Tasting - Crane Lake Riesling

Name: Crane Lake Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Punchy lime and lemon mark this off-dry Riesling with a staccato rhythm, adding edge to honeyed tones of peach and honeysuckle. Exceptionally priced, it's satisfying and elegant.

My Review: I did not like this wine very much at all. I found it to be very sweet with the honey and honeysuckle coming through strong, giving it a candied taste. The fruit came out on the nose and in the palate. I would not drink this wine again however, due to how sweet I found it.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Crane Lake Petite Sirah

Name: Crane Lake Petite Sirah
Variety: Sirah
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Shows a certain rustic simplicity now, with youthfully jammy flavors of blackberries, cherries and currants, sprinkled with cocoa and pepper and wrapped into dusty tannins.

My Review: This wine was very good one to try. There were dark berries and currant on the nose. It was dry with a smooth mouthfeel and good finish. The cocoa and pepper were an unexpected but enjoyable surprise on the palate.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Yellowtail Reserve Merlot

Name: Yellowtail Reserve Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Region: South Eastern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: $12

Winery Review: Round, velvety and mouth-filling, this is a satisfying Merlot at a bargain price. Aromas of black cherries and herbs fold in hints of cinnamon and mocha, while the flavors are generally fruity, but with a slightly tomatoey note. Soft on the finish. Drink now.

My Review: I did not find this to be a "drink now" wine as the previous review stated. I usually really enjoy merlots and did not find this one to live up to it's counterparts. I did get the dark berries and a woody scent on the nose. I thought there to be a bit of a menthol palate along with dark fruits. I also found it to be very tannic. It was not my favorite of the tasting.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Takutai Pinot Gris

Name: Takutai Pinot Gris
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Nelson
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009
Price: $21

Winery Review: Since this wine weighs in at 14%, the fruit was clearly very ripe. That ripeness is reflected in the flavors as well, which feature nectarine and honey accented by hints of white pepper. It's full bodied and lush, with a long finish that mingles the sensations of sweet and spicy.

My Review: On the nose there was bold fruit. When I tasted it, it reminded me of a sharp cheese on the palate and a bit of a smokey finish which is probably the white pepper coming out. I enjoyed this one though not as much as the first in this week's tasting.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Mars and Venus Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Mars and Venus Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $10

Winery Review: Citrus and gooseberry aromas are mild but typical of the variety. A basic citrus palate delivers modest tangerine and nectarine flavors which lead to a mild, pithy finish showing light citric notes.

My Review: I really enjoyed this one. I found it very fresh and light. I detected a fruity tropical nose with what I thought to be pear as well. There was a fruity palate along with being dry and not sweet which is what I found to be most enjoyable. There was also a great finish. I would definitely drink this again.

I did not try this with food

Tasting - Opera Prima Pink Moscato

Name: Opera Prima Pink Moscato
Variety: 97% Muscat, 3% Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Price: $10

Winery Review: A blend of Muscat 97% and Tempranillo 3%. This fine sparkling presents an intense aroma of fresh berries and tropical fruits with hints of white flower petals. Delicate bubbles caress the palate offering a silky and pleasant sweetness well balanced by a crisp, refreshing finish. Ideal on its own, as an aperitif or with all types of sweets and desserts. Serve it very cold, between 7 and 9°.

My Review: The aroma of this wine was very fruity and floral. It was very sweet with a refreshing bubbly mouthfeel. I enjoy pink moscatos when drinking for fun but find I am growing out of them. I enjoyed the fuller bodied and dryer wines but this one was very refreshing and sweet. 

I did not try food with this.

Tasting - Cortenova Primitivo

Name: Cortenova Primitivo
Variety: Primitivo
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Price: $10
Year: 2012

Winery Review: Dark, ruby-red color with violet highlights. Intense and fragrant bouquet with a rich array of red and black fruit aromas and flavors. Harmonious and velvety on the palate. Great balance and structure.

My Review: Both on the nose and in the taste were dark fruits that came out. It was very smooth in the mouthfeel and had a great finish with more fruit coming out. The bouquet is strong and stands out and the taste really backs it up.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Riebeek Cellars Shiraz

Name: Riebeek Cellars Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Swartland
County: South Africa
Price: $12
Year: 2013

Winery Review: Often referred to as Shiraz Country, the Riebeek Valley is renowned for exceptional Shiraz wines. The Riebeek Shiraz is a lively rich wine, full bodied with a subdued smokiness on the nose and a palate of ripe fruit and interesting spice.

My Review: This one I found very interesting. I got the woodsy, smokiness on the nose. The spice came out in the palate along with a little fruit. I almost found the nose and palate a little contradicting but enjoyed the fuller body and finish of this wine.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Petrucco Ribolla Gialla

Name: Petrucco Ribolla Gialla
Variety: Ribolla Gialla
Region: Friuli
Country: Italy
Price: $21
Year: 2009

Winery Review: This well-priced Friulano would pair nicely with spicy Indian or Thai food thanks to the creaminess and richness of its mouthfeel. In addition, the wine offers a solid bouquet of peach and melon that would not compete with fragrant ingredients. 100% Ribolla Gialla

My Review: This was a fuller body wine that was still light. The mouthfeel was very nice and smooth. I detected aromas of sweet fruit like peach on the nose. It was also my first time trying a Ribolla Gialla and I found it rather enjoyable.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Le Jade Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Le Jade Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Languedoc
Country: France
Price: $10
Year: 2013

Winery Review: Silvery straw color. Lively aromas and flavors of pineapple, yellow apple, melon, and Meyer lemon with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body with a tingling, complex medium-long finish with notes of lemongrass, pear, and lemon with not tannins and no oak. Bright and crisp with layers of juicy pineapple, pear, lemongrass and ripe melon make this perfect for repeated sipping or enhancing fresh farm to table cookery.

My Review: There was fruitiness along with some tropical aromas on the nose. It was very light and fruity and I did detect the bit of dryness within it. A great wine for casual drinking or with light salads or seafood.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Coastal Vines White Zinfandel

Name: Coastal Vines White Zinfandel
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: USA
Price: $6.95
Year: 2013

Winery Review: This White Zinfandel has a beautiful pink salmon color and crisp acidity. The wine shows juicy flavors of strawberry and cherry, with a tangy sweet finish. Can pair well with mild cheeses, crab cakes, and spicy Asian cuisine.

My Review: I really enjoyed this wine. There was floral and fruity scent on the nose. Sweet on the tongue and a taste like a watermelon jolly rancher. I think it would be great with vanilla ice cream.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Ilurce Tempranillo

Name: Ilurce Tempranillo
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Rioja
County: Spain
Price: $14
Year: 2008

Winery Review: Dark purple. Zesty, youthfully medicinal aromas of dark berries, licorice and cracked pepper. Juicy and fresh, with smooth texture and sweet cherry and spice flavors framed by dusty tannins. Finishes with a suggestion of slightly roasted fruits and good clinging persistence. Delivers a lot of power and richness for the money. 88 points - Stephen Tanzer.

My Review: This came with a very earthy scent, almost similar to a moldy cork but in a good way. It was dry with good tannin structure. I definitely detected with roasted fruits as described above.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - San Elias Carmenere

Name: San Elias Carmenere
Variety: Carmenere
Region: Colchagua Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2014
Price: $9

Winery Review: This medium-bodied red offers roasted plum, kirsch, sage and game notes, with light tannins supporting the spicy finish.

My Review: On the nose, I got a bit of something similar to garlic butter. There was an earthy and woody taste with a good burnt toast taste as well. The finish was bone dry.

I did not try this with wine.

Tasting - Riebeek Chenin Blanc

Name: Riebeek Chenin Blanc
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Riebeek Valley
Country: South Africa
Year: 2014
Price $10

Winery Review: Fresh kiwi fruit, crisp apple, and almond notes bounce along, showing a flash of plantain on the friendly finish. Drink now.

My Review: Citrusy scent with a citrus and somewhat faint floral taste. Very smooth on the tongue. To me it tasted similar to a pineapple gummy bear with the tropical fruit tasted on the tongue.

I did not try this with food.

Tasting - Santa Luz Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Santa Luz Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Calle Central
Country: Chile
Year: 2011
Price: $11

Winery Review: Like any good Sauvignon Blanc, this opens with oceanic aromas of citrus fruits, sea foam and minerality. In the mouth, it is juicy and stoney, with washing acidity. Flavors of honeydew, lime and a nice grassiness finish firm, with good backbone. Drink this with salads, shellfish and ceviche.

My Review: I enjoyed this one very much. On the nose, there was a crisp citrus scent with hints of butter as well. I found it very smooth, buttery, and citrusy in the mouth. I also tasted hints of some tropical fruit as well.

I did not try this food.