Tasting-"Ca’ Bea Sangue di Guida 2014"

Name: Ca’ Bea Sangue di Guida 2014

Variety: Blend of 45% Uva Rara, 10% Barbera, 25% Croatina

Region: Oltrep Pavese

Country: Italy

Year: 2014

Prices: $9.95

Winery Review: Off-dry with a slight fizz, offering bright berry and mineral notes. Medium-bodied, with a clean, fresh palate and fruity finish. This is a rare, sweet red wine that is wonderful with desserts such as dry pastries, cookies and cakes.

My Review: This sparkling wine was a rich dark purple color, with an aroma of vanilla and plums.  Crisply sweet, this wine tasted of plums, flowers and had a sweet finish that lingered on the tongue.  I enjoyed this wine stand alone and would drink it alone or with any meal.

Tasting-"Alvarez de Toledo Mencia Roble 2009 Frontline"

Name: Alvarez de Toledo Mencia Roble 2009 Frontline

Variety: Mencia

Region: Bierzo

Country: Spain

Year: 2009

Prices: $14, Sale $8.95

Winery Review: 91 Points – Robert Parker

“The 2009 Alvarez de Toledo was bottled just a week before the wine was presented but seems to be showing no symptoms of distress. Balsamic, leather, and black fruits are the principal notes struck by this suave effort that over-delivers in a big way. Like its older sibling, it can be enjoyed now but will have more to say in 2-3 years.”

My Review: This wine smelled like kettle corn and dried cranberries.  The wine was very soft with heavy tannins and a distinct cranberry flavor.  The finish was very spicy, like black pepper.  This wine should be paired with a fatty meal to bring out the flavors of the wine.

Tasting-"Codirosso Chianti 2015"

Name: Codirosso Chianti 2015 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo, 3% Colorino

Variety: Blend of 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo, 3% Colorino

Region: Tuscany

Country: Italy

Year: 2015

Prices: $13, Sale $7.95

Winery Review: (For the 2014 review. The 2015 has yet to be reviewed) 87 Points – Robert parker

A heck of a value in Chianti, this delicious blend of 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo and 3% Colorino offers up notes of licorice, new saddle leather, black cherry and berry fruit, loamy soil undertones and a touch of pepper and herbs. It is medium-bodied, savory and best drunk over the next several years."

My Review: This wine smelled heavily of vanilla and toffee.  The wine was very soft on the palette with a spicy finish.  The taste had components of black cherries, dirt and was heavy with tannins.  This wine needs to be paired with a fatty meal to soften the tannins. 

Tasting-"The Royal Old Vines Steen Chenin Blanc 2015"

Name: The Royal Old Vines Steen Chenin Blanc 2015

Variety: Chenin Blanc

Region: Western Cape

Country: South Africa

Year: 2015

Prices: $8.95

Winery Review: 87 Points – Robert Parker

"The 2015 Chenin Blanc offers loads of melony fruit interspersed with hints of honeysuckle and peach. It is delicious, crisp, fresh, lively, and a dead ringer for a good Loire Valley Chenin Blanc. Drink it over the next year."

My Review: This wine smelled of mangoes and caramel.  The wine was very acidic, with citrus components, with lime standing out.  The finish was very acidic and crisp.  I believe this wine would go very well with cheese to smooth out the acidic touch.

Tasting-"Barão de Figueira Vinho Branco 2014 Siria"

Name: Barão de Figueira Vinho Branco 2014 Siria

Variety: Siria

Region: Beira

Country: Portugal

Year: 2014

Prices: $ 12, Sale $6.95

Winery Review: 84 Points – Wine Enthusiast

This wine is soft and rounded. It has lemon and light spiciness along with cool acidity. It is an easy wine that is ripe with apple and fresh lemon juice and ready to drink.

My Review: This wine has an aroma of pears and apples with a hint of mint.  It is a dry wine with grassy/herbal and citrus characteristics, full of pear and lime flavor.  It had a delicate and smooth finish.  This wine is a nice stand-alone wine that I think could go well with a chicken meal if I was to pair it with food.

Tasting- "Crane Lake Riesling"

Name: Crane Lake Riesling

Variety: Riesling

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2015

Prices: $5.95

Winery Review: Pale golden color. Ripe and dried peaches on the nose. Minerals and dried peach flavors. Nicely balanced, leaning towards lime acidity.

My Review: This wine smelled like hubba bubba bubblegum.  The wine itself was very sweet, and had components of apricot, nectarines and peaches.  I feel this wine could stand alone as a great dessert wine.

Tasting- "Vinedos Real Rubio Rioja Crianza 2010 Tempranillo, Graciano Frontline"

Name: Vinedos Real Rubio Rioja Crianza 2010 Tempranillo, Graciano Frontline

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: Rioja

Country: Spain

Year: 2010

Prices: Regular $16, Sale $9.95

Winery Review: 90 Points – Wine Enthusiast

Lightly baked berry aromas vie for attention with leather, spice and mild earth notes, and the result is disjointed. On the palate, this is tight as a drum initially, but more expansive as it unfolds. Cherry, plum, raspberry, vanilla and woodspice flavors finish pure, clean and easy. This is a fine yet manageable Rioja that’s not trying too hard. Drink through 2016.

My Review: This wine had a lovely aroma of roses, cherries and beats, very floral and fruity.  The wine had a heavy tannin structure with a slight spice finish, like cherry black tea.  The texture was dry and soft.  I tasted cherries and a blend of dark berries.  This wine would pair well with a steak.

Tasting- "Barao de Figueira Tino Reserva 2013 Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca"

Name: Barao de Figueira Tino Reserva 2013 Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca

Variety: Blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca

Region: Beira

Country: Portugal

Year: 2013

Prices: Regular $12, Sale $7.95

Winery Review: 86 Points – Wine Enthusiast Best Buy

From vineyards at 2000 feet elevation, this is a rich and spicy wine that has a pure streak of fruit freshness and a firmly tannic core. It is perfumed from Touriga Nacional in the blend, with red berry and black plum flavors coming through strongly along, balanced by acidity. It will be better from 2017.

My Review: The red wine blend smelled distinctly of blackberries, black cherries and plums.  The wine was dry and soft on the palette, the same berries detected on the nose present in the taste.  I also tasted wood and dirt, adding to the complexity.  I feel this wine would go well with pasta or a red meat based meal.

Tasting- "Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines Grenache Rose 2014"

Name: Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines Grenache Rose 2014

Variety: Grenache

Region: Aragon

Country: Spain

Year: 2014

Prices: Regular $10, Sale $2.95

Winery Review: The Garnacha de Fuego Rose is a solid effort that has a light salmon color to go with notions of cherry blossom, orange peel and herbs de Provence. Medium-bodied, supple, fresh easy-drinking, and an outstanding value at $3.

My Review:  This wine had a strong aroma of sweet toffee.  The wine tasted like toffee flavored water, very delicate, sweet and light wine.  It was a nice wine, very different from what I have had before.  It was very easy to drink and its delicate nature I feel could make a nice component to any meal.

Tasting- "Villa Vitas Ribolla Gialla 2014"

Name: Villa Vitas Ribolla Gialla 2014

Variety: Ribolla Gialla

Region: Venezie

Country: Italy

Year: 2014

Price: Regular $18, Sale $6.95

Winery Review: 87 Points – Robert Parker

The 2014 Ribolla Gialla shows more minerality, nice quince, white currant and citrus oil notes, a dry, refreshing mouthfeel and a fragrant bouquet.

My Review: This white wine had a very floral and sweet fruit aroma, with hints of pears and kiwis.  The wine was very crisp with a sweet finish.  The wine was slightly dry, and had components of apples and flowers.  A sharp sour twist of kiwi added complexity.  I liked this wine very much and would like to pair it with a light meal, with either fish or chicken.

Tasting- "2014 Clay Hill Cabernet Franc Cardinal Hill"

Name: 2014 Clay Hill Cabernet Franc Cardinal Point

Variety: Cabernet Franc

Region: Afton, Virginia

Country: USA

Year: 2014

Price: $35

Winery Review:  Boasting flavors of cherry and black pepper, this is a great wine from a great place.

My Review:  This wine smelled like red cherries.  It was soft with a lot of tannins.  It tasted like a black cherry tea.  The finish had spicy kick, like clove.  I feel this wine would be a nice complement to a meal featuring read meat.

Tasting- "2015 Cab. F + Vio Cardinal Point"

Name: 2015 Cab. F + Vio Cardinal Point

Variety: 97% Cabernet Franc and 7% Viognier

Region: Afton, Virginia

Country: USA

Year: 2015

Price: $30

Winery Review:  Plum and Cherrywood aroma with vanilla, Viognier pushing on the mid-plate, with proper tannins on the finish.  Character and complexity of Burgundian P. Noir

My Review:  This wine smelled heavily of pepper and cherries.  It was a dry, even bitter wine with components of cherry and wood. I feel this would make a nice companion to a meal with red meat.

Tasting- "2015 Rockfish Red Cardinal Point"

Name: 2015 Rockfish Red Cardinal Point

Variety: Blend of Cabernet Franc and petite Verdot

Region: Afton, Virginia

Country: USA

Year: 2015

Price: $20

Winery Review:  Youthful, easy drinker but holds up well to pasta and pizza.  This fruit forward, easy finishing wine was named for the Virginia valley where is was grown.

My Review:  This wine had a strong aroma of blackberries and cherries.  It was soft on the palate and had medium tannins.  It tasted like cherries and a blend of dark berries.  I like this wine on its own but I feel like I could pair it with a meaty dish or some pasta.

Tasting- "2015 Rose Cardinal Point"

Name: 2015 Rose Cardinal Point

Variety: Cabernet Franc

Region: Afton, Virginia

Country: USA

Year: 2015

Price: $18

Winery Review: This Cabernet Franc rose features the potential for warm sunsets, fun with friends, and an ever-ready companion to grilled chicken and veggies.

 My Review: This was a dry wine that had distinct notes of pepper and had an earthy component.  I tasted dirt with  light pepper undertone.  Very heavy on the pepper with the finish.  I was not a fan of this wine, so I don't know what I would pair it with.

Tasting- "2015 Frai Chardonnay Cardinal Point"

Name: 2015 Frai Chardonnay Cardinal Point

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Afton, Virginia

Country: USA

Year: 2015

Price: $20

Winery Review: Fresh and lively peach, pear, and tropical flavors

My Review: A very floral wine, like honeysuckle.  The wine itself was a great sweet wine, full of pear  and peach flavors.  I had some crackers with this wine that dried my mouth out, but made the wine taste fruitier.  This wine could be drinken on its own or with any dish in my opinion.

Tasting- "Alvaro Domecq Aranda Cream Sherry Front Line"

Name: Alvaro Domecq Aranda Cream Sherry Front Line

Variety: Blend with mostly Palomena, Pedro and Ximenez

Region: Jerez

Country: Spain

Year: N/A

Price: Regular $20, Sale $9.95

Winery Review: Golden-brown in color, this has heady aromas of cola, nut, nutmeg, root beer and caramel. A pure, creamy palate of cinnamon apple, mocha, coffee and chocolate. It's quite smooth and balanced, and very long on the finish.

My Review: This wine had a red-brown color.  Aromas of caramel, vanilla, toffee and whiskey were most prominent.  The wine itself had components of vanilla, nuts, raisins and dried prunes.  This wine was very sweet, with high residual sugar, and had a hot finish.

Tasting- "Layer Cake Garnacha 2011 Frontline"

Name:  Layer Cake Garnacha 2011 Frontline

Variety: Garnacha

Region: Calatayud

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price:  Regular $18, Sale $7.95

Winery Review:  The Layer Cake Garnacha from Calatayud, Spain is rich and powerful, yet clean and balanced. Layered with aromas of ultra-ripe black fruit. On the palate, the wine shows intense dark fruit with a background of rich dark chocolate and fresh ground coffee with a long creamy finish.

My Review:  This wine smelled like raisins, cranberries and vanilla.  This wine was delicate, soft and tasted like pepper and cranberry with a spicy, but soft finish.  This wine should be paired with a meal that has some fatty components to bring out the different flavors.

Tasting- "Fossi Rosso Sangiovese, Merlot, Primitivo and Negroamaro Magnum"

Name: Fossi Rosso Sangiovese, Merlot, Primitivo and Negroamaro Magnum

Variety: Blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, Primitivo and Negroamaro

Region: Fiesole

Country: Italy

Year: N/A

Price: Regular $18, Sale $7.95

Winery Review: A blend of Sangiovese and Merlot with a touch of Primitivo and Negroamaro. It will remind those who have traveled to Italy of one of the local house wines they consumed while there.  Simple, juicy, and perfect for drinking with or without food, it’s packed with bright cherry, strawberry and cranberry fruit aromas and flavors.

My Review: This wine had a beautiful dark red color and a strong aroma of plums, cherries and roses.  This wine had distinct tannins and a spicy finish like cinnamon.  I tasted the rose, the earthiness in this wine, and got a strong raspberry flavor.  Overall this wine was very floral and fruity, and I feel it would go very well with a meal that had some red meat. 

Tasting- "Nugan Pie In The Sky Chardonnay"

Name: Nugan Pie In The Sky Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: South Eastern

Country: Australia

Year: 2013

Price: Regular $15, Sale $7.95

Winery Review:  Aromas of poached peach, fig and pineapple with biscuity notes. Tropical, medium bodied style with peach and melon flavours complimented by zesty acids, savoury nuances and a crisp, dry finish. Perfect partner with many styles of modern cuisine including those with an Asian or Mediterranean twist.

My Review:  This wine had an aroma of nuts, pears, honey, and a strange musty, almost wet dog smell.  The wine itself had components of sweet nuts and pears, with a light, soft ginger finish.  I had this wine on its own and feel it could stand alone, but would pair well with some spicy or complex dish.

Tasting- "Invino Si Pinot Grigio 2014"

Name: Invino Si Pinot Grigio 2014

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Lombardy

Country: Spain

Year: 2014

Price: Regular $14, Sale $5.95

Winery Review: Pavia, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy where viticulture dates back thousands of years is home to the Si Pinot Grigio vineyards. The wine is creamy on the palate with a crisp, dry character, fresh citrus and pear flavors and an elegant finish.

My Review: This Pinot Grigio was a light yellow color.  It had aromas of apples and pears with a light floral undertone.  This wine was very light and crisp, full of citrus.  It had a delicate, smooth and sweet finish.  The main components I tasted were pears and apples.  I liked this wine very much, and would like to pair it with a food in the future.  I think it would go well with something spicy.