Wine Tasting # 6

Name: Lindemans Bin 85 Pinot Grigio

Producer: Lindemans

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Country: Australia

Vintage: 2017

Price: $10

Wine Review: "Notes of tropical fruits intertwined with lemon & green apple. A medium bodied palate with grapefruit acidity supported by subtle fruit sweetness make for a crisp, fresh palate with a

lingering finish." 

My Review: Peaches were strong on the nose, with a medium body. Slight hints of apricot and other citrus-like fruits. Mouth-watering, tasting like crisp peaches and medium acidity. 

Name: Saint Julia Pinot Grigio

Producer: Saint Julia

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Vintage: 2017

Price: $9.95

Wine Review: "This Pinot Grigio has delightful, ripe fruit aromas of pears, apple, melon, and some tropical notes of pineapple and banana. It has good balance, nice acidity, and a long, fresh finish." 

My Review: Tropical scents permeated with a hint of pear and fresh apples. Medium acidity with more citrusy flavors and an interesting finish. 

Name: Rubus Proprietary Reserve Red

Producer: Rubus

Variety: Petit Sirah, Rubired, Tinto Cao, Alicante Gazin

Country: Australia

Vintage: 2014

Price: $8.95

Wine Review: "Deep, dark ruby color, aromas of blue fruits, confectionery and subtle licorice characters, thick luscious palate with good structure and soft finish. A blend of Durif, also known as Petite Sirah, a grape known for its very aromatic, plummy character. Rubired is a cross between Tinto Cao and Alicante Ganzin, known for being particularly adapted to the hot climate and producing dark wines. And Shiraz, which we all know for being the most recognized grape varietal of Australia, brings some minty, spicy and fruity characteristics to the wines." 

My Review: Darker berry aromas including blueberry and blackberry. Slight acidity, with spices and a slight minty flavor. A lighter finish than expected. 

Name: Breca Grenacha de Fuego

Producer: Breca

Variety: Grenache

Country: Spain

Vintage: 2017

Price: $15

Wine Review: "Brought up in a mix of concrete and stainless steel, the 100% Garnacha 2017 Garnacha de Fuego offers a deep black/purple color to go with terrific notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, scorched earth, and melted licorice. Ripe, sexy and forward on the palate, with notable purity, it’s a classic Garnacha." 

My Review: Immediately smelled raspberry and black cherry. Light tannins with a nice, smooth finish. Slight spices and a tasty raspberry flavor combined with an oaky smoke-like body make this a fantastic crowd-pleaser. 

Name: Lindemans Moscato Bin 90

Producer: Lindemans

Variety: Moscato

Country: Australia

Price: $6.95

Wine Review: "Modest in alcohol, offering up notes of oranges, melons and honey that are balanced on the finish. The price makes it a bargain." 

My Review: Citrus smells combined with grapefruit and lemon. Medium acidity along with a combination of citrus, peaches and tropical fruits on the palette with a sweet finish. 

Wine Tasting # 5

Name: i Basalti Soave 

Producer: Cantina di Gambellara 

Variety: Garganega

Region: Soave

Country: Italy

Vintage: 2017

Price: $10

Wine Review: "The color is a brilliant straw yellow with fresh fruit perfumes, especially apple and pear, and floral notes such as elder and bloom. The taste is very fresh and fruity, (yellow plum, star fruit and ground ginger), with a very interesting acidity. There is an important presence of mineral salts due to the volcanic origin of the soil."

My Review: Mineral like flavor with hints of tropical fruit, mangos and pears specifically on the palette. Some slight acidity with light tannins. Fairly dry, but tasted pretty good. Would pair well with sharper cheese in my opinion. 

Name: Lo-Fi Chardonnay

Producer: Lo-Fi

Variety: 2015

Region: Santa Barbara 

Country: United States

Vintage: 2015

Price: $28

Wine Review: "The philosophy behind Lo-Fi (just like music production) isn’t to create wine that is too polished or perfect, but rather that which embraces a more natural, raw expression. For winemakers Michael Roth and Craig Winchester, less is more: neutral barrels, native yeasts, little to no sulfur additions, and no acid adjustments. The Chardonnay is aged in 6-year old barrels, then racked and matured in concrete eggs for 6 months. The wine has a leesy texture and crisp snappiness, accompanied by flavors of ripe peach, banana, and white flowers."

My Review: Granny smith apples were the primary flavors present with citrus and very light oaky flavors in the background. Slight floral notes on the nose. 

Name: Quercia Al Poggio Chianti Classico

Producer: Quercia Al Poggio 

Variety: 80% Sangiovese, 20% Ciliegiolo, Canaiolo, and Colorino

Region: Tuscany

Country: Italy

Vintage: 2009

Price: $30

Wine Review: "Showing notes of sandalwood, espresso and red berries on the nose, this wine has a lovely silky attack and an attractive ferrous quality complementing red plum and earth notes. It has excellent length and is ready to drink now. A blend of 80% Sangiovese, 20% Ciliegiolo, Canaiolo and Colorino aged 24 months in 500L oak tonneau. Produced in the Monsanto - Barberino Val d’Elsa zone with limestone and clay soil at about 400m altitude. The 15 ha vineyard is organically farmed."

My Review: Fairly dry wine with dark berry like aromas on the nose. Plum and cherries with an oaky like finish. Light tannins and medium acidity. 

Name: Pinnacoli Primitivo di Manduria 

Producer: Terra dei Trulli

Variety: Primitivo

Region: Manduria

Country: Italy

Vintage: 2014

Price: $21

Wine Review: "A ruby-red wine with full flavors of ripe red fruits and a hint of spice. Pinnacoli has flavors of wild strawberry through the palate, finishes with a rich fullness and hints of cinnamon.

Roasted and spiced meats, pasta with meat sauce, game, and spicy cheeses."

My Review: There were hints of cinnamon, with lots of strawberries and cherries. There was some medium acidity and tannins present as well as floral hints on the nose. 

Name: Cobetckeo Sparkling Semi-Sweet Red

Producer: Cobetckeo

Region: Moldova

Country: Soviet Union

Price: $10

Wine Review: "Sweet red sparkling wine from Moldova (former Soviet Union) Splendid dark ruby color with rich aromas of blackberry, nicely balanced and full of flavors. Goes well with soft cheeses, ice cream and pudding, as well as fresh fruits and berries."

My Review: A delicious red wine, with dark berry-like aromas. Blackberry and cherries are the main flavors that are present within the wine. 

Wine Tasting # 4

Name: OnePio Lugana 

Producer: OnePio

Variety: Trebbiano di Lugana

Region: Lombardy

Country: Italy

Vintage: 2017

Price: $20

Wine Review: "100% Trebbiano di Lugana. Soft, harmonious, full and well-balanced wine with straw yellow color. It impresses the nose thanks to its multifaceted and fragrant perfume, that gives off almond and citrus emotions, where it’s possible to recognize even a fresh pineapple touch." 

My Review: A dry wine with flavors consisting of tropical and citrus fruits, with slight hints of pear and apple on the tongue. Pineapple was slightly detected on the finish. Floral smells were detected. 

Name: Nuna Field White

Producer: Chakana Wines 

Variety: 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Viognier 

Region: Mendoza 

Country: Argentina

Vintage: 2016

Price: $20

Wine Review: "This unoaked Agrelo blend combines mostly Sauvignon Blanc with lesser amounts of Chardonnay and Viognier. White peach, lemon and grapefruit flavours combine to good effect here with a refreshing, limestone-like tang. 2017-19"

My Review: Floral aromas that were decidedly different from the taste. Acidic and dry with peaches and pineapples being the main flavors. 

Name: Figaro Red Wine

Producer: Nino Jesus

Variety: Garnacha

Region: Calatayud

Country: Spain

Vintage: 2016

Price: $14.00

Wine Review:  "The 100% Garnacha 2016 Figaro Tinto Calatayud is a smoking value and is another red brought in by Kysela that knocks it out of the park on the value scale. Bright berry fruits, dried herbs, earth, and a touch of spice all flow to a medium-bodied, rounded, fleshy red that has loads of upfront charm and accessibility. It’s not going to make old bones, but as a house red to enjoy over the coming couple of years, it’s hard to beat."

My Review: Dark berry flavors were the main flavors with mainly blackberry and blueberry being at the forefront. Slight acidity and a medium body add a nice balance to this particular wine. 

Name: Mt Monster Cabernet

Producer: Mt. Monster 

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Limestone Coast

Country: Australia

Vintage: 2014

Price: $8.95

Wine Review: "Deep purple in color. Classic aromas of lifted blackcurrant, blackberry and mint on the nose. Flavors follow through of sweet berry-fruit accented by fresh muddled mint. Elegant, structured palate with big velvety tannins."

My Review: An interesting minty aroma found on the nose. Nice medium bodied wine with medium acidity, containing blueberries on the palette. 

Name: Crane Lake Moscato

Producer: Crane Lake

Variety: Muscat

Region: California

Country: United States

Vintage: 2017

Price: $9.00

Wine Review: "This sweet wine is light in color with floral aromas including notes of orange blossom, jasmine and honeysuckle. Flavors include peach, melon and spice. This wine can be sipped by itself, but is complementary to a number of foods. With appetizers try prosciutto, melon, brie cheese, or smoked salmon. For a main course I suggest baked ham, grilled red snapper or chicken." 

My Review: A full-bodied sweet wine that had peach and honey like flavors. A wine that tastes extremely fine by itself, but could definitely see it pairing well with meat. A slightly dry finish.