Tasting - "Sonnenband Moscato Magnum"

Sonnenband Moscato Magnum

Moscato

N/A

Spain

N/A

$20, $9.95 on sale

Critic Review

This wine is intricate with the delicate
perfumes of white flower blossoms,
profound tropical fruit sweetness, and
energized by citrus nectars.

My Review

• Smell: flowers, citrus, fruit
• Taste: sugar, syrup, tropical fruit, sweet citrus
• This wine was very buttery and smooth

Overall this is probably the sweetest wine I've ever tasted in my life. It reminds me of a premade mimosa, without the carbonation. Quite tasty, though the only time I can see myself drinking this wine is with breakfast. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon"

Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon

Mendoza

Argentina

2010

$15, $7.95 on sale

Critic Review

This Cabernet Sauvignon shows very
good purity of fruit and skillful
winemaking. This wine is full of blackfruit
aromas, depth and style. The palate
pushes ripe plum and berry fruit along
with chocolate, and the finish is chewy
and correct in terms of tannins and
structure.

My Review

• Smell: blackberries, raspberry, cherry
• Taste: blackberry, strawberry, chocolate, cherry, raspberry
• This wine was very full bodied, rich and creamy

Overall this wine was delicious. A very tasty and interesting wine that I enjoyed a lot. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Champteloup Pinot Noir"

Champteloup Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir

Loire Valley

France

2011

$15, $7.95 on sale

Critic Review

In the heart of France’s Loire River
Valley lies the Touraine wine region.
Although it produces vast amounts of
well-priced, fresh, mostly white wines,
lovely reds like this are broadening
Touraine’s appeal. This wine may seem
familiar to you. It is a sibling of the
Touraine Sauvignon Blanc we’ve offered
for years. Serge de Bucy employs a light
touch in his winemaking, using no wood
and doing as little as possible to preserve
freshness. Bright cherry and strawberry
fruits are followed by a soft, smooth

palate.

My Review

• Smell: very earthy, cherry
• Taste: cherry, strawberry, plum
• This wine was very dry, but also a very smooth finish

Overall I did not care much for this wine, not terrible, but I probably would not drink it again. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Baumann Gentil Classiq"

Baumann Gentil Classiq

Blended - Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gerwurztraminer, and Pinot Gris

Alsace

France

2012

$17, $9.95 on sale

Critic Review

A delicious and fresh blend of Riesling,
Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurztraminer,
and Pinot Gris. Light aromas of fresh fruit
and delicate white flowers start your
journey, followed by crisp flavors of stone
and citrus fruit. A well balanced acidity
on the dry finish ends this French blend

beautifully.

My Review

• Smell: sweet tarts, candy, fruity pebbles
• Taste: fresh fruit, sweet tarts, crisp citrus
• This wine had a dry finish with a very soft body

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this wine and it was very good. I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - "Fattori Runcaris Soave"

Fattori Runcaris Soave

Garganega

Soave

Italy

2010

$15, $7.95 on sale

Wine Enthusiast Review

86 Points – Wine Enthusiast
From the local Italian word for “to work
the soil,” Runcaris represents an easy,
fresh expression of Soave Classico with
lingering aromas of citrus, yellow rose,

honey, jasmine and dried herbs.

My Review

• Smell: flowery, citrus
• Taste: lemon, granny smith apple, flowery
• This wine was very smooth and light with a soft finish

Overall I enjoyed this wine, not outstanding but most definitely not bad. I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - "Angove Zibibbo"

Angove Zibibbo

Zibibbo

South Australia

Australia

N/A

$15 regular, $7.95 on sale

Winery Review

This is a tasty and generous Moscato  that opens with plush aromas of honey, peach syrup, white flower and fragrant exotic fruit. There’s a nice sensation of fullness and creaminess in the mouth that is backed by the foamy effervescence of this sparkling dessert wine.

My Review

• The wine was a very solid yellow color, almost like pee
• The wine smelled very syrupy, and a lot like honey
• The wine tasted incredibly fruity and tropical, very light and bubbly
• Overall this wine was very tasty, incredibly creamy and would go great with any dessert

I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Fetzer Malbec"

Fetzer Malbec

Malbec

Mendoza

Argentina

2011

$15 regular, $7.95 on sale

Winery Review

Delicious Malbec is 100% from Mendoza, Argentina. It has a vibrant red color with violet tones. Subtle and delicious aromas with an intense mixture of red fruits, plum and cherry jam. On the palate it’s juicy and has intense wood-like tannins that make it a rustic, yet versatile wine. Long finish.

My Review

• The wine was a dark, full redish purple color
• The wine smelled a lot like plums and cherries
• The wine tasted very oakey, and juicy, mainly plum juice
• Overall this was an interesting wine, very dry but very full bodied wine

I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Tres Ojos Garnacha"

Tres Ojos Garnacha

Garnacha

Calatayud

Spain

2011

$6.95

Winery Review

"This semi-opaque ruby, custom cuvée of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre is made specifically for Fran Kysela. It exhibits very fresh, ripe dark red fruit with very good palate weight and depth and ends with rich fruit notes. Made from organically grown grapes. Incredible value!"

- I-WineReview (December 2013), 90 pts.

My Review

• The wine was a very dark, rich red color
• The wine smelled very spicy, peppery, and a little sour
• The wine tasted very dry, spicy, hot finish, sour cherries
• Overall this was not my favorite wine, very dry with a strong finish. 

I did not pair this with food, it would probably significantly improve the taste though.

Tasting - "Norton Sauvignon Blanc"

Norton Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc

Mendoza

Argentina

2012

$12 normal, $5.95 on sale

Winery Review

Aromas of pithy citrus and pineapple are decent but unrefined, while flavors of tangerine and pineapple are tropical, zesty and what they are. This is nothing more than a fresh, simple, citrusy white to sip on the patio.

My Review

• The wine was a very pale greenish yellow
• The wine smelled very airy and light, with citrus and tropical fruit coming through
• The wine tasted very fruity, with citrus and orange and pineapple being the most prominent
• Overall this wine was incredibly light and tastey

I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc"

The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc

Western Cape

South Africa

2012

$7.95

Winery Review

90 Points – Robert Parker

"One of the greatest buys I have tasted this year is this under $10, 100% Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape. A super flowery-scented nose includes notions of ripe honeydew melons and pears. This medium-weight, fresh, fruity, crisp, dry, textbook Chenin Blanc will provide immense pleasure over the next 12 months."

My Review

• The wine had a very light yellow color
• The wine smelled incredibly flowery and light, with fruity undertones of melon
• The wine tasted very crisp, fruity, fresh, of apples, of pears
• Overall I really enjoyed this wine to the point I purchased a bottle after the tasting! 

I did not pair this wine with food.