin Ray

Name: Martin Ray

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California

Country: United States

Year: 2010

Price: $16.99

Winery review: “So good for this price. Rich and creamy and ripe in tropical fruit, green apples and pear flavors, with the perfect touch of buttered toast from oak, and all that balanced and brightened with crisp acidity. Just what you want in a California Chard.” – 91 pts, Wine Enthusiast.

My review: I liked this Chardonnay. On the nose, I caught hints of wood and citric fruits. The taste had a hint of sweetness in the mid palate and was very citrusy at the end. The oak monster was definitely present through the taste. This wine was very full-bodied and refreshing. I did not try this wine with food.