Tasting - Vina Borga Borsao 2012

Name: Vina Borga Borsao
Variety: Grenache
Region: Camp de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2012

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: 86 Points – Robert Parker
Also made from 100% Grenache, the 2012 Vina Borgia was fermented and aged in stainless steel. Its medium dark ruby color is followed by abundant notes of strawberries and black cherries offered in a straightforward, medium-bodied, soft, hedonistic, round style. It is hard to believe a wine this good can sell for $7 a bottle. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years.

My Review: Nice red wine for its price. There was a blackberry and cherry scent on the nose. On the palate, this wine had a great tannic content with a slight strawberry taste. This dry wine had a long finish with a bitter after taste. I enjoyed the wine, but there are definitely better red wine options on the market.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Jam Jar Sweet White 2011

Name: Jam Jar Sweet White
Variety: Muscat
Region: ?
Country: South Africa
Year: 2011

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: 100 % Muscat. Soft floral hints add depth to the otherwise straightforward ripe peach and nectarine aromas. There’s a good balance in the mouth, with a nice acidic lift and slightly lime edge to cut the sweetness on the finish and close with the faintest hint of honeydew melons.

My Review: This white wine had a really big peach and floral nose. It was really appealing and really really sweet. The wine had a slightly acidic finish with a round flavor but this wine was overwhelmingly sweet. Not too big of a fan.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Entrada Malbec 2013

Name: Entrada Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: ?
Country: Chile
Year: 2013

Price: $5.95

Winery Review: Firm and structured, this is a solid wine, laced with mineral acidity and tight tannins. It has a juicy, blackberry fruit component cutting through the texture.

My Review: This red wine had a typical fruity blackberry and strawberry smell and taste with a long tannic and acidic finish. I wasn't a big fan of this red because it felt too generic and there wasn't anything special about it. I definitely liked the previous red better.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Peter Lehmann Chardonnay 2010

Name: Peter Lehmann Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: ?
Country: Australia
Year: 2010

Price: $9.95

Winery Review: The 2010 Chardonnay presents subtle notes of spiced apple slices and ripe peaches with hints of freshly baked bread and melon. Light bodied, clean and refreshingly crisp in the mouth, it offers just enough apple and pear flavor concentration, finishing with medium-long persistence. Drink it now to 2014.

My Review: This Australian chardonnay was quite peachy to the nose. To the palate, this wine was slightly bitter and not too sweet. It had a very crisp flavor and had a bitter aftertaste. I personally liked the first white wine better than this one.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla 2012

Name: Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
Variety: Airen Macabeo Blend
Region: Castilla
Country: Spain
Year: 2012

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Mostly Airen with a little bit of Macabeo .Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value.

My Review: This white wine had an orange and lemon aroma. It was fruity and pleasant and appealing to the nose. On the palate, this wine was very sweet and slightly acidic at the finish. Not a bad wine, I actually enjoyed it.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - R Wines Eco. Love 2009

Name: R Wines Eco. Love
Variety: Riesling
Region: South Island
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009

Price: $18.00 (Reduced to $7.95)

Winery Review: Our South Island Riesling has a range and combination of flavors unlike any other. These flavors span citrus, root ginger, white peach, spices and florals. eco.love Riesling is made in balance to an off-dry style. Food Pairing: Asian Fusion, Seafood, Curry, and anything spicy.


My Review: Pretty good Riesling. The nose of this wine was filled with fruity, citrus and floral scents. The palate of this wine was well balanced with mildly-sweet characteristics and slight acidity. The after taste of this wine tasted quite citrusy and I can see why this wine would go so well with spicy foods. I liked the wine and would like to try it with some spicy foods.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Toschi 2011

Name: Toschi
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2011

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Well-balanced flavors of dark berries and plums. Spicy fruit finish.


My Review: I was excited to try this cabernet, but was left kind of underwhelmed. This wine had the typical dark fruit aromas such as blackberries and cherries. On the palate, the wine exuded the typical dark fruit flavors and spicy finish. This wine was moderately tannic, which was surprising considering it was a cabernet. It was an average wine, nothing too exciting.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Canyon Road 2012

Name: Canyon Road
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2012

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Rich, fruit forward cherry flavors, soft tannins, a medium body and a smooth 
velvety finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, salmon, and savory pork dishes.


My Review: Not a bad red wine for its price. I would buy this wine to drink with a meal, but probably not for casual drinking. There was some cherry and blackberry aromas on the nose. I could taste dark fruit flavors such as cherries and blackberries and I enjoyed the mild tannic structure of this wine. The wine had a nice, enjoyable, smooth finish.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Indwe Suavignon Blanc 2012

Name: Indwe
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2012

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Grapes are meticulously sourced from our grape producers along the Coastal region of the Western Cape ensuring complexity and freshness in the wine. Indwe Sauvignon Blanc is full of layers, balance and persistence. The wine is imbued with tropical and citrus notes, with hints of melon and gooseberry flavors. 



My Review: White wines continue to not appeal to me even after so long!! The nose of this wine was citrus, floral and tropical fruit filled. However the wine had quite a pungent and spicy taste to it which I was not a fan at all. The intense spice overwhelmed all the other flavors in the wine and didn't change my opinion on white wines any bit.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Wine Men of Gotham 2008

Name: Wine Men of Gotham
Variety: Chardonnay Semillon Blend
Region: ?
Country: Australia
Year: 2008

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Chardonnay Semillon is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Semillon. It gives a moderate intensity of melon, guava, apricot and butterscotch aromas. The medium bodied palate provides attractive acidity along with plenty of tropical fruit flavors and a medium-long finish.


My Review: Wow, a white wine that I actually enjoyed!! The wine was quite fruity on the nose with definite hints of melon and butterscotch. It was a well balanced wine, in that it wasn't too acidic or too sweet. The wine was very fruity when giving it a whirl, and had a nice finish to it. I enjoyed the wine, especially considering the price.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Loredona Riesling 2011

Name: Loredona Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Monterey, California
Country: USA
Year: 2011

Price: $15 (Reduced to $7.95)

Winery Review: If you like your Rieslings on the sweet side, this pretty wine is for you. It's brisk in Central Coast acidity, with citrus, peach, honeysuckle and spice flavors that finish clean and long.


My Review: A very typical Riesling with an inviting nose that was sweet and reminiscent of honey. Upon tasting the wine, I could taste a very strong acid sensation. Wasn't too big of a fan. Not a fan of white wines anyways. This didn't change my preference anyways.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Maipe Malbec 2012

Name: Maipe Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: Deep purple color with violet tints, complex plum, fig, strawberry, spices and floral aromas; rounded and velvety tannins, excellent length with a distinguished character. Excellent when paired with game, roasted red meats, pasta or pizza.


My Review: This red wine had a strawberry nose to it. It was fruity with hints of blackberry. After tasting it, there was definitely a strong strawberry flavor on the palate. The wine had a spicy and dry finish which I enjoyed and thus this was my favorite wine of the 5.

I did not have this wine with food.