Dibon Cava- Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada

Name: Dibon Cava
Variety: Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada
Region:Catalonia
Country: Spain
Year:-
Price: 9.95

Winery review:  88 points – Wine Enthusiast 
Made from 45% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada, the nose offers regal yeast and richness, while the palate has complexity to prop up apple, citrus and grapefruit flavors. Solid from front to back, with health and freshness. Cava, Catalan sparkling wine, is made mostly in the regions of Penedes, and the capital of cava is Sant Sadurni d´Anoia. Dibon is located in Vilafranca del Penedes, aproximately 20 Km from Sant Sadurni. The Dibon vineyard is in the process of becoming fully organic. It consists of 75 hectares of trellised vines 1000 feet above the Mediterranean Sea.

My review: I thought this wine was pretty good. It had nice apple and pear aromas to it. It was also not too sweet and had a nice acidity to it. Overall pretty good.

Marques de Caceres Verdejo

Name: Marques de Caceres
Variety: Verdejo
Region: Rueda
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: 9.95

Winery review: 
Vivid straw colour. Fresh, clean and intense bouquet enlivened by notes of citrus fruit with a depth of pears and apples. Deliciously fresh and full in the mouth where racy, focused flavours deliver notes of minerals, lemon rind and green apples. Good length and a refreshing finish. Has all the character of the best from its appellation.

My review: I thought this wine was extremely average. Not only was it a basic wine, the aftertaste was like cleaning supplies. The acidity was nice though, which I thought was the only positive. I honestly could not taste the citrus or apple notes. Overall, an average wine, however it could just be my personal taste since white wines have been fading away from my palette.

Breca Tovana - Old Vine Garnacha

Name: Breca Tovana
Variety: Old Vine Garnacha
Region: Munebrega
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: 8.95

Winery review:
Gnarled vines, grown without irrigation, are a mainstay of Spain’s winemaking tradition and produce small clusters of perfectly ripe Garnacha grapes. Aromas of blackberries, plums, and cherries fill the glass and develop into luscious flavors of black stone fruit. Long, supple tannins complete this extraordinary wine.

My review: This wine was probably my favorite out of the reds. It was very dry and tannic and it went down smoothly. I got a hint of oak wood which I actually enjoyed. It was a very strong and rich red wine which I enjoy. I would recommend this to very dry red wine fans.

Rare Red - Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Petite Verdot, Merlot

Name: Rare Red
Variety: Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Petite Verdot, Merlot
Region:California
Country: Germany
Year:-
Price: 9.95

Winery review: 
A multi-vintage blend of Zinfandel, Petite Verdot, Petite Syrah, and Merlot that is full-bodied and fruit forward with a spicy and complex finish. This wine has been partially barrel aged for eight months in American and French oak.

My review: This red wine was nice. It was dry and had a smooth finish. Similar traits to the other red wine such as hints of oak. It was like an average red wine to me. Had all of the basic red wine traits such as, supple tannins, dry, oaky, spicy. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Jam Jar - Sweet White

Name: Jam Jar
Variety: Sweet white
Region: South Africa
Country: South Africa
Year: 2014
Price: 8.95

Winery review: 
This charming, easy-drinking Moscato offers flavors of peach, apricot, lychee and orange blossom. A lively jolt of acidity keeps it fresh and fruity. Fancy enough for a special occasion toast, yet sweet-natured enough to enjoy every day, our bright and cheerful sweet wines are sure to capture your heart.

My review: This smelled like straight Febreeze. I actually thought the smell was better than the taste of the wine actually. The sweetness was just a right amount which I appreciated. It had hints of peach and other fruits. It was refreshing and had a nice acidity to it. Overall, it was a tasty sweet wine!

Hahn Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling

Name: Hahn Piesporter Michelsberg
Variety: Riesling
Region: Piesport
Country: Germany
Year: 2013
Price: 9.95

Winery review: This wine’s light, airy mouthfeel belies its sweetness and intensity of flavor. Honeyed pineapple aromas; similar flavors on the palate, adding gentle citrus notes toward the long, sweet finish.


My review: This was probably my favorite tasting of the day. Rieslings are usually too sweet for my taste however this one was nice. It had a light, slightly sweet, crisp and refreshing taste. It was slightly chilled which I always like most of my wines to be. I could also taste the subtle hint of citrus and tropical aromas. Overall, this riesling was pretty good!

Tres Ojos Garnacha

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha Calatayud
Variety: 15% Tembranillo, 85% Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: 6.95

Winery review: 88 points – Robert Parker"The 2012 Tres Ojos Garnacha contains 15% Tempranillo (I wonder why), and unoaked cuvée of 200,000 bottles that matures in vat for at least seven months before bottling. What I tasted was a very honest, fresh and fruit-driven red with aromas of cherries, garrigue and thyme with a medium-bodied palate, some weight and tannins that would do better with food. This is a red that sells for a song.”

My review: I thought this red wine was good. It had a sharp, pungent aroma. It was dry and had bold flavors of cherry, dark berries and left a tannic aftertaste. Had some interesting aromas, and flavors that were odd and difficult to describe but overall I thought it was a great meal wine. 

Torre Castillo Cosecha Monastrell

Name: Torre Castillo Cosecha Monastrell
Variety: Monastrell
Region: Jumilla
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: 7.95

Winery review: 89 points - Stephen Tanzer 100% Monastrell, aged in American oak for four months. Bright ruby. Powerful, spicy aromas of dark berry preserves and lavender. Fleshy and round on the palate, offering spicy blackberry and blueberry flavors and gaining sweetness with air. Finishes smooth, long and slightly warm.


My review: This wine was delicious. It had nice aromas of dark fruit and in my opinion tasted a hint of 90% dark chocolate, without the crayon texture. It had a really smooth finish and was very dry. Would probably pair well with chocolate or a red meat.

Terre di Poggio Laude

Name: Terre di Poggio Laude
Variety: Pecorino
Region: Terre di Chieti
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: 8.95

Winery review: Bright and savory, this floral scented Pecorino offers juicy tropical fruit and lemon drop sensations accented by notes of mint and thyme. The ripe fruit is balanced by brisk acidity that leaves the palate feeling cleansed and refreshed.

My review: I really enjoyed this wine! It was very crisp and refreshingly acidic as it was served slightly chilled. The citrus was very noticeable and it was my favorite component. If you are looking for a crisp, zesty, and easy wine to drink, I would definitely recommend this!

Chateau Suau Bordeaux Rose

Name: Chateau Suau Bordeaux Rose
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: 7.95

Winery review: 88 points - Stephen Tanzer100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Light, lurid pink. Tangerine, raspberry and white pepper on the fragrant nose. Juicy and focused in the mouth, offering zesty red berry flavors with a refreshingly bitter edge. Closes clean and tight, with lingering spiciness and a touch of orange zest.

My review: I thought this rose was pretty good but not the best I have had. It let out really nice aromas such as raspberry and strawberries. It reminded me of a pinot gris which I am really not a fan of. It had a nice acidity to the palette but overall, I think it could have been better. Overall, an okay rose.

Tasting - Sean Minor Pinot Noir Rose

Name: Sean Minor Pinot Noir Rose
Variety: Pinot Noir Rose
Region: Carneros, CA
Country:US
Year: 2013
Price: 8.95

Winery review: The Vin Gris is a bright and vibrant salmon color with cherry, strawberry, cranberry and ripe watermelon aromas on the nose. On entry, the wine displays bright strawberry flavors. Throughout the mid-palate and finish, raspberry and cherry fruit characters are balanced with spicy and crisp acidity that linger creating a refreshing and lengthy finish.


My review: This was my favorite tasting of the day and I had to buy one before I left. It had delicious vibrant aromas of cherry, strawberry and I could even get a hint of watermelon. The color is a beautiful light pinkish yellow and the packaging is slick which I could appreciate. It had the perfect acidity and sweetness to a rose. I chilled the wine and it had a crisp and refreshing feel. This is the perfect wine to drink when you are feeling between a pinot noir and a light semi-sweet wine that is not overpowering.

Tasting - Terre di Poggio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Name: Terre di Poggio
Variety: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Laude
Region: Abruzzo
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: 9.95

Winery review: This opens with dark aromas of leather, tobacco, cured meat, plum and prune. It shows soft tannins and loads of dark fruit on the finish.


My review: This wine had an interesting aroma and aftertaste. Sort of soapy but not horrible. It had some good components to it though, such as the nice dry and smooth finish, the dark fruity aromas when aerating it in the mouth. Overall, it was an average wine in my opinion.

Tasting - Grande Reserve des bastides

Name: Grande Reserve
Variety: des Bastides
Region: Gaillac
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: 9.95

Winery review: A crisp and fruity blend featuring 20% of the herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc, 50% creamy Loin de l’Oeil and notes of fresh apple and crisp pear, plus a touch of herb from the 30% Mauzac. It has a bright feel, with a hint of mineral on the finish.

My review: This was very acidic, however I have noticed that many of my weekly wine tastings that I start off with usually complain about the bitterness. The palate is usually the most sensitive to these first tastings. So this wine might have had a medium acidity to it, however I thought it was overly acidic. It had a very nice aroma to it with the fresh apples, pears and a crisp feel. Overall, I enjoyed the chilled component, and thats basically it. It was too bitter and not my type of wine.

Tasting - Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone

Name: Charles Thomas
Variety: Cotes du Rhone
Region: Rhone 
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: 8.95

Winery review: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre. 56 Ha grown organically since March 2009 (in conversion). Part of the vineyard is plowed with horses. Average age of the vines : 30 years old. Clear ruby wine with overtones of red berry fruits. Round and supple with smooth aftertaste. A good all round red wine for meat courses, poultry and light cheeses. Best drunk now while fresh with good keeping up to 4 years.


My review: Cotes du Rhone was fantastic! It had a beautiful maroon color, had sweet aromas of berries, and had a very smooth finish which resulted in the perfect touch of sweetness. The aftertaste left a soft tannin finish and was not too dry. I really enjoyed this wine!