Tasting - Tilia Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Tilia Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2009
Price: $7.99

Winery Review: Described as having “Aromas of blackberry and plum leading to an elegant structure and classic varietal flavor of black cherry and cassis.” Don’t you just love wine speak hyperbole? Anyway, for the uninitiated that means GOOD. And at this price, a very nice Cab with fruity aroma and a long finish. Highly recommend.

My Review: I did not enjoy this wine at all. It tasted very bitter and had a dry aftertaste. I would not recommend this wine because of the dry aftertaste. It left me wanting to drink water.

I tasted this wine with no food.

Tasting - Naked Mountain Chardonnay

Name: Naked Mountain Chardonnay Barrel Fermented
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2002
Price: $18.00

Winery Review: Barrel fermented but not oakey. Light tropical nose. Tart at first with flavors of pineapple, grass, slight minerality, slight notes of peach/apricot and lemon zest.

My Review: There were a lot of tannins in this wine that made the aftertaste very bitter. It also had an oaky-creamy smell. I enjoyed the strong creamy flavor in this wine.

I tasted this wine with no food.

Tasting - Red Guitar Sangria

Name: Red Guitar Traditional Sangria
Variety: Grenache Noir, Tempranillo
Region: Navarra
Country: Spain
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $6.99

Winery Review: Premium red wine is delicately blended with natural citrus and fresh fruit flavors of orange, lemon, lime, and cherry, creating a deliciously easy-to-drink Sangria with the perfect balance of wine and fruit.

My Review: I tasted this wine iced. It smelled like extremely sweet grape juice. It had a sweet citrus taste. I really enjoyed this wine and it was my favorite out of the tasting.

I tasted this wine with no food.

Tasting - Open Kimono Riesling

Name: Open Kimono Washington Riesling
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2014
Price: $9.99

Winery Review: Nice deep straw color, light body, vanilla pear nose with a hint of mineral, starts off dry with pear a light oak background, evolving notes of green apple and watermelon ends light with lime and pear. Good.

My Review: This wine smelled very sweet, almost like apple juice. I thought it tasted like apple juice and I could not taste the alcohol in it. Very pleasant and had a nice aftertaste.

I tasted this wine with no food.

Tasting - Arrow Creek Pinot Grigio

Name: Arrow Creek Coastal Series Pinot Grigio
Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $10.00

Winery Review: Aromas of tropical fruit are balanced by a hint of natural grape sweetness. The finish is elegant and delicate, and the palate reigns with an intensity of crisp flavors that are representative of a classic Pinot Grigio.

My Review: This wine smelled like apples and was not too sweet smelling.  It had a bitter aftertaste. I did not like this wine because of the tartness I tasted.

I tasted this wine with no food.

Tasting - Crane Lake Gewürtztraminer

Name: Crane Lake Gewürtztraminer
Variety: 100% Gewürtztraminer
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Slightly high-toned notions of rose petal mingle with lemon on nose and palate of this lightly sweet, richly textured yet balanced Gewürztraminer. This is not as heady as you may expect and will be a treat with spicy Asian dishes. Lychee and rose petal make another very fetching appearance on the finish.

My Review: I enjoyed this wine a lot because it was super sweet. This white wine smelled and tasted very sweet and flowery. This was the best wine I tasted.

I tasted this wine with no food.

Tasting - Codirosso Chianti

Name: Codirosso Chianti
Variety: 100% Chianti
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $13.00 (Sale $7.95)

Winery Review: Ruby red color with purple reflections.  Intense vinous bouquet with hints of violets and dark cherry fruit. The flavor is full of ripe fruit and a hint of spice. It is well balanced and dry. The finish is persistent and satisfying.

My Review: This wine smelled very fruity. It had hints of cranberry and cherry. I found this wine to be too dry. The aftertaste was also very bitter.

I tasted this wine with no food.