Tasting- Crane Lake Riesling 2013

Name:  Crane Lake Shiraz

Variety:  Riesling 

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: This light-colored wine displays aromas of honey suckle and orange blossom; flavors include green apple and peach.  The finish is mildly sweet, crisp, and lingering. This wine is an excellent aperitif, yet it pairs well with a number of different foods.  Try it with New England clam chowder, smoked salmon, Chinese chicken salad, roasted duck, or scallops in a cream sauce

My Review: I have enjoyed a lot of Riesling in the past, but this one was not up to par. You definitely got the sweet honey smell to it as well as peach. In its taste, it had a sweet flavor to it, but it also had an almost acidic disconnect to it mid-palate. Its finish was light, but left me wanting more. 

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting- Crane Lake Shiraz 2013

Name:  Crane Lake Shiraz

Variety:    Shiraz

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Beautiful ruby appearance, with blackberry and pepper notes. Tannins and fruit marry well for a soft finish. This wine pairs well with sharp cheddar cheese and hazelnuts. Also try it along with roast lamb at Easter time, veal marsala, or grilled salmon.

My Review: Right away I got a peppery smell to it.  In the taste, I got some tobacco and oak. It was very earthy, and dry. Did not really enjoy this wine to much. I have not been a great fan of Shiraz in the past and this wine continued the trend. 

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting- Georges Duboeuf Nouveau 2015

Name:  Georges Duboeuf

Variety:   Nouveau 

Region: Beauolais

Country: France

Year: 2015
Price: $12

Winery Review: George Duboeuf is THE king of Beaujolais.  His wines are full of pop, charm and great flavor and his Beaujolais Nouveau is no exception.  A cornucopia of expressive fruit wrapped in an almost-bubblegum-like frame; it is the flagship Nouveau.

My Review: This wine definitely had one of the coolest labels I have ever seen on a wine bottle.  On the nose, I picked up notes of strawberry jam. On the palate, it had a little spice to it, as well as blackberry. The wine was pretty dry. 

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting- Maipe Torrontes 2014

Name:  Maipe Torrontes 

Variety:  Torrontes 

Region: Mendoza 

Country: Argentia 

Year: 2014
Price: $14

Winery Review: The wine has a spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body. Well-balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish.

My Review: This particular wine had a very flowery bouquet, but a sort of wetness to it as well, as if it just had rained. I also noticed that didn't have very much color, it almost as if it was clear. the wine had a slight sweetness to it, just like the previous wine, I tasted apple on the palate. Balance and smooth finish to it as well. 

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting- Tonnino Pinot Grigio 2014

Name:  Tonnino Pinot Grigio

Variety:  Pinot Grigio

Region: Sicily 

Country: Italy 

Year: 2014
Price: $14

Winery Review: Tonnino’s exotic example of Pinot Grigio has a straw to pale gold color. It is fresh and clean on the nose with fruity notes of pear, green apple and white peaches. The palate is true to the nose with a fresh acidity, coriander and lime notes followed by a crisp finish. This wine pairs well with youthful aperitifs, clams or mussels, pastas and risotto dishes.

My Review: I thought this wine had a very pleasant bouquet. It was fruity with aromas of apples, and lemon. On the palate, it continued the apple, particular green apples. Overall, a very smooth and light wine. I think this wine would have paired well with a seafood dish. 

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting- Peter Mertes Sweet Red Dornfelder 2014

Name:   Peter Mertes  Sweet Red Dornfelder

Variety:  Dornfelder

Region: California

Country: Germany

Year: 2014
Price: $12

Winery Review:The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine.

Great with grilled red meat, sausage and chicken. Best served slightly chilled.

My Review: On the nose I picked up a lot of different fruits including raspberry, and plum. It was very sweet, but I did pick up a slight pepper flavor to it as well. The wine did have a lingering after taste, but it was a pleasant one. 

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting- Castello Sonnino Chianti Montespertoli 2010

Name:   Castello Sonnino Chianti Montespertoli

Variety:  Blend

Region: Chianti

Country: Italy 

Year: 2010
Price: $15

Winery Review: A blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia del Chianti. Rich and modern, with a dark, saturated color and aromas of graham cracker and lemon rind. A juicy palate packed with plum and raspberry is carried by a creamy texture that’s rather toasty in terms of flavor. The finish is round, full and chocolaty.

My Review: The wine had a very intense red, almost purple color to it. The taste had a kind of mocha chocolate taste to it. It was very spicy and hot. Did not really enjoy this wine. 

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting- Bolla Bardolino Magnum 2013

Name:   Bolla Bardolino Magnum 

Variety:  Blend

Region: Bardolino

Country: Italy 

Year: 2013
Price: $18

Winery Review:A blend of 60% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara this bright ruby red wine has hints of black cherry on the nose.  It is soft and fruit-forward, with black-fruit flavors followed by a bright and fresh finish. Serve it as the Italians do – young and lightly chilled. Pairs perfectly with fleshy fish, beef, lamb, red-sauced pastas and pizza.

My Review: This wine had a very vibrant red color. On the nose, it had a chocolate covered cherry smell to it. The taste was fruity with tastes of blackberry and black currant. Overall, a solid wine. 

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting- Tenuta le Velette Orvieto Classico 2011

Name:  Tenuta le Velette Orvieto Classico 

Variety:  Blend

Region: Orvieto

Country: Italy 

Year: 2011
Price: $18

Winery Review: "The Berganorio Orvieto is a subtle wine with a bright palate. It shows white flowers on the nose and light citrus notes in the mouth. Its neutral character means it can accompany a wide range of foods. A blend of 30% Trebbiano, 30% Grechetto, 20% Malvasia, 15% Verdello, and 5% Drupeggio. The estate has 103 hectares on the hill opposite the hill town of Orvieto."

My Review: This wine had nice golden color to it. The nose was very floral and citrusy. The taste was underwhelming, bland to me. I picked up flavors of apples in the taste.  

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting- Aveleda Praia Vinho Verde 2013

Name:   Aveleda Praia Vinho Verde 

Variety:  Blend

Region: Vinho Verde

Country: Portugal

Year: 2013
Price: $10

Winery Review: A blend of 40% Arinto, 30% Loureiro, 20% Trajadura and 10% Azal.

Full of fruit, a lasting peach flavor targeted with laserlike acidity through the finish. It has the bite of salty ocean air and a lot of zing. For langoustines.

My Review: It had a very fruity nose, got hints of peaches. It tasted more acidic than I had anticipated. It was a little too sour for my liking. 

*Not Paired with food 

Tasting Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Name:  Avenel Dry Creek Valley

Variety: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot

Region: California 

Country: USA

Year: 2012
Price: $24

Winery Review: Aromas of lush, bright black cherry, blackberry and cassis draw you in. Round, rich, seamless tannins provide a robust backbone and supple mid-palate. Notes of cedar, vanilla and a hint of mocha linger on the finish.

My Review: Cabernet Savignon has been hit or miss with me in the past. Fortunately, this particular cab was a home run. It opened up with a smell of black currant, cherry, and chocolate. The wine was full bodied, had a nice even taste to it as well. It was a bit woody on the palate but not overpowering to turn me off to it. 

*Paired with prime rib and green peas, and mash potatoes. The meat was an excellent complement to the wine. 

Tasting- Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 2014

Name: Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: California 

Country: USA

Year: N/A
Price: $17

Winery Review: Beautifully integrated tropical flavors such as pineapple, mango, and papaya with citrus notes that explode in your mouth. These flavors delicately intertwine with aromas of vanilla and honey to create depth and balance throughout. A hint of toasted oak and butter rounds out the long, lingering finish.

My Review: I was on a cruise this spring break, so it gave me a great chance to have some really good wine, with excellent food. This wine had a citrus fruit nose, as well as a vanilla smell to it. On the palate, you did get an oaky taste as well as pineapple and pear taste. Overall, this was a very enjoyable wine. 

*paired with bacon mac and cheese, topped with grilled chicken, as well as chateaubriand. I believe it paired very well with the mac and cheese, adding that buttery feeling to the dish. 

Tasting- Avenel Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2013

Name:  Avenel Dry Creek Valley

Variety: Zinfandel

Region: California 

Country: USA

Year: 2013
Price: $17

Winery Review: On the nose, it stands out as being perfect for barbecue dishes. It is brimming with grilled mesquite components aromatically. The palate opens with a soft jamminess. There is some dark fruit, a faint rubber edge, and a bit of leather. There is a very light floral tone with some raspberry and orange to the finish.

My Review: The nose of this wine was very smokey. You definitely got the smell of grilled food. The taste continued that smokey feeling adding a taste of pepper to the palate. I also got undertones of blackberry. I agree with the review that it would be good with barbecue dishes. I could see myself drinking with wine with a plate of ribs. 

*Did not pair with food 

Tasting- Dona Sol Blend

Name: Dona Sol Blend

Variety: Shiraz, Petite Syrah & Symphony 

Region: California 

Country: USA

Year: N/A
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Shiraz has a unique jammy fruit character that is well represented in the Sweet Red. Both on the nose and on the palate, jammy fruit, like strawberries, cherry pie and red licorice, entices the senses and pair well with cheeses and desserts.

My Review: The nose was very fruity. I did not anticipate this wine to smell so sweet. After sipping it, I received flavors of strawberry shortcake. It tasted like I was eating a nerds rope. The after taste was very nice, not over powering or lingering.  

*Not paired with food 

Tasting- Velvet Crush Blend

Name: Velvet Crush

Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petite Sirah

Region: California 

Country: USA

Year: N/A
Price: $18

Winery Review:Velvety smooth texture just like its name. Soft tannins and lush dark fruit character. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah bring backbone and character, while the Merlot balances out the blend for a soft, smooth texture.

My Review: This wine was had a very deep red color. I received nodes of black currant. The taste taste kinda like plastic, almost if I ate a cherry fruit roll up with the plastic wrapper still on. The flavor still seemed to be balanced even though it was a blend. 

*Not paired with food 

Tasting- Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2013

Name: Grand Cru Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: California 

Country: USA

Year: 2013
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: This ruby-colored wine has aromas of raspberry, cherry and a hint of vanilla. Flavors of cherry and plum lead to a soft velvety finish. This wine can be enjoyed by itself. It is also an excellent accompaniment with Brie, goat cheese and smoked salmon. Lamb shanks and pork tenderloin are a favorite main dishes to pair with this wine.

My Review: This Pinot Noir had very nice legs along with its deep scarlet color. The nose of the wine had nodes of dried cranberries, and a slight wood cleaner smell. The finish of this wine was silky, with a slight vanilla lingering taste. 

*Not paired with food