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.