Tasting - Domaine de Grange de Payan

Name: Domaine de Grange de Payan
Variety: 100% Granache
Region: Cotes du Rhone
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95

Critic Review:  "Intensely spicy and precise, with lively red berry flavors and a hint of black pepper. The Grenache, which makes up the majority of the wine, is deeper and more powerful, offering cherry and black raspberry qualities lifted by zesty minerality."

My Review:  This wine, with a 15% alcohol content, has a strong smell of spices and pepper.  I was not too fond of the smell, and the taste was even worse, in my opinion.  It was a very bitter and dry wine.  I did like the blackberry taste, but the aftertaste was not very appealing.  I probably would not bother drinking this wine again.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Tinto Figaro

Name: Tinto Figaro
Variety: 100% Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $6.95

Critic Review:  "Figaro is 100% Garnacha, made from a selection of the best grapes grown in the oldest vineyards. While not truly an "oaked wine", a short stay in oak barrels provides a nice spicy flavor boost. Bright violet. Dark berry and cherry aromas show a jammy aspect. Supple and gently sweet, with good lift to its black raspberry and boysenberry flavors. Smooth and broad on the finish, leaving behind a hint of spiciness. Extremely easy to drink and an excellent value."

My Review:  This wine, with a 14.5% alcohol content, has a strong sweet aroma of berries and fruit.  It also had an oaky smell, but it wasn't too overwhelming.  This wine tasted lightly spiced, with sweet cherries and raspberries.  It was not acidic, but was dry with a clean and smooth finish.  I really enjoyed this easy to drink red wine, and would definitely drink it again.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Maipe Malbec Rosé

Name: Maipe Malbec Rosé
Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Critic Review:  "Intense pink color with violet hints. Fresh red fruit bouquet, strawberry and cherry flavors, balanced acidity, dry and lingering finish. Excellent with tuna or green salad, pasta, spicy Asian
dishes."

My Review:  This wine smelled strongly of berries and cherries.  However, I thought the taste was not as appealing as the smell.  This rosé tasted like cherries, but the taste wasn't very defining.  There just wasn't anything special about the taste of this wine, but it wasn't bad.  I would try this wine again paired with food because it would probably taste a lot better.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio
Variety: 100% Pinot Gris
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95

Critic Review:  "Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste. Pairs well with seafood dishes, risottos with scampi, spaghetti with clams, sole in white wine  Perfect also as an aperitif."

My Review:  This wine smelled sweetly of ripe fruits, such as bananas and pears.  The taste was light, fruity and acidic.  This wine was clean and refreshing.  I am a big fan of Pinot Grigio, so I would drink this wine again.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Octave Vinho Verde

Name: Octave
Variety: Albarino
Region: Vinho Verde
Country: Portugal
Year: NV
Price: $6.95 (Vintage Cellar), $8 (Average)

Critic Review:  "Vinho Verde (an appellation, a literal wine type (green wine), a way of life) is the perfect summer refresher.  Tongue tickling spritz, light and tangy yellow fruits and a dryish, saline-tinged finish comprise the simple charms of VV. This fresh [wine] out does itself with all of the above in more abundance than its worthy predecessors. Low in alcohol (8%ish) and low in pretense Octave is the perfect casual mate for your summer fun!"

My Review:  I absolutely love Vinho Verde wine.  Octave gave off a beautiful aroma of green apples and honeysuckle.  The light bubbles give a light punch to the wine.  The taste is very clean and refreshing.  The wine tasted like green apples, pears and citrus.  Vinho Verde is a mellow wine that would taste great on a hot summer day; however, I drink it year around.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Monte Aman

Name: Monte Aman
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: Arlanza
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

Critic Review:  "Fermentation of selected grapes in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Aging in American oak casks for 5 months followed by 3 months in the bottle before being released in the market. Inky ruby. Ripe cherry and plum on the nose. Smooth and fleshy, with deep dark fruit flavors complicated by bitter chocolate and anise. A spicy quality adds lift and focus to the weighty fruit. Offers an appealing mix of power and energy and drinks very well right now."

My Review:  I loved this red wine.  This wine smelled strongly of plums and oak.  The first thing that came to my mind when I tasted this wine was chocolate!  I had never tasted a wine where I had immediately thought of chocolate, until this wine.  The reason the taste of this wine is so potent is because it had been aged in American oak for a few months, giving it such a powerful flavor.  I could also taste the cherry, so this wine kind of reminded me of a dessert.  This wine was not too bitter or too dry, but was a perfect balance of both.  I would definitely drink this wine again.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Name: Cortenove
Variety: 100% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Region: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Critic Review:  "100% Montepulciano d' Abruzzo. Deep ruby red color with violet highlights and a pleasant and fruity bouquet. Full bodied, soft tannins and good acidity. Excellent with pasta dishes and red meats."

My Review:  There was a very strong smell of oak, and even a little bit of formaldehyde, which was kind of off-putting.  So I wasn't a big fan on the smell, but I did like the taste of the wine.  It was not too dry, and had a nice balance of acidity and tannins.  This wine tasted fruity, like berries, and would pair nicely with pasta.

I tasted this wine without food.