Crane Lake Riesling

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Riesling
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Light straw in color, this wine showed honey, unripe nectarine and peach on the nose. The mouth feel was off-dry with white flowers, moderate acidity and beeswax. The finish was short with the honey coming out at the end."

My impressions: Foxy nose, like Welch's grape juice.  Sweet, uncomplicated.  In fact, very simple.  Goes down very easily, and tastes like grapes a lot.  I'd say it's perhaps a good beginner wine - wine for people who don't like wine.

Crane Lake Shiraz

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Shiraz
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Beautiful ruby appearance, with blackberry and pepper notes. Tannins and fruit marry well for a soft finish. This wine pairs well with sharp cheddar cheese and hazelnuts. Also try it along with roast lamb at Easter time, veal marsala, or grilled salmon."

My impressions:  Vegetal nose, bits of grass.  Earthy flavors, maybe flint, with vegetal qualities continuing.  I like it a lot, and am shocked that at $6 it has the earthiness. Most cheap wine is fruity.

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2015

Name: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2015
Variety: Gamay
Region: Beaujolais
Country: France
Year: 2015
Price: $12, on sale for $5.95
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "George Duboeuf is THE king of Beaujolais.  His wines are full of pop, charm and great flavor and his Beaujolais Nouveau is no exception.  A cornucopia of expressive fruit wrapped in an almost-bubblegum-like frame; it is the flagship Nouveau."

My impressions:  Woah.  That nose.  Fruit pie - raspberry pie?  Light and fruity taste, but with some of that Burgundian complication.  Nice wine for a hot day, or a picnic.

Maipe Torrontes 2014

Name: Maipe
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2014
Price: $14, on sale for $7.95
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "The wine has a 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."

My impressions:  Very fruity nose, laced with sugar.  I know sweet/sugar isn't so much of a smell, but that's all I can think of is sugar.  Not very sweet in the taste though.  It's ok.  For $8 yes, $14 no.

Tonnino Pinot Grigio

Name: Tonnino
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $14, on sale for $7.95
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Tonnino’s exotic example of Pinot Grigio has a straw to pale gold color. It is fresh and clean on the nose with fruity notes of pear, green apple and white peaches. The palate is true to the nose with a fresh acidity, coriander and lime notes followed by a crisp finish. This wine pairs well with youthful aperitifs, clams or mussels, pastas and risotto dishes."

My impressions:  Fruity, slightly floral nose.  Citrusy, quite acidic.  Somewhat bitter aftertaste.  Would be much better with food, which shouldn't be surprising for an Italian wine.

Veglio Nebbiolo D'Alba 2012

Name: Veglio Nebbiolo D'Alba
Variety: Nebbiolo
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $12
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "A potpourri of violets, sweet baking spices and woodland berries take center stage. The savory palate offers up wild cherry, black raspberry and cinnamon alongside supple tannins and fresh acidity. Drink soon."

My impressions:  Beautiful deep red.  Dark fruit on the nose.  Fruit forward, with bits of blackberry and cassis.  Very tannic.  The first taste gave way to a chemical flavor, almost like a cleaner; not particularly pleasant.  It wasn't as present on subsequent tastes, instead having dried plums as an aftertaste.

Chateau Bellevue Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux 2010

Name: Chateau Bellevue
Variety: 65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Year: 2010
Price: $21
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "This rich wine conveys flavors of milk chocolate and ripe black plums. It is smooth, velvet-textured and full in the mouth. Acidity and firm tannins are a fine supporting cast to the black fruit flavors at the end. Drink from 2016. Extraordinary length in the mouth."

My impressions: Some alcohol on the nose, also with bits of dark fruit.  Dark fruit again on the tongue, jammy, with leathery, dried fruit too.  Full body with good tannins.  Very nice!

Hedgeline Vineyards Pinot Noir 2014

Name: Hedgeline Vineyards

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: Oregon

Country: USA

Year: 2014

Price: $18, on sale for $11

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "A lighter-bodied Oregon Pinot with more subdued plum color than bright strawberry, the initial cherry nose gives the impression of a walk amongst damp old growth evergreens, then, with breathing—raspberry and fresh cut cedar. Tannins are nicely muted, the fruit and acidity center stage as the wine peaks, then, like a variable star, slowly fades."

My impressions: Dark fruit on the nose.   Jammy.  It smells.... Full.  Medium acid, medium tannins.  Fruit throughout, mixes of cherry and raspberry.  I've heard that Oregon Pinot is more like Burgundian, and that feels true for this wine.  The fruit is evident, but I wouldn't consider this a fruity wine - more earthy.  There's a bitterness that's lasting, and makes this a more complicated, less "easy drinking" wine.

Louis Max Pinot Noir 2014

Name: Louis Max
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Haute Valley
Country: France
Year: 2014
Price: $13
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Historically, it has been virtually impossible to get something that approaches the 'Burgundian wine' experience outside the borders of Burgundy. You can certainly find Pinot Noir from other part so France, but they always lack the character and nuance and are often dosed with Grenache, Syrah or other varietals to taste more fruity. The massive costs associated with buying vineyards in Burgundy have all but eliminated the true value wine from the Burgundy conversation, so those looking to make one have to look elsewhere. The Haute Vallee is a cooler corner of the Languedoc near the famous Limoux sparkling wines, and in the hands of a quality Burgundy producer like Louis Max produces a dead ringer Bourgogne. Earthy red fruits on the nose with hints of dried spice, polished on the palate with good body to convey the dried cherry notes without feeling weighty, and a light red fruit finish. A beautiful everyday wine for those that feel they are getting priced out of the Burgundy market. "

My impressions: Slightly foxy nose, with hints of cranberry.  Some musty smells, like old saddles, when they've been stored under the basement stairs and are covered in dust and mildew.  If you've ever smelled it, you know what I mean.  The mustiness continues in the taste.  Old leather - but not like in a Cab Sav, this is lighter - dust and mildew.  Earthy.  There's fruit, but it's buried in the back.  I'm picturing old horse barns and moldy wine cellars.  Very Old World style, probably one of the better Pinot Noirs that I've ever had.  Considering that it's not from Burgundy, that's surprising.

Wine and Cheese 1

 Wine! Cheese!  I hear it's a good pairing.  To say that I don't often eat cheese would be an understatement, but... Well, I figured this would be worth a try.  And even if I don't like the pairings, I can still drink the wine, right?

So, the cheese!

Light gouda: light flavor, not really a whole lot there.  Certainly not my favorite, and I don't think a particularly good quality.

Aged English Sharp Farmhouse:  Rich, creamy, smoky flavor. Great with crackers.

Classic Double Cream Chive:  Luscious.  That's the best word here.  Creamy and full of chives; absolutely delicious on its own or with crackers.

Name: Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve
Variety: A blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $10
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "This 2013 Reserve has a great minerality with abundant freshness. Primarily made from Grenache, it is the Syrah variety that dominates this vintage. Nice aromas of red and black fruit, with a strong aromatic concentration. The mouth is fresh and full-bodied. The tannins are soft and give a long aromatic finish."

My impressions:  Beautiful ruby color. Subtle nose.  Hints of red fruit - plum?  On the tongue, it's fruity, slightly tannic, with good acid.  Red fruit, maybe a bit of dark fruit as well.  Full body.  Very nice.

I chose a light gouda to pair with this one, pictured below.

Paired with gouda: The gouda was very light in flavor.  I found that it softened the wine a little, bringing out some more of the fruitiness.  However, it wasn't a huge difference.  Maybe the cheese just isn't very good.

Paired with Farmhouse: The cheese flavor was very strong and smoky, so it drowned out the wine a bit.  It definitely softens the wine, but a little too much.

Paired with the chive:  The wine tastes a bit fruitier with this pairing, with hints of an earthy quality.  Not as good as the gouda, but MUCH better than the Farmhouse.

Name: Vino de Eyzaguirre Syrah
Variety: Syrah
Region: D.O. Colchagua Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2014
Price: $8
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: for the 2013: "Bright garnet blue violet color. Inviting, attractive aromas and flavors of baked berries, dried leaves, turned earth, and light pepper with a lightly tannic, bright, dry full body and a warming, interesting, medium-length finish with woody tannins and moderate oak."

My impressions:  Very fragrant, lovely nose.  Raspberry, blackberry, plum, jammy... Delicious.  Lovely fruit on the tongue too.  Medium acid. Full of fruit, with more blackberry jam.  Not spicy like many Syrahs.

I chose the Aged English Sharp Farmhouse to pair with this wine.

Paired with the Gouda:  Nothing very interesting here.  I can taste the wine so strongly, it's almost like I hadn't just had cheese.  I think a more delicate wine, like a white, or maybe a Beaujolais, would be better.

Paired with the Farmhouse:  The wine tastes quite nice with this; it's not out of balance, but I'm not getting anything special from it either.  The pungent smoky notes on the cheese paired well with the fruitiness of the wine.

Paired with the Chive:  Both wine and cheese still taste good, but I get nothing from this pairing.

Name: Castello di Montespertoli
Variety: A blend of Sangiovese,
Region: Chianti
Country: Italy
Year: 2008
Price: $15
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: Translated from Italian: "The color is deep ruby red. To smell the first impression is of a perfectly frank wine of remarkable finesse and elegance, the first notes of spices especially black pepper, then red fruits with plums and cherries, chocolate and purple. Good intensity aromas of wine that tastes of wine, scents that blend in unison, that make it pleasant to sink the nose into the cup. The taste you feel that is Tuscan with marked tannins but not intrusive, that does not bother soft, indeed. And dry, balanced, and the right flavor with a slight bitter note, long persistence.
In conclusion: a wine that is appreciated in the table but which can be happy companion in the living room ."

My impressions:  New leather.  Black cherry, or some other dark fruit. Nice acidity, good tannins.  A bit spicy, some dark fruit on the tongue.  That leather continues to come through nicely until the finish.

I chose the Double Cream Chive to pair with this wine.

Paired with the Gouda:  Like the other wines before it, I don't think that the Gouda offered much here.  The wine just overpowers the cheese, so it's like it's not there at all.

Paired with the Farmhouse: This cheese seems to just drown out the wine.  Great separately, but weak together.

Paired with the Chive:  This one didn't drown it out, but neither was it a great pairing.  Definitely softened the tannins though, on second taste.
      *The morning after the tasting, I tried this again. Here are my notes from then:*  This pairing didn't jump out at me at first, but now I can't get enough of it.  The flavors don't meld; they almost clash; but the juxtaposition of the herbal chive flavor and the fruitiness of the wine, and the spice that it offers, has me hooked.  I added crackers to the mix, and it improves it further.

Castello Sonnino Chianti Montespertoli

Name: Castella Sonnino

Variety: A blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia del Chianti. 

Region: Chianti

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $15, on sale for $8.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "A blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia del Chianti. Rich and modern, with a dark, saturated color and aromas of graham cracker and lemon rind. A juicy palate packed with plum and raspberry is carried by a creamy texture that’s rather toasty in terms of flavor. The finish is round, full and chocolaty."

My impressions:  Darker than the Bolla, without that nice cranberry color; more of a traditional red wine color (expected for a Chianti!)  I wasn't getting a whole lot that I could describe on the nose; maybe a little bit of tobacco.  It's very much the same on the tongue; not very tannic for a Chianti, with a bit more red fruit than I would expect.

Bolla Bardolino

Name: Bolla

Variety: A blend of 60% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, and 10% Molinara

Region: Bardolino

Country: Italy

Year: 2013

Price: $18, on sale for $9.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "A blend of 60% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara this bright ruby red wine has hints of black cherry on the nose.  It is soft and fruit-forward, with black-fruit flavors followed by a bright and fresh finish. Serve it as the Italians do – young and lightly chilled. Pairs perfectly with fleshy fish, beef, lamb, red-sauced pastas and pizza."

My impressions:  Beautiful cranberry color.   It has that kind of brownish red that real cranberry juice has; I love it.  The nose is a bit understated, but small whiffs of fruit.  Small bits of cherry flavors on the tongue, but overall not many fruit flavors.  I don't think I've had any of these grapes before, but I will have to try them again.  There are way too many Italian grape varieties... Excellent wine for the price, considering that this is a magnum.

Peter Mertes Sweet Red Dornfelder

Name: Peter Mertes Sweet Red
Variety: Dornfelder
Region: California
Country: Germany
Year: 2014
Price: $12, on sale for $6.95
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine. Great with grilled red meat, sausage and chicken. Best served slightly chilled."

My impressions:  Sweet, red berry nose.  Very bright.  Less sweet than expected on the tongue.  Goes down like water.  I haven't had a whole lot of sweet reds, and none from Germany.  This is definitely different than others I've had... Less like grape juice (like Chateau Morisette's Sweet Mountain Laurel) and more just a very easy drinking wine.  I could see this being a great picnic wine, if you could keep it chilled.

Tenuta le Velette Orvietto Classico

Name: Tenuta le Velette, Orvieto Classico

Variety: A blend of 30% Trebbiano, 30% Grechetto, 20% Malvasia, 15% Verdello, and 5% Drupeggio.

Region: Orvieto

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Price: $18, on sale for $6.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: 88 - i-winereview"The Berganorio Orvieto is a subtle wine with a bright palate. It shows white flowers on the nose and light citrus notes in the mouth. Its neutral character means it can accompany a wide range of foods. A blend of 30% Trebbiano, 30% Grechetto, 20% Malvasia, 15% Verdello, and 5% Drupeggio. The estate has 103 hectares on the hill opposite the hill town of Orvieto."

My impressions:  Somewhat musty, floral nose, without a whole lot of fruit present.  Some more fruit on the tongue, and that mustiness goes away.  It's decent, but I don't find it particularly interesting; if I'd had it before the Vinho Verde, I might like it more.

Aveleda Praia Vinho Verde

Name: Aveleda Praia

Variety: A blend of 40% Arinto, 30% Loureiro, 20% Trajadura and 10% Azal.

Region: Vinho Verde

Country: Portugal

Year: 2013

Price: $10, on sale for $8.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Full of fruit, a lasting peach flavor targeted with laserlike acidity through the finish. It has the bite of salty ocean air and a lot of zing. For langoustines."

My impressions:

Very fruit forward nose, full of apple and peach.  Crisp and acidic.  The fruit flavors continue throughout.  Wow, that acid lasts a long time on your tongue; not in an unpleasant way though.  Very nice, refreshing wine.  Great for this warm weather.

Proximo by Marques de Riscal, Rioja 2010

Name: Proximo by Marques de Riscal
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $11
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Marqués de Riscal Próximo is a new addition to the Marqués range and is a bright and fruit driven Rioja style sourced from slightly younger Tempranillo vines. Very strict parcel selection along with traditional picking techniques, this Rioja is bursting with dark blackberry fruit with notes of rich, ripe plums. Hints of liquorice and star anise also give the wine a superb backbone that is perfectly suited many Mediterranean cuisines."

My impressions:  Jammy nose; blackberries, raspberries, some medicinal smell on the nose.  Fruit forward, with dark fruits - plums, blackberry.. Tannic, but not overly.  Lasting finish, with bits of pepper showing through.  Decanted for three hours, then left in the bottle overnight.  I'm not sure if it helped, but the wine was quite nice.

Domaine de Grange de Payan Cotes du Rhone 2014

Name: Domaine de Grange de Payan, Cote du Rhone
Variety: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2014
Price: $9.95
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: for the 2011, but all I could find: "Intensely spicy and precise, with lively red berry flavors and a hint  of black pepper. The Grenache, which makes up the majority of the wine, is deeper and more powerful, offering cherry and black raspberry qualities lifted by zesty minerality."

My impressions:  Muted nose, bits of soap and cleaner.  Small bits of dark fruit... Cassis?  Explosion of flavor when it hits the tongue.  Tannic, but not overly so.  Red and dark fruit, hint of leather on the finish.  Very nice. I'd buy it again for a tenner.

Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Name: Nobilo
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2014
Price: $2.49
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Light straw with hints of green. Herbaceous notes of freshly cut grass along with lifted pineapple, melon, passion fruit, and hints of grapefruit. Fresh and crisp with zesty flavors of ripe tropical fruits, especially passion fruit and pineapple. The wine has flinty minerality, juicy acidity, and a generous finish.

Enjoyable on its own as an aperitif or with lemon herb chicken, summer salads, or lighter seafood dishes."

Tasting Panel - "Smooth and juicy with tangy, bracing acidity and silky fresh peach and spice; lively, bright and pure; long and luscious."

My impressions:  Fruit on the nose... Sour apple... Kiwi... Grapefruit.  A little more residual sugar than expected.  Mid-palette tangy, kiwi and grapefruit continue through the finish.  Quite good for $12.49.

Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Name: Whitehaven
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2015
Price: $18
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc embodies the quintessential Marlborough style – full-flavored and medium-bodied with notes of peach, gooseberry and ripe tropical fruit. Showcasing a brilliant straw color, this elegant wine refreshes the palate with a long, clean finish."

My impressions:  Kiwi, pineapple, leaves.  Very fragrant.  Delicious nose, like a promise of good things to come.  Slightly spicy, crisp and fresh.  Delicious.  One of the better Sauvignon Blancs I've had at this price point.

J. Fernando Verdejo 2015

Name: J. Fernando
Variety: Verdejo
Region: El Toboso
Country: Spain
Year: 2015
Price: $14.29, on sale for $9.99
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Un-oaked and expressively flavorful with layers of white peach, yellow plum, and apples structured around a core of fresh citrus notes. Well balanced with nice acidity for crispness, and a long, fruit-filled finish. Fantastic by itself or as an accompaniment to seafood dishes."

My impressions:  Bleu cheese. WOAH. Very fragrant nose.  Some fruit.  Bleu cheese on sides of tongue.  Seriously, lots of it.  I haven't had it in years, but I'd recognize that anywhere.  That's different!  Creamy finish. Awesome wine.  I love it.

Dona Sol Shiraz, Petite Syrah, & Symphony

Name: Dona Sol
Variety: Shiraz, Petite Syrah & Symphony blend
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: non-vintage
Price: $6.95
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Shiraz has a unique jammy fruit character that is well represented in the Sweet Red. Both on the nose and on the palate, jammy fruit, like strawberries, cherry pie and red licorice, entices the senses and pair well with cheeses and desserts."

My impressions: Fruit on the nose, but not overtly sweet smelling.  Sweeter flavor though. Thick mouthfeel.  Decent, but not great.  Dessert wines have to be really special for me to be interested, and this isn't.

Velvet Crush Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah

Name: Velvet Crush
Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah Blend
Region: California (Central Coast)
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $18, on sale for $6.95
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Velvety smooth texture just like its name. Soft tannins and lush dark fruit character. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah bring backbone and character, while the Merlot balances out the blend for a soft, smooth texture."

My impressions: Blueberries on the nose.  Interesting, I've never gotten blueberries from a wine before.  Molasses/rum flavors, almost like a hot buttered rum. Wait, is that nutmeg? Verrrry good.  My favorite out of this bunch.  Wonderful sale.

Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2013

Name: Grand Cru
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $6.95
Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "This ruby-colored wine has aromas of raspberry, cherry and a hint of vanilla. Flavors of cherry and plum lead to a soft velvety finish. This wine can be enjoyed by itself. It is also an excellent accompaniment with Brie, goat cheese and smoked salmon. Lamb shanks and pork tenderloin are a favorite main dishes to pair with this wine."

My impressions: Very fragrant (clearly it wasn't my nose on the last wine!) nose, full of dark fruit.  Blackberry?  Excellent flavor, but I can't place it.  Lasting finish. Probably the best $7 bottle I've ever had (that wasn't on sale).

Prime Brume Garganega 2014

Name: Prime Brume

Variety: Garganega

Region: Soave

Country: Italy

Year: 2013

Price: $11, on sale for $6.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: 91- Tastings.com "Pale color. Fruity, floral minerally inviting aromas of passion fruit, white grapefruit, spice poached pear, and papaya with a lean, racy, bone-dry medium body and a smooth, complex, long lemon, passion fruit, raw hazelnut, and wet stones finish with no tannins and light oak. From the tantalizing nose full of exotic fruit, citrus and minerality thru to the long, crisp finish, this soave can seamlessly go from cocktail hour thru to vibrantly flavored dishes."

My impressions: Nothing on the nose; it might as well be water.  Oh wait, there is something; nope, gone again.  Either my nose is acting up, or this wine is not aromatic at all.  Very nice taste; mineral, a hint of banana and other fruit.  Very nice, especially at this price point.

Quintas Melgaço Blue Vinho Verde 2013

Name: Quintas Melgaço Blue

Variety: Vinho Verde

Region: Vinho Verde

Country: Portugal

Year: 2013

Price: $10, on sale for $5.95

Shop/Critic/Winery Review: "Refreshingly crisp white wine from Portugal--Vinho Verde is soft, light and refreshing, and is an uncompromising and ideal wine for everyday pleasure. Its bright color and pineapple aromas are followed by citrus notes. The palate is clean and fresh. Vinho Verde is an excellent accompaniment to fish and shell fish, white meats and salads."

My impressions: Creamy nose.  Tart, with some light fruit. Citrus?  Quite pleasant, lasting finish.  Nice wine, but nothing special.