Tasting-Crane Lake White Zinfandel

Name: Crane Lake White Zinfandel
Variety: 100% Zinfandel         

Region: California
Country: United States

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 a wide variety of foods ranging from crab cakes to spicy Asian dishes, glazed ham, and grilled sea bass.
My Review: I have always been a fan of Zin but this Crane Lake version is one of the more refreshing and delicious White Z's I've ever had. It is rosy pink in color and reminded me of summer, with a sweet and refreshing floral scent specifically rose or honeysuckle. The flavor was the perfect blend of juicy and tart strawberry and I was also reminded of homey cherry or rhubarb pie flavors. I will be purchasing this bottle in the near future!
Food?:  did not pair with food.

Tasting-Vina Galana Alicante Bouchet

Name: Vina Galana Alicante Bouchet
Variety: 100% Alicante Bouchet                

Region: Spain
Country: Spain

Year: 2012
Price: Regular $15, Sale $9.95

Winery Review: From the rare Alicante Bouchet, one of the few grapes in the world with red flesh this wine has a plush texture carrying flavors of brandied cherry and chocolate ganache in this round red. Light tannins and gentle acidity impart a lovely, balanced texture.
My Review: Deep red in color. I received a smell of blueberry but there was again a overpowering rubbing alcohol smell that encompassed my nasal passage making it not the most desirable aroma. I tasted a tart apple apple flavor, but also found hints of vegetable such broccoli with a spicy finish.
Food?:  did not pair with food.

Tasting-Tonnino Syrah

Name: Tonnino Syrah
Variety: 100% Syrah                  

Region: Sicily
Country: Italy

Year: 2013
Price: Regular $14, Sale $7.95

Winery Review: An intense red color. Aromas of violet and blackburrant enriched by hints of licorice and black pepper. In the mouth it is full, round, slightly tannic and with a spicy note on the finish.
My Review: a nice ruby hue. Aromas of candy apple, licorice, pomegranate and blueberry. Full bodied taste that left a bitter and puckering finish with hints of tart raspberry.
Food?:  did not pair with food.

Tasting-Riebeek Cellars Viognier

Name:  Riebeek Cellars Viognier
Variety: 100% Viognier                     

Region: Swartland, South Africa 
Country: Africa

Year: 2015
Price: Regular $12, Sale $7.95

Winery Review: A luscious Viognier, featuring a deep yellow color that explodes with juicy peach and honeysuckle flavors. Viognier can easily become flabby, but this one keeps it's figure within bounds. Recommend for immediate, lip smacking enjoyment -Washington Post.
My Review: Straw yellow in color. I did not enjoy the aroma of this Viognier as I had trouble getting past a strong alcohol smell filling my nose. Within the flavor I was initially reminded of sweet apricot and peach, but as the aftertaste came in to play I received an acidic and metallic finish.
Food?:  did not pair with food.

Tasting-Dom Michel Thomas

Name: Dom Michel Thomas Sancerre Rose
Variety: %100 Pinot Noir                 

Region: Loire   
Country: France

Year: 2013
Price: Regular $32; Sale $8.95

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 pit flavors and rose pastille. A floral element comes on the finish, and lingers with spicy persistence. Stephen Tanzer-90.
My Review: In the nose I noticed a sweet and juicy peach aroma so sweet I was reminded of a peach Dum-Dum lollipop or white grape juice. Dry on the palate, bitter and citrusy with hints of juicy white grape and an underlying asparagus flavor.
Food?:  did not pair with food.

Tasting- Leese-Fitch Merlot

Name: Lees-Fitch Merlot
Variety: 81% Merlot, 9% Syrah, 5% Grenache, 3 % Zinfandel, 2% Barbera                      

Region: Sonoma, California       
Country: United States

Year: 2014
Price: $11.99

Winery Review: Dark ruby in color this wine showcases complex aromas of raspberry, dark cherry, hints of thyme, cedar, and spearmint. On the palate fruit flavors dominate with cherry preservers, blueberry pie, plum, cranberry sauce, orange rind, coconut and basil. 
My Review: Full-bodied aroma of various blends of dark tart fruit and orange. Flavors of blueberry, cherry, rhubarb, and plum. Very smooth and low in tannins. 
Food?:  did not pair with food.

Tasting- St. Kilda Chardonnay

Name: Kilda Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay                        

Region: Melbourne         
Country: Australia 

Year: 2014
Price: $11.29

Winery Review: A light wine, pale straw in color. The wine offers fresh stone fruit flavors and aromas of nutty oak.
My Review: Aromas of tropical fruits with hints of sweet peach. A citrus taste with lemon and orange flavors on the palate. Very smooth and light finish. This wine would pair well with white fish. 
Food?:  did not pair with food.

Tasting- Peter Mertes Platinum Reisling

Name: Peter Mertes Platinum Reisling 2013 Magnum
Variety: Reisling                           

Region: Rheinhessen            

Country: Germany

Year: 2013
Price: $18.00

Winery Review: Light bodied slightly sweet white wine. Medium pale slightly greenish-yellow. Inviting fresh, white peach aroma and flavors. Flavors develop in the glass
My Review: The nose had sweet hints of pear, peach, and white grape while the taste was slightly acidic but refreshing with notes of tart strawberry. A very enjoyable Riesling! 
Food?:  did not pair with food.

Tasting-Crane Lake Petite Sirah

Name: Crane Lake Petite Sirah
Variety: Petite Sirah                                

Region: Lodi

Country: California

Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: There is noting "petite" about this wine between the inky dark colors to the bouquet loaded with tons of blackberry fruit and a hint of exotic spice. It fills your mouth with velvety soft tannins. 
My Review: Aromas of dark and jammy fruits fill the nose, while cherry, crisp apple, and dark berries encompass the pallet giving it a tart, puckering flavor with a hint of sweetness. One of my more favorite wines in the tasting. 
Food?:  did not pair with food.

Tasting-Le Lejania Chardonnay

Name: Le Lejania Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Central Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2015
Price: $10.00

Winery Review: A refined and suave style, with an array of white fruit and cream flavors. Ripe citrus and pear notes fill the finish.
My Review: In the nose I could smell a yellow and white fruit essence such as apricot, melon, and peach. The taste was bitter, acidity, and packed a good deal of heat. I noticed the heat in all 3 areas of my palate and had a hard time overcoming this sensation to taste the flavors beneath.
Food?:  did not pair with food.

Tasting-Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet

Name: Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet
Variety: Blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, and Petite Sirah

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013
Price: $11.99

Winery Review: The different blends provide distinct characteristics and depth of flavor. The Zinfandel lends ripe and jammy red fruits, the Merlot offers hints of blueberry and chocolate, while the Petite Sirah adds a creamy mocha finish. The blend was aged on an oak regime, contributing to the creaminess
My Review: The first note I made from the aroma was a scent of dark fruit such as blackberry and dark cherry. There was also a more mild and warm smelling choclatey sweetness. The initial taste was bold with berry flavors igniting. After noting the after taste I could sense a creaminess which I correlated to something buttery such as coffee creamer. There was a lot going on with this wine and there were some notes that I was unsure of, but pairing with a pasta dish helped to bring out more of the creamy flavors. 

Food?:  Paired with fettucine and bison meat sauce.