Tasting - Atlas Cumbres Torrentes

Name: Atlas Cumbres Torrentes
Variety: 100% Torrentes
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Yellow color with greenish nuances. Very intense aroma of fresh grapes, flower perfume and mature peaches. Fresh in the mouth. Light and easy to drink. Ideal with seafood, Thai and Chinese food.

My Review: This wine has a peach and honey aroma. Upon tasting, there was surprisingly less flavor than expected. It was mainly acidic and bland without much fruit flavor.


I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Toso Moscato

Name: Toso Moscato
Variety: 100% Moscato
Region: Piedmont

Country: Italy
Year: N/A
Price: $9.95

Winery Review: This Moscato is reminiscent of honeysuckle and rose petal. The quality is equivalent to a top level Asti Spumante DOCG. Sweet sparkling wines optained from a careful selection of the Moscato grapes. It has a pale straw yellow color with fine foam and bubbles. Tropical fruit flavors, refreshing. Excellent to match desserts, fruits and dried pastries.

My Review: This wine had a very fruity and sugary nose. After tasting, it had strong flavors of grape fruit and sparkling grape juice. It was slightly dry on the finish which helped to balanced the sweetness and was overall quite good.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Avery Quinn Chardonnay

Name: Avery Quinn Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Napa Valley, California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: The 2011 vintage marks a return to form for this great value Chardonnay. The aromas feature creamy, mellow, golden apple, pineapple, fresh butter and a touch of vanilla. Then rich, ripe flavors of yellow pear, pineapple, fresh apple, cream and buttered toast swell up and fill your mouth before a juicy, apple and caramel inflected finish makes your mouth water.

My Review: This wine had a nice pineapple and apple aroma with slight vanilla. After tasting, there was definitely a butter toast flavor through the front and middle and it finished slightly dry. I did not get a lot of fruit flavors since the butter overtook them for me.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Decoy Chardonnay

Name: Decoy Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma County, California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $28.00

Winery Review: Enticing citrus zest, orange blossom and guava aromas with hints of banana cream pie and spicy oak. The palate is soft and velvety offering vibrant citrus flavors intermingled with rich tropical fruit. Excellent acidity adds length and brightness to a satisfying finish.

My Review: This wine had nice aromas of peach and other summer fruits. After tasting, it was very smooth with fruit flavors on the front and a light acidic finish that balanced the wine. It was also medium-bodied giving it more substance.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Decoy Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Decoy Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Sonoma County, California
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $28.00

Winery Review: Vibrant and fruit-foward expression of Sauvignon Blanc with abundant aromas of pineapple, honeydew, lime leaves and lemon zest. The fruit continues on the palate which is full and round with ripe melon flavors and bright refreshing acidity. It lingers in your mouth before ending with a hint of citrus zest.

My Review: This wine had strong aromas of lemon and lime. After tasting it was quite acidic and somewhat thin bodied. There were hints of citrus on the finish, but the acidity somewhat overpowered these flavors.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Gougenheim Torrentes

Name: Gouguenheim
Variety: 100% Torrentes
Region: Chilecito, La Rioja
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $9.95

Winery Review: It has a light floral nose with touches of lemon peel and nectarine. The palate is crisp and taut, showing far more vivacity and fruit than the nose implied, finishing with a flourish of apricot and white peach.

My Review: This wine had a light floral nose with not much fruit aromas. Upon tasting, there was not much flavor and it was dry and acidic. It was also more thin bodied than expected.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Santa Julia Pinot Grigio

Name: Santa Julia
Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Light and clean, which compared to other Argentine Pinot Grigios is not something to dismiss. Feels solid and punchy, with orange and mango flavors. Has nice overall clarity and balance, with citrusy finish.

My Review: This wine had a nice floral and orange, citrus aroma. After tasting, citrus flavors of orange and grapefruit were present to the finish. It had a light acidic finish that balanced the fruit.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Manfred Breit Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Kabinett

Name: Manfred Breit Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Kabinett
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: Mosel Saar Ruwer
Country: Germany
Year: 2012
Price: $14.95

Winery Review: The Breit family has been producing wines since 1654. Their name, their quality, and their dedication have survived numerous wars, as well as economic and family upheavals over the ensuing 350 years. In 1970 Manfred Breit took over the business from his father. Since 1989, his son Holger Breit has been steadily learning the business, including achieving recognition as a Master Wine Grower. This practical training assures the Breit family will continue its long tradition of producing fine wines with distinguished quality.

My Review: This Riesling had a very fruity and sugary aroma. Despite being a Kabinett, there were nice flavors of peaches and other sweet fruits. It was very smooth with some light acidity to balance the wine. This was one of the better Rieslings I have tried.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Picket Fence Chardonnay

Name: Picket Fence Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $14.95

Winery Review: Citrus blossom, hints of ripe stone fruit, creme brulee, and a bright balanced acidity. I imagine this rich Chardonnay paired with a lobster risotto garnished with slivers of citrus peel, thyme and white pepper. Or a simple roast chicken, coated with herbes de Provence, sea salt and a light dusting of freshly grated nutmeg instead of black pepper.

My Review: This wine had a buttery and citrus aroma. However, despite a buttery aroma, it was fairly light in flavor with a smooth start and a light acidic finish. While it had the aroma of an oaked Chardonnay, it did not taste like one.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Casas del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc

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

Winery Review: Gorgeous notes, pungent and complex with layers of aromas that transfer into the palate. Notes of gooseberry, key lime and herbs and jalapeno pepper hints give way to grapefruit and more tropical fruit richness, followed up with a touch of minerality. The palate gushes with pink grapefruit, gauva and a sweet, tart interplay that is fresh and vibrant. This has exceptional length and for the price this is a screamer. It is reported that Casa de Bosque makes one of Casablanca's best Sauvignon Blanc and supplies Sauvignon Blanc grapes to some well known wineries with big names who know this to be true. Exceptional value, this wine has great purity and vibrancy that gushes with crisp fruit, with a finish you could keep time with.

My Review: This wine had a very unique aroma. There were smells of grapefruit, herb, grass and basil. After tasting, there was an interesting jalepeno pepper flavor. It wasn't spicy but it had a peppery taste. It was also very smooth with little acidity which made it easy to drink.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Alvaro Domecq Cream Sherry

Name:Alvaro Domecq Cream Sherry
Variety: 100% Palomino
Region: Jerez
Country: Spain
Year: N/A
Price: $15.95

Winery Review: The soleras at Alvaro Domecq date back to 1800, when Antonio Maria de Aranda started a bodega in Jerez. His son, Fermin Aranda, a famous medical doctor, inherited the business which subsequently became "Fermin Aranda". Fermin, in turn, passed the bodega on to his daughter, Pilar Aranda, who inherited the business in 1946. She was a very successful Almacenista, holding her own in a man's world and producing outstanding wines and vinegars. Almacenistas (from "almancenar", which means to store) are very rare now, but in former times were a major part of the sherry trade. They aged wines in their cellars and then sold them on to the shipping bodegas. In those days, Fermin Aranda tended to sell their wines to Gonzalez Byass.

My Review:This fortified wine had a very strong butterscotch and honey aroma. After tasting, there were strong flavors of butterscotch and some flavors of wood varnisha and nuts. While smooth, it was a very strong flavor that I did not like.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Foxglove Chardonnay

Name: Foxglove Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Central Coast, California

Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $15.95

Winery Review: A beauty, as well as an absurd value. Very clean and lively, with classic chardonnay notes of juiced apple, citrus and minerality. It is clean and focused on the palate with the richness of the variety, yet also beautiful precision and focus. Class and well made without any apparent oak.

My Review: This wine had a nice medium body but oddly smelled of seaweed. After tasting, there was light fruit flavors of apple and it was very smooth. There was almost no acidity on the finish but it was not buttery.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Moulin de Gassac Blanc

Name: Moulin de Gassac Blanc
Variety: 40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Clairette
Region: Languedoc
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $9.95

Winery Review: Variously described as "Lafite in the Languedoc", "the only Grand Cru of the Midi" and "exceptional", Mas de Daumas Gassac has consistently been the Languedoc glod standard for the past four decades. The 80-hectare, organically farmed estate is located deep in the sultry Midi, but enjoys a temperate microclimate as a result of altitude, which gives the wines a lovely deftness of touch. Try with coconut fish curry, penne al pesto, seafood gratin or cheese souffle.

My Review: This wine had a very fruity and floral aroma. However upon tasting, the fruit did not come out too much and it had a dry and somewhat bitter finish. It actually had some herbal flavor instead of fruit flavor.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Jam Jar Sweet White

Name: Jam Jar Sweet White
Variety: 100% Moscato
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Soft floral hints add depth to the otherwise straightfoward 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: This was a very sugary and fruity wine. On the nose, there were some nectarine aromas with lots of sugar and some floral aspects. After tasting, it was sugary and fruity as expected but it did have a slightly dry finish which provided balance and kept it from being overly sweet.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Peter Lehmann Chardonnay

Name: Peter Lehmann Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Barossa Valley
Country: Australia
Year:2010
Price: $20.00

Winery 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.

My Review: This Chardonnay had an aroma that was similar to Riesling. There were smells of apple and pear which were nice. After tasting, there was nice fruit flavor on the front with a bitter finish to balance.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

Name: Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
Variety: 100% Macabeo
Region: Castilla
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value.

My Review: This wine had an acidic, citrus aroma. After tasting, there was a very light fruit flavor with some acidity on the finish. Overall, A fairly average wine where nothing really stood out.

I did not have this wine with food. 

Tasting - R Wines Eco Love Reisling

Name: Eco Love Riesling
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: South Island
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009
Price: $18.00

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 Riesling was definitely unique compared to other Rieslings from Germany and Alsace. The wine had a nice white peach and apple aroma. After tasting, these flavors came through throughout the wine and had a slightly dry finish that provided a nice balance.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay/ Semillon

Name: Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon
Variety: 80% Chardonnay, 20% Semillon
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95








Winery Review: 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: This wine had a very sugary and honey like aroma. Taste wise, I did not get much out of this wine, it seemed thin to me and only had an acidic finish with little flavor.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - Indwe Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Indwe Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Elim
Country: South Africa
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Grapes are meticulously sourced from our grape producers along the coastal region of the Western Cape ensuring complexity and freshness in the wine. Indwe Sauvignon Blanc is full of layers, balance and persistence. The wine is imbued with tropical and citrus notes, with hints of melon and gooseberry flavors.

My Review: This wine had a very grassy and parsley smell for me with slight citrus aromas. After tasting, it was very light with an acidic, bitter finish and not a lot of flavors.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - McPherson Albarino

Name: McPherson Albarino
Variety: 100% Albarino
Region: Lubbock, Texas
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $16.95

Winery Review: Texas Albarino which strikes the perfect balanced of crisp fruit aromas and flavors. Exotic scents of peach, mango, pear and apple are married with the rich and velvety texture that this wine has to offer.

My Review: This wine had a nice peach and mango aroma. After tasting, this wine had the fruit flavor last throughout and was very smooth. There was a very slight acidity at the finish but it was very mild.

I did not have this wine with food.