Name: Plungerhead Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot/Merlot
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $14.95
Shop review: "We made a very refined Cabernet Sauvignon with great fruit, tannin, and acid balance. Not one element dominates the rest as this wine truly shows harmony To the blend, we added Merlot for softness and finesse and a little Petit Verdot for color and round tannins. The result is a classic glass of Lodi Cab that will pair well with foods on a white tablecloth setting of a dining room or on a blanket in a park toasting in the sunset." -Winemaker
My review: Plungerhead Cabernet Sauvignon poured a gorgeous blood red in the glass. Aromas of blackberries, oak, plum, and red pepper filled the nose. Cranberries, raspberries, and chocolate formed a beautiful and pleasant palate with soft tannins and a smooth finish. This cabernet was by far my favorite red wine in the tasting and a pleasure to drink.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
Name: Foxglove Paso Robles Zinfandel
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $15.95
Shop review: "90 Points, Robert Parker. Superb, with loads of character, the 2011 Zinfandel delivers beautiful bramble, potpourri, and spice-driven aromatics, medium-bodied richness and real depth and class; the fact that it sells for a song is just icing on the cake. Enjoy it over the coming couple of years. Drink now-2017." - Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Foxglove Paso Robles Zinfandel poured a candy apple red in the glass. The nose was a little off-putting, like early morning dew mixed with wet dog and spices. I did not enjoy this wine from the nose to the taste. The Zinfandel was too hot, with a large punch of alcohol at the end. Because of the overwhelming alcohol content, I was not able to appreciate any other flavors in this wine.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
Name: Patty Green Lia's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Oregon
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $37.95
Shop review: "One of the best value Oregon Pinot Noirs for 15 years, fresh and mouthwatering with sweet black berry/cherry fruit flavors and Patty's trademark full-bodied style. There's a bit of very appealing field herbs and earth in the mix and a smooth silky finish. It's ready to drink but is so well balanced I'd treat it like a higher priced wine and cellar it for 5-15 years. By all accounts one of the top 3 vintages in Oregon's production history." -Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Patty Green Lia's Vineyard Pinot Noir poured a gorgeous ruby red in the glass. Notes of cherries, oak, and tobacco filled the nose. The palate detected cherries, blackberries, with soft tannins and a very smooth finish. This wine was a very pleasant Pinot Noir.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
Name: Moulin de Gassac Rose 2013
Variety: 55% Syrah, 45% Grenache
Region: Languedoc
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $10.95
Shop review: "55% Syrah, 45% Grenache. A delightful salmon-pink wine is produced using the traditional saignee process. After macerating on the skins for approximately 10 hours, the juice is then pumped off and fermented in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks. Aromatics of strawberries and crushed red fruit leap from the glass. In the mouth, it is fresh with excellent acidity, some mineral components and good length. Very food friendly, it is a great companion to just about anything you want to throw at it!" -Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Moulin de Gassac Rose poured a pleasant light pink in the glass. Notes of flowers, strawberries, and grassy dew filled the nose. The palate was delighted by the soft, sweet, fresh strawberries that provided a smooth finish. I particularly enjoyed this rose.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
Name: Foxglove Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $15.95
Shop review: "91 Points, Wine Advocate. A beauty, as well as an absurd value. Very clean and lively, with classic Chardonnay notes of juiced apple, citrus, and minerality, it is clean and focused on the palate with the richness of the variety, yet also beautiful precision and focus. Classy and well-made, without any apparent oak, it should be purchased by the case and consumed over the coming 2-3 years. Drink now until 2016." -Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Foxglove Chardonnay poured a light, pale yellow in the glass. Notes of citrus and minerals hit the nose. My palate was pleased by flavors of dry apples. The chardonnay provided a smooth dry finish. I was not particularly impressed with this Chardonnay as I believe I have had better in the past.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
Name: Moulin de Gassac Blanc
Variety: 50% Grenache Blanc, 25% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Terret Blanc
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $9.95
Shop review: "Variously described as "Lafite in the Languedoc" (Gault and Millau), "The only Grand Cru of the Midi" (Hugh Johnson) and "exceptional" (Robert Parker), Mas de Daumas Gassac has consistently been the Languedoc gold standard for the past four decades. The 80-hectare, organically-farmed estate is located deep in the sultry Midi, but enjoys a temperate microclimate as a result of altitude, which gives the wines a lovely deftness of touch. Try with coconut fish curry, penne al pesto, seafood gratin or cheese souffle." -Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Moulin de Gassac Blanc poured a pale yellow in the glass. I pleasantly encountered notes of peaches and flowers on the nose. On the tongue, I discerned flavors of lemons and peaches. This wine was alright, but not an eye-opener for me.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
Name: Le Roc des Anges Segna de Cor
Variety: 50% Grenache, 30% Carignan, and 20% Syrah
Region: Languedoc
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $23.95
Shop review: "50% Grenache, 30% Carignan, and 20% Syrah. The relation between the Grenache and the terroir of Roc des Anges gives fruity and fleshy grapes. To balance this generosity, they are blended with old Carignan (60-80 years old) and Syrah giving firm structure and dark colour and resulting in a tender and fruity wine sustained by a real texture of tannins. Four S's: soft, smooth, silky, and smoky! Lively and fresh in the mouth, gentle flavours of red grape and berry, dried spices and roasted herbs. From the rock of the angels springs the blood (Segna) of the heart (Cor)." -Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Le Roc des Anges Segna de Cor displayed a beautiful dark hue in the glass. The nose held a beautiful medley of oak intermingled with savory cherries and blackberries. Raspberries were detected on the tongue with soft tannins and a smooth, soft finish. I enjoyed this wine very much.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
Name: Gres St. Vincent Cotes du Rhone
Variety: Grenache and Syrah
Region: Rhones
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $13.95
Shop review: "From a unique, organic co-op in the Rhone valley, this delicious, Grenache-based blend delivers satisfying weight and earthiness but stays light on its feet. Unlike many co-ops that blend growers' fruit into one wine, here each makes their own. Though the blend is dominated by Grenache, the Syrah takes center stage on the nose, with classic notes of liquorice, black fruits, and a wonderful whiff of violets. The tannins and acidity are in wonderful balance here, and on the palate the juicy, exuberant fruit from the Grenache takes over, building to a chocolate note on the finish. A great example of the class and sophistication showing in the 2010 vintage, and of the wide range of great values available in the Southern Rhone." -Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Gres St. Vincent poured a ruby red in the glass. The nose held pleasant notes of violets and red cherries. The palate sensed flavors of black fruits and chocolates with hardly-detectable-to-barely-there-tannins and a smooth finish.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
Name: Dom La Blaque Provence
Variety: Red Rhone Blend of Grenache and Syrah
Region: Provence
Country: France
Year: 2010
Price: $14.95
Shop review: "Explosive blackberry and blueberry on the nose. Very ripe with blueberry, mulberry, raspberry, some mineral character, layers upon layers of fruit, good texture, and with some backbone that should help it age very well. This is definitely more serious than its price tag." -Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Dom La Blaque poured a gorgeous ruby red in the glass. Soft notes of blackberries and blueberries filled the nose. I especially enjoyed this wine as its tannins were soft and held a juicy intrigue on the tongue with fruity blackberries and a smooth, dry finish.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
Name: Coto de Hayas Garnacha Syrah
Variety: Garnacha and Syrah
Region: Campo de Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $8.95
Shop review: "Ruby red color. Pronounced red fruit and spice aromas. Medium-bodied, dry, and easy going. Fresh, fruity and lightly peppery with mild acidity and soft tannins." -Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Coto de Hayas Garacha Syrah poured a beautiful maroon in the glass. As I placed my nose to the glass, I was instantly hit with scents of fresh blackberries. The wine was of medium body with strong tannins that stood out on a palate of juicy dark berries and pepper.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
Name: Vincent Dampt Chablis 2012
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Burgandy
Country: France
Year: 2012
Price: $21.95
Shop review: "I00% Chardonnay, from the birthplace of Chardonnay: Burgandy. Pale lemon in colour. The nose shows soft jasmine notes and ripe fruit. The palate is elegant with a classic, flinty minerality, balanced with soft, creamy fruit." -Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Vincent Dampt Chablis poured a white to pale yellow in color. Notes of lemons and tart apples pleasantly filled the nose. On the tongue, it was sour and tart, with notes of apples in a soft creamy medley. It was not dry on the tongue, but rather smooth which made for a pleasant finish. I enjoyed this wine very much.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
Name: Loredona Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Monterey, California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95 on sale from $15
Shop review: "If you like your Rieslings on the sweet side, this pretty wine is for you. It's brisk in Central Coast acidity, with citrus, peach, honeysuckle, and spice flavors that finish clean and strong." -Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Loredona Riesling poured a clear to light yellow hue in the glass. Notes of fiji apples, peaches, and honey stood out on the nose and tongue. The taste was cool and refreshing with a sweet tropical twist.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
Name: Maipe Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95
Shop review: "Deep purple color with violet tints, complex plum, fig, strawberry, spices, and floral aromas; rounded and velvety tannins, excellent length with a distinguished character. Excellent when paired with game, roasted red meats, pasta, or pizza." -Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: .Maipe Malbec poured a beautiful darker ruby red in the glass. Notes of spices, pepper, oak, meat, strawberries, and blackberries stood out on the nose. I tasted plum and blackberries on the tongue and the spices did not overwhelm the palate. The soft tannins and soft finish of this wine made it pleasant to drink.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
Name: Villa d'Rosso Toscano
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Montepulciano
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Shop review: "100% sangiovese grapes and is a wonderful rendition of a velvety Tuscan red." -Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Villa d'Rosso Toscano Sangiovese wine poured a blood red in the glass. My nose inhaled notes of cherries and strawberries. The bouquet was very fragrant. Unfortunately, the taste did not impress as much as its scent. Cherries stood out on the mid palate with a mouth of tannins upon its dry finish. There was nothing spectacular about its flavor and I was not particularly impressed with this red.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
Name: Arnold Palmer Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Central Coast, California
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95 on sale from $20
Shop review: "A vibrant Chardonnay from vineyards in cooler climates of California. Chardonnay is well known for its characteristic fresh apple fruit aromas and rounded, rich flavors. Weather during the 2011 harvest provided ideal growing conditions for lush yet perfectly balanced fruit." -Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: Arnold Palmer Chardonnay poured a light yellow hue in the glass. The nose brought scents of strawberries, granny smith apples, and honey dew with some citrus notes. Apples and minerals stood out on the tongue with a zesty, semi-dry finish. I was not an very impressed with this Chardonnay compared to others I have tried in the past. I think that the only reason it was cleared from the shelves at Vintage Cellar was for its price point and its famous Arnold Palmer name.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
Name: El Sierro Macabeo/Chardonnay
Variety: Macabeo/Chardonnay
Region: Valencia
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95
Shop review: "Incredibly welcoming, fresh appetizing aroma with ripe tropical fruits. The flavor is rich, balanced and extremely comfortable. The near-perfect all-purpose white wine. As an additional benefit, the good evidence that El Sierro reflect the new Spain, the bottle is sealed with the technical viewed perfect screw cap that at one eliminates any risk of cork flavor and keeps the fruit and wine fresher for longer time." -Vintage Cellar, 2014
My review: El Sierro Macabeo/Chardonnay poured clear in the glass. Aromas of honey, tart apples, and cinnamon came through on the nose. Flavors of tart apples also appeared on the palate with a dry, tart finish. I was not the biggest fan of this blend.
Food: I did not pair this wine with food.
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