Name: Peter Lehmann Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: $10 (sale)
Vintage Cellar review: The 2010 Chardonnay presents subtle notes of spiced apple slices and ripe peaches with hints of freshly baked bread and melon. Light bodied , clean and refreshingly crisp in the mouth, it offers just enough apple and pear flavor concentration, finishing with medium-long persistence. Drink it now to 2014.
My review: This is supposed to be an un-oaked Chardonnay, however, the nose comes across with very strong themes of oak, wood, smoke, vanilla, and even a freshly opened can of tuna. On the palette, it is dry, very simple, and lightly acidic. No complex flavors of anything jump out. It's just a wine that tastes somewhat like lightly acidic and alcoholic tap water. The nose on this Chardonnay was much more interesting than the taste, in my opinion.
I had this wine without food.
Name: Tarima Hill Monastrell
Variety: Monastrell
Region: Sierra de la Sima, Alicante
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $20 (retail)
Winery review: Monastrell grapes are hand harvested from small plots of low yielding old vines scattered across the hills of the Sierra de la Sima in the heart of Alicante. The wine exhibits deep garnet color with flashes of violet and a bouquet of dark red cherries and leather. On the palate the wine achieves its full potential, offering notes of black berries, plums and licorice with an elegant but persistent finish.
My review: I had never heard of the Monastrell variety of grapes before drinking this wine, but I really enjoyed it. I didn't really pay much attention to "old vines" statement on the label because how the grapes turn out from year to year is dependent on the Terroir, climate changes, rainfall, etc.; old vines may produce less than younger vines, but I think it's just a way to market the perceived "rarity" of the grapes that are in the wine. I got a little bit of oak on the nose, but mostly themes of dark cherry and old, worn leather. The taste was very pleasant with hints of black berries and other bitter berries, some vanilla and oak, but mainly a theme of chewy leather. It was surprisingly tannic with a strong acid component and very earthy and old world tasting. I think this Monastrell would go well with beef or pork and maybe even a tomato-based pasta dish, such as Chicken Parmesan.
I had this wine without food.
Name: Jam Jar Sweet White Blend
Variety: 100% Muscat
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2011
Price: $9 (sale)
Vintage Cellar review: 100% Muscat. Soft floral hints add depth to the otherwise straightforward ripe peach and nectarine aromas. There's a good balance in the mouth, with a nice acidic lift and slightly lime edge to cut the sweetness on the finish and close with the faintest hint of honeydew melons.
My review: If you want something sweet, this wine's got you covered! Immediate and intense themes of flowers and fresh air almost overpower the nose. It smelled like I smashed my face into a bouquet of flowers. Very aromatic! On the taste, it is very sweet, crisp, fruity, and it has a great balance of its sweetness and fruit. I would have this wine by itself or with a pasta dish with a light cream sauce.
I had this wine without food.
Name: Butternut Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $18 (retail)
Winery review: The 2011 Butternut Chardonnay grapes were sourced from a number of different California vineyards to broaden the flavor profile and enhance your drinking experience. The growing regions include Napa, Sonoma, Sierra Foothills and Monterey. Aromas of peach, hazelnut and spiced candied apple leap from the glass. On the palette, Butternut exhibits round, creamy notes of fig, butterscotch and sweet oak. Butternut is like your mother's Chardonnay, only better.
My review: I really enjoyed this buttery Chardonnay; very light hints of fruit, but mostly strong themes of oak, nuttiness, and, of course, butter on the nose. The oak, especially, is very powerful and that's a result of this being a creamy, buttery, and American oaked Chardonnay; it's just the style of the wine. It tastes very dry, oaky, and woody on the palette with themes of light acid, cream, butter, and vanilla. I would probably pair this Chardonnay with a light dish of chicken and pasta served with a simple white creamy and cheesy sauce and sauteed vegetables.
I had this wine without food.
Name: Alamos Torrontes - The Wines of Catena
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Origin Salta
Country: Argentina
Year: 2013
Price: $13 (retail)
Winery review: The intense mountain sunlight and pure snowmelt water of the Andes gives the Alamos Torrontes its explosive floral aromatic character and bright citrus flavors. This crisp, refreshing wine is excellent with spicy empanadas and grilled fish.
My review: This Torrontes really reminded of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with hints of grass and ammonia on the nose and a light theme of fruitiness throughout; it is very pleasant in an aromatic sense. I would say that it is fairly dry with a lightly acidic, floral taste on the palette. It's just a light South American and I like it because it has character and the South America is very proud of the grape varietal Torrontes!
I had this wine without food.
Name: Rioja D.O.C. Antano Reserva
Variety: 80% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo, 5% Gamacha
Region: Labastida, Basque Country (northeastern Spain)
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: $14 (retail)
Winery review: Blending Rioja's four traditional varietals, Tempranilllo, Graciano, Mazuelo and Gamacha, our Reserva starts with a rigorous grape selection followed by gentle pressing and patient aging. It is ruby red in color and shows wonderful layers of cassis, cherry and vanilla flavors with just a hint of spice in the mid-palate through the finish which is long and elegant. This well-aged wine is perfect with steak, roasted pork, lamb and even heart seafood steaks such as swordfish. It will also age beautifully for years in the bottle.
My review: I think this is the first Rioja I've ever had and I liked it a lot! I had strong themes of oak, dark fruits such as cherry and even some blackberry, and vanilla on the nose. It opens up very nicely with its bouquet when swirled in the glass. The taste was very dry, lightly tannic, lightly acidic with a medium body, in my opinion. I also could taste the age on this wine; it's usually expected that red wines pack a punch when they're young because the tannic and acidic components haven't had time to settle and soften. Because it's a 2008 vintage, this wine has had some time to settle down and I could really sense a complexity to this wine because of the aging. I would definitely pair this wine with steak and other heavy meat dishes.
I had this wine without food.
Name: OneHope California Sparkling Brut Wine
Variety: Unspecified (tastes like Sauvignon Blanc and maybe Chardonnay)
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $13 (retail)
Winery review: Our Premium Brut Sparkling is light in color and displays aromas of fresh green apple and nectarine with a hint of fresh baked bread. Crisp, intriguing fresh fruit reminiscent of succulent peach, sweet berries and pear linger on the palate, finishing with creamy and refreshing bubbles. This Sparkling can be paired with appetizers, seafood, sushi, as well as a wide range of desserts and cheeses.
My review: I thought this was a good sparkling wine. It reminded me a lot of a New Zealand style Sauvignon Blanc on the nose with themes of ammonia and fruits, like grape fruit, maybe some hints pear and peach, etc. It has a nice balance of carbonation and dryness in comparison to themes of some acidic fruits, grapefruit coming through the most. I think of this as more of a celebration wine meant to be drunk by itself and not necessarily with any food at all. I think some pungent cheeses and soft crackers (maybe even Italian bread) would probably go best with this sparkling wine.
I had this wine without food.
Name: R Wines Eco.Love Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: South Island
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009
Price: $18 (retail)
Winery review: Our South Island Riesling has a range and combination of flavors unlike any other. These flavors span citrus, root ginger, white peach, spices and florals. Eco.Love Riesling is made in balance to an off-dry style. Food Pairing: Asian Fusion, Seafood, Curry, and anything spicy.
My review: This definitely wasn't one of the excellent Rieslings that I hear about from others. I was expecting it to be very sweet; on the nose, I sensed a hint of light sweetness along with some floral themes. Tasting the Riesling, I discovered strong semi-sweetness (on the dry side of semi-sweet), a light creamy mouth feel, and surprisingly low alcohol. I usually expect a Riesling to be mostly sweet with some floral hints, but also with hints of petroleum. I would pair this wine spicy Asian dishes.
I had this wine without food.
Name: Canyon Road Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $7 (sale)
Vintage Cellar review: Rich, fruit forward cherry flavors, soft tannins, a medium body and a smooth velvety finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, salmon, and savory pork dishes.
My review: I actually liked this Pinot Noir a little bit. Not as full bodied as some that I've had, but a nice Pinot Noir if your looking for a light red wine to go with food. I noticed strong aromas of blackcherry, blackberry, and other dark fruits and a bit of oak on the nose. On the taste, I took away themes of light acidity, light body, oak, pepper, and dryness. It's a decent Pinot Noir for the price and I think it would go well with skillet-cooked pork chops in a light cream sauce and maybe sauteed vegetables in a light buttery sauce.
I had this wine without food.
Name: Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon
Variety: 80% Chardonnay; 20% Semillon
Region: South eastern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2008
Price: $8 sale
Vintage Cellar review: Chardonnay Semillon is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon. It gives a moderate intensity of melon, guava, apricot and butterscotch aromas. The medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity along with plenty of tropical fruit flavors and a medium-long finish.
My review: I really don't think this wine has much going for it. In my opinion, it is very simple and non-complex. Light oak and butter aromas come through on the nose; the taste is fairly light in body. It's definitely not an interesting wine and I would probably only drink it again if it was absolutely the only wine I had to drink. However, it is a Chardonnay, and the usual consensus is that Chardonnays are fairly simple wines to begin with, so I would say it's a decent Chardonnay (and Semillon) at best.
I had this wine without food.
Name: Allamand Valle de Uco Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $13 (retail)
Winery review: Cristian Allamand's 2012 Valle de Uco Malbec is made from grapes that Cristian Allamand personally owns or manages in Valle de Uco; a cool, high altitude valley located at the foothills of the Andes range 80 km south of the city of Mendoza, Argentina. There are a variety of regions and sub-regions in Argentina with the potential to show an ample range of flavors and styles. Thanks to the unique microclimate of Valle de Uco, Christian Allamand is able to craft wines that are ripe, silky and intense, yet elegant and most importantly terrior driven.
My review: I really noticed strong hints of vanilla and caramel on the nose. Dry and a bit spicy on the taste, but not a punch in the face. Mid-body, well structured, and overall a great balance and quality of acidity and tannin. I think it was of much higher quality than a Brownstone Malbec I reviewed from the same region.
I had this wine without food.
Name: The White Knight Viognier
Variety: Viognier
Region: Clarksburg, California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $13 (retail)
Winery review: Our Viognier is more than just a wine, it represents a growing alliance against the tyranny of Chardonnay. From the loam and clay soils of the California Delta to the grapes themselves, this wine is truly exceptional. Never follow the conventional path of wine, develop your own love and tastes. Be the Chess player, not the Chess piece.
My review: This Viognier reminded me a lot of Sauvignon Blanc on the nose with floral, fruity, and grassy aromatics with even a hint of lemon peel. The taste, however, was fairly different from from Sauvignon Blanc: a bit heavier body, a little bit more acidity, but no ammonia. This wine was definitely more interesting than a Chardonnay and I really liked it a lot. I think this Viognier would go well with sea food in a light cream sauce.
I had this wine without food.
Name: Santa Luz Cabernet Sauvignon Alba
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Valle Central
Country: Chile
Year: 2012
Price: $9 (retail)
Best Buy Liquors review: Bursting with juicy blackcurrant, cherry, and cassis flavors supported by well-rounded, velvety tannins. Ready to drink now, it is the perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes, including roast pork, grilled steak, tomato-based pasta dishes, or strong cheeses.
My review: This Cabernet wasn't the best I've had, but it wasn't the worst either. Strong hints of oak, blackberry, vanilla, caramel, and dark fruits on the nose. The aromas really open up when it is swirled. It tasted very dry and tannic which is usually expected from Cabernet, but it didn't have as much acidity as I'm used to. Strong themes of oak, blackberry, blackcurrant, and other dark fruits on the taste. It was full-bodied, though not as "heavy" as some Cabs I've had. A unique aspect of this wine is that select portions of the batch were aged for one month in oak while other portions never had time with the wood. I am sure that I got to taste the oak-aged portion, at least that's how it tasted in my opinion. I would say that Italian tomato dishes (spaghetti, stuffed shells, Ricotta cheese, etc.) as well as dense meats (beef, pork, etc.) would probably go best with this Cabernet.
I had this wine without food.
Name: Santa Luz Chardonnay Alba
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Valle Central
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $9 (retail)
Martin-Scott Wines review: A medium-bodied wine offering lemon and pineapple aromas laced with notes of honey. Tropical fruit flavors merge with vibrant acidity on the finish.
My review: Floral, really opens up aromatically, hints of sour fruit on the nose. Very light oak and wood flavors (most of the fermentation was done in stainless steel and a small fraction of the mix was oak-aged for a month), a small acidic bite and fairly dry on the taste. The smoothness of malolactic fermentation is also present. Overall, it's just Chardonnay; nothing really jumped out at me that made it special from others.
I had this wine without food.
Name: Santa Luz Sauvignon Blanc Alba
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Valle Central
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $9 (retail)
Winery review: Our Santa Luz Sauvignon Blanc has pure fruit and a crisp palate with notes of herb and lemon curd culminating in a lively finish. It is great by its own or paired with oyster, salads and smoked salmon.
My review: Aromatic, fruity, and grassy on the nose. It tastes somewhat dry with floral and lemon peel themes and it is light in body. There are also hints of ammonia. It has a nice balance of low acidity and dryness. I think this wine would go well with salads and seafood (grilled shrimp, tilapia, etc.). A bit of aged white cheddar cheese also goes well with it.
I had this wine with white cheddar cheese.
Name: Thorne Clarke First Light Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: Barossa Valley
Country: Australia
Year: N.V.
Price: $15 (retail)
Vintage Cellar review: Ripe lychee, tropical fruits and musk on the nose as you near the glass. Lovely grape and stone fruits and on the palate is highlighted with the subtle sweetness and spritz that makes this such a fun drink. Low in alcohol and nicely balanced acidity ensure you will want more than one glass of this easy drinking wine.
My review: This Moscato is fruity and aromatic with a perfume-scented theme on the nose. It's tastes sweet with a light body and a small amount of carbonation while maintaining a good structure. The carbonation can also be slightly sensed on the nose. I would drink this as a casual sparkling wine and I'm not sure what food it would go well with; maybe grilled or pan-seared chicken with a light cream sauce, but definitely nothing spicy because of the carbonation.
I had this wine without food.
Name: CalNaturale Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Viognier
Region: Paso Robles, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $16 (retail)
Vintage Cellar review: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Viognier this certified organic winery produces outstanding quality at reasonable prices offering classic Cabernet flavors of fresh herb, olive, cedar and cassis. Focused and intense, with a charming rustic side and broad tannins that firm up on the finish.
My review: This Cabernet is pleasantly wooded and very aromatic with strong blackberry and blackcurrant themes on the nose. It is very dry, tannic, acidic, and heavy in body as would be expected of a Cabernet Sauvignon. The body is well-structured and focused on the balance of acidity and tannins. It lingers around for a bit with a nice mouth-drying finish.
I had this wine without food.
Name: Georges Duboeuf Beajolais Nouveau
Variety: Beajolais Nouveau
Region: Beaujolais
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $15 (retail)
Wine Spectator review: An aromatic red, with floral and white peach notes accenting the black raspberry and plum flavors. This is open-knit and fresh, offering light tannins on the finish.
My review: I was expecting this wine to be pretty sweet and fruity/candy-flavored on the nose, but, surprisingly, it turned out to be very dry on the taste. The nose is extremely aromatic and the wine really opens itself up with a strong theme of licorice. The taste is also tannic and mouth-drying, there is a bit of acidity, and it has well-structured body.
I had this wine without food.
