Tasting - Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone

Name: Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone
Variety: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2010
Price: $14.95 / 750 mL, $38.95 / 3L

Critic Review:  "As for their other values, the 2010 Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Reserve (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cinsault) displays loads of ripe flavors. It is very concentrated for a Cotes du Rhone, and is actually an amazing wine. Classic garrigue, black cherry liqueur, lavender, licorice and spice box are all present in this fullbodied, intense, and rich Cotes du Rhone. This is a sensational effort to drink over the next 4-5 years, although it might last even longer."

My Review: This wine had an interesting aroma of cherries, with a lot of spiciness.  This wine tasted very similar to the smell.  The cherry taste was noticeable, as well as licorice.  This wine was very dry, with heavy tannins.  The spices were very strong as well.  I think this wine would taste a lot better paired with food, in order to balance the strong spicy taste.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Lobetia Tempranillo

Name: Lobetia Tempranillo
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $9.95

Critic Review:  "Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. It shows a nice cherry color with a violet shade because of its youth. Red berries and cherries on the nose. On the palate it is fresh, slightly astringent, and harmonious with a long finish."

My Review: This wine gave off a fruity and earthy smell.  I could definitely smell cherries and some other fruits, such as cranberry.  This wine was enjoyable to drink, as it was soft, dry, and had a favorable amount of tannins.  I could taste the cherries and berries, as well as some raspberry.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Lobetia Chardonnay

Name: Lobetia Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $9.95

Critic Review:  "Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. Clean, bright color with a greenish-yellow tone. On the nose, exotic fruits like pineapple. Full flavored, fresh, with good acidity in the mouth, it finishes with tropical fruits."

My Review:  This was an interesting wine, as it was complex. I could smell pineapple and a slight hints of coconut.  This Chardonnay was very acidic with fruity flavors, such as melon and pineapple.  I could taste the pineapple distinctly.  I could also taste the coconut, which I think balanced the acidity.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Trattoria Busa Alla Torre De lele

Name: Trattoria Busa Alla Torre De Lele
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: NV
Price: $7.95

Critic Review:  "Named after the famous restaurant in Italy! This is their house white wine! Coppery color from extended skin contact, round and rich texture with juicy melon aromas and flavors with a sweet fennel note on the ultra smooth finish. Great value Grigio! Drink now."

My Review:  I love Pinot Grigio, and I very much enjoyed this wine.  This wine smelled like apples and melons.  The taste was very smooth and refreshing.  I could taste green apple, which gave this wine a little bit of tart.  I could also taste grapefruits and melons.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Espiral Vinho Verde

Name: Espiral Vinho Verde
Variety: Alvarinho
Region: Minho
Country: Portugal
Year: NV
Price: $3.99


Critic Review:  "This Vinho Verde or "greenw wine" is excellent. Slightly sparkling with notes of green apple; it's low alcohol content makes it perfect for a hot summer day. Definitely worth trying for the price. Off-dr, slightly sparkling, very light and fruity. Excellent with chicken."

My Review:  Vinho Verde is currently my absolute favorite wine to drink, the Espiral being my actual favorite type.  This Vinho Verde is very cheaply priced, and is also my favorite.  It smells like green apples, and also tastes fruity, much like apples and maybe a little bit of pear.  It is light, crisp and a little bit tart.  One of my favorite things about this wine is that it is bubbly.  This Vinho Verde is perfect for warm days because it is refreshing, but I like to drink it all throughout the year.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Ksana Bonarda

Name: Ksana Bonarda
Variety: Bonarda
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2008
Price: $9.95

Critic Review:  "The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. To the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Bonarda. Finishes solid. Very sweet, berry smell with some rooty undertones. Kind of dry, makes your lips pucker."

My Review:  I have never tried a wine of this variety before.  It smelled very oaky (what I imagine is like the Oak Monster), and a little bit like berries.  I could taste the berries, but the dryness of the wine was overpowering.  There were A LOT of tannins and oak in this wine.  It made my mouth extremely dry after drinking.  I would probably not drink again.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Concannon Shiraz

Name: Concannon Shiraz
Variety: Shiraz
Region: Central Coast, California
Country: United States
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95

Critic Review:  "This is an extremely rich, full-bodied wine with a dark fruit core. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dark cherry are followed by more berry fruits and chocolate and mocha on the palate."


My Review:  This Shiraz had a nice smell of blackberries and blueberries.  The taste was very interesting, with a mixture of berries, cherries and chocolate.  I enjoyed this wine as it brought out many different tastes on my palate.  There weren't very many tannins, so it wasn't too dry.  This wine reminded me of chocolate covered cherries.

I tasted this wine without food.