Jam Jar

Name:Jam Jar

Variety:Muscat

Year: 2011
Price: $8.95

Country:South Africa

Vintage Cellar 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: I smelled notes of peach in this wine.  The initial taste is very sweet barely any heat.  It is very light bodied and finished with a balance of acid and sweetness.   I enjoyed this wine but only for a glass, it is very sweet.  I did not taste this with food. 

Entrada Malbec

Name:Entrada Malbec

Variety:Malbec

Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Country:Chile

Vintage Cellar 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: I enjoyed this wine.  It smelled like berries.  It tasted very different from the smell, I picked up a pepper steak note, and light tannins.  It was even bodied, not too hot or too dry.  I did not taste this with food.  

Vino Borga

Name:Vina Borga Borsao

Variety:Grenache 

Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Region: Campo de Borja

Country:Spain

Vintage Cellar 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: I first smelled strawberry jam from this wine.  The mid palette was earthy and vegetal then tannic in finish.  It had a decent body as well.  It would pair well with something off the grill or barbeque.  I did not taste this with food.

Peter Lehmannn Chardonnay

Name:Peter Lehmann Chardonnay

Variety:Chardonnay

Year: 2010
Price: $9.95

Country:Australia

Vintage Cellar 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: I also really liked this tasting.  I smelled notes of apple.  The initial tastes were apples cut quickly by acidity.  Finished long, creamy, and bready.  The finish evened out the acidity.  I did not taste this with food.

Protocolo Vino la Tierra de Castilla

Name:Protocolo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

Variety:Airen and Macabeo

Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

Country:Spain

Vintage Cellar Review: 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: I enjoyed this wine.  It smelled of pair and citrus and tasted fruity then acidity.  It had a clean finish with a hint of vanilla.  The acidity cut the fruit well in the mid palate.  

Evodia Old Vines Grenache

Name:Evodia Old Vines 

Variety:Grenache 

Year: 2012
Price: $9.95
Region: Calatayud

Country:Spain

Vintage Cellar Review: 88 points Robert Parker.  An Eric Solomon custom cuvee, the 2012 Evodia is 100% Grenache from a vineyard planted at more than 2,00 feet in pure decomposed slate soils.  Some of the Grenache vines are over feet in pure decomposed slate soils.  Some of the Grenache vines are over 100 years of age.  The wine exhibits good, density, plenty of richness, not the complexity or ethereal qualities of several of his other custom cuvees, but beautiful fruit, a luscious texture and hedonistic mouthfeel as well as finish.  Enjoy this remarkable value over the next 2-3 years.  

My Review: I also really liked this tasting.  I smelled notes of cherry.  The finish was peppery, green pepper, and spice.  Little tannins and heat, not very complex but good.  I did not taste this with food.

Rubus Cabernet Sauvignon

Name:Rubus 

Variety:Cabernet Sauvignon

Year: 2012
Price: $100
Region: Napa

Country:United States

Vintage Cellar Review: Its long finish displays full mature flavors of blackberry, currant and chocolate with just a hint of toasty oak and black cherry.  The tannins are refined and polished, allowing the fruit to be the focus.  Serve this Napa valley Cabernet Sauvignon with a variety of bold preparations ranging from Osso Bucco to grilled red meats and cheeses.

My Review: Deep red color.  The nose has notes of blackberry.  It is a full bodied wine little tannin and heat.  Strong current note in finish with creamy vanilla.  I did not taste this with food.  

Vega Douro

 Name:Vega Douro

Variety:Vinhos

Year: 2009
Price: $9.95
Region: Douro

Country:Portugal

Vintage Wine Cellar Review:  :Smooth and wood-aged, this had a polished texture.  Fruit flavors of blueberry and red cherry combine with the rounded tannins and a spice note to give a rich feel.  Full yet elegant, age this for the next two years.  It is made from port grapes.

My Review:  I liked this red wine a lot.  The nose had a strong berry and pepper smell.  The mid pallet is smooth not too hot.  The finish was creamy and peppery.  A complex and well balanced wine.  I did not taste this with food.

Don Fincas Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec

Name:Loredona Riesling

Variety:Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec

Year: 2011
Price: $12.95

Country:Argentina

Vintage Cellar Review: 90 points Wine enthusiast.  An excellent wine for the money.  All of Basso's current wines are rock solid, including this blend of Cabernet and Malbec, which shows jammy berry aromas backed by plump blackberry and strawberry flavors.  Solid and flush throughout, with nary a flaw.

My Review: This was not one of my favorites.  I had a hard time getting a good nose from this wine, it was not very fragrant.  The mid palate had hints of berry and the finish was long spicy and peppery with lots of Tannins.  I did not taste this with food.

Finca del Castillo

Name:finca del Castillo

Variety:Tempranillo 

Year: 2011
Price: $5.95
Region: La Moncha

Country:Spain

Vintage Cellar Review:  Rooty , spicy and baked on the nose, with aromas that lean toward raisin.  The palate is more gritty and acidic with raisin, cola and spice flavors.  Darkens up on the finish, which is long and peppery, with adequate juiciness and a final note of tomato.

My Review:  Vanilla Creamy Berry Smell.  Strong peppery finish with a vegetal note not dry at all.  Well balanced not too much heat.  I really enjoyed this red.  I did not taste this with food.

Molly Dooker The Violinist Verdelho

Name:Molly Decker The Violinist

Variety:Verdelho

Year: 2010
Price: $30
Region: McLaren Vale

Country:Australia

Vintage Cellar Review: 90 points Robert Popcorn.  A blend of 1/3 Adelaide hills fruit and 2/3 Mc Laren Vale, the 2010 The Violinist Verdelho gives intense aromas of lemon juice, white pepper, coriander seed and a touch of grapefruit peel.  Crisp, rich, very full in intensity of spices citrus flavors with some poached pears and apple slices coming through the long finish.

My Review:  This was my least favorite tasting.  The nose had hints of lemon.  The finish was dry and acidic but I did not taste any return of fruit flavors.  I did not taste this with food.

Bouchaine Bouche de Beurre Napa Chardonnay

Name:Bouchaine Bouche de Beurre Nappa Chardonnay

Variety:Chardonnay

Year: 2009
Price: $50
Region: California

Country:United States

Vintage Cellar Review:  The 2009 Bouchaine Bouche de Beurre CHardonnay from their Estate vineyard is a classic crowd pleaser with all the glory of the rich, buttery California Chardonnay but stylishly balanced with bright Carneros texture and acidity.  It belies the cloying opulence so frequently associated with this style of Chardonnay.  Bouche de Beurre pairs superbly with any rich cuisine accented with cream or butter, but also offers sufficient restraint to serve with well-seasoned sauteed shellfish or flavorfully-accented roasted poultry.

My Review:  This was my favorite tasting!  Probably what Gary would call an Oak Monster though.  It had a light yellow color and first initial taste was of apple and acidic. It smells exactly like buttery popcorn.  The mid pallet is oaky vanilla buttery.   The finish is long with notes of buttery popcorn.  I tasted this without food. 

Manos Negras Torrontes

Name:Manos Negras

Variety:Torrontes and Viognier

Year: 2010
Price: $5.95
Region: San Juan

Country:Argentina 

Vintage Cellar Review:  91 points Robert Parker (the 2009), Blended with 5% Viognier; fragrant with restraint, lively acidity, citrus note add complexity.

My Review: The color is very clear.   There is a hint of citrus in the nose, followed by a light bodied slightly acidic mid pallet.  The finish is not too hot or acidic it is well balanced, but I would not say it is complex.  I tasted this without food and chilled. 

Petrucco Ribolla Gialla Fruili 2009

Name:Petrucco Ribolla Gialla Friuli 

Variety:Friulano

Year: 2009
Price: $11.95
Region: Udine

Country:Italy

Vintage Wine Cellar Review: This well-priced Friulano would pair nicely with spicy Indian or Thai food thanks to the creaminess and richness of its mouthfeel.  In addition, the wine offers a solid bouquet of peach and melon that would not compete with fragrant ingredients.

My Review: It has a light fruit smell.  It is light in bodied and ends creamy.  It has low Tannins and is not too dry.

I tasted this chilled without cheese.

Loredona Riesling

Name:Loredona Riesling

Variety:Riesling

Year: 2011
Price: $7.95
Region: Monterey

Country:California

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

My Review:  I enjoyed this wine.  It nose was sweet and peachy  It was a well balanced wine between sweet and acid.  It also had a light body and hints of honey.  I tasted this chilled.  I would buy this again for a glass in summer to pair with fruit,  

Maipe Malbec

Name:Maipe Malbec

Variety:Malbec

Price: $8.95
Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Vintage Cellar Review:"Deep purple color with violet tints, complex plum, fig, strawberry, spices and floral aromas; rounded and velvety tannins, excellent when paired with game, roasted meats, pasta or pizza."

My Review:  The nose of this wine was spicy and fruity, specifically strawberry.  It had a strong dry finish that was peppery.  I would not buy this wine in the future, it was too tannnin strong for my taste.  I did not try it with food.

Villa d' Rosso Toscano

Name:Villa d'Rosso Toscano Montepulciano

Variety:Sangiovese grapes

Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Region:Montepulciano

Country: Italy

Vintage Cellar Review:"100% sangiovese grapes and is a wonderful rendition of a velvety Tuscan red."

My Review:  The nose of this wine had strong hints of berry.  My initial taste was black berry jelly .  It had very strong Tannins and a dry finish with hints of bitter asparagus.  I did not enjoy this wine because it tasted like asparagus.I tasted this room temperature and without food.

Name:Arnold Palmer Chardonnay 

Variety:Chardonnay

Year: 2011
Price: $7.95
Region: California

Vintage Cellar Review:"A vibrant Chardonnay from vineyards in cooler climates of California.  Chardonnay is well known for its characteristic fresh apple fruit aromas and rounded , rich flavors.  Weather during the 2011 harvest provided ideal growing conditions for during the 2011 harvest provided ideal growing conditions for lush, yet perfectly fruit.

My Review:  The nose is sweet and lemony.  It is a well balenced wine as well, not too acidic or too dry.  I would not buy this in the future, nothing really jumped out at me.  I tasted it chilled and without food.

El Sierro Macabeo Chardonnay

Name:El Sierro

Variety: Chardonnay 

Year: 2012
Price: $8.95

Country: Spain

Vintage Cellar Review:"In the glass, there is a bright and shiny white wine with an incredibly welcoming , fresh appetizing aroma reminiscent of ripe tropical fruits.  The flavor is rich, balanced and extremely comfortable. 

My Review:  I really enjoyed this wine.  It has a fruity and sweet nose.  My favorite part is the creamy vanilla finish.  I tasted this chilled without food.