Tasting- Riebeek Cellars Viognier 2015

Name: Riebeek Cellars Viognier

Variety: Viognier

Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa

Year: 2015
Price: $12

Winery Review: This is a luscious viognier, featuring a deep yellow color, that explodes with juicy peach and honeysuckle flavors. Viognier can easily become flabby, but this one manages to keep its figure within bounds. I recommend this for immediate, lip-smacking enjoyment.

My Review: The nose of this wine had a peach smell to it. I was interested in tasting it after smelling it, but was disappointed by the underwhelming flavor. It tasted like a cheap pale ale beer. The after taste, tasted like the stick of a fun dip package with some of the sugar on it. 

*Was not paired with food 

Tasting- Dom Michel Thomas Sancerre Rose 2013

Name: Dom Michel Thomas Sancerre Rose

Variety: Sancerre Rose

Region: Loire Valley
Country: France

Year: 2013
Price: $32

Winery Review: Bright orange-pink. Lively, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh red berries, orange peel and honeysuckle, with a hint of anise building in the glass. Dry and nervy in the mouth, offering vibrant strawberry and orange pith flavors and a suggestion of rose pastille. The floral element comes back on the finish, which lingers with very good spicy persistence

My Review: This wine had a very flowery aroma. I also got hints of yeast or uncooked bread. The taste had nodes of granny smith apples, and orange. The finish was very strong, and acidity, which was not enjoyable. 

Tasting- Crane Lake Gewürtztraminer 2013

Name: Crane Lake Gewürtztraminer

Variety: Gewürtztraminer

Region: California 
Country: USA

Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review:  Slightly high-toned notions of rose petal mingle with lemon on nose and palate of this lightly sweet, richly textured yet balanced Gewürztraminer. This is not as heady as you may expect and will be a treat with spicy Asian dishes. Lychee and rose petal make another very fetching appearance on the finish.

My Review: The last wine of the tasting for this week was also my favorite. It has continued the trend of my liking of sweet wines. This wine had a very sweet smell to it. I smelt like a pixie stick. The taste of was very balanced, not overly sweet. It tasted like a caramelized apple. The finish was very nice as well. Although, I did not pair this wine with food, I do think that it would go very well with a spicy dish to balance the sweetness. 

*was not paired with food 

Tasting- Codirosso Chianti 2014

Name:  Codirosso Chianti

Variety: Chianti

Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy

Year: 2014
Price: $13

Winery Review: Ruby red color with purple reflections.  Intense vinous bouquet with hints of violets and dark cherry fruit. The flavor is full of ripe fruit and a hint of spice. It is well balanced and dry. The finish is persistent and satisfying.

My Review: I thought this wine had a very lovely ruby color to it. It had very nice legs as well. The bouquet was very strong, but it was a nice intensity with a cranberry and a black pepper smell to it. The taste was woody and it continued to have that spicy feel. The finish was very pleasant and enjoyable. Overall, a very nice wine. I would love to pair this wine with lamb or veal. 

*was not paired with food 

Tasting-Indwe Pinotage 2013

Name: Indwe Pinotage

Variety: Pinotage

Region: South Africa
Country: South Africa

Year: 2013
Price: $12

Winery Review:  “A disclaimer: I have never cared much for Pinotage, the indigenous South African grape variety, but this 2013 Pinotage from Indwe, named after the country's national bird, the blue crane, comes across like a light Pinot Noir. Subtle notes of cherries, spice and forest floor are followed by a round, light to medium-bodied, pure, seductive, well-crafted wine.” Drink now-2016.

My Review: My initial reaction to this wine was that it smelled like a cigarillo. It had a distinct fruity tobacco smell to it. After tasting it, I got notes of blackberry and raisin. It did have a lingering after taste which I did not care for. 

*was not paired with food 

Tasting-Palacio de Bornos Verdejo 2013

Name: Palacio de Bornos Verdejo

Variety: Verdejo

Region: Rueda 
Country: Spain

Year: 2013
Price: $12

Winery Review:  Zesty and clean, with pure grapefruit and passion fruit aromas. It’s charged up but perfectly balanced, with bright, focused citrus and pineapple flavors. Lemony acidity keeps the finish rolling, then throw in some chive and fresh greens and you have a spot-on Verdejo.

My Review: You definitely got the citrus aromas right away from the wine. After tasting it, I got flavors of green apple, it was a tame and pleasant wine It had a very smooth finish.

*was not paired with food 

Tasting- Tonnino Grillo 2014

Name: Tonnino Grillo

Variety: Grillo

Region: Sicily 
Country: Italy

Year: 2014
Price: $14

Winery Review:  Fruit-forward and tangy, this light-bodied, snappy white offers flavors of guava, apricot, candied grapefruit zest and stone. Drink now. 20,000 cases made.

My Review: The initial nose had a fruity and flowery scent. It look light a light bodied wine. I was underwhelmed by the flavor, I thought it tasted like a tart lemon. Overall, I was disappointed by this wine.

*was not paired with food