Tasting - Ca Momi Napa Valley Chardonnay 2012

Name: Ca Momi Napa Valley Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Napa Valley, California
Country: USA
Year: 2012

Price: $16.95 (Regular: $20.00)

Winery Review: A luscious wine intense pineapple, tropical fruit, citrus and pear, framed by caramel and creamy vanilla notes. Complex touches of butterscotch balance a zesty acidity and a long oaky and buttery finish. 


My Review: A typical chardonnay with an oaky, creamy, buttery and vanilla nose. On the palate this pleasant white wine was smooth and creamy. It was amazingly refreshing and I loved it. Would definitely pick it up in the future.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Sandeman Rainwater Madeira

Name: Sandeman Rainwater Madeira
Variety: Madeira
Region: Madeira
Country: Portugal
Year: ?

Price: $11.95 (Regular: $20.00)

Winery Review: Medium light amber colour with pronounced golden highlights. Clean nutty aromas, light complexity and very agreeable. Brilliant wine - a good quality young Madeira in evolution. Medium flavour, nutty and slighty complex, with a good clean finish.



My Review: This was my first time trying Madeira and I'll be honest, I didn't know much about this type of wine before this tasting. On the nose, there was a strong scotch/whiskey scent to this. I also smelled dates when sniffing the Madeira. But oh god, on the palate this Madeira was a complete disaster. I was not a fan of it at all. I couldn't even place a good taste to describe the wine, but it was a combination of everything that could destroy one's palate.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Parra Jimenez Tempranillo 2010

Name: Parra Jimenez Tempranillo
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2010

Price: $7.95 (Regular: $15.00)

Winery Review: This is perhaps the finest Tempranillo wine in the Parra Family catalogue. Selected clusters of grapes are allowed to ripen for an extra two to three weeks on the vine before picking. The extra time imparts a greater complexity and delicacy of flavor to the wine. Aging in French and American oak barrels creates a creamy, smooth finish. A light purple wine. On the nose, scents of ripe, almost black cherry, raspberry jam and strawberry pie filling. Gentle berry flavors and notes of baking spices, as well as an intriguing black peppery flavor bathe the palate.



My Review: This wine had an interesting effect on my palate. On the nose, there were hints of strawberries and black cherries. On the palate, it was slightly spicy, bitter and had a short finish with not a very large tannic content.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Fetzer Zinfandel Valley Oaks 2010

Name: Fetzer Zinfandel Valley Oaks
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: Valley Oaks, California
Country: USA
Year: 2010

Price: $7.95 (Regular: $25.00)

Winery Review: This Zinfandel has a deep ruby color and concentrated aromas of black pepper and spice, balanced with an intensity that fills your mouth with wonderful dark berry flavors. It's a rich soft wine when you drink it.



My Review: I enjoyed this wine a lot actually. It was very easy to drink and had a smooth and light body to it. The wine was much more sweeter and acidic than the cabernet but it was a good wine in my opinion. Not very viscous, so it felt like I was drinking concentrated grape juice, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Ca Momi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Name: Ca Momi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley, California
Country: USA
Year: 2011

Price: $19.95 (Regular: $35.00)

Winery Review: This wonderfully ripe wine has a rich palate, a complex nose and lots of layers, providing depth and a nice dense color. This cabernet is softly complex, rich in cassis, cherry, spice, chocolate and oak flavors anchored with warm, earthy tannins - balancing nicely with sweet vanilla and chocolate toasted oak. This is the maestro of wines: a rich palate, a complex nose with lots of layers, great depth and a deep and rich color. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon



My Review: The nose of this cabernet was like any other cabernets, plum, hints of blackberry and dark cherries. On the palate, this wine was slightly bitter and more acidic than other cabernets that I've had in the past, but it was still enjoyable.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico 2009

Name: Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico
Variety: Gaglioppo
Region: Ciro
Country: Italy
Year: 2009

Price: $7.95 (Regular: $14.00)

Winery Review: Don’t let the pale garnet color fool you:  this is a substantial wine.  Aromas of red fruits and spice complement undertones of cranberries, wild berries, and plums.  On the palate, ripe tannins and good body make for an incredibly rich, yet easygoing red wine.  Pair this wine with sausage, spicy curry sauces, hot soppressata, and tandoori chicken.


My Review: Nice red wine with a nose of blackberry and cherry similar to cabernets. On the palate, the wine had a high tannic content with dark fruits such as cherry, cranberry and blackberries present. I would love to try this wine with Indian food!

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Garnacha de Fuego Old Vine Grenache 2013

Name: Garnacha de Fuego Old Vine Grenache
Variety: Grenache
Region: Aragon
Country: Spain
Year: 2013

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: The Garnache de Fuego, a 100% Grenache cuvee, was aged in both stainless steel and neutral French oak. There are 10,000 cases for the US. This amazing wine boasts a dark ruby/purple color along with a sweet kiss of jammy black cherries intertwined with crushed rock notes that give the wine and undeniable minerality.  As it hits the palate, a full-bodied, voluptuous teture takes hold and the flavor profile moves towards blacker fruits intermixed with camphor and forest floor.


My Review: Interesting wine with an almost tequila-like nose to it. On the palate, the wine was very full bodied with massive hits of earth, black cherries and pepper. The wine had a long finish with a strong tannic content.

I did not have this wine with food.