Tasting - Pazo de Monterrey

Name: Pazo de Monterrey
Variety: Godello
Region: Monterrei
Country: Spain
Year: 2014
Price: $5.95

Wine Shop Review: "Clean, minerally, slightly green in aromatics and oh so approachable and nice. For an under-$15 white, this Godello from Monterrei excels with layered flavors of apple, minerals and natural spice. The finish is long and hints at fresh herbs like thyme and tarragon. Potentially superb with garlic shrimp or calamari over fresh greens."

Personal Review: To me the wine smelled like citrus, a hint of cream/butter. It tasted herbal and mild, not too sweet with subtle dryness that combined nicely. Didn't blow me away but a good wine nonetheless. I didn't have food with this tasting.

Tasting - Domaine de la Foret

Name: Domaine de la Foret
Variety: Rose de Mediterranee
Region: Provence
Country: France
Year: 2015
Price: $5.95

Wine Shop Review: "In color, this is almost white. There is some attractive acidity and the soft wine will slip down easily with just a touch of red currant. The result is a lightly mineral wine that is refreshing and good for an apéritif."

Personal Review: To me this wine smelled tart, acidic, not too sweet. It tasted herbal, not too sweet with a nice dry flavor. Certainly would drink again! I didn't have food with this tasting.

Tasting - Prime's Port

Prime's Port Ruby
Variety: Port
Region: Oporto
Country: Portugal
Year: undetermined
Price: $9.95

Wine Store Review: "Ruby color; red fruit aromas; pleasantly sweet and balanced taste. As the wines used to produce Prime's Ruby Port age, they gain smoothness and elegance while retaining their fruitiness, intensity and youthful ruby color. They are then blended together for balance and consistency."

Personal: I knew this wine would be strong as soon as I smelled it, the scent of strong alcohol and butterscotch filling the nose. Its taste was a hand in hand blend of super sweet and strong alcohol, with a dry finish. The alcohol was much stronger than I thought it would be, which can be expected from a fortified wine. Certainly a taste I'll have to acquire, but for now I wasn't too big on it. I didn't have food with this tasting.

Tasting - Lindeman's

Lindeman's 80 Cabernet-Merlot 2015
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (~1/5 Merlot)
Region: South Eastern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2014
Price: ~$9.00

Wine Description: "Medium red in color with ruby hues. On the nose aromas of dark red berries, blackcurrants and ripe plums while the palate is  medium bodied, with dark red berries and a soft tannic finish."

Personal Review: This wine smelled of pomegranate, sweet and fruity. Its taste was subtly sweet but dry and fruity as well. The combination of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon with the 21% Merlot mixed for a great flavor with the best elements of both. I didn't have food with this tasting.

Tasting - Montebuena

Montebuena Cuvee KPF
Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Rioja Alavesa
Country: Spain
Year: 2014
Price: $8.95

Shop Review: "A sensational value from Spain, this 100% Tempranillo from Rioja Alavesa has a deep ruby color and a fragrant nose of new saddle leather, unsmoked cigar tobacco, and red and black cherries, followed by a seductive, lovely mouthfeel with no hard edges. It is medium-bodied, pure and best drunk over the next several years."

Personal Review: I liked this wine a lot, it was very pleasant to drink with great balance. I could't detect much from smell, no saddle leather or tobacco, but the taste is really where this wine shines anyways. Its a basic flavor in the best way; tannic but balanced without a hard bite at the end. Easy to sip on for a casual drink, great for any occasion. I drank this without food.

Tasting - Protocolo

Name: Protocolo
Variety: Rosado
Region: Villarta Cuenca
Country: Spain
Year: 2014
Price: ~ $7.99

Critic Review: "Dusty, briny aromas are low on fruit and charm. This has a hollow, flimsy makeup to go with bitter tangerine and raspberry flavors."

My Review: This wine had a deep, dark, fruity aroma that misleadingly promised a strong flavor. Its taste was a light tannic one with no sweetness. It was  incredibly pleasant, a perfect dry wine to have alone, however it did dry my palette after a glass. The flavor was not bold, simple and dry; a pleasant experience. I didn't have it with food.

Tasting - Aconga Red Blend 2015

Aconga Red Blend 2015

Variety: Blend of Bonarda and Merlot
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2015
Price: $3.99

Aconga Description: "An ancient Incan word meaning Stone Sentinel, Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Americas, towering over Mendoza, Argentina. It is this great mountain’s name that inspired Aconga, a symbol of grandeur and the celebration of a land steeped in history. Argentina, known as the land of silver, embraces artisans well known for their unparalleled silver craftsmanship. This Aconga wine was similarly crafted with expert Argentinean pride, culminating in a superior blend for everyday enjoyment."


My Review: It smelled like fruit, dark and strong. My first impression of the taste was very tannic, not a hint of sweetness at all. It had dark fruity flavor that you would expect from a Merlot blend. It did have a strong alcohol flavor that comes through on the finish making it not so smooth, but not necessarily in a bad way. A pleasant dry wine with surprising value for such a low price, would drink it again. I did not have it with food.