A Charming Pinot

Name: A Charming Pinot, once upon a vine

Variety:Pinot Noir 100%

Year: 2011
Price: $12.99
Region:Sonoma
Country:california

Winebar.com Description: A charming Pinot. Only a princely name would do for such a charming wine as this. Our California Pinot Noir is elegantly smooth and tastes of blackberry, cherry pie, and plum pudding with just a touch of brown sugar. Relax with a glass and imagine you've been whisked away to a palace vineyard. www.thewinebar.com. Alc. 13.5% By vol. Vinted & bottled by Diageo Wines, Sonoma, CA

My review: This is my favorite wine I have tasted so far!  I let the bottle decant for 4 hours at room temperature before I consumed it.  The initial smell is very fruity.  Cherry and blackberry notes are the first I smelled and tasted.  There was no acidity or dryness in the finish, just a lingering buttery cherry pie taste.  I really enjoyed this wine on its own!  I did not taste this with food. 

Au Chocolat Flavored Wine

Name: Au Chocolate Sparkling White Wine

Variety:Sparkling White WIne

Price: $13.99
Country: Salon de Provence, France

Winesellers LTD. Description: Au Chocolat Chocolate flavored wine is effervescent and crisp, with a mellow chocolaty flavor and splash of sweetness. Perfect as an aperitif, digestive or with anything which chocolate would pair. Serve chilled 41-50°F.

My Review : This wine is definitely a valentines day or birthday kind of drink.  It tasted very rich and sweet.  I initially smelled the chocolate. It smelled exactly like a chocolate covered strawberry.  It tasted more citric though with hints of chocolate and lemon.  Perfect to pair with a decadent dessert or for a fun glass.  I tasted this without food.   

Cline Lodi Zinfandel

Name:Cline Lodi Zinfandel

Variety:Zinfandel

Vintage:2012

Price: $13.99
Country:South Australia 

Cline Vineyards Description : Meticulous farming. Mature fruit. Handmade wines. Severe selection. Master blending. From repeated tasting of the fruit in the vineyard to seeing the grapes come through the hopper, we still do it the old-fashioned way. We think it shows in the bottle, the only thing that matters. Cline's California Zinfandel displays a wide array of dark berry fruit including black cherry and raspberry, spice notes and a lasting finish of vanilla from oak aging. Firm, supple tannins add complexity to this wine.  

My Review : This is a deep but translucent red wine.  It has strong berry smells, such as cherry and strawberry.  The first initial taste is sweet and fruity but the finish is strong, peppery, and a bit buttery.  I would buy this wine for a fajita night or for something off the grill.  I tasted this wine without food.

Sierra Cruz Chardonnay

Name: Sierra Cruz Chardonnay

Variety:Chardonnay

Price: $9.99
Country:Maule Valley Chile

Gourmet Pantry Review:The Maule Valley, with its cool nights, low rainfall and  lengthy growing season allows grapes to reach full maturity while maintaining optimal acidity and good juice concentration. On the nose, this wine is redolent with aromas of dried apricots, stonefruit, and toasted hazelnuts. Nectarines dominate the palate, with interwoven hints of tropical fruit and dried lemon peel. A outstanding example of what a fresh, un-malo’d Chardonnay can be.

 

My Review : This wine is a light yellow color.  It smells acidic and tart with a crisp taste.  It has a long finish that sweetens up at the end.  The finish was my favorite part of the wine because it was not too dry and had just a hint of sweetness (possibly pear?).  I would pair this with fish or a vinaigrette salad. I tasted this wine  served cold and without food. 

Angove Zibibbo Sparkling Moscato

Name: Angove Zibibbo

Variety:Sparkling Moscato

Price: $7.95
Country:South Australia 

Vintage Cellar Review : This is a tasty and generous Moscato  that opens with plush aromas of honey, peach syrup, white flower and fragrant exotic fruit. There’s a nice sensation of fullness and creaminess in the mouth that is backed by the foamy effervescence of this sparkling dessert wine.

My Review : This is a very pale yellow / champagne color.  I first notice a peach or pineapple smell.  It is a very light and very sweet wine.  The finish brings back that initial peach taste that is also buttery or creamy.  I would buy this for the future, but only for a glass or so because it is so sweet.  Definitely a desert wine!  I did not taste this with food.  

Fetzer Malbec 2011

Name: Fetzer Malbec 2011

Variety:Malbec 100%

Year: 2011
Price: $7.95
Region: Mendoza
Country:Argentina 

Vintage Cellar Review : Delicious Malbec is 100% from Mendoza, Argentina. It has a vibrant red color with violet tones. Subtle and delicious aromas with an intense mixture of red fruits, plum and cherry jam. On the palate it’s juicy and has intense wood-like tannins that make it a rustic, yet versatile wine. Long finish.

My review: This is one of my favorite reds so far!  It has a deep red color.   My first taste was of sweet berry.  It has a great full body and it is has a great balance between alcohol and taste.  The after taste lingered for a while with notes of cherry or raspberry, still sweet.  This is a less dry red wine , which i personally like.  Definitely would buy this in the future! I did not taste this with food. 

Tres Ojos Garnacha 2011

Name:Tres Ojos Garnacha

Variety:Garnacha

Year: 2011
Price: $6.95
Region: Calatayud

Country: Spain

Vintage Cellar Review : "This semi-opaque ruby, custom cuvée of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre is made specifically for Fran Kysela. It exhibits very fresh, ripe dark red fruit with very good palate weight and depth and ends with rich fruit notes. Made from organically grown grapes. Incredible value!"
- I-WineReview (December 2013), 90 pts.

My Review: The color is a little transparent, and my initial taste was sour and earthy.  The after taste had a hint of fruit and was very dry.  I did not enjoy this wine and would not buy in the future.  I did not taste this with food. 

The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc

Name: The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc

Variety:Chenin Blanc

Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Region: Western Cape
Country:South Africa

Vintage Celler Review: 90 Points – Robert Parker

"One of the greatest buys I have tasted this year is this under $10, 100% Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape. A super flowery-scented nose includes notions of ripe honeydew melons and pears. This medium-weight, fresh, fruity, crisp, dry, textbook Chenin Blanc will provide immense pleasure over the next 12 months."

My Review: I enjoyed this white over the Norton Sauvignon Blanc by far.  It had a much fuller body and longer after taste.  My initial taste I picked up notes of pear and possibly a tropical fruit.  This had a good balance, not too much heat and a sweet lingering after taste.  Definitely a great pairing with shellfish or anytime by itself.  I did not taste this with food.

Norton Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Norton Sauvignon Blanc 2012 

Variety:Sauvignon Blanc

Year: 2012
Price: $5.95
Region: Mendoza
Country:Argentina

Vintage Cellar Review : Aromas of pithy citrus and pineapple are decent but unrefined, while flavors of tangerine and pineapple are tropical, zesty and what they are. This is nothing more than a fresh, simple, citrusy white to sip on the patio.

My Review:  This is a light bodied wine.  The first taste is citrusy, earthy and crisp.  The after taste has notes of pineapple and acidity.  I did not taste this with food.  

Weinkeller Erbach Flonheimer Adelberg Sylvaner

Name: Weinkeller Erbach Flonheimer Adelberg Sylvaner

Variety:Sylvaner

Year: 2010
Price: $4.95
Region: Rheinhessen
Country:Germany

Vintage Cellar Review:“The fruity, mouthwatering wine has a nice acidity-sugar balance and comes from the so called 'Rheinhessen-Switzerland', the heartland of Rheinhessen. It has a floral bouquet and is full of lemon zest, hint of passion fruit, and smells like yellow fruit, lemon-grass and green tea, all wrapped around a pleasant creaminess and a semi-dry profile. The finish is zippy and refreshing. Perfect for party on the deck as it comes in a liter bottle!”

My Review: This was by far my favorite wine!  I tasted a light lemon flavor with a hint of green tea.  It was sweet and light, something that would be a great dessert wine of with light appetizers or salads.  I did not taste this with food. 

Montebuena Rioja

Name:Montebuena Rioja

Variety:Tempranillo

Year: 2010
Price: $8.95
Region: Labastida

Country: Spain

Vintage Cellar Review:"(100% Tempranillo, raised entirely in American oak): Vivid ruby. Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it's an excellent value for Rioja."
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (September 2012), 90 pts

My Review:  I enjoyed this red wine because of its smooth finish.  I tasted notes of citris and a fruity finish.  I did not taste this with food.  

Delaroche Cotes du Rhone

Name:Delaroche Cotes du Rhone

Variety: Rhone Blend (50% Syrah 40% Grenache 10% Mourvedre)

Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France

Vintage Cellar Review:"This semi-opaque ruby, custom cuvée of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre is made specifically for Fran Kysela. It exhibits very fresh, ripe dark red fruit with very good palate weight and depth and ends with rich fruit notes. Made from organically grown grapes. Incredible value!"

My Review: The initial taste is fruity possibly blueberry, but finishing with something more savory like pepper.  It had nice body but finished a little to dry for my taste.  The rich flavors would be great paired with steak or fajitas, something earthy and savory.  I did not taste this with food.  

Maipe Torrontes 2013

Name: Maipe Torrontes 

Variety: 100% Torrontes

Year: 2013 
Price: $7.95
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina

Vintage Cellar Review:Spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body.  Well balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish. Best enjoyed in its youth either by itself, or as a wonderful partner with smoked meats, mild to medium-strong cheeses, seafood and a great partner for spicy food as well.

My Review:  This is a great light wine.  I initially tasted hints of pear out of an assortment of fruit flavors.  This has a great full and rich body.  I really enjoyed how balanced it was, there was no heat and it was smooth,  I would definately buy this in the future, especially in the summer with fish or oysters.  

I did not taste this with food

Cortenova Pinot Grigio 2012

Name:Cortenova Pinot Grigio 2012

Variety:100% Pinot Grigio

Year:2012

Price: $7.95

Region:Venezie

Country: Italy

Vintage Cellar Review: Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections.

Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the finish. Pairs well with seafood dishes, risottos with scampi,spaghetti with clams, sole in white wine. Perfect also as an aperitif.

My Review:  This was not my favorite Pinot Grigio thus far.  The initial taste was crisp and fruity.  It was smooth but had a little too much heat towards the end of the taste.  The tannins were also not blended well with the other flavors. 

I did not taste this with food.