Tasting - "Crane Lake Gewurtztraminer"

Name - Crane Lake Gewurtztraminer 2013
Variety - Gewurtztraminer
Region - --
Country - California
Year - 2013
Price - $5.95

Wine Store Review - Vintage Cellar
Slightly high-toned notions of rose petal mingle with lemon on the nose and palate of this lightly sweet, richly textured yet balanced Gewurztraminer. 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 - This smelled of sweet roses and honeysuckle. It really smelled like it was going to taste like a Moscato, but actually tasted like a Pinot Grigio. It wasn't too sweet, the kind of sweet that makes you pucker. It had a good finish, not a bad aftertaste. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - "Codirosso Chianti 2014"

Name - Codirosso Chianti 2014
Variety - Chianti
Region - Tuscany
Country - Italy
Year - 2014
Price - $13.00, Sale - $7.95

Wine Store Review - Vintage Cellar
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 - Beautiful violet, ruby color. Black cherry, black currant, black raspberry (which I just learned was a real thing from Wine Library TV this week) and a hint of moldy cheese/sock were the smells I got from this wine. It really didn't have as much taste as I was hoping for but it was a good balance between spicy and sweet. Definitely could taste the oak as well. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - "Indwe Pinotage"

Name - Indwe Pinotage
Variety - Pinotage
Region - South Africa
Country - Africa
Year - 2014
Price - $12.00, Sale - $5.95

Wine Critic Review - Robert Parker
"A disclaimer: I have never cared much for Pinotage, the indigenous South African grape variety, but this 2014 Pinotage from Indwe, named after the country's national bird, the blue crane, comes across like a light Pinot Nior. 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 - I loved that this wine is a "new" wine from a recently morphed grape, I think that made it even more interesting to me. I smelled raspberry, cherry, strawberry (all of the red fruits), oak and little hint of spice. It was definitely drier taste than I was expecting, but really towards the dark red, delicious fruits and had a smooth finish. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - "Palacio de Bornos Verdejo"

Name - Palacio de Bornos Verdejo
Variety - Verdejo
Region - Rueda
Country - Spain
Year - 2013
Price - $12.00, Sale - $5.95

Wine Critic Review - Wine Enthusiast - Rating: 89 points
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 - Peach, nectarine and pineapple were some strong scents present in this wine. I thought this wine would be sweeter than the last because of the smell and it definitely was, but definitely more balanced. It really tasted like a can of fruit in citrus juice. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - "Tonnino Grillo 2014"

Name - Tonnino Grillo 2014
Variety - Grillo
Region - Sicily
Country - Italy
Year - 2014
Price - $14.00, Sale - $7.95

Wine Critic Review - Wine Spectator
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 - I smelled strong hints of pear and a citrusy-grapefruit scent too. I thought it was very pungent and tangy when first touching the palate but it had a surprisingly smooth finish. Overall, I thought it was a good wine. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - "Peter Mertes Platinum Riesling 2014 Magnum"

Name - Peter Mertes Platinum Riesling 2014 Magnum
Variety - Riesling
Region - --
Country - Germany
Year - 2014
Price - $9.95

Wine Store Review - Vintage Cellar
Light-bodied slightly sweet white wine; medium pale slightly greenish yellow. Inviting fresh white peach aroma and flavors. Easy to drink and not complicated, but what's there is very pleasant, and flavors develop in the glass.

My Review - This bottle was my favorite so far, go big or go home. I smelled sweet apple, peach, honeydew and melon. It tasted mildly sweet, like sweet peaches and apples. It was very smooth and didn't linger in the mouth. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - "Crane Lake Petite Sirah"

Name - Crane Lake Petite Sirah
Variety - Petite Sirah
Region - Lodi, California
Country - United States
Year - 2013
Price - $5.95

Wine Store Review - Vintage Cellar
This wine is ruby-purple colored; notes of blackberry, plums and spice predominate the nose and flavors. The tannins give a soft, full mouth feel.

My Review - I smelled deep plum with a sweeter berry, almost strawberry jam hint too. It tasted very plummy and had a really smooth finish. It was very berry flavored and didn't have much mid palate. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - "El Cortijillo Tempranillo"

Name - El Cortijillo Tempranillo
Variety - Tempranillo
Region - La Mancha
Country - Spain
Year - 2014
Price - $5.95

Wine Store Review - Vintage Cellar
Bright purple. High-pitched red berry and floral scents display good clarity and a hint of cracked pepper. Shows a tough of jamminess to its pliant black raspberry and cherry compote flavors, with a spicy quality adding vibrancy. Finishes with good focus and no obvious tannins, leaving a sweet berry note behind.

My Review - I smelled a deep plum, blackberry scent with even a hint of raspberry and pomegranate. I thought this wine would be sweeter than it was based on the smell, but it actually turned out to be pretty bitter leaving me with a dry mouth and not much flavor.  I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - "Les Clos Francs Vouvray Chenin Blanc"

Name - Les Clos Francs Vouvray Chenin Blanc
Variety - Chenin Blanc
Region - Loire Valley
Country - France
Year - 2013
Price - $7.95

Wine Store Review - Vintage Cellar
The cool climate in the Vouvray appellation area insures good acidity, which is balanced by the distinctly fruity character of the Chenin Blanc and the mineral qualities imparted by the soil. Thanks to these natural elements, this Vouvray combines elegance and vigor with honey dipped pears and an inherent freshness.

My Review - This wine smelled so sweet like honey, pears and even a hint of citrus fruits. It tasted even better, very smooth and very pear-like. Definitely my favorite of the day. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - "La Lejania Chardonnay 2015"

Name - La Lejania Chardonnay
Variety - Chardonnay
Region - Central Valley
Country - Chile
Year - 2015
Price - $6.95

Wine Store Review - Vintage Cellar
A refined and suave style, with a rich array of white fruit and cream flavors, featuring a plush texture. Ripe citrus and pear notes fill the smooth finish.

My Review - I smelled strong pear, peach and a grapefruit citrus sweet, tangy scent. It really punched the palate and was not as smooth as I thought it would be. I definitely tasted pear and citrus and it had a good mid palate. Very smooth finish overall. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - "Yellow Tail Red Moscato Bubbles"

Name - Yellow Tail Red Moscato Bubbles Non Vintage
Variety - Red Moscato
Region - Australia
Country - Australia
Year - ----
Price - $5.95

Wine Store Review - Vintage Cellar
With a gorgeous deep pink hue, this is a wine that offers scrumptious aromas of lifted tropical fruits, ripe fresh strawberries with black currant and raspberry texture. Its flavor is a vibrant Moscato, with fresh forest fruits and strawberries and a nice dose of sweetness.

My Review - I smelled sweet fruits like peach, strawberry, plum and even a hint of honeysuckle. It was obviously very sweet and I really tasted strawberry and sweet blackberry. It almost reminded me of grape soda. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - "Beringer Smooth Red Blend"

Name - Beringer Smooth Red Blend
Variety - Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah
Region - California
Country - United States
Year - 2012
Price - $5.95

Wine Store Review - Vintage Cellar
A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Without a doubt, very smooth and uniquely balanced. Not too dry but not too sweet. Has a foundation of raspberry and blackberry that lingers on the finish. A slight hint at vanilla and some spice when it touches your tongue.

My Review - I smelled spice with deep berry scents of blackberry and cranberry. I tasted black cherry, blackberry and licorice. It didn't have as smooth of a finish but I did enjoy the spicy aftertaste. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - "Yellow Tail Cabernet Merlot"

Name - Yellow Tail Cabernet Merlot
Variety - Cabernet and Merlot Blend
Region - Australia
Country - Australia
Year - 2014
Price - $4.95

Wine Store Review - Vintage Cellar
A classic blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium-bodied and very approachable with soft tannins. Fruit-forward flavors of plum, cherry and blackberry are accented by notes of spice with more juicy berries on the finish.

My Review - I smelled deep, dark fruit flavors like black currant, black cherry, blackberry and even a hint of strawberry and apricot. It tasted slightly oaky, tart and very heavy on the berry fruit flavor. I thought it had sort of a tobacco taste on the finish but it left a good taste in your mouth. Overall a very smooth finish. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - "Be. Bright Pinot Grigio"

Name - Be. Bright Pinot Grigio
Variety - Pinot Grigio
Region - California
Country - United States
Year - 2013
Price - $5.95

Wine Store Review - Vintage Cellar
This effortless Pinot Grigio keeps things light, with sun-ripened citrus flavors and a crisp, fresh finish. An instant taste of optimism, perfect for setting a carefree mood at any occasion. Serve chilled for total deliciousness.

My Review - I smelled strong citrus fruits like grapefruit and lemon. It was a very smooth melon and sweet apple taste. It had a very unique, tarte finish. I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting - "Dynamite Sauvignon Blanc"

Name - Dynamite Sauvignon Blanc
Variety - Sauvignon Blanc
Region - Lake Country, California
Country - United States
Year - 2012
Price - $5.95

Wine Store Review - Vintage Cellar
Melon, green apple and citrus flavors are lively and refreshing, with a spicy, floral nuance.

My Review - This wine smelled like pears, melons, sweet flowers and vanilla. It was a lot sharper on the palate though, not a smooth finish like I was expecting from the sweet smells, more of a spice. It was still a good wine, but probably not my favorite Sauvignon Blanc. I did not try this wine with food.