Crane Lake White Zinfandel

Name: Crane Lake

Variety: White Zinfandel

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $5.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Light pink wine with floral and tropical aromas: flavors of strawberry, peach and raspberry with a touch of sweetness. This wine is an easy sipping wine that also pairs well with a wide variety of foods ranging from crab cakes or pâté to spicy Asian dishes, glazed ham, and grilled sea bass."

My impressions:
Sweet and grapey nose.  Strawberries and raspberries through the mid-palate.  Short, sweet finish.  Not bad, but... I've gotta say.  I get skeeved out seeing Zinfandel as anything but a full-bodies red.  White zinfandel just screams "YUPPIE!!" to me. So I judge it a lot more harshly than it (maybe) should be.

Vina Galana Alicante Bouchet

Name: Vina Galana

Variety: Alicante Bouchet

Region: Spain

Country: Spain

Year: 2012

Price: $15, on sale for $9.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "From the rare Alicante Bouchet, one of the few grapes in the world with red flesh  this wine has a plush texture carring flavors of brandied cherry and chocolate ganache in this round red. Light tannins and gentle acidity impart a lovely, balanced structure."

My impressions:

OK, this one's weird.  Dirt on the nose, giving way to a soft finish. Musty flavor. The finish is bizarre. Not a good flavor, but I don't know how to describe it.  I'd give it another chance, absolutely, when I have food and/or no other wines.  But as it is, I'm not a fan.

Tonnino Syrah

Name: Tonnino

Variety: Syrah

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2013

Price: $14, on sale for $7.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "An intense red color. Aromas of violet and blackcurrant enriched by hints of liquorice and black pepper. In the mouth it is full, round, slightly tannic and with a spicy note on the finish."

My impressions:

Strong nose, full of blackberry and leather notes.  Oooh, tannins.  Tingly. Dry. Leather. No fruit.  Decent finish.

Yeah, that was directly from my notes, as a stream of consciousness.  Good when I'm in the mood for a dry red. Which is often.

Riebeek Cellars Viognier

Name: Riebeek

Variety: Viognier

Region: Swartland

Country: South Africa

Year: 2015

Price: $12, on sale for $7.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: Washington Post "This is a luscious Viognier, featuring a deep yellow color, that explodes with juicy peach and honeysuckle flavors. Viognier can easily become flabby, but this one manages to keep its figure within bounds. I recommend this for immediate, lip-smacking enjoyment.

My impressions: "Sugary, grapey, honeyed nose.  Much drier body!  Based on the nose, I expected sweeter.  Very nice!  Good bits of fruit, but not too sweet.

Dom Michel Thomas Sancerre Rose 2013

Name: Dom Michel Thomas

Variety: Sancerre (rose)

Region: Loire Valley

Country: France

Year: 2013

Price: $32, on sale for $8.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: 90 – Stephen Tanzer "Bright orange-pink. Lively, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh red berries, orange peel and honeysuckle, with a hint of anise building in the glass. Dry and nervy in the mouth, offering vibrant strawberry and orange pith flavors and a suggestion of rose pastille. The floral element comes back on the finish, which lingers with very good spicy persistence"

My impressions:

French rose! I'm a sucker for those.  So much better than the American variety.  I'm actually drinking this wine as I write this - I'd have paid $32 for it, but $8.95 is just too good to pass up!  Dry, slightly tart, with a little fruit showing through (berries?).  Fantastic deal. I bought two. 

Crane Lake Gewurztraminer

Name: Crane Lake

Variety: Gewurztraminer

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $5.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Slightly high-toned notions of rose petal mingle with lemon on nose and palate of this lightly sweet, richly textured yet balanced Gewürztraminer. This is not as heady as you may expect and will be a treat with spicy Asian dishes. Lychee and rose petal make another very fetching appearance on the finish."

My Impressions:

Oh my. Another wine that I haven't had for a few years!  Back when I was drinking more of the sweeter German Rieslings, I discovered Gewurztraminer, and enjoyed it.  That and late-harvest Riesling.  However, my tastes have shifted to enjoy much more of the Alsace style Riesling, and too much sweetness bothers me.  So this was a bit of a slog to get through; it would be great as a dessert wine, in small quantities, but I can't drink too much of it at one time.  

Very aromatic, with sweet fruit on the nose... Apricot maybe.  Definitely not citrus/acidic.  Light, drinkable, but very sweet. Would probably be good on a hot summer day.

Codirosso Chianti

Name: Codirosso

Variety: Chianti

Region: Tuscany

Country: Italy

Year: 2014

Price: $13, on sale for $7.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Ruby red color with purple reflections.  Intense vinous bouquet with hints of violets and dark cherry fruit. The flavor is full of ripe fruit and a hint of spice. It is well balanced and dry. The finish is persistent and satisfying."

My Impressions:

I've always liked Chianti; it was one of the first red wines I ever had (after Merlot) and I drank it a lot when I was younger.  I hadn't had it for a few years though, until I tried this.  Altogether, I found it to be enjoyable, but I've moved on somewhat.  These days I enjoy more Nebbiolo than Sangiovese, so find myself drinking Barolo whenever I can. 

I thought that I detected raspberry on the nose, continuing into a dark red fruit in the mid palate.  Lightly tannic, with that fruit flavor continuing throughout.  Slightly flat though, without a whole lot of spice. 

Indwe Pinotage

Name: Indwe

Variety: Pinotage

Region: South Africa

Country: South Africa

Year: 2013

Price: $12, on sale for $5.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "A disclaimer: I have never cared much for Pinotage, the indigenous South African grape variety, but this 2013 Pinotage from Indwe, named after the country's national bird, the blue crane, comes across like a light Pinot Noir. Subtle notes of cherries, spice and forest floor are followed by a round, light to medium-bodied, pure, seductive, well-crafted wine.” Drink now-2016."

My Impressions:

Dark fruit. Leather. Pleasant, but simple.  I think maybe my nose was stuffy when I tasted this, because based on the tasting notes, I feel like I should have gotten a lot more out of it.  I didn't find it particularly interesting or memorable.

Palacio de Bornos Verdejo

Name: Palacio de Bornos

Variety: Verdejo

Region: Rueda

Country: Spain

Year: 2013

Price: $12, on sale for $5.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Zesty and clean, with pure grapefruit and passion fruit aromas. It’s charged up but perfectly balanced, with bright, focused citrus and pineapple flavors. Lemony acidity keeps the finish rolling, then throw in some chive and fresh greens and you have a spot-on Verdejo."

My Impressions:

Apple on the nose, with a hint of honey.  Much thinner mouthfeel than the Grillo, and feels very light.  It has a tangy finish, slightly sour/tart, lingering on the sides of my tongue.  The acidity reminds me a bit of a Sauvignon Blanc.  Quite good, very clean and crisp.

Tonnino Grillo

Name: Tonnino Grillo

Variety: Grillo

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2014

Price: $14, on sale for $7.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Fruit-forward and tangy, this light-bodied, snappy white offers flavors of guava, apricot, candied grapefruit zest and stone. Drink now. 20,000 cases made."

My Impressions:

Thick, syrupy, luscious mouthfeel.  Wow.  It's like candy.  Bright, tangy flavors.  Some fruit, but I couldn't pick out which ones.  I need to start developing my palate a bit.  Outside of dessert wines, especially ice wines, I don't think I've had another white that feels this thick.  

Yellow Tail Red Moscato Bubbles

Name: Yellow Tail Red Moscato Bubbles

Variety: Moscato

Region: Australia

Country: Australia

Year: Non-vintage

Price: $10, on sale for $5.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "With a gorgeous deep pink hue, this is a wine that offers scrumptious aromas of lifted tropical fruits, ripe fresh strawberries with black currant and raspberry texture. Its flavor is a vibrant Moscato, with fresh forest fruits and strawberries and a nice dose of sweetness."

My Impressions:

Wow. A red moscato? That's interesting!  There was bright fruit on the nose - grapy, cherry strawberry smells.  It was all strawberries all through the finish.  Very sweet, lovely appearance in the glass.  I'm not normally a fan of moscato, but this was a pleasant surprise. Would (and have) recommend.

Be. Bright Pinot Grigio

Name: Be. Bright

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $10, on sale for $5.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "This effortless Pinot Grigio keeps things light, with sun-ripened citrus flavors and a crisp, fresh finish. An instant taste of optimism, perfect for setting a carefree mood at any occasion. Serve chilled for total deliciousness."

My Impressions:

The nose... It was musty. Maybe moldy. Not good.  If I smelled this, not knowing it was wine, I would have no desire to put it in my mouth. At all.  The taste was very odd too; I'm not sure if my bottle was spoiled or what was happening, but it was like no Pinot Grigio I've ever had, or would like to have again.  The taste was almost waxy.  Definitely would not buy or recommend.

Yellow Tail Cabernet Merlot

Name: Yellow Tail Cabernet Merlot

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot blend

Region: Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2014

Price: $10, on sale for $4.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "A classic blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium-bodied and very approachable with soft tannins. Fruit-forward flavors of plum, cherry and blackberry are accented by notes of spice with more juicy berries on the finish."

My Impressions:

This wine was surprisingly non-fragrant.  Maybe my nose is acting up.  It was almost like smelling water.  I tasted black fruit instantly - currant? Plum?  The taste continues into the finish, which was lasting and full of fruit flavors.  I'd not had a Cab/Merlot blend before, but this was a pleasant experience.

Beringer Smooth Red Blend

Name: Beringer Smooth Red Blend

Variety: Syrah / Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Petite Sirah

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2012

Price: $15, on sale for $5.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Without a doubt, very smooth and uniquely balanced. Not too dry but not too sweet. Has a foundation of raspberry and blackberry that lingers in the finish. A slight hint at vanilla and some spice when it touches your tongue."

My Impressions:

Either there was very little on the nose, or my sense of smell is going haywire.  I really didn't get much from smelling this one.  I tasted a hint of leather, some fruit, with some spice.  There was a disappointingly short finish.  Overall I enjoyed the taste, but didn't find this wine particularly interesting. I would not buy it.

Dynamite Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Dynamite

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Lake County, California

Country: USA

Year: Non-vintage

Price: $13, on sale for $5.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Melon, green apple and citrus flavors are lively and refreshing, with a spicy, floral nuance."

My Impressions:

I found it to have a fruity nose, full of melon.  It was slightly acidic on the tongue, but kept the fruity flavor, with plenty of citrus added to the melon.  The finish was uninteresting, and the lingering taste quickly turned unpleasant.  I was happy to drink it, but not so happy once I swallowed.