Tasting - 2013 Monti Degli Angeli

Name: Monti Degli Angeli
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Puglia
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95

Winery review: "Made from 100% Sangiovese, in Puglia, this wine has rich and dark aromas, with lots of black cherry and a hint of balsamic. In the mouth the wine is round and energetic, with cherry and black raspberry fruit complemented by hints of damp earth.  this wine is a great match for  pizza, grilled meats and hearty cheese! -TL" City Wine Merchant

My review: This wine brought aromas of plum and cherry to the nose, with hints of cedar box and other earthy notes. A pleasant beginning with flavors of dark berries and plum finishing with a slight tobacco taste. I would give this wine a go!

This wine was tasted on it's own with no food.

Tasting - 2014 Oracle

Name: Oracle
Variety: Pinotage
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2014
Price: $7.95

Winery review: "An unusual style of Pinotage with complex aromas of black pepper, smoke, tomato, and dark fruit. The palate is packed with ripe mixed berry flavors, making this unoaked red wine a real crowd-pleaser." - astorwines.com

My review: This wine was fantastic on the nose, a heavy, dark berry medley with raspberries and blueberries. A vegetable aroma came through with broccoli and tomato as well. On the palate this wine packed a berry punch with medium, not dark berry flavor. A wine I would have to give a go on.

This wine was tasted on it's own with no food.

Tasting - 2013 Bolla Moscato

Name: Bolla
Variety: Moscato
Region: Pavia
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $9.95

Winery review: "Lovely straw yellow in color. The bouquet is ample and very intense with a fragrance of sage and ripe fruit. It is soft and delicate on the palate with a persistent and lingering fruity garnish that hints of musk (where the grape name comes from)." ~ Winery notes

My review: The Italians outdid themselves with this wine. On the nose this wine brought a pear flavor with hints of light earthy notes. Instant favorite of the wine tasting after trying this refreshing and crisp wine. Flavors of pear and slight buttered popcorn, very easy to drink. This wine gets a go!

This wine was tasted on it's own with no food.

Tasting - 2013 Alvarez de Toledo

Name: Alvarez de Toledo
Variety: Godello
Region: Bierzo
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95

Winery review: "This unoaked beauty delivers a lovely perfume of baking spices, melon, peaches, and mineral. Round, spicy, and pleasure-bent, this smooth-textured, impeccably balanced effort over-delivers in a very big way. Drink it over the next 3-4 years." The Wine Advocate -90 points

My review: Heavy melon came through on the nose with hints of floral and pear. The wine was very clear in color. On the palate this wine brought melon and a slight tropical fruit basket. A very good deal, the nose was nice but I will pass on this wine.

This wine was tasted on it's own with no food.

Tasting - Villa Jolanda

Name: Villa Jolanda
Variety: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay
Region: Piemonte
Country: Italy
Year: Not given
Price: $8.95

Winery review: "Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste." - Vintage Cellar

My review: Slight gold in color this wine brought aromas of pear and a citrus blend. Hints of apricot came through to the nose as well. Light and airy on the palate with flavors like pear and butter. I enjoyed this wine although I would say pass on this one.

This wine was tasted on it's own with no food.

Tasting - 2013 Bodegas Atalaya Laya

Name: Bodegas Atalaya
Variety: Laya
Region: Almansa
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95

Winery review: "Deep cherry in color. Elegant, fresh and complex nose that highlights ripe fruit and floral notes. Nice and fresh on the palate, well balanced with sweet byt still young tannins, a delicious mouthfilling sensation that lingers on the very long and smooth finish." - garyswine.com

My review: A heavy dark chocolate is loud and clear on the nose. Not dark, but medium berries like raspberry hits the nose along with pencil shavings. The flavors present are cherries, plum and raspberry mix. The "oak monster" showed himself in this wine. I will pass on this one.

This wine was tasted on it's own with no food.

Tasting - 2013 Villa Pozzi Moscato

Name: Villa Pozzi
Variety: Moscato
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95

Winery review: "Fresh aromas of white and tropical fruits which leave a sweet but never obvious palate. The finish is very clean and pleasant, inviting another glass." - liquorworldma.com

My review: A tropical fruit basket on the nose, with fruits like pear working it's way in, and a sugary skittle smell. The wine is soft and velvety not dry. On the palate the skittles and pear flavors are present with the tropical fruit on the after taste. A wine that is for sure a buy.

Tasting - 2013 Paul Laureano Tinto Classico

Name: Paul Laureano
Variety: Tinto Classico - Trincadeira (40%), Aragonez (40%) and Alfrocheiro (20%)
Region: Alentejano
Country: Portugal
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95

Winery review: "Paulo Laureano’s Classico is a delicious blend of the native Portuguese varietals Trincadeira (40%), Aragonez (40%) and Alfrocheiro (20%). This is a full bodied red that reveals all that the terroir of Portugal has to offer. Light cigar tobacco and soft leather present beautifully on the nose. Dark, black fruits fill the mouth, but the wine flows smoothly over the palate, with a good bit of spice on the finish. Pair with spicy, cured meats and hard cheeses." - princetoncorkscrew.com

My review: A wine with good complexity. Aromas of deep, dark berries with a vegetable undertone. A woody and plum scent made an appearance on the nose. Red cherries is the first flavor to the palate followed by a dry plum, and finally a little oaky taste. A good wine I will give a definite go on.

Tasting - 2013 Mars and Venus Chardonnay

Name: Mars and Venus
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery review: "A very nice value Chardonnay that comfortably over-delivers vs. its modest price tag. No oak here, just bushels of clean, crisp, Chardonnay apple and stone fruit with a hint of caramelized pineapple.  Juicy and clean, this is a mid-weight white that's just perfect for parties or weeknight sipping." - chainbridgecellars.com

My review: A wine that resembles water in the glass, clear liquid. Once the aromas hit my nose I picked up on some pear, and a kind of sour fruit basket. The flavors are a mix of heavy pear, and lemon. A wine that is tart to the palate. I would pass on this wine.

I tasted this wine on it's own with no food.

Tasting - 2013 Cortneova Pinot Grigio

Name: Cortenova
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $6.95

Winery review: "Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections.
Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste." -kysela.com

My review: The wine is a clear liquid, similar to water in a glass. The first scent that hits the nose is apples, followed by a lemony citrus aroma. Hints of apricot were present, and no petrol/alcohol smell was detected. Again, granny smith apples are the first flavor to hit the palate, the wine was very smooth like velvet. Slight apricot taste made it's appearance in this wine. A good buy I'd say.

Tasting - 2011 Breca

Name: Breca
Variety: 100% Garnacha
Region: Bodegas
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $15.99

Winery review: "This dense red shows a savory character, with tar, ink and licorice notes framing the core of plum and meat flavors. Features firm, well-integrated tannins and fresh acidity. Distinctive. Drink now through 2018. " -Wine Spectator - 90 points

My review: Blueberry and raspberry notes hit the nose with a tartness. I picked up on a very light earthiness and mild spice aroma. Plum and cherry flavors hit the mouth, slight blueberry. No burn while tasting, more berries with the aftertaste. A dry wine that I think is a good buy.

Tasting - 2013 Shaya

Name: Shaya
Variety: 100% Verdejo
Region: Rueda
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $13

Winery review: "There’s more to the 2013 Shaya, produced with Verdejo from older vines, part barrel-fermented and part aged in contact with the lees, which has more concentration, more persistence of fruit and complexity, more stuffing, with clean notes of freshly cut grass, apples and fennel, a medium to light-palate with good acidity and clear, delineated flavors." - Wine Advocate 89 points

My review: Once in the glass the wine is a very clear color with a gold tinge. The nose picked up on peaches, with a decent floral aroma. Peach flavor with a mango finish. The wine had a buttery kick with light and airy feel. I would pass on this wine.

Tasting - 2012 Cantena Malbec

Name: Cantena 

Variety: Malbec

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2012

Price: $19.99

Winery review: "An intense red, with concentrated flavors of dark plum, kirsch, dried beef and baker's chocolate that are flanked by notes of tobacco leaf and ginger. The powerful finish is filled with sanguine details. " Wine Spectator - 90 points

My review: Very rich in color this wine gives off a plum scent with a slight pencil shavings smell. The legs on this wine are intense. Plum flavor with a musty oak taste. This wine is quite good, I give it a go!

Tasting - 2012 Protocolo White

Name: Protocolo White
Variety: Airen 60% Macabeo 40%
Region: Manchuela
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

Winery review: "Very brilliant yellow color with greenish hues, clear. Aromas of fresh fruit, banana, apple and peach. The palate shows fresh fruity, silky notes with bright acidity, followed by a fruity, strong finish. Recommended pairings: Light salads, white fish and shellfish." - wine.com

My review: A very fruity smell with pears, watermelons and peaches hitting the nose. A fruit basket is the best description for the aroma. The wine is crisp and brings a red apple flavor with mangoes to the palate. A strong lingering after taste accompanied this wine. This wine passed the test with flying colors, it's a go.

I tasted this wine on it's own with no food

Tasting - 2014 Jam Jar

Name: Jam Jar
Variety: Moscato
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2014
Price: $8.95

Winery review: " Packed with juicy peach and apricot flavors, Jam Jar Moscato is fancy enough for a special occasion toast, yet sweet natured enough to enjoy every day." - Totalwine

My review: What's cooler than being cool... Jam Jar. The name jumps out at you as being being modern and popular. The sniff brought me into a tropical fruit forest with aromas of pineapple and red peach. Some hints of floral came through to the nose as well. The taste knocks you out with exotic flavors of kiwi and a ruby red type of fruit I couldn't put my palate on. There were flavors of pear additionally. This wine for the price is a definite, GO!

I tasted this wine on it's own with no food.

Tasting - 2013 Entrada Chardonnay

Name: Entrada Charndonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Nancuaga
Country: Chile
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery review: "Fruity and floral on the nose and rich but not heavy on the palate.  Wonderful tropical fruit flavors are balanced by just a touch of French oak to round out the finish." - Wilkinson Wine Cellar

My review: The glass was poured and I had to take a second look because I though my glass was empty, very clear color like water. My nose picked up ripe apples with a citrus blend. A very crisp and light wine on the palate with flavors of pear and melon. A nice white wine which I will pass on for now.

I tasted this wine on it's own with no food.

Tasting - 2012 Sangiovese Di Romagna Pirovano

Name: Pirovano Sangiovese
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Romagna
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95

Winery review: "Aromas of bright berry fruit and violets merge with zesty spice and intense juicy flavors of ripe raspberry, plum and black cherry in this medium-bodied, food-friendly wine.  Pairs perfectly with a variety of foods such as spicy pastas, red meats and poultry, as well as aged cheeses." - shopriteliquors

My review: The Italians have a penchant for style and that showed with the look of the bottle. The aromas present were raspberry, and a cherry jam. I picked up the petrol with this wine and there were a few earthy notes as well. An oak monster jumped out at me when tasting this wine, a maple flavor with brown spice and cherries. For the price this wine is a good buy, but I'm going to pass.

Tasting - 2013 La Fiera Montepuliciano D' Abruzo

Name: La Fiera Montepulciano D' Abruzo
Variety: Montepulciano
Region: Abruzzo
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95

Winery review: "Ruby-red color with violet highlights. It has a pleasant, fruity profile loaded with fresh herb-inflected cherry flavors and soft tannins." - Madwine

My review: First time attempting the montepulciano variety, I smelled a sugary candy type aroma similar to black and red licorice. My nose was also hit aromas like plum, with hints of a cedar wood and matchbox scent. The taste of this wine brought flavors like cherry and cedar, nothing too pronounced with a medium after taste lasting about 15 seconds. I'm going to pass on this wine, although the price is makes this wine a good value.

I tasted this wine on it's own with no food.

Tasting - 2009 Takutai

Name: Takutai
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Nelson
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009
Price: $6.95

Winery review: Fresh, bright Gala apple flavours dominate in this lively wine. Moderately sweet in style but balanced by fine tannins that add a little spice, and a touch of coarseness, to the finish. Great value at this price. - Tasting notes, 80 points

My review: Not much coming through to the nose, managed to pick up on a golden apple aroma with hints of lemon. Very light flavors with a weak floral aspect. I thought it was quite difficult to pick up on the profile of the wine. Almost like a glass of water. Stay clear of this wine.

This wine was tasted on it's own with no food.

Tasting - 2013 Crane Lake Pettite Sirah

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Pettite Sirah
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery review: "Deep purple color, fruity nose. Very good varietal character. Fruity, clean short finish. Great wine? No. A bargain at $4 a bottle? Hell, yes! This is very serviceable wine. Easy drinking, decent quality. Exceeds expectations. Highly recommend." -Cellartracker 85 points

My review: Big and bold spiciness came to the nose, black spice and a petrol aroma were present. Hints of cherry were thrown into the mix. A good complexity to the wine with black currant, cherry and plum flavors initially. Texture of the wine was smooth on the palate and there was a spicy back palate. I appreciated the depth the wine brought to the table.

This wine was tasted on it's own with no food.

Tasting - 2013 Crane Lake Riesling

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Riesling
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery review: "This is without a doubt the best value on the market. For roughly $5 Crane Lake gives you a light, slightly efervescent, apple and lightly citrus riesling. Great price point. Sacrifices little for the price as well. I have found, however, that it is not at all easy to find. I have only come across in the bargain bins in my town." - Snooth, sagatti

My review: A wine so clear to the sight, I mistakenly thought there was nothing in my glass at first. A great floral scent, apricots with a big lemon grass factor. I really liked how the wine hit the palate with crispness and a light buttery texture. I tasted fruits like melons and pears in this wine. A superb value for the price.

This wine was tasted on it's own with no food.

Tasting - 2010 Yellowtail Reserve

Name: Yellowtail
Variety: Merlot
Region: South Eastern
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95

Winery review: "Vibrant colour; presumably bottled for the Australian market with its screwcap closure, and is a very pleasant merlot given its price; here it is cassis and cherry fruit, not sweetness, that drives the wine; tannins and oak are only just there, but that doesn't matter in the context of the drink now style. (28-Aug-2012) [James Halliday]" - 89 points

My review: At first smell my nose picked up a vegetable scent, like tomatoes and broccoli. Spice was the second most aroma, while there were hints of plum as well. Cherry flavors dominated, with an infusion of brown spice. A dry wine, I was not crazy on the smell. The taste carried the day for me.

This wine was tasted on it's own with no food.

Tasting - 2013 Mars & Venus Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Mars & Venus
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery review: Mars and Venus Sauvignon Blanc is a light, crisp, white wine from Spain. This wine will go great with any seafood or poultry dishes. Truly an excellent value for such a refreshing, tasty wine. - Vintage Notes

My review: A clear color to the wine. I picked up on buttery, pear and melon aromas. A hint of floral forced it's way to the nose. A nice crisp wine with a robust pear and buttery flavor.

This wine was tasted on it's own with no food.