Tasting - Smoking Loon Moscato

Name: Smoking Loon Blue Loon
Variety: Moscato
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Price $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review: "The 2015 Smoking Loon “Blue Loon” Moscato opens with enticing aromas of honeysuckle, overripe honeydew melon, sundried apricot and a touch of honey, peach and mandarin. The palate presents ripe melon, peach nectar and orange blossom honey. The bright flavors and refreshing acidity make this Moscato the perfect accompaniment to a wide variety of foods. Enjoy “Blue Loon” Moscato with brunch, light chicken dishes or summer appetizers. It’s also delicious served with biscotti, creamy desserts, or fresh fruits such as yellow or white peaches."

My Review: This wine had a floral scent, like blossoms. It tasted super sweet, with notes of lemon and honey most palpable on the palette. It was enjoyable, but the sweetness was a bit much unpaired with some kind of food.

I had this wine alone, without food.

Tasting - Los Dos

Name: Los Dos
Variety: Grenache Syrah
Region: Campo de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2015
Price $8.95

Vintage Cellar Review: "Almira’s 2010 Los Dos is a blend of 85% Garnacha and 15% Syrah fermented and aged in tank. Blue and black fruits, pepper, and incense inform the nose of this savory, layered red. It is a very good value meant for drinking over the next 3-4 years."

My Review: Los Dos smelled peppery, with blackberry and black cherry notes too. It tasted dry, with a light body and a dark fruity flavor on the finish, bit of pepper and spice from the Syrah which blended nicely to the overall taste.

I had this wine alone, without food.

Tasting - Vinterra Pinot Noir

Name: Vinterra
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2015
Price $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: "The Vinterra Pinot Noir displays ripe, sweet plum notes with an edge of complexity on the nose. The palate is rich and round supported by fine grain tannins."

My Review: This wine had a unique smell I hadn't yet encountered in a Pinot Noir. It was earthy, musty, with hints of mushroom on the nose. Tastewise, It was dry but not overly so, with a good fruity flavor, with some bitterness. The acidity was sharp and worked pleasantly into the flavor.

I had this wine alone, without food.

Tasting - Acronym Chardonnay

Name: Acronym
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review: "Simple and soft, this Chard is a juicy, forward with hints of tropical fruit and a touch of vanilla. A nice acidity balances the rich fruit flavors."

My Review: This wine smelled of pear like many whites do to me, with some mineral and grassy notes as well. It tasted well balanced, with good acidity and notes of vanilla and fruit. Enjoyable but I didn't find it very unique.

I had this wine alone, without food.

Tasting - Buenas! Viura

Name: Buenas! Viura
Variety: Viura
Region: not specified
Country: Spain
Year: 2015
Price $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review: "¡buenas! Viura offers alluring notes of ripe, red grapefruit that intermingle with flavors of pear and wild flower on the palate. This refreshing white has invigorating acidity with a crisp, clean finish."

My Review: This wine smelled grassy to me, with hints of tart and lime as well, some fruity elements too. It tasted well balanced, with floral and citrus notes and a grassy background theme too. Certainly a refreshing white wine that was highly enjoyable and I ended up walking out of the store with a bottle!

I had this wine alone, without food.

Tasting - Cantina di Casteggio Sangue di Giuda

Name: Cantina di Casteggio Sangue di Giuda
Variety: 80% Croatina, 20% Uva Rara
Region: Lombardy
Country: Italy
Year: not specified
Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: "SANGUE DI GIUDA (Judah's blood) name of the wine because of it's deep ruby red color, with purple hues just like blood! The Judah's part of the story is a bit trickier... part local folklore – (i.e. legend) goes something like this: After Judah’s betrayal and hanging, Jesus forgave him and allowed Judah to come back on earth, specifically in the area of Oltrepo’ by the town of Broni. When the local farmers recognized him, they wanted to kill him, but they spared him when he helped to heal their vines that had been affected by a disease. In return, they named the grape after him. Another explanation is that this wine is a "traitor" because it is so delicious that you can get tempted without much effort. Regardless of what you like to believe, this wine is just incredibly delicious!"

My Review: This wine smelled sweet, with hints of red apple. It tasted smooth, like a sweet grape juice. I expected more of a sparkling effect but didn't pick that up from the tasting, it wasn't very fizzy at all. I enjoyed how it wasn't too sweet, pleasant to sip on and would certainly have again.

I had this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Castle Rock

Name: Castle Rock
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Country: USA
Year: 2012
Price: $8.95

Vintage Cellar Review: "This wine offers aromas of herbs, black cherry and spice, showing a bit of heat. The dark-fruit flavors have good intensity, with dry, astringent tannins backing them up."

My Review: This wine smelled of red fruit with a bit of toasted oak in the background. It tasted of red currant, pleasantly dry with a tannic finish. A great experience of a Cabernet Sauvignon.

I had this wine on its own without food.