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.

Tasting - Rosemount Estate Moscato 2012

Name: Rosemount Estate Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: South East Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2012

Price: $3.95 (Regular: $12.00)

Winery Review: Clear, medium-lemon yellow in appearance; lovely citrus and honeysuckle aromas with lemon, honeysuckle, apple and ripe yellow plum flavours.  Serve chilled with angel food cake or fresh fruit and mild cheeses.


My Review: This was a pretty good Moscato with a very huge citrus and sweet taste and nose to it. It was refreshing and had hints of floral flavors and smells to it. I liked it because it was easy to drink and very enjoyable.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Angove Viognier 2009

Name: Angove
Variety: Viognier
Region: South Australia
Country: Austrlia
Year: 2009

Price: $5.95 (Regular: $15.00)

Winery Review: Bright light straw in colour with some green hues, this wine has a lush ripe tropical fruit aroma. This is a fuller bodied white which fills the mouth with heady flavours of apricot, peach and citrus.  Angove Nine Vines Viognier is perfect for today's relaxed life-style and is the ideal accompaniment to grilled prawns with chilli and garlic or roast pork.



My Review: On the nose, this wine was pretty plain with no hard hitting smells, but only hints of citrus. The palate on the other hand had a big peach and orange flavor present. Regardless, I wasn't too big of a fan of this wine.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Yealands Estate Seaview Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Name: Yealands Estate Seaview Vinyard Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2008

Price: $7.95 (Regular: $21.00)

Winery Review: This aromatic wine shows lifted flavours of blackcurrant with underlying notes of wet stone and thyme. The palate is elegant yet full with sufficient weight and texture, balanced by a flinty minerality. This wine is a fantastic match with foods such as cheese salad, poultry dishes and a wide range of seafood dishes including freshly shucked natural oysters, prawns, green lip mussels and creamy scallops.


My Review: A decent sauvignon blanc with a vegetal and green-pepperish nose to it. On the palate, the wine is very vegetal as well. It had strong tones of green pepper and thyme to it. It would definitely go well with seafood.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Frascati Volpetti 2011

Name: Frascati Volpetti
Variety: 50% Malvasia, 40% Trebbiano, 10% Greco
Region: Latium
Country: Italy
Year: 2011

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Straw yellow in color with a soft, delicate perfume, fruitful flavor, dry and harmonius taste. Perfect with appetizers, soups, fish.


My Review: Nice floral nose to the wine. Crisp, light and buttery taste to the wine. There were a lot of flavors while tasting the wine, but I couldn't really pinpoint to a single overwhelming flavor. Average wine, not my favorite out of this wine tasting session.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Bricco Dei Tati Rose 2012

Name: Bricco Dei Tati Rose
Variety: Barbera
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: 2012

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Fresh with aromas of strawberries, cherries and rose petals. This is ideal with shellfish, salads, chicken, and with appetizers.


My Review: Very light and smooth wine, typical of a rose. Floral nose and the same on the palate. I got hints of strawberry as well. Quite enjoyable and very easy to drink. This week's tasting was great!!

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2012

Name: Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
Variety: Gamay
Region: Burgundy
Country: France
Year: 2012

Price: $3.95 (Regular: $14.00)

Winery Review: Balanced and lightly creamy, offering pretty flavors of plum sauce and raspberry coulis threaded with hints of ground spice. Elegant, with a floral finish. Drink now.


My Review: I was impressed at how decent the wine was for its price. On the nose it was mostly plum and raspberry. On the palate, this wine was creamy and a very enjoyable and smooth red wine. The finish had a strong plum taste to it. Enjoyable and very affordable wine.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Atlas Cumbres Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Name: Atlast Cumbres
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012

Price: $6.95 (Regular: $15.00)

Winery Review: Intense red color with violet highlights, with clean, fresh and complex aromas of berries, plums, figs and pepper. Strong personality is in perfect balance with a medium body and pleasant tannins, Ideal for: red meats, cheeses and strong sauces.


My Review: Cabs are most definitely my favorite red wines and this again was no exception. The wine was very strong with a huge nose of plums and dark berries. It was a heavy bodied wine with a big tannic component and a strong, spicy finish. I really enjoyed this wine!

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling 2010

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine
Variety: Riesling
Region: Mosel
Country: Germany
Year: 2010

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: This drier-styled Riesling is bright, fruity and floral with crisp acidity and clean flavors of apple, pear and peach that compliment its stony minerality and earthy complexity. It serves well as an aperitif and matches a wide variety of foods, like lighter salad dishes, shellfish, cream sauces and also anything with a touch of spice.


My Review: I really enjoyed this Riesling as it was very smooth and tasty. It had a crisp taste with strong flavors of peaches. The wine was quite enjoyable as it was light bodied and had a very appealing finish. I can see this wine pairing with a wide assortment of foods.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Avery Quinn Chardonnay 2011

Name: Avery Quinn
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Napa, California
Country: USA
Year: 2011

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: The 2011 vintage marks a return to form for this great value Chardonnay.  The aromas feature creamy, mellow, golden apple, pineapple, fresh butter and a touch of vanilla.  Then rich, ripe, flavors of yellow pear, pineapple, fresh apple, cream and buttered toast swell up and fill your mouth before a juicy, apple and caramel inflected finish makes your mouth water (and smile!).

My Review: A classic Napa Valley chardonnay with green apples and cream to the nose. It was creamy, buttery and fruity to the palate. Average wine, and quite refreshing. Nothing too extraordinary about it.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Atlas Cumbres Torrontes 2010

Name: Atlas Cumbres
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010

Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Yellow colour with greenish nuances. Very intense aroma of fresh grapes, flower perfume and mature peaches. Fresh in the mouth. Light and easy to drink. Ideal with seafood, Thai and Chinese food.

My Review: This wine had a floral nose to it. It was refreshing and very appealing. After tasting it, the wine was sweet and crisp, with hints of pineapple and peach. Nice, refreshing wine that would definitely pair well with spicy foods.

I did not have this wine with food.