Tasting - 99 Vines Pinot Noir

2/22/2015

Name: 99 Vines 
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Price: $9.00
Year: N/A

Winery review: 

'Smoky berries and red cherries make this thirst slaking glass of Pinot Noir an immediate charmer. Medium bodied and smooth with juicy structure and a faint brambly quality that rounds this out. Immediate appeal carries us through to the finish. Simply a tasty glass of wine!' - Nicholas D. Livingston, December 2011

Rating: 88 pts - Wilfred Wong

My Review:  I did not think this wine was very complex or really anything special. The alcohol taste was a bit spicy for my taste, but not over-bearing. The taste is exactly as described in the review above, as berry fruit and smokey wood flavor. It was not overly sweet, making it easy to drink even with the slight spicy alcohol taste on the finish. Overall, I enjoyed the wine, but found it difficult to identify any other flavors then what I have already discussed.

I did not pair this wine with any food. 

Tasting - A to Z, Pinot Noir

2/22/2015

Name: A to Z 
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Oregon
Country: USA
Price: $18.99
Year: 2012

Winery review: 

'The 2012 A to Z Pinot Noir invites with vibrant aromas of juicy berries, cherries, lavender and violets, evolving to clove, game, smoke and cherry tobacco. A succulent, focused attack has flavors of blue and red fruits, flowers and earth, then deepens with hints of mocha, gingerbread, green tea and cacao. A very tannic structure is balanced by perfect acidity, giving shape and elegance to the concentration of lush fruit. A beautiful, complex, forward wine results, walking a tightrope between richness and elegance. Built for midterm ageing, the captivating A to Z Pinot Noir once again sets the standard for the superior 2012 Pinot Noir vintage in Oregon.' - Wine.com, 89 Wine Spectator

My Review:  
I really enjoyed this Pinot! I found this wine as a very well balanced sweet and acidic taste, but the overall taste was complex.  I felt the more I drank it, the more flavors I was able to detect. On the initial taste, I tasted heavy fruit flavors consisting of strawberries and cherries with a underlying burnt wood, smokey, flavor. After a few more swirls and tastes, I was able to detect the gingerbread spice as mentioned in the review above, but unable to really pick any other spices out. Overall, this was a very good wine and I plan on buying it again, but this time I would like to try and decant it and see how the flavors evolve. 
I did not taste this wine with any food. 

Tasting - Bricco Dei Tati

2/22/2015
Name: Bricco Dei tati 
Variety: 100% Barbera
Region: Piemonte
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $8.99

Winery review: 

'This is a young, fresh, lively Barbera with a persistent and attractive bouquet of black cherries and a bit of spice on the palate. It has few tannins which is typical of the Barbera varietal, and a medium finish. Delightfully approachable, it is great with medium to strong cheeses, barbecue and game.' - www.briccodeitati.com

My Review:  
Great wine! This has to be one of my current favorite red wines that I have tried. The aroma gave off hints of cherries, while the initial taste consisted of cherries and blackberries. In addition, I was able to detect hints of pepper on the finish along with a mild dryness. The wine's acid and alcohol levels were balanced very well with the sweetness of the wine, leaving an overall pleasant after taste. I did not paired this wine with pasta, tomato sauce, and Italian sausage, which all together went very will with the wine. The tomato sauce revealed more of the fruitiness of the wine, while still maintaining the mildly dry finish. 

Tasting - Liberty Creek Chardonnay

2/22/2015
Name: Liberty Creek 
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Modesto, California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $7.99

Winery review: 

'The crisp flavors of lemon and citrus make this an extremely versatile wine, especially compatible with grilled seafood, such as halibut or a tangy shrimp brochette. Another option is pasta, either with a thick cream sauce -- the lightness of Liberty Creek Chardonnay will serve as a nice contrast -- or with pesto made of freshly chopped basil' - libertycreekwine.com

My Review:  This wine had a sweet, floral aroma which was very similar to its taste. The initial taste was sweet and slightly sour and made you want to scrunch up your face with a acidic finish taste. I felt the citrus fruit taste did not hide the strong alcohol taste of the wine, and did not lead to a clean crisp finish.  The floral smell translated into the taste, which I think added to the sour finish on the wine.

I did not pair this wine with food. 

Tasting - Giant 47 Pound Rooster Cabernet Sauvignon

2/22/2015

Name: Giant 47 Pound Rooster 
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Central Coast
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $6.99

Winery review: 

'This is a hearty Cabernet Sauvignon with structure and concentration. Dark and intense in color. Hints of cedar and oak, with layers of raspberry, plum, mocha, and currant. Firm tannins with big fruit flavors lead to a lengthy and persistent finish. I love taking this wine to get togethers with friends. It always seems to help inspire good conversation. I probably don't need to say that a wine like this will work best with a hearty red meat dish, but I will any way.' - Wine.com

My Review: Very dry finish and very acidic to the point where I couldn't really drink it. Although a berry fruit initial taste, it quickly turned into a spicy, acidic finish that was not enjoyable. In the initial taste, I was able to detect a smokey, tart berry flavor that reminded me of cedar wood, as mentioned in the review above. Although I did not pair his wine with food, I did decant it for a few hours and found that the acidic levels significantly dropped.  I was able to detect more of the fruit flavor on the finish then before.  

Tasting - Romeo From Verona

2/15/2015

Name: Romeo From Verona 
Variety: 80% Merlot, 20% Corvina
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $8.99

Winery review: 

'This is another old world wine from veneto, Italy. It is the red that compliments the white. Made from Merlot (80%) and Corvina (20%), It's well rounded flavors and juiciness make this wine perfect if you are enjoying a dish of poultry, pork or even pasta.' - Kroger Wine Tasting

My Review: Very dry finish with this red wine. I overall did not find this wine to have a fruity bolt flavor and could not really pick out any other fruit flavors besides a subtly cherry taste and aroma. Besides the subtle fruit flavors, I felt the spiciness of the wine was over powering and without food, was difficult to drink. According to the review above, It is suggested to drink this wine with food, which I did not do. Overall, I enjoyed the wine because of its spicy flavors, but if I were to drink it again, I would pair it with food and see how acidic and dry taste may mellow out. 

Tasting - 2012 Little Bosco Malvasia Di Castelnuovo Don Bosco

2/15/2015

Name: Little Bosco
Variety: 100% Malvasia Nera
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $11.99

Winery review: 

'This lightly sparkling red is from north central Italy. It is made from Malvasia Grape. It's hints of sweetness, raspberry, and rose petal automatically makes you think "Dessert Wine." However, the smooth flavor of tart raspberry, red apple. and passion fruit, combined with it;s light fizz, make this a suitable wine to drink on any occasion.' - Kroger Wine Tasting, Siema Wines 

My Review:  Refreshing! The wine was very carbonated and reminded me more of juice than of an alcoholic beverage.  It was very fruity with hint of raspberry and cherry flavors and other tart flavors I could not identify. There was no acidic or alcohol tastes in this wine and really didn't come off as a sophisticated wine. As mentioned in the review above, I agree this is a light dessert wine that you may drink after a really big dinner with some strong flavored fruits like pineapple or strawberries. 

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Juliet From Verona Garganega-Sauvignon

2/15/2015

Name: Juliet From Verona
Variety: Garganega (80%) -Sauvignon (20%)
Region: Veneto
Country:  Italy
Year: 2008
Price: $8.99

Winery review: 

'This is an old world wine from Veneto, Italy. Northern Italy is more commonly known for it's reds, However this while blend of Sauvagnon Blanc (80%) and Garganega (20%) Is one to remember. This wine is very well blended and had a wonderful fruity finish. It will pair well with any fish or shellfish as well as vegetarian cuisine.' - Kroger Wine Tasting

My Review: I did not find this wine very interesting or anything special. The flavors were not bold and had a slight floral taste. The wine's smell was very flowery, which made it difficult to pick out at specific fruit flavors in the wine. If i were to try and guess, I would say there were hints of pear and kiwi flavor, but they were over powered by the smell.  The glass it was served in was very small and made it difficult to really smell the wine, which could have affected the taste. 

I did not try this wine with any food.

Tasting - Prosecco Baby Frizzante 2014

2/15/2015

Name: Baby Prosecco
Variety: Prosecco
Region: Veneto
Country: Argentina Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $12.99

Winery review: 

A beautiful, somewhat less popular, and often less expensive comparison to Champagne, Prosecco is a deliciously dry sparkling wine with crisp acidity, low sugar, with plenty of fruit and character. - Vivino.com

My Review: This was the first carbonated wine I have tasted. It was lightly carbonated wine with light crisp fruit flavors that made it very refreshing to drink. The alcohol and acidic tastes were not noticeable and reminded me more of a champagne. The favors very very fruity with a clean green apple flavor along with tasted of tropical types of fruit and a floral smell. 

I tasted this wine along with a strawberry, which allowed the tropical fruit flavors to become bolder and even more refreshing. The finish remained fruity and was overall nothing really special. 

Tasting - Santa Julia Organic Cabernet Sauvigon 2014

2/15/2015

Name: Santa Julia Organic
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon - 100%
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina 
Year: 2014
Price: $9.99

Winery review: 

'Intense red ruby color. Nice fruit aromas of red and black fruits like cassis, black cherries and spices like black pepper, and sweet pepper. Medium bodied, well balanced wine with soft tannins and a long finish.' - Wine.com

My Review:  Red wine with medium boldness, but still very distinct fruit and spice flavors. On the first taste I could taste cherries along with additional sweet fruit flavors that I could not identify. In both he taste and the smell, I noticed black pepper tastes that I felt over powered the wine on the finish. The peppery and spicy flavor hung around on the after taste.  The alcohol flavor was minute and along with the acidic flavors, did not over power the wine,

Although I did not drink this wine with food, I fell as though it would go really well with red tomato sauce and pasta. 

Tasting - Picket Fence Alexander Valley 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

2/12015 - Week 2

Name: Picket Fence Alexander Valley 2012
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma Califonia
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $16.95

Winery review: 

This wine has classic Cabernet characteristics of cassis, cherries and hints of leather and cocoa powder. French and American oak combine vanilla and spice, creating a foil for the blackberry and plum fruit flavors and a round, flavorful finish. Pair with grilled grass-fed beef or bison or try with aged and semi-hard cheeses, pistachios and walnuts. - Wine.com

My Review: Slightly dry finish with nutty flavors in both the initial taste and finish taste.  There were strong flavors of berries and cherries and hits of other spices, including vanilla.  The alcohol flavors were moderate and did not affect the taste, although did not affect the flavor. 

I did not have any food with this wine.

Tasting - Anciano Gran Reserva Tempranillo Valdepenas 2004

2/12015 - Week 2

Name: Anciano Gran Reserva Tempranillo Valdepenas 2004
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2004
Price: $13.95

Winery review: 

"Exceptional value for a wine aged 10 years!
It does exhibit signs of age, as expected, but still charms with leather, cherry and strawberry jam, tobacco, vanilla, white pepper, dried flowers and cigar layered with fine sweet spice. The fruit is sweet in the mouth and similar strawberry, leather, baking spice and pipe tobacco appear on the palate. Great balance, very good persistence and a silly price for this wine. Grab it now."  - Wine Scores

My Review: Currently one of my favorite red wines. It has a clean initial taste and finish and not acidic at all.  The alcohol levels were balanced very well and the fruity taste was not over powering. I found it very difficult to pick out the exact flavors, but could taste an smokey and wood flavor.

I did not have any food with this wine.

Tasting - Picket Fence Russian River 2012 Pinot Noir

2/12015 - Week 2

 Name:  Picket Fence Russian River 2012 Pinot Noir
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma Valley 
Country: United States of America 
Year: 2012
Price: $16.95

Winery review: 

"This value Pinot Noir is perfectly fine for everyday drinking, with a light, silky texture framing raspberry and oak flavors."

— (2/1/2014) — 84 - Wine Enthusiasts 


My Review: Slightly dry after taste with bold black cherry flavors. There were hints of smokey burnt tones that I felt came out more in the after taste of the wine, The alcohol taste was moderate and overall felt this was a very enjoyable red wine. Currently my favorite Pinot Noir.

I did not have any food with this wine.

Tasting - Picket Fence Russian River 2013 Chardonnay

2/12015 - Week 2

Name:  Picket Fence Russian River 2013 Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma Valley 
Country: United States of America 
Year: 2013
Price: $14.95

Winery review: "Picket Fence Chardonnay is classic Russian River, Citrus blossom, hints of ripe stone fruit, creme brulee, and a bright balanced acidity.  Lightly toasted french oak enhances the structure and spice, coalescing into a round juicy wine with an attractive lingering finish." - Dan Robbins Cellars, Vintage Cellar 


My Review:  Crisp white wine with a very crisp and clean finish. I really enjoyed this wine and would like to try and pair it with foods! It had a fruity smell and taste, with a slight alcohol flavor, but very tolerable. I could not tell which fruit flavors were in this wine, but were could have been some kinds of melon.

I did not have any food with this wine.

Tasting - Casas del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc

2/12015 - Week 2

Name:  Casas del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Casablanca
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $12.95

Winery review: "Energetic, precise lemon and pear qualities, with floral, herbal, and mineral accents adding complexity" - Dan Robbins Cellars, Vintage Cellar 




My Review:  Lemon and citrus flavors that really stuck out. The flavors were bold with hints of grassy flavors along with a strong acidic flavor and slight carbonation.  The smell matched the taste along with a crisp and smooth finish.  I would definitely drink this wine again!

I did not eat any food with this wine.