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. 

Anakena

Name: Anakena

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Casablanca

Country: Chile

Year: 2011

Price: $12.99

Winery review: Powerful and complex, displaying elegant floral aromas with tropical fruit flavors. The long, crisp finish features a delicious mineral note. Great accompaniment to seafood, oysters and salads. Sourced from a special single vineyard.

My review: This wine didn’t really impress me. It smelled citrusy and a little fruity. The taste was dry and very acidic. It almost seemed like it was watered down lemonade but without the sweetness. I also caught a hint of herb at the end. This wine felt refreshing. I did not try this wine with food. 

Weibel Almond California Sparkling

Name: Weibel Almond California Sparkling

Variety: Other whites

Region: California

Country: United States

Year: N/A

Price: $9.99

Winery review: An Amaretto loves dream! A sweet not cloying California sparkling wine filled to the brim with almond flavors and light toasty bubbles. A fantastic dessert wine which is sure to keep the crowd entertained. Serve chilled on its own or pair with dense flourless desserts.  

My review: This wine was amazing! The nose was incredible, but maybe it’s because this is the first time I’ve smelled almonds in wine. This wine smelled like straight up almonds and a hint of lemon which made the nose very refreshing. I could not wait to drink it! The palate was sweet but not very concentrated which made it very refreshing and easy to drink. Also, the texture of the bubbles felt nice paired with the refreshing flavor. I bought this wine because I absolutely loved it! I did not pair it with food. 

Gumdale Shiraz Reserve

Name: Gumdale Shiraz Reserve

Variety: Syrah

Region: Southeast Australia

Country: Australia

Year: N/A

Price: $10.99

Winery review: Hand-picked from Australia’s best growing regions, the grapes for this reserve wine offer concentrated fruit flavors and spicy notes. The wine is aged in French oak and has aromas of cherries, blackberries, chocolate and mocha. Serve it with full-flavored meats.

My review: This wine had a very pleasant smell. The bouquet was fruity and it seemed like it would taste sweet. On the other hand, I don’t think this wine had a lot of body. I didn’t taste anything in the mid palate and at the end all I got was acidity and a hint of coffee.  I did not pair this wine with food but I would like to. 

Solar de Castro Rioja Vendimia Sellecionada

Name: Solar de Castro Rioja Vendimia Sellecionada

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: Rioja

Country: Spain

Year: 2009

Price: $18.99

Winery review: “…offers up an enticing nose of balsam wood, leather, Asian spices, lavender, and black cherry. In the glass it is smooth-textured, spicy, incipiently complex, and sweetly-fruited… outstanding volume, impeccable balance, and a lengthy, pure finish…” 91 pts – Wine Advocate

My review: This wine smells like black cherries and alcohol.  I found this wine to be a little complex since it did have more flavors combined than others. It also had a full-body. It tasted earthy in the mid palate and fruity at the end. I did not taste this wine with food but since it is European I wish I paired it with food.

Porta Pinot Noir Reserva

Name: Porta Pinot Noir Reserva

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: Bio Bio Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2009

Price: $9.99

Winery review: The enticing aromas of fresh cherries and strawberry cream marry well with the smooth, delicate palate of this Pinot Noir. This wine pairs perfectly with white meats, pasta and salads. Estate bottled.

My review: This wine smells amazing. I get a hint of berries and also wood. However, it didn’t taste as amazing as it smelled. I thought the taste was kind of empty. It was disappointing finding it felt almost empty of flavor considering the amazing bouquet. I did not pair this wine with food but I feel like it would have tasted a lot better if I did. 

Radius Chardonnay

Name: Radius Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Washington

Country: United States

Year: N/A

Price: $8.99

Winery review: Welcoming toasted oak notes swirl around dried apricot, apple cobbler, and baking spice aromas. A rich palate filled with intense fruit and honey. Lingering residual sugar is balanced by acidity for a clean finish.

My review: This Chardonnay was very different from others I’ve tasted before. It smelled dry but fruity at the same time, which is unusual. I did not taste oak at all in it. The taste was dry and a bit fruity but not buttery. I thought the taste was odd, like the flavors didn’t belong together. And when I tasted the fruit it didn’t taste like good fruit more like rotten fruit. I’d rather stick to the usual Chardonnays than to drink an unbalanced one like this one. I did not pair this wine with food. 

Gazela Vinho Verde

Name: Gazela Vinho Verde

Variety: Other whites

Region: Vinho Verde

Country: Portugal

Year: N/A

Price: $7.99

Winery review: Here’s a zesty, light and crisp white offering bright lime and pear flavors with subtle spicy notes of ginger and even a hint of tangerine on the lively palate. Pure and clean, this is a truly refreshing wine.

My review: I liked this wine. I could not really taste the alcohol and it smelled citrusy and lemony. It was very light-bodied and refreshing. It almost felt like watered down lemonade except it wasn’t sweet. It would be great for drinking by the pool on a sunny day. I did not drink this wine with food.

Il Duca Moscato d’Asti

Name: Il Duca Moscato d’Asti

Variety: Muscat

Region: Asti, Piedmont

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Price: $11.99

Winery review: A soft, easy-drinking white with notes of fresh peach and apricot intermingled with clover honey. Lower in alcohol, this is the perfect accompaniment to fresh fruit or as a delicious companion or alternative to dessert.

My review: This wine was amazing! It smelled fruity, sweet, and refreshing like you just cut up and mixed a bunch of different cold, fresh fruits in a bowl. The taste was consistent with the bouquet and the flavor was delicious. You could definitely taste peaches, and other sweet fruits, and it felt very refreshing. It seems almost impossible that it contained a drop of alcohol. This wine was very well structured and perfect for sweet, white wine lovers. I bought this wine, along with another 3 people that were at the tasting. I did not try it with food; it was amazing on its own. 

Chateau Lanessan Haut-Medoc

Name: Chateau Lanessan Haut-Medoc

Variety:  Bordeaux Blend

Region: Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux

Country: France

Year: 2003

Price: $27.99

Winery review: “This is a great Lanessan, one of the best I have tasted. A fine, elegant nose of violets, cassis, and black fruits. Very harmonious, concentrated. A great success 89-91 pts” –Wine-Journal.com . SILVER MEDAL at Concours des Vins d’Aquitaine held in 2005.

My review: This wine did not really impress me. What was different from all the other wines I have tasted though is that it had a floral note in the bouquet. It also smelled like berries. The taste of the wine was not as good as the bouquet. I think it lacked body since I didn’t really feel anything going on in the mid palate. However, at the end the wine did have a more berry oriented and tannic structured flavor. I did not pair this wine with food. 

Casado Morales Rioja Seleccion Privada

Name: Casado Morales Rioja Seleccion Privada

Variety: Other reds

Region: Rioja

Country: Spain

Year: 2005

Price: $19.99

Winery review:  “Purple-colored, it surrenders a lovely aromatic aray of wood smoke, incense, brier, lavender, black cherry, and blackberry. Medium-bodied and elegant on the palate, this concentrated effort conceals enough structure to blossom…” –Wine Advocate. Rated at 93 pts.

My review: This wine was much better than the blended red wine I tried before. The bouquet contained a berry scent but also other fruity scents. It tasted kind of earthy and the tannins were strong. I would say this wine is medium-bodied since I did feel different flavors develop. I could taste a black berry, smoky flavor in the mid palate. Overall, I would say this wine was well structured. I did not try it with food but I would like to. 

Kitchen Sink Red Reserve

Name: Kitchen Sink Red Reserve

Variety: Other reds

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: N/A

Price: $12.99

Winery review: A luscious blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, and Petit Sirah with aromas of blueberry, pomegranate, and a hint of mocha. Plum, blackberry and cassis follow into mid palate. Slight acidity into the finish with fruit notes that carry through to the end.

My review:  I don’t have very much experience with red wines, but I've tasted better. This wine smelled like berries and alcohol. I did not feel any strong flavors in the mid palate so I think it lacked body. I definitely tasted the tannic aspect of it; it gave my mouth a puckering feeling. Also, at the end I could taste the alcohol. I did not pair this wine with food, but I think it would have tasted much better if I did.

Smart Cookie Sauvignon Blanc Marl

Name: Smart Cookie Sauvignon Blanc Marl

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Malborough

Country: New Zealand

Year: N/A

Price: $9.99

Winery review: Bright and zesty with aromas of freshly baked lemon and cookies. Citrus and tropical fruit flavors fill your palate and finishes refreshingly long. Tempt your taste buds with a mouth watering treat.

My review: This was my first time trying a sauvignon blanc and I wasn’t crazy about it. The bouquet was citrusy and crispy which I liked but the palate was very acidic and it was not fruity like other white wines I’ve had before. Also, this wine felt light-bodied since I did not perceive many flavors throughout. What I did like, however, was that it felt refreshing as I was drinking it. I did not taste this wine with food.

Gumdale Chardonnay Reserve

Name: Gumdale Chardonnay Reserve

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: South Eastern Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2010

Price: $8.99 

Winery review: Made with grapes from Australia’s top growing regions, this reserve wine exhibits aromas of peach, melon, and tropical fruit, interwined with a touch of vanilla. Soft and creamy with low acidity, this selection makes an excellent party wine. Try it with pasta.

My review: I really liked this wine. The bouquet was fruity but not sweet and the taste was oaky and dry but buttery at the same time. I think this wine was full-bodied, since it was filled with flavor throughout and it didn’t feel light; it was very well structured. I didn't try this wine with food and I don’t think it’s necessary to drink it with food because it has a lot happening on its own.