Tasting -Jam Jar Sweet White

Name: Jam Jar Sweet White
Variety: Muscat
Country: South Africa
Year: 2011
Price: $9

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: I really liked this wine, despite how sweet it was. The acidic finish balanced nicely with the sweetness of the melons and peaches. The nose of this wine was quite delightful but I couldn't pinpoint a descriptor.

This wine was tasted on its own without food.

Tasting -Entrada Malbec

Name: Entrada Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $6

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: I agree that this wine was quite mineral and I was surprised I liked it as much as I did. For a $6 wine I would definitely drink it again as it was interesting and new to my palate.

This wine was tasted on its own without food.

Tasting -Vina Borgia Borsao

Name: Vina Borgia Borsao
Variety: Grenache
Region: Campo de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $7

Winemaker's 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 straight-forward, 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 thought this wine was delicious. The fruit-forward expression of the strawberries and cherries was appealing to the palate. The lack of complexity made it enjoyable to taste as well. Would drink again.

This wine was tasted on its own without food.

Tasting -Peter Lehmann Chardonnay

Name: Peter Lehmann Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: $20

Winemaker's 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 a medium-long persistence. Drink it now to 2014.

My Review: I thought this wine was crisp and refreshing. I definitely picked up on the apple flavor, which was strong in this wine and I found it quite nice. This would be a good summer night on the patio wine.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Protocolo Vino de la Tierra Castilla

Name: Protocolo Vino de la Tierra Castilla
Variety: Airen with a little Macabeo
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $7

Winemaker's 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: I found this wine refreshing and pleasant. The citrus aromas matched what I expected to taste and the lemon flavor on the finish added a nice crispness. I enjoyed this wine and would like to pair it with chicken picatta or something of the sort.

This wine was tasted on its own without food.

Tasting -R Wines Eco Love Riesling

Name: R Wines Eco.Love Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: South Island
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009
Price: $18

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: I really liked this particular wine. I thought that the acidic citrus flavor balanced nicely with the sweet peach flavor. It tasted like the peach ring candies. The ginger flavor was subtle to me, but I think this wine would go well with sushi. My friend purchased this while we were at Vintage Cellar after the tasting, and I look forward to drinking this wine
again.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Toschi Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $9

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

My Review: I thought this wine had very strong cherry, blackberry, and plum flavors. The spiciness at the end made this wine seem balanced. I enjoyed it and would drink it again.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Canyon Road Pinot Noir

Name: Canyon Road Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $7

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: I really enjoyed this particular wine. The cherry flavors were strong and reminded me of cherry coke. I tasted this on its own and I think it would have been better if I had tasted it over dinner. Nonetheless, I still liked this wine and would drink it again.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon

Name: Wine Men of Gotham Chardonnay Semillon
Variety: Chardonnay, Semillon
Country: Australia
Year: 2008
Price: $8

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: This wine was quite pleasant. The intensity of the fruit flavors and their acidity balanced nicely with the butterscotch and made for quite a nice wine.

This wine was tasted on its own without food.

Tasting -Indwe Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Indwe Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Country: South Africa
Year: 2012
Price: $8

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: I thought this wine was particularly refreshing. I definitely picked up on the citrusy notes that add a crispness to the wine as well. The melon flavor was understated but was definitely there, which gace this wine different levels.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Charles Brotte Grand Vallon Syrah

Name: Charles Brotte Grand Vallon Syrah
Variety: Syrah
Region: Vaucluse
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $13

Winemaker's Review: This wine is a 100% Syrah bottling that they produce with grapes from the Languedoc region to the south. It shows remarkable depth of flavor and richness. Spicy but with lively forward fruit.

My Review: I thought this wine had a delightful spiciness, particularly very peppery and like licorice. There was also a nice balance with some sweetness from what tasted like blackberry or black cherry. The aroma from this wine was kind of weird.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.

Tasting -Trumpeter Torrontes

Name: Trumpeter Torrontes
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price $9

Winemaker's Review: Trumpeter Torrontes is an immensely aromatic and distinctive wine with predominant aromas of white peaches followed by hints of jasmine and rose. This summery white displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long full finish.

My Review: This full-bodied wine was semi-sweet and supple with distinct citrus flavors coming through. I thought the rose aroma was rather strong which made this wine seem very floral. The acidity of the citrus mixed with the floral aroma made this wine seem well-balanced.

I tasted this wine on its own without food.