First Light Moscato

Name: First Light Moscato
Variety: Muscato
Region: Barossa Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2012
Price: Regularly $15.00, Sale $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Ripe lychee, tropical fruits and musk on the nose as you near the glass. Lovely grape and stone fruits and on the palate is highlighted with the subtle sweetness and spritz that makes this such a fun drink. Low in alcohol and nicely balanced acidity ensure you will want more than one glass of this easy drinking wine.

My Review: As with other Moscatos I've had before it was very sweet. I specifically enjoyed this one though as it tasted very tropical and was particularly bubbly. I think it would make for a great breakfast or dessert wine.

Food: No

CalNaturale Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: CalNaturale Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Viognier
Region: Paso Robles
Country: California
Year: 2009
Price: Regularly $16.00, Sale $10.95 1 liter, $5.95 500 ml

Vintage Cellar Review: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Viognier this certified organic winery produces outstanding quality at reasonable prices offering class Cabernet flavors of fresh herb, olive, cedar and cassis. Focused and intense, with a charming rustic side and broad tannins that firm up on the finish.

My Review: This was a very strong red wine. It was a bit overwhelming with a lot of tannins in the finish, but I enjoyed all that it had to offer. I tasted the cedar as noted in the review and enjoyed the herbal flavors as well. The juice box-like container was also pretty cool.

Food: No

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Name: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
Variety: Gamay
Region: Beaujolais
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: Regularly $15.00, Sale $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: An aromatic red, with floral and white peach notes accenting the black raspberry and plum flavors. This is open-knit and fresh, offering light tannins on the finish.

My Review: This red had a very distinct smell of banana, which I have not yet experienced in any others so far. It was different in taste as well, with a lighter finish due to a less amount of tannins than I usually associate a red with.

Food: No

Beltrame Friulano

Name: Beltrame Friulano
Variety: Tocai Friulano
Region: Friuli
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: 100% Tocai Friulano Straw-coloured yellow with a pale green tint express an intense, delicately aromatic and floral bouquet. The flavour is dry, soft, slightly fruity, with slightly bitter nuance in its almond aftertaste, and suggestion of peach.

My Review: I notice a floral hint, but for the most part this white wine was reserved. It didn't have an explosion of flavor, which is what I liked about it. It wasn't overwhelming and therefore I would consider purchasing a bottle to have more than just a tasting.

Food: No

Mas Llunes Maragda

Name: Mas Llunes Maragda
Variety: Grenache Blanc
Region: Emporada
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: This Grenache Blanc is exquisitely sculpted with sharp acids and pinpointed minerals, and offers orange, melon and vanilla-honey flavors. A delight to drink, at a great price.

My Review: I am starting to notice a major difference in white wines, and this one specifically was pretty dry. For a white I found this to be a bit out of the ordinary, which is a good thing. It wasn't that sweet and was very smooth.

Food: No

Sonnenband Moscato Magnum

Name: Sonnenband Moscato Magnum
Variety: Moscato
Region: Mosel
Country: Germany
Year: 2011
Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: This wine is intricate with the delicate perfumes of white flower blossoms, profound tropical fruit sweetness, and energized by citrus nectars.

My Review: I thought the bottle was pretty cool, it was a nice shade of blue and was very tall. This was a really sweet white wine and tasted very citrusy, which was to be expected as it is a Moscato. I liked it, but it might have been a bit too sweet for my liking.

Food: No

Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: This Cabernet Sauvignon shows very good purity of fruit and skillful winemaking. This wine is full of blackfruit aromas, depth and style. The palate pushes ripe plum and berry fruit along with chocolate, and the finish is chewy and correct in terms of tannins and structure.

My Review: This red was more familiar with a strong finish. There were hints of darker fruits, particularly plum. It was a good wine, but I couldn't pick out anything too special about it.

Food: No

Champteloup Pinot Noir

Name: Champteloup Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Loire Valley
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: In the heart of France's Loire River Valley lies the Touraine wine region. Although it produces vast amounts of well-priced, fresh, mostly white wines, lovely reds like this are broadening Touraine's appeal. This wine may seem familiar to you. It is a sibling of the Touraine Sauvignon Blanc we've offered for years. Serge de Bucy employs a light touch in his winemaking, using no wood and doing as little as possible to preserve freshness. Bright cherry and strawberry fruits are followed by a soft, smooth palate.

My Review: This was my favorite red wine I've had. I usually tend to enjoy to white wine's a little bit more because they aren't as strong, but this red offered a bit more fruit than I've noticed in other red wines. I plan on purchasing a bottle in the near future.

Food: No

Baumann Gentil Classiq

Name: Baumann Gentil Classiq
Variety: Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris
Region: Alsace
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: A delicious and fresh blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. Light aromas of fresh fruit and delicate white flowers start journey, followed by crisp flavors of stone and citrus fruit. A well balanced acidity on the dry finish ends this French blend beautifully.

My Review: As discussed in class, this blend provides a very unique flavor coming from an old-world wine region, Alsace. The label lends to its individualism by moving away from conventional, simple labels that tend to come from France. It also represents the taste because it was different from anything I've had, which is a good thing.

Food: No

Fattori Runcaris Soave

Name: Fattori Runcaris Soave
Variety: Garganega
Region: Soave
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: From the local Italian word for "to work the soil," Runcaris represents an easy, fresh expression of Soave Classico with lingering aromas of citrus yellow rose, honey, jasmine and dried herbs.

My Review: This was a very smooth white wine. It wasn't as sweet as many of the one's I've tasted at the cellar, which made it unique. I noticed a floral hint, which I haven't encountered in many of the tastings, but I would like to experience more often.

Food: No

Angove Zibibbo Sparkling Moscato

Name: Angove Zibibbo Sparkling Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2009
Price: Regularly $15.00, Sale $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: This is a tasty generous Moscato that opens with plush aromas of honey, peach syrup, white flower, and fragrant exotic fruit. There's a nice sensation of fullness and creaminess in the mouth that is backed by the foamy effervescence of this sparkling dessert wine.

My Review: This wine was sweet but not too overwhelming. I agree with the notion that this would be a great dessert wine and would definitely consider purchasing a bottle to try it out with food.

Food: No

Fetzer Malbec

Name: Fetzer Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: Regularly $15.00, Sale $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Delicious Malbec is 100% from Mendoza, Argentina. It has a vibrant red color with violet tones. Subtle and delicious aromas with an intense mixture of red fruits, plum and cherry jam. On the palate it's juicy and has intense wood-like tannins that make it a rustic, yet versatile wine. Long finish.

My Review: I really enjoyed the finish on this wine, it was distinctive and long lasting. It has hints of darker berries and tasted a little sweet, which is different from most reds I've had. I would definitely purchase a bottle, especially for the price when on sale.

Food: No

Tres Ojos Garnacha

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha
Variety: Red blend
(50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre)
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review: "This semi-opaque ruby, custom cuvee of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre is made specifically for Fran Kysela. It exhibits very fresh, ripe dark red fruit with very good palate weight and depth and ends with rich fruit notes. Made from organically grown grapes. Incredible value!" - I-Wine Review (December 2013), 90 pts.

My Review: This red seemed to be loaded with tannins as it was very dry and a little tough. It was a bit overwhelming but I did notice a hint of cherries that gave it some flavor. This one was a little strong for my liking.

Food: No

The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc

Name: The Royal Old Vines Chenin Blanc
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Riebeek Kasteel
Country: South Africa
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review: "One of the greatest buys I have tasted this year is under $10, 100% Chenin Blanc from the Western Cape. A super flowery-scented nose includes notions of ripe honeydew melons and pears. This medium-weight, fresh, fruity, crisp, dry, textbook Chenin Blanc will provide immense pleasure over the next 12 months." 90 Points - Robert Parker

My Review: This is the first Chenin Blanc I've had and I generally enjoyed the texture. It went down smooth and left a fruity aftertaste of pear. It makes me want to try other white wines from South Africa, as the taster suggested that the French grape, Chenin Blanc, is commonly used in this region.

Food: No

Norton Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Name: Bodega Norton Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: Regularly $12.00, Sale $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Aromas of pithy citrus and pineapple are decent but unrefined, while flavors of tangerine and pineapple are tropical, zesty and what they are. This nothing more than a fresh, simple, citrusy white to sip on the patio.

My Review: This one tasted very similar to other inexpensive white wines that I've experienced. It tasted tropical with a focus on the citrusy fruits. Although there didn't seem to be anything too special about this wine, I still enjoyed it.

Food: No