Tasting- "Crios Malbec"

Name: Crios Malbec

Variety: Malbec

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: $14.95

Review:  Previous vintage, 90 points, Rober Parker 5% Bonarda in its blend.  It spent 9 months in 50% new French and American oak.  Notes of balsam wood, smoke, black cherry and spice box lead to a similarly styled wine that comes off as just a bit too lean.  Again, the flavors are pleasant, but should be drunk over the next several year while it retains its fruits.

My Review: This is the second Malbec I have tasted and I have to say, this might be a favorite variety!  I found that this one also had a very smooth flavor that was very easy to drink. I could taste the sort of spiced flavor to it.  I like that it isn't a very intense red wine, I think it is a great starter red.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- "Four Bears Cabernet"

Name: Four Bears Cabernet

Variety: Cabernet

Region: Napa Valley

Country: U.S.A.

Year: 2010

Price: $14.95

Review: 2010 Paso Robles Cabernet Savignon is ruby in color and displays aromas of lavender, cedar and raspberry fruit.  Flavors of blackberries and raspberries combined with hints of savory spices coat the palate.  The soft tannins and sweet oak balance lead to a long and lingering finish.

My Review: I thought this wine had a smoother aftertaste, but it was a little sharper on my tongue when I first tasted it.  It tasted almost flowery to me, but I couldn't pick out what type of flower it was.  I also thought that the aftertaste was fairly sweet.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- "Revelry Merlot"

Name: Revelry Merlot

Variety: Merlot

Region: Washington, Columbia Valley

Country: U.S.A.

Year: 2008

Price: $14.95

Review: If you've ever relaxed in a cozy chair, you know what this Merlot is all about:  Soft, smooth and luxuriously deep, with flavors of blueberry and black cherry supported by subtle suggestions of oak and spice.

My Review:  I thought this wine was a "darker" wine, it seemed to have more depth to it and it was a little easier for me to tasted some of the fruitier flavors.  This Merlot was also a sweeter red wine, it was very smooth and easy to drink.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- "Oraison Côtes-Du-Rhône"

Name: Oraison Côtes-Du-Rhône

Variety:  Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre

Region:  Côtes-Du-Rhône

Country: France

Year: 2009

Price: $10.95

Review: Full of spicy red fruit aromas, with cigar and licorice tones as well.  In the mouth it is rich and complex, while retaining its fruit flavors.  Serve with barbeque, grilled meats, and any hearty or spicy recipe.

My Review: I enjoyed this wine, it was a dryer wine than I am used to.  It sort of coated my tongue when I drank it.  I tasted berry flavors and sort of a spice too it.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- "RN 13 Vin de Pique Organic White"

Name: RN 13 Vin de Pique Organic White

Variety: Viognier, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Languedoc-Roussillon

Country: France

Year: 2009/2010

Price: $14.95

Review: A really good fun, sociable white. Very easy-going.  This is a blend of Viognier (40%), Chenin Blanc (35%) and Sauvignon Blanc (25%). The palate is a blend of apples, pears and peaches with refreshing acidity and a hint of lemon. Great balance and perfect example of an easy drinking white to serve chilled as an apéritif or with tapas.

My Review:  I found this white wine to be a little more bitter than most of the white wines I've tried.  I also could not really find as many distinct flavors, they all sort of blended into one flavor that I couldn't quite pick out.  I would not put this down as a wine I would like to drink again.

I did not have this wine with food

Tasting- "Four Bears Sauvignon Blanc"

Name: Four Bears Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: California

Country: U.S.A.

Year: 2010

Price: $12.95

Review:  Rich an complex with aromas of ruby grapefruit, citrus and tropical fruit.  on the palate, the combined flavors of fresh melon, fig and lime are balanced perfectly to form a crisp, mouthwatering texture and a lingering finish

My Review: When I tried this wine I first recognized a very citrus-y flavor to the wine, more specifically a grapefruit sort of taste.  I thought it had a very smooth finish for a white wine.  I'm still not really convince about white wines, but I would say this was a positive experience.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- "Villa M"

Name: Villa M

Variety: Rossa

Region: Piedmont

Country: Italy

Year: 2009

Price: Christmas Gift!

Review: Villa M Rosso is made of 100% Brachetto grapes which are found predominately in Piedmont, Italy. This varietal is known to produce very aromatic wine with a strong flavor of Strawberry on the palate. It is aged in stainless steel which helps to create the extremely crisp flavor in this wine.This is a very approachable and inviting wine that is sure to prove that there is a distinct difference between White Zinfandel and a good Rose'. -Erin Terpstra, Dayton Budget Wine Examiner
My Review: I honestly felt like I was drinking a cranberry mixed drink.  It was very easy to drink, fizzy sort of like a very light soda.  I would say it is also the least "wine tasting" wine I've had.  It is that wine that you give to a friend who doesn't like wine.  In the end it was very light and refreshing, probably a perfect drink for a hot summer day!

I tasted it alone without food.

Tasting- "Obvio- 2009"

Name: Obvio

Variety: Malbec

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2009

Price: $9.99

Review: "Aged for 6 months in a combination of small French and American oak barrels.
Complex and deep red and dark berry flavors"

My Review:This is quite possibly my favorite red wine I've had. It was very easy to drink and enjoyable. I never got the typical red wine taste. I would describe it as very smooth almost buttery but not in the same way as a white wine. It has a lot of layers that I enjoyed tremendously.

I drank this wine before I ate and with steak with a red wine sauce (with this wine). It was awesome together, the wine tasted even better than the times I drank it with pasta and red sauce. It was sort of like when socks coordinate with each other. They aren't the same, but it tasted so good having the two coordinate!

Tasting- "Reynal"

Name: Reynal

Variety: Frizzante Rose Wine

Region: Catalunya

Country: Spain

Year: n/a

Price: $3.99

Review: This off-dry sparkler of Tempranillo and Garnacha has a dark rose color with a ripe raspberry nose and a fresh and flavorful palate of red and blackberry fruit. Fresh tasting and offered at an attractive price."

My Review: It was very fruity, almost too fruity. This was my first encounter with a "fizzy" wine, and I think it might take some time to get used to. I definitely tasted berries maybe even a strawberry type taste. I think it might take some time before I get used to bubbles in wine though!




I did not try food with this wine.