Tasting-"Primes Ruby Port Front Line"

Name: Primes Ruby Port Front Line

Variety: Blend

Region: Oporto

Country: Portugal

Year: N/A

Price: Regular $18, Sale $9.95

Winery 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.

My Review: This wine had a dark red color and smelled like cranberry and toffee.  The alcohol was very prominent, as was the sweetness.  This wine tasted like raisins and raspberries, with a smooth finish.  This wine would make a good desert wine to have after a meal.

Tasting-"Lindeman’s Bin 80 Cabernet Merlot Magnum 2015 Frontline"

 

Name: Lindeman’s Bin 80 Cabernet Merlot Magnum 2015 Frontline

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend

Region: Southeastern Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2015

Price: Regular $18, Sale $7.95

Winery Review: 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.

My Review: A nice red colored wine, this wine had a strong aroma of tomatoes and pepper with wood elements.  This wine was dry and tart with a light tannin quality.  It had components of cherry, blackberries and boysenberry.  The wine had a hot finish.  I believe if I was to have this wine again I would have to pair it with food.

Tasting-"Domaine du Poujol Coteaux du Languedoc Grenache Cinsault 2011"

Name: Domaine du Poujol Coteaux du Languedoc Grenache Cinsault 2011

Variety: Grenache and Cinsault blend

Region: Southeastern Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2011

Price: Regular $13, Sale $5.95

Winery Review: Minerally and berry notes make for a savory blend of flavors in this fine-grained red. Dried berry fruit dominates, with accents of white pepper and dill seed. Delivers lively acidity on the finish. Drink now through 2018.

My Review: This light colored red wine had a strong aroma of cherries and plums, almost like a jam.  This wine had flavors of pepper, cherries.  It was a dry wine with heavy tannin, like a cherry black tea.  It was not an unpleasant wine but it was not for me.  I did not pair this wine with food but I think it should go with something fatty to break up the tannin, like a nice steak.

Tasting-"Pazo de Monterrey Godello 2014"

Name: Pazo de Monterrey Godello 2014

Variety: Godello

Region: Monterrei

Country: Spain

Year: 2014

Price: Regular $15, Sale $5.95

Winery 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.

My Review:  This honey colored wine had a light aroma of honeysuckle.  The taste of alcohol was strong, accentuated with components of lime and pears, crisply acidic.  The wine was very delicate with a smooth finish.  I did not pair this wine with food but it could go well with a fishy meal.

Tasting- "Domiane de la Foret Rosé de Mediterraneé Greanche Cinsault 2015"

Name: Domiane de la Foret Rosé de Mediterraneé Greanche Cinsault 2015

Variety: Greanche and Cinsault blend

Region: Provence

Country: France

Year: 2015

Price: Regular $9, Sale $5.95

Winery Review:  85– Wine Enthusiast Best Buy

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.

My Review:   This wine was an amber color, with a pear and cider like aroma.  The taste was very dry and tart, a very acidic wine.  The wine had a strange sweet aftertaste that appeared after swallowing.  It was a very interesting wine.  I did not have any food with this wine but I think it could stand alone or be paired with a chicken or fish meal.

Tasting- "Coastal Vines White Zinfandel Magnum Front Line"

Name: Coastal Vines White Zinfandel Magnum Front Line

Variety: Zinfandel

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: Regular $15, Sale $5.95

Winery Review: Coastal Vines White Zinfandel is a light and fruity salmon-pink wine. Sweet, floral aromas of jasmine and roses burst into bright flavors of apricots, cantaloupe, and orange blossoms.

My Review: This rose wine had an aroma of Hibiscuses’ and honeysuckle, very light and floral.  This sweet wine was a meld of kiwi, apricot and honey on the palette with floral overtones and a slightly dry finish.  I enjoyed this wine very much and brought it home with me.  I look forward to seeing how the flavors change when pairing it with food.

Tasting- "Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2013"

Name: Cortenova Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2013

Variety: Montepulciano

Region: d'Abruzzo

Country: Italy

Year: 2013

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Wild berry, chopped mint, sun baked earth and violet aromas meld together on this solid savory red. The juicy straightforward palate doles out ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, anise and cinnamon alongside chewy tannins.

My Review:   This dark red wine smelled heavily of red cherries, almost like cough syrup.  This wine was very spicy, like cinnamon.  It was dry, hot and bitter, with a burning finish.  This wine did not taste like wine but rather like a cherry whiskey, very heavy on the alcohol.  This would definitely need to be served with a meal.   

Tasting-"Rosemount Diamond Label Pinot Noir 2014"

Name: Rosemount Diamond Label Pinot Noir 2014

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: Southeastern Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2014

Price: Regular $15, Sale $7.95

Winery Review: On the nose fragrant red berry fruits; red cherries raspberries; supported by sweet earthy spice notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. The palate is bright and lively with flavors of cherry and raspberry are supported by a soft creamy texture, providing a long and elegant finish.

My Review: This bright red wine smelled like blackberries and roses. It was a dry wine with medium tannins.  It had a bitter, cherry taste, with a strange soft texture on the palette.  Personally this wine was not for me, but I felt it could make a nice compliment to a red meat meal.

Tasting- "Valminor Albarino 2015"

Name: Valminor Albarino 2015

Variety: Albarino

Region: Rias Baixas

Country: Spain

Year: 2015

Price: Regular $19, Sale $9.95

Winery Review: 92– Decanter

"Gloriously aromatic with jasmine and flint notes; very scented. Full and fleshy palate, a mineral follow-through and intense, harmonious finish. A very lovely Albarino that is so pure."

My Review: This wine was dry and tart.  It had a nice aroma of oranges and grapefruit.  The taste was tart and woody, with hints of grapefruit and lime.  I had this wine alone but I feel it should be served with a meal rather than by itself.

Tasting- "Yellowtail Unoaked Chardonnay"

Name: Yellowtail Unoaked Chardonnay

Variety:  Chardonnay

Region: New Zealand & Australia

Country: New Zealand & Australia

Year: N/A

Price: Regular $7, Sale $4.95

Winery Review:  Wow, who would ever call Yellow Tail understated? But here it is. Nice but light aromas of orange, grapefruit, apple, earth and flowers. Lemon, grapefruit, apples, and a little lime on the light palate. Good acidity, pleasant finish, and decent minerality.

My Review: This white wine has a strong aroma of pears and apples.  This was a dry, tart wine that tasted of pears and grass, with a nice citrus finish.  I did not have this wine with food but I imagine it would go nicely with a nice white fish or chicken meal.

Tasting- "Jam Jar Sweet White 2015"

Name: Jam Jar Sweet White 2015

Variety:  Moscato

Region: Western Cape

Country: South Africa

Year: 2015

Price: Regular $15, Sale $7.95

Winery Review: This charming, easy-drinking Moscato offers flavors of peach, apricot, lychee and orange blossom. A lively jolt of acidity keeps it fresh and fruity. Fancy enough for a special occasion toast, yet sweet-natured enough to enjoy every day.

My Review:  This sweet white wine had a nice floral smell, like orange blossoms.  I tasted a blend of nectarine, apricot and lychee.  This was a nice fruity, sweet wine with a delicate finish.  I enjoyed this wine immensely and would drink it on its own, or with a dessert.  In fact, I bought it!

Tasting- "Fox Creek Shiraz 2012"

Name: Fox Creek Shiraz

Variety:  Shiraz

Region: McLaren Vale

Country: Australia

Year: 2012

Price: Regular $23, Sale $9.95

Winery Review: This wine got 91 points by Steven Tanzer.  This wine had a bright purple color.  It had exotic, expansive aromas of black and blue fruit preserves, vanilla and cola, along with a peppery overtone and a hint of violet pastille. Broad, fleshy, appealing sweet boysenberry and cherry liqueur flavors show excellent depth and a seamless texture.  Finishes juicy and long, with building spiciness, an echo of blue fruit and round tannins.

My Review: This dark red wine had a strong berry aroma, with distinct hints of blackberries and black cherries.  The wine was dry, with a leathery, cherry taste with oak and heavy tannins, making my mouth water with the need of some food to pair it with.  The wine had a smoke finish.  I enjoyed this wine but I feel this needs food to soften it and help bring out its complexity.  I felt that too many flavors were competing on my palette without a food to cancel and bring out the variety of tastes.

Tasting- "Candoni Buongiorno Organic Primitivo, Syrah"

Name: Candoni Buongiorno Organic Primitivo, Syrah

Variety: Blend of Primitivo and Syrah

Region: Puglia

Country: Italy

Year: Blend, Year N/A

Price: Regular $15, Sale $7.95

Winery Review: Black ruby color. Mild, spicy, earthy aromas of spiced berries and plum with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a tingling, brisk earth and cinnamon finish with dusty, coating tannin's and moderate oak. A sturdy, earthy red for the table.

My Review: This red wine had a strong aroma of black cherry and pepper, very full of dark berry and spicy scents.  It was a dry, peppery wine with a heavy smoky finish.  I tasted a woody, oak component followed by a cinnamon finish that left me with the puckering sensation as if I had just finished a strong cup of black tea.  I liked this wine but I do not think I could drink it on its own, I would definitely need to pair it with a meal, such as a nice steak to soften the cinnamon and smoke. 

Tasting- "Maipe Torrontes 2016"

Name: Maipe Torrontes

Variety:  Torrontes

Region: Salta

Country: Argentina

Year: 2016

Price: Regular $13, Sale $7.95

Winery Review: Spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals.  On the palette, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body.  Well-balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish.

My Review: This white wine smelled strongly of honeysuckle and pears.  It was a nice dry wine, with a spicy finish that stayed on the tongue.  The main tastes I experienced were green apple and lime, a nice acidic wine.  I did not have this wine with food, but I think it would pair well with white fish in a lemon/acidic based sauce.  

Tasting- "Oxford Landing Viognier"

Name: Oxford Landing Viognier

Variety: Viognier

Region: South Australia

Country: Australia

Year: 2014

Price: Regular $13, Sale $8.95

Winery Review:  This wine is not as rich or expressive as other Viogniers in the Yalumba stable, but it is still an attractive effort.  Pineapple and apricot flavors pick up hints of gingery spice on the vibrant finish.  89-Wine Enthusiast Best Buy.

My Review: This dry, white wine had a nice pear aroma.  It had a very crisp taste, full of pineapple and green apple, with a spicy finish.  I did not have this wine with any food but I believe it would go well with Hawaiian pizza.  I enjoyed this wine and would definitely drink again.

Tasting-"Douglas Hill Sauvignon Blanc"

Name: Douglas Hill Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region:California
Country: USA
Year:2014
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: This light, crisp Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of grapefruit, bell pepper, and asparagus. On the palate, hints of floral and honey are revealed to yield a well-balanced, refreshing wine.

My Review: This wine smelled of mango's and lemon.  This white wine had a very lightly crisp aspect and a slight sweetness.  It tasted of apples and lemon, a sweet acidic wine.  I did not have this wine with any food, and I believe it could do well with or without food.

Tasting-"Prime Brume Soave Garganega"

Name: Prime Brume

Variety: Garganega

Region: Soave

Country: Italy

Year: 2015

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: 91 - Beverage Testing Institute (August 31st 2016)

"Brilliant emerald straw color. Aromas and flavors of brazil nuts, creme fraiche, and kiwi and starfruit with a silky, lively, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and an effortless, engaging, medium-length watermelon, yellow apple, and clementine finish. A delicious, artfully balanced soave with a great range of fruit flavors."

My review: This wine smelled heavily of citrus.  The taste was very acidic and fruity and had hints of lime.  It was dry and had a bitter and crisp finish.  I didn't have any food with this wine but I think it would pair well with food, especially a meal.  I enjoyed this wine very much and would definitely try it again, in fact I brought it home with me after tasting it.