Tasting- Crane Lake White Zinfandel 2013

Name:   Crane Lake

Variety: White Zinfandel

Region: California
Country: USA

Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Light pink wine with floral and tropical aromas: flavors of strawberry, peach and raspberry with a touch of sweetness. This wine is an easy sipping wine that also pairs well with wide variety of foods ranging from crab cakes or pâté to spicy Asian dishes, glazed ham, and grilled sea bass.

My Review: Yet another sweet wine is my favorite of the tastings for the week. I thoroughly enjoyed this white zinfandel. It was the first wine that I purchased after tasting it. The initial smell was very fruity, very sweet. With tasting the wine, I definitely got hints of mango and pineapple. It was a very pleasant, and easy to drink wine. 

 

*Not paired with food 

Tasting- Vina Galana Alicante Bouchet 2012

Name:  Vina Galana Alicante Bouchet

Variety: Alicante Bouchet

Region: N/A
Country: Spain

Year: 2012
Price: $15

Winery Review: From the rare Alicante Bouchet, one of the few grapes in the world with red flesh  this wine has a plush texture carring flavors of brandied cherry and chocolate ganache in this round red. Light tannins and gentle acidity impart a lovely, balanced structure.

My Review: This wine definitely had the oak monster. It was a very woody, oakiness smell to it. It drank very hot, got hints of dark cherry or cranberry chocolate. I also did not the after taste, I felt it was too strong and lingering.

 

*Not paired with food 

Tasting- Tonnino Syrah 2013

Name: Tonnino Syrah

Variety: Syrah

Region: Sicily
Country: Italy

Year: 2013
Price: $14

Winery Review: An intense red color. Aromas of violet and black currant enriched by hints of liquorice and black pepper. In the mouth it is full, round, slightly tannic and with a spicy note on the finish.

My Review: I really thought this wine had a very nice color and legs to it. Unfortunately, that was the only thing I enjoyed about this wine. I smelled black currant, and other spicy flavors. The taste itself was very dirty and chalky that was unpleasant from start to finish. 

*Was not paired with food