Tasting - Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling

Variety: Riesling

Region: N/A

Country: Germany
Year: 2010

Price: $8.95

Critic Review: Flint and mineral notes accent pineapple and lime aromas, while on the palate, the wine shows plenty of ripe, citrusy fruit flavors.Tangy acids on the long finish provide balance.

My Review: This riesling had an offensive taste of musky, old boxes that have been in an attic for 50 years.  Along with this musky dust flavor, there was also a sweet, grass vegetal flavor.  While I thought this wine was a little funky, I didn't hate it!

I did not taste this wine with food

Tasting - Don Ramon Tinto

Name: Don Ramon Tinto
Variety: Blend (75% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo)

Region: N/A

Country: Spain
Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Critic Review: Aged 3 months in American Oak casks. Ruby red in color, with creamy aromas of earth and cherry. Flavor turns toward deeper and darker black cherry and raspberry on a medium framework. A subtle earthiness underneath the bright fruit adds some depth and complexity.

My Review: I felt that this wine was very similar to the Resonata Nero D'Avola in that there was a clear cedar flavor.  The heat was too much for my preference, and was reminiscent of acetone.  Lastly, I tasted a dirt-like earthiness flavor.

I did not taste this wine with food

Tasting - Resonata Nero D'Avola

Name: Resonata Nero D'Avola

Variety: Nero D'Avola

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy
Year: 2010

Price: $6.95

Critic Review: Dense ruby red with violet reflections.
Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice. Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background.

My Review: This was my least favorite wine of the Thursday night tasting.  Both the nose and taste of the wine was very cedar-like.  The smokiness of the wine was also very unappetizing to me.  While I picked up on the spice int he wine, I did not sense a balance with heavy berry flavor as indicated in the review.

I did not taste this wine with food

Tasting - Protocolo Blanc

Name: Protocolo Blanc

Variety: Blend (70% Airén, 30% Macabeo)

Region: N/A

Country: Spain
Year: 2009

Price: $6.95

Critic Review: Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value. -- Stephen Tanzer (87 pts)

My Review: Sour lemon was evident in the bouquet.  The flavor was initially unpleasant, reminding me of the smell of acetone.  I did, however, pick up on notes of sweetness paired with mint, which I liked a lot.

I did not taste this wine with food

Tasting - Santola Vinho Verde

Name: Santola Vinho Verde

Variety: Vinho Verde

Region: N/A

Country: Portugal
Year: N/A

Price: $7.95

Critic Review: Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors. Off dry and very fresh.

My Review: This wine was not very aromatically revealing; however, the taste was prominent.  I got a very fresh sour apple taste with hints of pear.  I did not find this wine to be very complex.

I did not taste this wine with food

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Spumante Dolce

Name: Lost Vineyards Spumante Dolce
Variety:  Spumante

Region: ASTI

Country: Italy
Year: N/A

Price: $4.95

Critic Review: Pale silvery straw color. Floral aromas of apples, peaches, and potpourri follow through on a round, frothy entry to a fruity medium bodied sweet wine with good depth and tangy peach fruit and a breezy, harmonious green apple kissed finish.

My Review: This wine tasted exactly like a green apple soda, if such a thing even exists.  There was also a strong pear flavor.

I did not taste this wine with food

Tasting - Charles Thomas Cotes-du-Rhone

Name: Charles Thomas Cotes-du-Rhone
Variety:  Blend (50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre)

Region: Rhone

Country: France
Year: N/A

Price: $8.95

Critic Review: Well made, with loads of berry fruit and a heady, meaty, peppery nose with a hint of Provencal herbs, the wine is fresh, lively, and best drunk over the next 2 years. -- Wine Advocate, 87 pts

My Review: Pepper was the most prominant smell and taste.  I also tasted a very strong bell pepper taste.  I did not taste a strong berry flavor.

I did not taste this wine with food.