Tasting - Sean Minor Pinot Noir Rose

Name: Sean Minor Pinot Noir Rose

Variety: Vin Gris

Region: Carneros

Country: California

Year: 2013

Price: $8.95

Shop/wine critic/winery review: The Vin Gris is a bright and vibrant salmon color with cherry, strawberry, cranberry and ripe watermelon aromas on the nose.  On entry, the wine displays bright strawberry flavors. Throughout the mid-palate and finish, raspberry and cherry fruit characters are balanced with spicy and crisp acidity that linger creating a refreshing and lengthy finish.

My review: The first thing I smelled in this wine was cherry and other berries, possibly strawberry.  The wine was sweeter than expected but had an acidic after taste that lingered.  I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - Grande Reserve des Bastides

Name: Grande Reserve des Bastides

Variety: Gaillac

Region: Giallac

Country: France

Year: 2013

Price: $9.95

Shop/wine critic/winery review: A crisp and fruity blend featuring 20% of the herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc, 50% creamy Loin de l’Oeil and notes of fresh apple and crisp pear, plus a touch of herb from the 30% Mauzac. It has a bright feel, with a hint of mineral on the finish.

My review: This wine smell very fruity, citrus, and hints of pear came through on the first small.  I tasted it and definitely got the sour green, fresh apple taste that many wines have. This wine was kind of drier than I was expecting.  I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting- Bolla 1.5L

Name: Bolla 1.5L

Variety: Moscato

Region: Pavia

Country: Italy

Year: 2012

Price: $9.95

Shop/wine critic/winery review: Loaded with juicy exotic fruit, mature apricot, yellow peach and tangerine flavors, this sweet and delightful wine is perfect for Sunday brunch or picnics.

My review:  This wine was very sweet. It had a floral flavor mixed with citrus fruits. I enjoyed this wine the best out of the 5 tasted at this tasting.  I did not try this wine with any food.

Tasting - Monte Degli Angeli

Name: Monte Degli Angeli

Variety: VSangiovese

Region: Puglia

Country: Italy

Year: 2013

Price: $7.95

Shop/wine critic/winery review: The aromas are rich and dark, with lots of black cherry and a hint of balsamic. In the mouth the wine is round and energetic, with cherry and black raspberry fruit complemented by hints of damp earth. If you like Sangiovese-based wines like Chianti or our best-selling Colsanto from Umbria, you'll love this! The wine is ripe, fresh, and fruit-driven with a wonderful dash of earthy complexity at the end. Buy it by the case and drink with pizza, grilled poultry, and pasta.

My review:  This wine had a very oaky, dry taste to it.  I could smell a significant amount of cherrys on the first and second smell. When tasting the wine I got a raspberry flavor as well.  I did not particularly enjoy this wine. I did not try this wine with any food.

Tasting- Oracle Pinotage

Name: Oracle

Variety: Pinotage

Country: South Africa

Year: 2014

Price: $7.95

Shop/wine critic/winery review: An unusual style of Pinotage with complex aromas of black pepper, smoke, tomato, and dark fruit. The palate is packed with ripe mixed berry flavors, making this unoaked red wine a real crowd-pleaser.

My review: When smelling this wine I could tell it had a lot of berry flavors in it.  I could smell cherry and possible black berry and raspberries as well.  It also smelled woody.  I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - Alvarez de toledo

Name: Alvarez de Toledo

Variety: Godello

Region: Bierzo

Country: Spain

Year: 2013

Price: $7.95

Shop/wine critic/winery review: Clean pale yellow color. Nose fruity, persistent and elegant aromas. Good backbone on the palate.

My review: This wine tasted very tart to me.  I could taste hints of strawberry and cherry as well.  A very fruity wine.  I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - Villa Jolanda

Name: Villa Jolanda

Variety: Brut

Country: Italy

Price: $8.95

Shop/wine critic/winery review: Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste.

My review: When I first tasted this wine I thought it was very dry and slightly bubbly.  I thought I could taste pear and other fruits in it as well.  I did not have this wine with any food.