Tasting - Col Des Vents Corbieres

Name: Col Des Vents Corbieres 2009
Variety: 50% Carignan, 35% Grenache, 15% Syrah
Region: 
Country: France

Year: 2009
Price: $7.95


Critic's Review: 

Brambly Berry, cherry, and raspberry, spices, black pepper...all are present in this authentic French country wine. - Vintage Cellar

My Review: 

This wine was good for the pricing. It was nothing to write home about, but good nonetheless. It started with a nose of black pepper, dark chocolate, cherries, wood, and smoke. Upon tasting, it was found that this wine was much like the one before it in that it tasted much like it smelled. There were strong notes of cherries, and wood chips, along with a finish of black pepper. 

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - San Elias Carmenere

Name: San Elias Carmenere
Variety: 100% Carmenere
Region: Central Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95


Critic's Review: 

The grapes for this Carmenere are selected from vineyards in the Central Valley. Beautiful red fruit aromas. Supple and round in the mouth, the wine pairs well with full flavored cheeses and lamb.

My Review: 

This was the first Carmenere I have ever had. It was a very surprising wine on both the nose, and the palate. The nose of this wine smelled distinctly of fresh green bell peppers. On the palate, it tasted the exact same as it smelled. This was very surprising considering how most wines don't smell as they taste. This tasted like the same green bell peppers with maybe a tiny hint of onion on the mid palate. 

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Estrella Chardonnay

Name: Estrella Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95


Critic's Review: 

Intensely flavored and balanced with layers of vanilla, butter and pear, followed by apple, banana, and oak. - Vintage cellar

My Review: 

This Chardonnay was not like the typical Chardonnay. I am not a very big fan of Chardonnay, and I thought this was a decently-good bottle of wine. Especially for the price of $5.95. On the nose, there was a very intense smell of pears canned in syrups, along with strawberries. On the palate however, there was no hint of pear what-so-ever. Instead, it was replaced by the taste of what was almost like a strawberry-banana candy or smoothie, with lots of oak, and was very tart. It was a refreshing change from the everyday run of the mill cat urine Chardonnay. 
I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Zonin Pinot Grigio

Name: Zonin Pinot Grigio 2009
Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95

Critic's Review: 

Pale straw yellow color with brilliant reflections. Delicately fruity bouquet, with outstanding finesse and marked hints of almond blossom and peaches. Elegant, soft and well-structured fruit on the palate, with remarkable freshness and a clean persistent aftertaste. - Vintage Cellar

My Review: 

This Pinot Grigio in my opinion portrayed itself like a $5.95 bottle of wine. On the nose it was very floral, and had hints of an almost gasoline-like burn. It was palate-able, albeit very tart, and full of over-ripened citrus fruits. It lacked any sign of a substantial mid-palate. On the finish, there was a prominent taste of alcohol accompanied by a decent amount of heat. Although it was not a very good Pinot Grigio, for the price, it was decent about what I expected.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Kendall-Jackson Riesling

Name: Kendall-Jackson Riesling 2010
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2010
Price: $12


Critic's Review: 

Deliciously crisp with lots of fruit and subtle spice notes. Layers of apricot, peach, and orange blossom mingle with bursts of aromatic jasmine and delightful finish.

My Review: 

This Riesling was decent, but not amazing. It was a light golden color and was very light bodied. On the nose, this wine reeked of cat-urine and sour towels. On the palate however it was very sweet and tasted of pears, apples, and apricots with no heat. 


I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Trapiche Malbec

Name: Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec 2010
Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $11


Critic's Review:

The 2010 Oak Cask Malbec has an intense red color with violet hints. The wine shows sweet aromas of blackberry and plum with a touch of black pepper, an elegant touch of smoke and vanilla comes from the oak aging. There is a velvety texture, soft tannins, and long finish. 

My Review: 

This Oak Cask Malbec was good. At 14% ABV, it had no recognizable heat, and had strong aromas of black and red berries - especially black cherries. On the palate, there were very strong tastes of cherry and vanilla, with a very smoky and almost meat-like finish. This wine was medium-bodied, and had very little to no tannins.

I did not taste this wine with food.

Tasting - Chateau Morrisette Blackberry Wine

Name: Chateau Morrisette Blackberry Wine
Variety: Blackberry wine
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: N/A
Price: $10


Critic's Review: 
Sweet and smooth, this Blackberry Wine is packed with the vibrant fruitiness of succulent, sun drenched berries. 

My Review: 
This wine was excellent for a fruit based wine. At 12% ABV, there was absolutely no heat, or any hint of alcohol in either the palate or bouquet. On the nose this wine resembled a Blackberry juice, with trace amounts of cinnamon. Tasting this wine gave way to a light bodied wine that was very easy on the palate. It tasted very much like biting into a  Blackberry, and drinking the juice that comes with it. 
I did not taste this wine with food.