Tasting - Ca'Bea Sangue di Guida

Name: Ca'Bea Sangue di Guida
Variety: 45% Uva Rara, 10% Barbera, 25% Croatina
Region: Oltrepo Pavese
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2014
Price: $9.95

Shop Review: "Off-dry with a slight fizz, offering bright berry and mineral notes. Medium-bodied, with a clean, fresh palate and fruity finish. This is a rare, sweet red wine that is wonderful with desserts such as dry pastries, cookies, and cakes."

My Review: I have liked very few of the sweet wines offered at these tastings.  Expectations were low and doubts were high, but just like the recent presidential election, Ca'Bea somehow managed to pull through. It was dark bodied and had a nice sweet aftertaste.  The carbonation was present but not overwhelming.  I would truly recommend this.

Tasting - Alvarez de Toledo Mencia Roble

Name: Alvarez de Toledo
Variety: Mencia Roble
Region: Bierzo
Country: Spain
Vintage: 2009
Price: $14, on sale for $8.95

Shop Review: "The 2009 Alvarez de Toledo was bottled just a week before the wine was presented but seems to be showing no symptoms of distress. Balsamic, leather, and black fruits are the principal notes struck by this suave effort that over-delivers in a big way. Like its older sibling, it can be enjoyed now but will have more to say in 2-3 years."

My Review: You know that feeling when you grab your warm load on laundry after using triple the amount of laundry detergent recommended?  Takes every bit of willpower not to huff your favorite t-shirt.  That was this wine.  Now, imagine putting on said t-shirt and it doesn't fit... also this wine.  It smelled glorious, but when it came to the flavor it just didn't do it for me.  Was a bit on the tannic side.

Tasting - Codirosso Chianti

Name: Codirosso
Variety: 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo, 3% Colorino
Region: Tuscany (Chianti)
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2015
Price: $3, on sale for $7.95

Shop Review: "A heck of a value in Chianti, this delicious blend of 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo, and 3% Colorino offers up notes of licorice, new saddle leather, black cherry and berry fruit, loamy soil undertones and a touch of pepper and herbs. It is medium-bodied, savory and best drunk over the next several years."

My Review: I always look forward to the 3rd wine... the intro into the reds.  This wine smelled like angels on earth.  When I took a sip I was able to detect the hints of herbs and earthy undertones.  The flavor wasn't overwhelming whatsoever.  I'd go as far to say that this red wine was more on the bland side.

Tasting - The Royal Chenin Blanc

Name: The Royal Old Vines Steen
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Vintage: 2015
Price: $8.95

Shop Review: "The 2015 Chenin Blanc offers loads of melony fruit interspersed with hints of honeysuckle and peach. It is delicious, crisp, fresh, lively, and a dead ringer for a good Loire Valley Chenin Blanc. Drink it over the next year."

My Review: I was told, via the review, this had hints of honeysuckle.  I grew up picking honeysuckles and eating them like it was my job.  I'm not an amateur honeysuckler... I can assure you I got no hints of honeysuckle from this.  I envy those individuals who did, because all I recall is a mouthful of crisp white wine.  I suppose the wine wasn't bad, with the exception of crushed expectations.

Tasting - Barão de Figueira Siria

Name: Barão de Figueira Vinho Branco
Variety: Siria
Region: Beira
Country: Portugal
Vintage: 2014
Price: $12, on sale for $6.95

Shop Review: "This wine is soft and rounded. It has lemon and light spiciness along with cool acidity. It is an easy wine that is ripe with apple and fresh lemon juice and ready to drink."

My Review: I thought this wine was a bit on the sour side.  I also was able to pick up on the acidity, which I didn't like all too much.  This wine almost made me want to pucker when I took a sip.  Was not bad, but also wasn't great.  If you were one of those rowdy teenagers who but jolly ranchers in your vodka, this is for you.

Tasting- Crane Lake Riesling

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Riesling
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: "Pale golden color. Ripe and dried peaches on the nose. Minerals and dried peach flavors. Nicely balanced, leaning towards lime acididty."

My Review: This is one of the better sweet wines I've tried.  Subtle fruit (peach) flavors with a sweet kick.  An easy sipper, especially if you want a nice delicious flavor.  If you like juice boxes, this is the wine for you.

Tasting- Vinedos Real Rubio Roja Crianza

Name: Vinedos Real Rubio Roja Crianza
Variety: Blend of Tempranillo and Graciano
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $16

Winery Review: "Lightly baked berry aromas vie for attention with leather, spice and mild earth notes, and the result is disjointed. On the palate, this is tight as a drum initially, but more expansive as it unfolds. Cherry, plum, raspberry, vanilla and woodspice flavors finish pure, clean and easy. This is a fine yet manageable Rioja that’s not trying too hard. Drink through 2016."

My Review: I have said this before and I'll say it again.  Felt like I walked into a florists and took a chomp out of a rose.  This sucker tastes like pure flowers.  It's not so much that I disliked the flavor, because it was very subtle, but nothing in particular jumped out at me.

Tasting- Barao de Figueira Tino Reserva

Name: Barao de Figueira Tino Reserva
Variety: Blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca
Region: Beira
Country: Portugal
Year: 2013
Price: $12

Winery Review: "From vineyards at 2000 feet elevation, this is a rich and spicy wine that has a pure streak of fruit freshness and a firmly tannic core. It is perfumed from Touriga Nacional in the blend, with red berry and black plum flavors coming through strongly along, balanced by acidity. It will be better from 2017."

My Review: I liked this wine for sure!  It had a tannic kick, but not overwhelming.  The flavors all coincided well, but I would not recommend to anyone who dislikes the dry mouth feel. I give this wine a 10/10.  

Tasting - Garnacha De Fuego Old Vines Grenache

Name: Garnacha de Fuego
Variety: Grenache
Region: Aragon
Country: Spain
Year: 2014
Price: $10

Winery Review: "The Garnacha de Fuego Rose is a solid effort that has a light salmon color to go with notions of cherry blossom, orange peel and herbs de Provence. Medium-bodied, supple, fresh easy-drinking."

My Review: Nope.  Did not like this one so much.  Tastes like someone sprinkled a little dirt into the wine before they bottled it up and sent it on its way.  I suppose there are some individuals out there that can appreciate the earthly flavors, but I am not one of them.  Chalk this one up as a negative.

Tasting - Villa Vitas Ribolla Gialla

Name: Villa Vitas
Variety: Ribolla Gialla
Region: Venezie
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $6.95

Winery Review: "The 2014 Ribolla Gialla shows more minerality, nice quince, white currant and citrus oil notes, a dry, refreshing mouthfeel and a fragrant bouquet."

My Review: This was a good sipper for sure.  I was not expecting much considering I don't prefer white wine, however, I was pleasantly surprised.  I was able to identify subtle citrus flavors, but they didn't over do it by any means.  A wine I would definitely recommend.

Tasting- Alvaro Domecq Aranda Cream Sherry

Name: Alvaro Domecq
Variety: Aranda Cream Sherry
Region: Jerez
Country: Spain
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $20

Winery Review: "Golden-brown in color, this has heady aromas of cola, nut, nutmeg, root beer and caramel. A pure, creamy palate of cinnamon apple, mocha, coffee and chocolate. It's quite smooth and balanced, and very long on the finish."

My Review:  Have you ever had maple syrup?  Well, then you have had some Alvaro Domecq!  This sucker was clearly jam packed with sugars.  It literally came out of the bottle brown.  The taste lingered on the tongue long after you took the sip.  I would recommend to Buddy the Elf. I was not a large fan of this one, but again, I'm not a large fan of sweets.

Tasting- Layer Cake Garnacha

Name: Layer Cake
Variety: 100% Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $18

Winery Review: "The Layer Cake Garnacha from Calatayud, Spain is rich and powerful, yet clean and balanced. Layered with aromas of ultra ripe black fruit. On the palate, the wine shows intense dark fruit with a background of rich dark chocolate and fresh ground coffee with a long creamy finish."

My Review:  Let me tell you something, I love coffee.  When I was told this wine had a coffee taste that lingered I wanted a full glass.  After the 1st sip I was very disappointed.   I didn't get much of a coffee taste at all.  I got hints of black fruit, but that is it.  I suppose this is subjective, but I personally was not a large fan of this one.

Tasting- Fossi Rosso

Name: Fossi Rosso
Variety: Blend: Sangiovese, Merlot, Primitivo and Negroamaro
Region: Fiesole
Country: Italy
Year: Non-vintage
Price: $18 (Magnum)

Winery Review: "A blend of Sangiovese and Merlot with a touch of Primitivo and Negroamaro. It will remind those who have traveled to Italy of one of the local house wines they consumed while there.  Simple, juicy, and perfect for drinking with or without food, it’s packed with bright cherry, strawberry and cranberry fruit aromas and flavors."

My Review: To me, this red wine was a bit on the bland side.  I was excited as I typically like a nice merlot, however, this just didn't have the kick I was expecting.  It was exceptionally smooth, but lacked the heavy flavors present in most red wines.  Would recommend to someone who is new to wine that isn't a fan of whites.

Tasting- Nugan Pie in the Sky Chardonnay

Name: Nugan Pie in the Sky
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: South Eastern
Country: Australia
Year: 2013
Price: $15

Winery Review: "Aromas of poached peach, fig and pineapple with biscuity notes. Tropical, medium bodied style with peach and melon flavours complimented by zesty acids, savoury nuances and a crisp, dry finish. Perfect partner with many styles of modern cuisine including those with an Asian or Mediterranean twist."

My Review: I said this after my 1st sip: "It taste like a firecracker."  Yeah, that may sound crazy, but I'm telling you this wine literally has the same taste/smell you'd get after lighting an M80.  Didn't like it too much.  I got some peach flavoring but not enough to overpower the black powder.

Tasting - Invino Si Pinot Grigio

Name: Invino Si

Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio
Region: Lombardy
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $14

Winery Review: "Pavia, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy where viticulture dates back thousands of years is home to the Si Pinot Grigio vineyards. The wine is creamy on the palate with a crisp, dry character, fresh citrus and pear flavors and an elegant finish."

My Review:  This wine has one cool bottle!  Again, not a large fan of white wines, but this one in particular was tasty and full.  Very delicious!  Highly recommend.  Definitely an easy sipper for someone who isn't a big red wine.