Tasting - The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc

Name: The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: N/A
Country: South Africa
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95

Professional 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:
This pale white wine smelled of pear on the nose. It was sweet and light. very easy to drink. I could taste the transition of flavors as I swallowed; it was not a smooth transition. This is not a 90 point wine in my opinion, though it was good. Maybe like an 85? Yea, 85 - Steven Tuhy, official score. Boom, first wine score.

Tasting - Norton Sauvignon Blanc

I did not pair this wine with any food

Name: Norton Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Mendoza
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $5.95

Professional 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 wine was pale in color and had quite the citrus nose. I smelled mostly pineapple. The initial taste was tangy. The wine was light, and not very complex. I believe it would go well with a light fish, such as lemon crusted catfish.

Tasting - Weinkeller Erbach Flonheimer Adelberg Sylvaner

 

Name: Weinkeller Erbach Flonheimer Adelberg Sylvaner
Variety: Sylvaner
Region: Rheinhessen
Country: Germany
Year: 2010
Price: $18

Professional 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 wine had a grassy smell, with some stalks of bamboo. It brought my back to my days in the Asian jungles... but I digress. There is an initial tang to the wine. It tastes very strongly of lemon grass. There are hints of citrus fruit, especially grapefruit. It also has a nice finish. This is a complex wine. And on sale for only $4.95! You would be losing money if you didn't buy it. I would recommend it (at the sale price).

Tasting - Montebuena Rioja

Name: Montebuena Rioja
Variety: Rioja
Region: N/A
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Professional 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:
This wine was dark red in color. It had a mahogany/woody nose. I could taste the oak in the wine, but it was not overwhelming. It had a smooth finish and a little tang. I think this wine would go well with pork, and not just bacon. I would recommend it. 

Tasting - Delaroche Cotes du Rhone

Name: Delaroche Cotes du Rhone
Variety: Cotes du Rhone
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95

Professional 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:
This wine was light red in color. The wine itself left a warm feeling in my mouth, not hot. It was evenly balanced and had a nice transition. It is on the dryer side. I would recommend this wine. 

Tasting - Maipe Torrontes

Name: Maipe Torrontes
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95

Winemakers Notes:

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 wine was pale in color and had a very flowery smell. When I tasted it, it tasted like I was running gaily through a field of honeysuckle on a bright Spring afternoon. The flower taste was overwhelming. It was a sweet wine, but not a fruity sweet. There was not much on the after pallet, as well. Not much body. I would not recommend this wine. Unless it was to a bee. Then I would tell him to buy it by the bushel. 

Tasting - Cortenova Pinot Grigio

 

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Venezie
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95

Winemaker Notes: 
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 wine was pale in color. It has a distinct smell of apricot on the nose, and leaves you with a warm tingly feeling. The wine has a woody taste, and is not very fruity. I would not recommend this particular wine.