Name: Morada Sangria
Variety: Red wine (with citrus extracts!)
Region: Did not Specify
Country: Spain
Year: Did not specify
Price: $5/Liter
Winery review: A traditional Spanish drink made with red wine and citrus extracts. Garnet color and fresh on the palate. Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit like peach, banana or apple.
My review: I had never heard of Sangria prior to this tasting and was excited to see what this had to offer. Big time orange nose that reminded me of the Hi-C I would drink as a small kid. This followed with orange and peach, and other citrus flavors on my palate that I enjoyed. I would not have guessed that this was an alcoholic beverage; it was sweet and delicious.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Cortenova Primitivo
Variety: Primitivo
Region: Did not Specify
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $8
Winery review: Dark, ruby-red color with violet highlights. Intense and fragrant bouquet with a rich array of red and black fruit aromas and flavors. Harmonious and velvety on the palate. Great balance and structure. Excellent with grilled or roasted meats, game and cheeses.
My review: This wine had a dark red hue and a spicy nose with hints of dark berry. Big smoke and tannins hit my palate as I tasted, but I enjoyed them along with the slight blackberry and cherry flavors encountered. This wine did seem to dry my mouth out though and definitively needs food to be paired with it.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Canyon Road Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $7
Winery review: This Pinot Noir expresses tantalizing flavors of ripe cherry and wild raspberry, and finishes with brown, vanilla spices and a smooth finish.
My review: This is a lighter red wine with aromas of red berry. There are hints of blackberry and cherry in this wine, with soft tannins and a smooth finish. Nothing painful about this pinot but I was not going crazy over it.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Oak Vineyards Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $6
Winery review: This light straw-colored Oak Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay expresses smokey aromatics with nuances of apple and lemon zest that continue onto the palate where they flourish into citrus, orange blossom, and smoked oak flavors until meeting a crisp, medium finish.
My review: I picked up on a pineapple and apple nose that was followed with fruity, apple flavors with a slight oak background. There was no "oak monster" here; this was a well balanced wine that I really enjoyed. I did not pick up any of the orange, citrus notes as I tasted like the review said, but everyone's palate is different I guess.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Poysdorfer Saurussel Gruner Veltliner
Variety: Gruner Veltliner
Region: Did not specify
Country: Austria
Year: 2010
Price: $8
Winery review: Crisp lime flavors, white pepper and lentils, followed by a mouthful of mineral notes and gooseberry. A long lingering finish. A great accompaniment to any Asian or fresh seafood dishes.
My review: Citrus nose with citrus flavors of melon more than lime. This was a crisp, dry wine that was smooth with hints of minerality on the finish.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Opera Prima Sweet White
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Did not specify
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $6
Winery review: Flowery and sweet smelling, then round and fairly smooth in the mouth. The flavor package of tropical fruits galore is pleasant and shouldn’t offend anyone. Finishes clean and easy. A mango boat of flavor.
My review: Sweet tones of citrus and apple on the nose. I am convinced all of these sweet wines I taste are the same, but they are all damn good. I really liked the sweetness of this wine as the citrusy, appley flavors consumed me. However, I was not blown out of the water by this.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
Name: Senda 66 Tempranillo
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Did not specify
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: $9
Winery review: 90 Points, Robert Parker. “The 2008 Senda 66 spent 8 months in new French oak. Purple/black in color, it sports a fragrant nose of spice box, lavender, blueberry, and blackberry. Smooth-textured, layered, and remarkably rich on the palate for its humble price, this lengthy effort will drink nicely over the next 5-6 years.”
My review: Earlier, I had my first Carmenere. Now, I have my first Tempranillo. I picked up aromas of the dark berry I always get when tasting red wines, and was eager to taste. I was surprised at how much lighter the tannin structure and flavors were when I tasted this dark red wine. I got cherry with hints of oak in the background. I enjoyed this wine, and I'll look out for this varietal as I continue to expand my palate.
I tasted this on its own with no food.
