Tasting - AmRhein Sauvignon Blanc

Name: AmRhein Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Virginia

Country: USA
Year: 2011

Price: $11.95

Critic Review: This is a dry, crisp wine using the New Zealand Style and the terroir of Virginia. The unique flavor is mouth-wateringly fresh and bold, featuring bright citrus and lively kiwi fruit flavors.

My Review: The AmRhein representative spoke very highly of this wine, and for good reason!  This Sauvignon Blanc was very light with a tropical fruit flavor profile.  There was no vegetative flavors, rather I was left feeling refreshed from the acidic fruitiness of the wine.

I did not taste this wine with food

Tasting - AmRhein Pinot Grigio

Name: AmRhein Pinot Grigio

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Virginia

Country: USA
Year: 2011

Price: $11.95

Critic Review: This crisp and refreshing wine boasts lemon and apple flavors with a touch of almond on a nice lingering finish.

My Review: Apple was the most prominent on the nose of this wine.  The tastes followed as expected, with crisp notes of apply and pear.  There was also an underlying mineral component.

I did not taste this wine with food

Tasting - Ebano Ribera del Duero Tempranillo

Name: Ebano Ribera del Duero Tempranillo

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: N/A

Country: Spain
Year: 2007

Price: $7.95

Critic Review: The 2007 Ebano 6 is 100% Tempranillo aged 4 months in French oak. Dark ruby red in color, it displays a pleasant bouquet of cedar, spice box, violets, black cherry, and blackberry. Medium- to fullbodied on the palate with savory flavors and plenty of spice, this racy, vibrant Tempranillo has enough structure to drink well over the next 5-6 years and is a very good value. -- Robert Parker (87 pts)

My Review: This spicy red was smokier than the previous wine, but did not exhibit the same meat flavors.  I definitely tasted a bark-like flavor.  This wine had the most heat of all of the wines in the tasting.

I did not taste this wine with food

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Vinho de Mesa Tinto

Name: Lost Vineyards Vinho de Mesa Tinto

Variety: Blend (primarily Castelгo)

Region: N/A

Country: Portugal
Year: N/A

Price: $3.95

Critic Review: Pours a light garnet color with a nice crisp zest, with aromas of cranberries and orange peel on the nose. Drinks smooth with a briary of mild cherries, wild strawberries and raspberries along with a note of rhubarb. Pairs particularly well with wild game and heavy fish such as salmon.

My Review: This red was very meaty and smokey, with a hint of a berry flacor at the finish.  After tasting this wine, it is evident that I need to taste an array of berries to pick up more specific flavors.

I did not taste this wine with food

Tasting - Torrent Bay Chardonnay

Name: Torrent Bay Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: N/A

Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009

Price: $6.95

Critic Review: Fleshy, melony aromas cuddle some fresh oak. The palate has decent acidity so there’s freshness along with weight, resiny oak flavors, lemon and green apple.

My Review: The musky aromas of this wine led to a very tangy, almost sweaty taste.  I definitely tasted a little oak, as mentioned in the critic review.  Not bad, but not great either.

I did not taste this wine with food

Tasting - Spanish Vines Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Spanish Vines Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: N/A

Country: Spain
Year: 2009

Price: $4.95

Critic Review: Apple and floral notes and then an almost buttery palate with baked apple and citrus flavors. -- Wine Enthusiast (85 pts)

My Review: I completely disagree with the critic review about this wine.  I tasted a vegetative flavor, but I also found the wine very light.  I didn't hate this wine, but there was no distinguishing flavors that made me want to drink more.

I did not taste this wine with food

Tasting - Muscanti Bru

Name: Muscanti Brut

Variety: Cava Grapes

Region: Girona

Country: Spain
Year: N/A

Price: $7.95

Critic Review: Lemon blossoms, green apple, toast and honeydew melon are front and center in this crisp refreshing Spanish Sparkler. Silky supple with lingering flavors, yet a tingle of citric acid on the finish. A combination of traditional cava grapes but this wine is not made in the traditional méthode champenoise (which is required by Spanish law to be called Cava). This is made with the Charmat process so this wine may only be called ‘Spanish sparkling wine’ .

My Review: This sparkling wine was a good start to the tasting.  It was very crisp and acidic, yet too similar to apple juice.  I found there to be a bitter finish.

I did not taste this wine with food