Tasting - "Rosemount Estate Moscato"

Rosemount Estate Moscato

Moscato

N/A

Australia

2012

$12-$3.95

Critic Review

Clear, medium-lemon yellow in appearance; lovely citrus and honeysuckle aromas with lemon, honeysuckle, apple and ripe yellow plum flavours.  Serve chilled with angel food cake or fresh fruit and mild cheeses.

My Review

• Smell: sweet, honey, citrus, sprite, flowers
• Taste: sprite, lemon, citrus, honey, syrup
• This wine was almost overly sweet at first but with a balanced finish

Overall this wine was a pretty typical moscato to me, very sweet and light. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Ironstone Old Vine Zinfandel"

Ironstone Old Vine Zinfandel

Zinfandel

Lodi

California

2011

$15-$7.95 on sale

Critic Review

Grown in vineyards that are over 45 years old, this medium-bodied Zin has exceptional varietal character with lovely aromas of dark fruit and blackberry. Subtle pepper spice mingles with richly concentrated fruit flavors of blackberry, ripe plums and fresh red raspberries. Barrel aging created its smooth, silky finish and unprecedented depth.  A wonderful wine pairing for variety of dishes. Any type of meat - whether its pork, beef or game - is ideal with this wine. Cioppino is another amazing complement or try it with tomato-based pastas, hearty stews or a plate of strong, aged cheeses.

My Review

• Smell: woody, spicy, plants, raspberries, blackberries, cherries
• Taste: spicy, cherry, raspberry, dark wild berries
• This wine was incredibly silky and creamy on the finish with a great body

Overall this wine was fantastic, I was unsure at the first taste but after the second sip I was hooked. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico"

Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico

Rosso Classico

N/A 

Italy

N/A

$14-$3.95 on sale

Critic Review

Don’t let the pale garnet color fool you:  this is a substantial wine.  Aromas of red fruits and spice complement undertones of cranberries, wild berries, and plums.  On the palate, ripe tannins and good body make for an incredibly rich, yet easygoing red wine.  Pair this wine with sausage, spicy curry sauces, hot soppressata, and tandoori chicken.

My Review

• Smell: wild flowers, potpourri, dark apples, cherry, cranberries
• Taste: cranberries, plums, dark apples, earthy
• This wine had great tannins for a very enjoyable finish

Overall this wine was very smooth and easy to drink, I think the recommendation is spot on when it says it would be good with sausage and spicy foods. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Angove Viognier"

Angove Viognier

Viognier

N/A

Australia

N/A

$15-$5.95 on sale

Critic Review

Bright light straw in colour with some green hues, this wine has a lush ripe tropical fruit aroma. This is a fuller bodied white which fills the mouth with heady flavours of apricot, peach and citrus.  Angove Nine Vines Viognier is perfect for today's relaxed life-style and is the ideal accompaniment to grilled prawns with chilli and garlic or roast pork.

My Review

• Smell: tropical, beach fruit, citrus, nectarine
• Taste: orange, pineapple, pear, nectarine, peach
• This wine was fantastically balanced and very good to drink

Overall this has been one of my favorite wine I've had at these tasting, very sweet and easy to drink. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc"

Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc

Seaview Vineyards

New Zealand

2008

$21-$7.95

Critic Review

This aromatic wine shows lifted flavours of blackcurrant with underlying notes of wet stone and thyme. The palate is elegant yet full with sufficient weight and texture, balanced by a flinty minerality. This wine is a fantastic match with foods such as cheese salad, poultry dishes and a wide range of seafood dishes including freshly shucked natural oysters, prawns, green lip mussels and creamy scallops.

My Review

• Smell: earthy, flinty, cherry, light
• Taste: white grape, cherry, strawberry, earthy
• This wine had a very stone/rocky after taste, that was mildly dry

Overall this wine was very light and would pair fantastic with seafood. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling"

Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

Riesling

N/A

Germany

2012

$8.95

Critic Review

This drier-styled Riesling is bright,

fruity and floral with crisp acidity and

clean flavors of apple, pear and peach

that compliment its stony minerality

and earthy complexity. It serves well as

an aperitif and matches a wide variety

of foods, like lighter salad dishes,

shellfish, cream sauces and also

anything with a touch of spice.

My Review

• Smell: grassy, spring, pollen, flowers, pear
• Taste: pears, grassy, apples, sweet tarts
• This wine was very tasty with a perfect dry finish

Overall this Riesling was very good, I rather enjoyed it. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Atlas Cumbres Cabernet Sauvignon"

Atlas Cumbres Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon

N/A

Argentina

2010

$15, on sale $6.95

Critic Review

Intense red color with violet highlights,

with clean, fresh and complex aromas

of berries, plums, figs and pepper.

Strong personality is in perfect balance

with a medium body and pleasant

tannins. Ideal for: red meats, cheeses

and strong sauces.

My Review

• Smell: wild berries, figs, spicy, earthy
• Taste: plums, cherry, blackberry, oakey
• This wine was very smooth and pleasant with great balance

Overall this was probably my favorite Cab Sauv I've ever had, very tasty and balanced. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau"

Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Beaujolais Nouveau

N/A

France

2013

$14, $3.95 on sale

Critic Review

Balanced and lightly creamy, offering

pretty flavors of plum sauce and

raspberry coulis threaded with hints of

ground spice. Elegant, with a floral

finish. Drink now.

My Review

• Smell: strawberry, cherry, raspberry, spice
• Taste: raspberry, oakey, plum, cherry
• This wine had a very floral finish that almost tasted like eating flowers

Overall this wine had great balance, I did not prefer the taste personally though. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Bricco dei Tati Rose"

Bricco dei Tati Rose

Rose

N/A

Italy

N/A

$7.95

Critic Review

Fresh with aromas of strawberries,

cherries and rose petals. This is ideal

with shellfish, salads, chicken, and with

appetizers.

My Review

• Smell: wild berry, rose, raspberry
• Taste: strawberry, raspberry, cherry
• This wine was very sweet and fruity

Overall this wine was very tasty alone, but would be great paired with food. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Frascati Volpetti Malvasia, Trebbiano, Greco"

Frascati Volpetti Malvasia, Trebbiano, Greco

Malvasia, Trebbiano, Greco

N/A

Italy

N/A

$7.95

Critic Review

Straw yellow in color with a soft,

delicate perfume, fruitful flavor, dry

and harmonious taste. Perfect with

appetizers, soups, fish.

My Review

• Smell: grass, hay, apple, granny smith apple
• Taste: tart, pear, grape, apple
• This wine was very dry

Overall this wine was very good, a little dry but with soup(like the description suggests) would be fantastic. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Bellafina Pink Moscato"

Bellafina Pink Moscato

Moscato

N/A

Italy

N/A

$9.95

Critic Review

A blend of Moscato and Rabosos grapes it has a pale rose color, notes of red berries (strawberry and raspberry), with the characteristic and fragrant bouquet and palate that is typical of the Moscato grape.

My Review

• Smell: candy, garden, honeysuckle, flowers
• Taste: 7-Up, honeysuckle, flowers, syrup
• This wine was very smooth with almost a carbonated feel

Overall this wine was incredibly sweet and aromatic. It was like standing in a garden in the middle of spring. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Weinert Carascal"

Weinert Carascal

40% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot

Mendoza

Argentina

2008

$13.95

Critic Review

Aged for two years in cask, the 2008 Carrascal is a blend of 40% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. It has a rustic blackberry, scorched earth and leather-scented bouquet with touches of pressed flowers. The palate is well-balanced with crisp tannins, expressive black tarry fruit and a Bordeaux-like finish. Drink now-2016.

My Review

• Smell: wood, oak, sticks, forrest, cherry
• Taste: cherry, strawberry, raspberry, wood
• This wine was pleasantly robust

Overall this wine tasted way better than it smelled, solid wine. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Santa Julia Malbec"

Santa Julia Malbec

Malbec

Mendoza

Argentina

2012

$8.95

Critic Review

The nose is full of mellow raspberry and cherry, while the palate is fleshy and round, with blackberry and a touch of raisin. Plump, not edgy, and ready to drink, with coffee and mocha notes on the finish.

My Review

• Smell: brie cheese, cherry, raspberry, blackberry
• Taste: strawberry, dark cherry, blackberry
• This wine had nice tannins with a smooth finish

Overall this wine was very good, I'm not a huge fan of red wine but this was very drinkable. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Gougenheim Torrontes"

Gougenheim Torrontes

Torrontes

Mendoza

Argentina

2012

$9.95

Critic Review

The 2012 Torrontes comes from Chilecito in La Rioja. It has a light floral nose with touches of lemon peel and nectarine. The palate is crisp and taut, showing far more vivacity and fruit that the nose implied, finishing with a flourish of apricot and white peach. Drink now. 

My Review

• Smell: lemon, bitter, floral, peach
• Taste: floral, pear, apple, nectarine
• This wine was incredibly smooth with a full body

This wine was my favorite of the tasting today, very tasty. I did not pair this wine with food.

Tasting - "Santa Julia Pinot Grigio"

Santa Julia Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio

Mendoza

Argentina

N/A

$8.95

Critic Review

Light and clean, which compared to other Argentine Pinot Grigios is not something to dismiss. Feels solid and punchy, with orange and mango flavors. Has nice overall clarity and balance, with a citrusy finish.

My Review

• Smell: Orange, Citrus, flowers
• Taste: Orange, lemon, citrus
• This wine was slightly dry with a medium hot finish

Overall this wine was very good, but did not have a lot of body, almost like water mixed with grape juice. I did not pair this wine with food.