Tasting - Daniel Cellars Dog Gone Red

Name: Daniel Cellars Dog Gone Red
Variety: Chambourcin, Riesling
Region: Barboursville, Virginia
Country: United States
Year: non-vintage
Price: $3.95

Store Review: The wine is made from Chambourcin grapes and sweetened with Riesling grape juice. This is Cooper's debut wine. Dog Gone Red is a semi-dry red wine, created especially for someone just starting to enjoy red wines. The wine is fruity and soft, with a hint of sweetness. Cooper suggests serving chilled or at room temperature.

My Review: This wine was a truly bizarre one to me, with the smell and the taste not matching up at all. On the nose it had a fairly unpleasant smell of licorice and something almost like dirt. When tasting it, however, it was quite pleasant, sweet and fruity with just a little bit of tartness.

Tasting - Carini Alicante Bouschet

Name: Carini Alicante Bouschet
Variety: Alicante Bouschet
Region: Lodi, California
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95

Store Review: Opaque ruby in color, once in the glass the nose explodes right away. Delightfully intoxicating aromas of black and blue berry fruit leap forward first, followed by notes of cherry hard candy, crushed violets, caramel, allspice, cloves, and cigar box. In your mouth, more persistent and chewy berry fruit: blue and black + lots of sour cherry and tart blackberry.

My Review: This was was very interesting, and surprised me. It has a very strong, sharp scent with dark fruit and some spiciness. When tasting it, however, it was very mellow and soft in my mouth. It was dry and had the same dark fruit flavors.
I tried it on its own with no food.

Tasting - WildLife Shiraz

Name: WildLife Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2013
Price: $4.95

Store Review: Often referred to as Shiraz Country, the Riebeek Valley is renowned for exceptional Shiraz wines. WildLife Shiraz is a lively rich wine; full-bodied with a subdued smokiness on the nose and a palate of ripe fruit and interesting spice. Well-balanced and smooth, the aftertaste lingers with the exciting flavors of chocolate and spice.

My Review: I am beginning to get the impression that I simply do not like the South African style of winemaking. Though it had a nice aroma to it, smelling smoky and of red fruits like a good classic red, it was a little strange in its taste for me. The smokiness and spiciness came across in the taste, but overall wasn't for me.
I tried this wine on its own.

Tasting - Reichsrat Von Buhl Spatburgdner Trocken

Name: Reichsrat Von Buhl Spatburgdner Trocken
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Pfalz
Country: Germany
Year: 2016
Price: $7.95

Store Review: Made from Pinot Noir saignée—has an salmon-pink dress and opens with a clear, pure and very delicate bouquet of ripe red berries (raspberries) and sweet cherries, floral aromas (rose petals) but also fresh elements. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, round and pretty rich but pure, fresh and finessed wine with intense fruit, fine tannins and a very persistent, well-structured taste. The finish is stunningly powerful, intense and aromatic but also fresh and mineral, with nice grip and even salinity notes.

My Review: This wine was nice and pleasant, with a strawberry and floral aroma that was delightful. The wine was fairly dry and tart but still had a nice fruitiness to it.
I tried this wine with no food.

Tasting - Skyfall Chardonnay

Name: Skyfall Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Country: United States
Year: 2015
Price: $9.95

Store Review: Toasted hazelnuts and Asian pear on the nose. Rich and creamy on the palate with apple, toasted almond and lingering notes of Meyer lemon and creme brulee.

My Review: I was very pleased to see a Chardonnay on the tasting list this week, as typically these are my favorites. It had a nice and fairly light flavor with apple notes and was a little bit toasty, with nice acid as well. As with most chardonnays, there was some butteriness to it.
I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Casa del Maia White Zinfandel

Name: Casa del Maia White Zinfandel
Variety: White Zinfandel
Region: Puglia
Country: Italy
Year: non-vintage

Store Review: With pretty aromas of wild berries and honeydew melon this sophisticated blush Primativo Bianco offers delicately sweet flavors of ripe strawberries, juicy peaches and watermelon, balanced by bright, refreshing acidity.

My Review: This wine was fairly sweet, as can be expected with a white zinfandel, but was still very pleasant. It had a lightness to it that kept it feeling fresh, and the sweet fruity smell nicely led into strawberry flavors.
I tried it on its own with no food.

Tasting - Anderra Carmenere

Name: Anderra Carmenere
Variety: Carmenere
Region: Valle Central
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95

Store Review:  Black currant and blackberry aromas open up to reveal bright strawberry and cherry notes, and a subtle spicy character. A touch of vanilla oak complements the fruit and the ripe, sweet finish. Pair with savory dishes, like earthy stews, spicy dishes, like braised short ribs, chile con carne, Texas ribs, or steak au poivre

My Review: This wine had a very pleasant smell to it, distinctively dark berry and oaky. The oak came across well in the taste as well, feeling nice and dry with a cherry flavor as well as being a little bit spicy. It all balanced together fairly nicely.

I tried it with no food.

Tasting - Castle Rock Sonoma Pinot Noir

Name: Castle Rock Sonoma Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Sonoma, Calfornia
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95

Store Review:  Dark ruby color. Aromas of chocolate covered berries, dates, grilled pepper, cedar, and a touch of peppered ham with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a cherry tart and dark roasted nut finish. Very tasty and well balanced.

My Review: I did not care much for this wine. It had a smell that reminded me of dark berries yet not in a particularly pleasant way, and the flavor was earthy. It had the taste of a forest floor, with something like mushroom flavors to it. If I were to drink this wine again, I would need to pair it with something to freshen it up a bit.

I tried it on its own with no food.

Tasting - Wild Life Chenin Blanc

Name: Wild Life Chenin Blanc
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2015
Price: $6.95

Store Review: Packed with upfront tropical fruit, the nose charms with an abundance of guava and gooseberries. The palate follows through with fruit flavors, balanced by a crisp acid to ensure a fresh and fruity style of wine.

My Review: This wine was an interesting one, and was harder for me to put together notes for. It did not have a particularly strong smell for me, though it was a little bit fruity. The flavor was mostly dry while still being light and fruity.
I tried this wine on its own.

Tasting - Beringer Main & Vine Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Beringer Main & Vine Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: non-vintage
Price: $5.95

Store Review: This Sauvignon Blanc has wonderful grapefruit, guava and melon aromas that lead into citrus and melon flavors. There's a slight grassy back-note with a hint of honey and a balanced acidity that leads into to a citrus finish.

My Review: This wine was nice and had a bright flavor to it, with plenty of citrus fruit flavor to it with a bit of grassiness. The finish was short and bitter, but overall it was a very pleasant wine.

I tried it with no food.

Tasting - Baci Dolci Mosto di Uve Parzialmente Fermentato Rosato

Name: Baci Dolci Mosto di Uve Parzialmente Fermentato Rosato
Variety: Garganega, Marzemino, Moscato
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: non-vintage
Price: $7.95

Store Review: Blend of 35% Garganega, 35% Marzemino, and 30% Moscato. A delicate, bubbly, pale pink wine. Fresh strawberry and cherry aromas. Light bodied with red fruit flavors and a refreshing sparkle to balance the semi-sweet finish.

My Review: As someone who is never a fan of dessert wines, this one surprised me. It smelled a little bit like raisins and apples, and when I tasted it it was of course sweet but not overwhelmingly so. It was light and refreshing and not at all syrupy, the bubbles doing a good job to freshen it up on my tongue.

I tried this wine with no food.

Tasting - Jardin de Luculo Navarra

Name: Jardin de Luculo Navarra
Variety: Garnacha
Region: Navarra
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

Store Review: There’s a lot more in the bottle of the 2012 Jardin de Luculo, which is pure Garnacha from 30-year-old vineyards fermented in concrete vats with indigenous yeasts and aged six months in used barrels. Here the nose shows much more complexity, notes of sweet cherries, red licorice and hints of sweet spices. The palate is medium-bodied, quite dry and the flavors denote some very ripe fruit underneath. The slightly drying finish should go almost unnoticed with lamb chops, rather than drunk on its own. It’s approachable now, but it should develop in bottle. Drink 2014-2018.

My Review: The first thing I noticed about this wine was how dry it was. It had nice notes of earthiness on the nose as well as hints of berries along with a bitter finish. It was surprisingly light compared to my expectations when I smelled it.

I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - WildLife Merlot

Name: WildLife
Variety: Merlot
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2014
Price: $6.95

Store Review: The wine offers an array of red berries and a soft and mellow palate. The style is elegant with distinctive red berries and well-integrated wood aromas on the nose. The palate is velvety and smooth with an aftertaste that lingers with the juicy flavors of abundant berries.

My Review: This wine was a fairly pleasant one, and it was a fairly mellow red. It tasted pretty dry and oaky with a very bitter and earthy smell, with a surprisingly long finish. The tannins left my mouth feeling dry for a while after tasting it.

I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Schwarz Barossa Valley Rose

Name: Schwarz Barossa Valley Rose
Variety: Grenache and Mataro
Region: Barossa Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2015
Price: $6.95

Store Review: Made from a blend of Grenache and Mataro, this pale pink rosé is definitely a wine to enjoy with friends. Perfectly pale pink in colour with soft strawberry and elements of musk and perfume. The palate shows a macerated strawberry component that makes for a great point of interest

My Review: This wine was very pleasant, though again much more dry than most roses that I have had experience with in the past. It had a light apricot aroma to it and its flavors were fairly subtle for me, though I was able to pick up some strawberry.

I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Boet Le Roux Old Vine Colombard

Name: Boet Le Roux Old Vine Colombard
Variety: Columbard
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2014
Price: $7.95

Store Review: Colombard is not considered one of the great wine grapes and is used mostly for Cognac in France and white jug wine in California. This old vine example from South Africa, though, is delicious. Crisp and refreshing with zesty acidity, it's a delightful wine to start a party.

My Review: This wine was very pleasant. It felt like a fairly average white wine, with all the markers you'd expect - refreshing and citrusy. It had a bit of a sour grape smell to it and it was a little bit bitter, but in a very pleasant way.

I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Vina Galana Tempranillo Sangria

Name: Vina Galana Tempranillo Sangria
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: non-vintage
Price: $8.95

Store Review: 100% Tempranillo. Natural fruit flavors and succulent red wine all fused together in one bottle. This doesn’t require a punch bowl and big ladle, you can chill your bottle in a cooler and head out to the beach or a hike and enjoy a cup of the best sangria anywhere you choose to be.

My Review: While on average I am not too much for sweet wines and I can be picky about the types of sangrias that I drink, this was a pleasant surprise. I expected it to be too sweet, but it was just on the right side of too sweet, tasting nicely like the fresh citrus fruits it was made with. It was light and pleasant, and would be good to have at a party.

I tried this wine on its own without any food.

Tasting - Monte Tendo Corvina Veneto

Name: Monte Tondo
Variety: Corvina
Region: Valpolicella
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $7.95

Store Review: To create the classic Valpolicella cuvee, the noble Corvina is typically blended with other varietals such as Molinara and Rondinella. Monte Tondo’s Veneto IGT is the extraordinarily rare 100% Corvina wine. This Corvina is redolent of pie cherries, orange peel, potpourri, mint, and star anise. Brisk on the attack yet round and satisfying, it conveys suggestions of violets, white pepper, and ruby red grapefruit notes wrapped around a bright, vibrant core of sour cherry fruit. Bitter herbs and fine tannins join the wine’s chewy core of red fruits to make this an exceptionally versatile and table-ready red wine.

My Review: Between the two reds that I tasted this week, this one was my preference of the two. It had a much more smoky flavor to it that felt nice filling my mouth, with peppery notes that added to the overall feel of it.

I tried it on its own with no food.

Tasting - Terre dei Savoia Barbera d'Alba

Name: Terre dei Savoia
Variety: Barbera d'Alba
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

Store Review: Its aroma is wide and complex: spicy, with green pepper notes, cinnamon and vanilla, pleasant and characteristic; at the same time it is also fruity, with cherry, blackberry, strawberry and red fruits jam in general notes. In mouth it reveals its full-bodied taste, with the right amount of acidity, and with a persistent and pleasant finish.

My Review: This wine had an interesting mesh of flavors to it, with a nice vegetal aroma and a bit of spice to the flavor. What I typically expect out of a red - the cherry and oak came across nicely on the finish for me.

I tried this wine without food.

Tasting - Mas Carlot Costieres de Nimes

Name: Mas Carlot Costieres de Nimes
Variety: Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2016
Price: $4.95

Store Review: This mouthwatering rosé is a traditional blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. It's medium-bodied, boasting notes of fresh herbs, cherries and white chocolate, balanced by a hints of sea spray. Drink it over the next year.

My Review: This wine was a fairly nice balance of sweet and dry for me. The scent was interesting for the wine, giving more of the herbs mentioned above that I did not taste as much. It was nice and light, while having a bit of a tart finish.

I tried this wine on its own with no food.

Tasting - Dom Chazallon Coteaux de l'Ardeche Viognier

Name: Dom Chazallon Coteaux de l'Ardeche Viognier
Variety: Viognier
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2014
Price: $9.95

Store Review: Viognier, one of the finest grape varieties, originates from the Rhône Valley of France. When well looked after, it produces a distinctive, particularly fragrant wine, a true delight to the senses. Saint Régis is a great Viognier bottling, with peachy aromas, hints of tangerine and menthol, and a pure and fresh character.

My Review: This wine was my favorite of the ones that I tasted this week. It was nice and light and fresh, with a good fruity smell and a citrus flavor. It had a smooth finish that lingered well in my mouth.

I tried this wine on its own with no food.