Tasting: Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone

• Name: Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone
• Variety: Blend
• Country: France
• Region: Rhone Valley
• Year: 2010
• Price: $14.95/ 750mL, $38.95/ 3L

My Review: This wine has a nutty candied walnut and almond smell. It had a bright and spicy mid taste with a peppery finish.

Shop Review: As for their other values, the 2010 Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Reserve (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cinsault) displays loads of ripe flavors. It is very concentrated for a Cotes du Rhone, and is actually an amazing wine. Classic garrigue, black cherry liqueur, lavender, licorice and spice box are all present in this full-bodied, intense, and rich Cotes du Rhone. This is asensational effort to drink over the next 4-5 years, although it might last even longer. 

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Lobetia Tempranillo

• Name: Lobetia Tempranillo
• Variety: Tempranillo
• Country: Spain
• Region: La Mancha
• Price: $9.95
• Year: 2011

My Review: This wine is a darker tempranillo. It has a buttery and caramel smell. It had a decent grip and longer finish full of dark cherry.

Shop Review: Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. It shows a nice cherry color with a violet shade because of its youth. Red berries and cherries on the nose. On the palate it is fresh, slightly astringent, and harmonious with a long finish.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Lobetia Chardonnay

• Name: Lobetia
• Variety: Chardonnay
• Country: Spain
• Region: La Mancha
• Price: $9.95
• Year: 2011

My Review: This wine had really light smell with a mild mid palate full of lemon and lime flavors. The finish was slightly long with an orange tang.

Shop Review: Organically and naturally grown and made, this wine allows the varietal and the terroir to stand out cleanly. Clean, bright color with a greenish-yellow tone. On the nose, exotic fruits like pineapple. Full flavored, fresh, with good acidity in the mouth, it finishes with tropical fruits.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Trattoria Busa Alla Torre

• Name: Trattoria Busa Alla Torre
• Variety: Pino Grigio
• Country: Italy
• Region: Veneto
• Price: $7.95
• Year: NV

My Review: This wine had a very clear color. The smell was acidic which carried through to the mid palate. It was slightly sweet with melon and strawberry mid flavors. The finish was very smooth.

Shop Review: Named after the famous restaurant in Italy! This is their house white wine! Coppery color from extended skin contact, round and rich texture with juicy melon aromas and flavors with a sweet fennel note on the ultra smooth finish. Great value Grigio! Drink now.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Concannon

• Name: Concannon
• Variety: Shiraz
• Country: United States
• Region: Central Coast, California
• Year: 2008
• Price: $7.95

This is an extremely rich, full-bodied wine with a dark fruit core. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dark cherry are followed by more berry fruits and chocolate and mocha on the palate.

I could definitely smell the chololate and mocha in this wine. It had a lighter mid taste with a clear and refreshing finish, though it had lingering tastes of coffee and caramel mocha.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Ksana Bonarda

• Name: Ksana Bonarda
• Variety: Bonarda
• Country: Argentina
• Region: Mendoza
• Year: 2008
• Price: $9.95

Shop Review: The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. To the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Bonarda. Finishes solid. Very sweet, berry smell with some rooty undertones. Kind of dry, makes your lips pucker.

My Review: This wine had a strawberry jam smell and a jammy mid taste. It was very dry but did have some redeeming berry taste.

I did not try this wine with food.

Tasting: Black Ridge

• Name: Black Ridge
• Variety: White Zinfandel
• Country: United States
• Region: California
• Year: NV
• Price: $3.95

Shop Review: This fruit forward White Zinfandel displays fresh aromas and crisp flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. It is incredibly food friendly and will pair well with burgers, sandwiches, fruit salad, and more.

My Review: This wine had a strawberry and cherry smell. It was sweet with a candy mid taste and a touch of acidity on the finish. I liked it enough to buy it, especially because the price was so cheap.

I did not try this wine with food.