Tasting - "Opera Prima Sweet White"

I couldn't find the wine label online.

Tasting: 4/12/12

Name: Opera Prima Sweet White
Variety: White Blend
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Flowery and sweet smelling, then round and fairly smooth in the mouth. The flavor package of tropical fruits galore is pleasant and shouldn't offend anyone. Finishes clean and easy. A mango boat of flavor.

My Personal Wine Review: This was an interesting wine. The smell was of sweet fruit like grapefruit. I tasted a lot of spice along with tart fruit. This was a sweet wine with tartness, however I didn't get the tannins when I usually taste tart in wines.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Senda 66 Tempranillo"

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Tasting: 4/12/12

Name: Senda 66 Tempranillo
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: $8.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: 90 Points, Robert Parker. "The 2008 Senda 66 spent 8 months in new French oak. Purple/black in color, it sports a fragrant nose of spice box, lavender, blueberry, and blackberry. Smooth-textured, layered and remarkably rich on the palate for its humble price, this lengthy effort will drink nicely over the next 5-6 years."

My Personal Wine Review: The wine was very dark in color and had a sweet and fruity smell to it as I detected cherries and plums. The flavors were an interesting mix of sweet to dark/heavy. The wine had a nice complexity from mint tastes to wood and oak. I liked this wine, but a little too much for me.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Sierra Cruz Carmenere"

I could not find the wine label online.

Tasting: 4/12/12

Name: Sierra Cruz Carmenere
Variety: Carmenere
Region: Maule Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2009
Price: $6.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: As a member of the cabernet sauvignon family, carmenere (pronounced car-men-yare) originated Bordeaux as one ofhte grapes permitted for use in the red blends of that storied region. Chilean winemakers have embracd it and several wineries in that country produce it as a single varietal. The '09 Seirra Cruz is a very pleasant, soft, medium-boded wine that has fresh Cabernet-like aromas and flavors of spice, dark fruit and black pepper. It is a great value and also would be a nice match with marinated and grilled skirt or flank steak.

My Personal Wine Review: The wine had a dark color. The smell was deep with an earthy tone with meat and oak aromas. The flavors were very similar with big tastes of spice and oak. This went nice with a light mid-palate and I also got some charcoal components at the end of the taste. I liked this wine and would recommend it.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Lost Vineyards Chardonnay"

Image: www.lostvineyards.com
Tasting: 4/12/12

Name: Lost Vineyards Chardonnay
Variety: 20% Chardonnay & 80% Torrontes
Region: "Located in a remote valley in the Northwest corner of Argentina" (www.lostvineyards.com)
Country: Argentina
Year: NV
Price: $3.95

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Pale golden color. Perfumed peach, pineapple, and nougat aromas. Round and soft with a fruity-yet-dry medium body. Tangy apple skin and lemon zest notes lift he fruit nicely on the finish.

My Personal Wine Review: The bouquet of aroma from the wine was very fruity and sweet. I detected fresh melon with juicy cantaloupe. However, the taste was disappointing as it had very little flavors with tree fruit and apples masked behind the other missing flavors. I did not like this wine.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Sierra Cruz Sauvignon Blanc"

I couldn't find the wine label online.

Tasting: 4/12/12

Name: Sierra Cruz Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Maule Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2011
Price: $6.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: This Chilean Sauvignon Blanc just oozes with bright citrus flavors and a nose of herbs and grass. Stylistically, it is a cross between the herbal, grassy wines so prevalent in Sonoma County and the riper more fruit forward products of New Zealand. Match it with pasta sauced with arugula, pine nuts, mushrooms and parmesan.

My Personal Wine Review: The nose was very strong, as I was overwhelmed with sour apple and it seemed like it was almost still fermenting. The flavors were light and crisp as I enjoyed the long small tannin texture. I also received a small hint of chlorine on the palate. I thought this wine was ok for probably my first sauvignon blanc tasting.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Cantina di Casteggio Moscato di Pavia"

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Tasting: 4/5/12

Name: Cantina di Casteggio Moscato di Pavia
Variety: Moscato
Region: Lombardy, Oltrepo Pavese
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Bright, light golden color. Very aromatic nose of ripe apricots, sage, honey and a slight minerality. Medium bodied, sweet and fruity with flavors of apricots and tangerine. Well balanced and acidity and medium finish with layers of sweet and citrus fruit.

My Personal Wine Review: Delicious! Salmon pink color. The nose was the usual for a Moscato with a mix of sweet fruits like peach and mellon. The flavors is was really made this wine stand out to me. It had a "tight" mellon taste with complex flavors of strong green mellon entwined with crisp fresh apples. This was my favorite Moscato I have tried thus far and I would recommend this to everyone.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Montebeuna Rioja"

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Tasting: 4/5/12

Name: Montebuena Rioja
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2007
Price: $6.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: 100% Tempranillo. Dark red. Spicy red berries and cherry on the nose, with hints of cracked pepper and dried rose. Crisp and dry on the palate, with spicy redcurrant and cherry flavors, light tannins and a fresh, energetic finish. An excellent value, and surprisingly elegant for this price point.

My Personal Wine Review: The wine had a dark ruby color to it. The smell was spicy and very fruity. The flavors were light and also fruity, but like the nose I couldn't pinpoint the tree fruit. The wine had a long aftertaste, but overall the wine was a spicy light drink with secrets of fruit.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Varas Vinho Tinto"

**Please only pay attention to the LABEL as the wine review was from a BOX wine.
Image: www.slonecznawinnica.pl
Tasting: 4/5/12

Name: Varas Vinho Tinto
Variety: 45% Castelao, 25% Tinta Roriz, 20% Tinta Barroca and 10% Pinot Noir
Region: Estremadura
Country: Portugal
Year: NV
Price: $21.95 for a 3 Liter Box (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: This smooth Portuguese red is a blend of Castelao (45%), Tinta Roriz (25%), Tinta Barroca (20%), and Pinot Noir (10%). The vineyards are located near Lisbon, planted in sunny gentle slope of clay and limestone soils. The wine was aged in oak barrels.

My Personal Wine Review: I first learned that the wine had been opened a week before and this only made me more curious. The first thing that caught me eye was how dark the color of the wine was. After noticing this and then smelling the wine I could definitely sense the "oakiness" of the wine. I got a complex bouquet of chocolate, sour cherries and oak. The wine was medium bodied as it was sweet yet dark. There were light tannins near the end, but overall it was very smooth. This was an interesting, yet unexpecting good wine.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Oveja Negra Syrah-Cab Rose"

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Tasting: 4/5/12

Name: Oveja Negra Syrah-Cab Rose
Variety: Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Maule Valley
Country: Chile
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Oveja Negra Reserva Rose is bright cherry-red in color and has an attractive nose with aromas of raspberries and strawberries as well as plum and a bit of green apple. Crisp and juicy on the palate with a slight sweetness that accompanies the red fruit flavors. Pleasing natural acidity with medium-high intensity, nice persistence, and a fresh finish.

My Personal Wine Review: The color was very pinkish and had a bouquet of strawberries and a head-jerk movement of tartness. I liked this wine. The taste was very fruity as I received handfuls of berry flavors with a good mid-palate that satisfied all the way to the end of the tasting. There were light tannins that remained near the finish, but this was a fun and fruity wine.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "gPG Garganega Pinot Grigio"

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Tasting: 4/5/12

Name: gPG
Variety: 80% Garganega and 20% Pinot Grigio
Region: Venezie
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: gPG is from the delle Venezie regions of north-eastern Italy. A clean and crisp palate with plenty of texture and weight follows aromas of apples and zesty lemons. It's perfect with grilled white fish or light risotto.

My Personal Wine Review: The color is light yellow with a fruity smell of green apples and pears. Just like the bottle and its label of green I thought this wine's theme was very "green." The wine had a light body to it with the majority of flavors being apples, kind of like the small sweet/tart crab apples. It had light tannins which complemented the wine well, and I thought the wine was pleasant but nothing great. I have had better  varietals.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "La Sera Red Malvasia"

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Tasting: 3/24/2012

Name: La Sera Red Malvasia
Variety: 100% Malvasia
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Year: NV
Price: $13.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: A specialty of Italy's Piedmont region, Red Malvasia di Casorzo is fragran and fruity, moderately sweet wine. It has strawberry

My Personal Wine Review: The wine had a dark pink color. The aromas were some of sweetest I have ever smelled from a wine. It was like snorting straight sugar or sugar cane with the fruity grapefruit aspect. The flavors were sweet and had that grapefruit taste. I also got some smoke flavor that made it unique. I liked this wine, but it was almost too sweet for me.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Four Bears Cabernet Sauvignon"

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Tasting: 3/24/2012

Name: Four Bears Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petite Sirah
Region: Sonoma County, California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $14.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Ruby in color and displays aromas of lavender, cedar and raspberry fruit. Flavors of blackberries and raspberries combined with hints of savory spices coat the palate. The soft tannins and sweet oak balance lead to a long and lingering finish.

My Personal Wine Review: The wine had a dark color and had a dry heavy smell with a hint of melon which was a strange combination. I thought the taste had a smooth mid-palate and it had a medium body with a light chocolate flavor. Just another red wine to put under my belt.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Pietra Santa Sangiovese"

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Tasting: 3/24/2012

Name: Pietra Santa Sangiovese
Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Cienega Valley, California
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $15.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Produced exclusively from grapes grown on the estate and showcases winemaker Alessio Carli's talent with the grape. Growing up in Tuscany, Alessio watched his father make Chianti and later hone his skills at the renowned Badia a Collibuono. Our Estate Sangiovese tastes of cranberry and intense Bing cherry with undertones of anise and a lingering finish. The depth and complexity of this wine has made it an annual best seller and the ultimate companion to great Italian cuisine. Typical of this variety, our Sangiovese vines have matured and we have been rewarded by increasingly rich fruit.

My Personal Wine Review: The aromas I received were very sweet and included apple, some green Fuji apples. The taste of the wine was very dark and I could detect flavors of chocolate and something that reminded me of mulch. The chocolate was the most intense and was lingering as it continued to stay attached to my taste buds.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Pietra Santa Sacred Stone Red"

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Tasting: 3/24/2012

Name: Pietra Santa Sacred Stone Red
Variety: Red Blend (26% Merlot, 24% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Syrah and the rest Carignane, Grenache and Zinfandel)
Region: Cienega Valley, California
Country: USA
Year: NV
Price: $9.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Proprietor's Red Blend. This wine is ripe and juicy with expressive flavors of cherries and plums. It is dark and aromatic with crisp acidity, nice structure and a lush finish. Made to pair with a wide variety of foods, this red wine is a must for everyday enjoyment or teaming with your favorite grilled and outdoor cuisine.

My Personal Wine Review: The color was an interesting darker and brown red. The smell was a combination of spice, oak, and cherries. Because of the "oaky" smell I thought this might also taste kind of burned, but surprisingly it had a smooth mid-palate and finish. The taste was dry and had some tar flavor and texture aspect. I enjoyed this wine, but I doubt I will remember this one as this tasted similar to other red wines I have had.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Four Bears Sauvignon Blanc"

Image: www.seanminorwines.com

Tasting: 3/24/2012

Name: Four Bears Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Sonoma County, California

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $12.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Rich and complex with aromas of ruby grapefruit, citrus and tropical fruit. On the palate, the combined flavors of fresh melon, fig and lime are balanced perfectly to form a crisp, mouthwatering texture and a lingering finish.

My Personal Wine Review: The wine had a dry and usual white grape smell to it. I detected nothing too special from the smelling and got the same response when I took a drink of it. It had a nice light and crisp aspect, but I could only get the white grape flavor from it. It was a nice wine, but I couldn't get any big flavors from either senses.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling"

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Tasting: 2/23/2012

Name: Heinz Eifel Shine Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Pfalz
Country: Germany
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine 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 Personal Wine Review: This Riesling smelled of fruit on the beach. To be more descriptive, it was a mix of apricots with sunscreen and the salty ocean breeze. Very weird. The wine was very sweet like an extremely sweet sugary juicy grape but not grape juice and it left a tart film on top of the tongue. The wine was a very interesting experience, but I would definitely explore other Rieslings before coming back to this one.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Don Ramon Tinto"

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Tasting: 2/23/2012

Name: Don Ramon Tinto
Variety: 75% Garnacha & 25% Tempranillo
Region: Campo De Borja
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: $7.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: 75% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo. 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 Personal Wine Review: The wine was a brownish red in color. I enjoyed the smell as I sensed a cooked vegetable theme. I got the aroma of cooked carrots and potatoes that were made into homemade french fries. The wine tasted high in alcohol as it had some warmth in it with heavy tannins. I also tasted a kind of petrol flavor with a plastic edge. Overall the wine was interesting and I would drink this again.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Resonata Nero DdAvola"

Image: www.kysela.com
Tasting: 2/23/2012

Name: Resonata Nero d'Avola
Variety: Nero d'Avola
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine 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 Personal Wine Review: The wine was a pretty dark salmon color with a bitter and woody smell. I definitely tasted the resinous oaky flavor with a rubber flavor as well. It also had small soft tannins to finish off the taste. It was hard to distinguish any mid-palate or levels of flavor with this wine as the taste remained consistent throughout.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Protocolo Blanc"

Image: www.dailygrape.com
Tasting: 2/23/2012

Name: Protocolo Blanc
Variety: White Blend (70% Airen & 30% Macabeo)
Region: Castilla La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine 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.

My Personal Wine Review: This wine was OK. The aroma was very fruity and I got a lot of sour apple and melon smells with a hint of cherry as well. The flavors were very weak and I couldn't pin point really any true fruit or other flavors. The wine was definitely tannic with a bitter aftertaste and it was sweet and tart. It was kind of like the candy sweettart without the hard texture to it.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Santola Vinho Verde"

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Tasting: 2/23/2012

Name: Santola Vinho Verde
Variety: White Blend
Region: Minho, Vinho Verde
Country: Portugal
Year: NV
Price: $7.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine 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 Personal Wine Review: I got an immediate nose of alcohol from this wine right from the start. I also received a bouquet of green fruit of white grapes and sour apples. The flavors were light with a soft mid-palate. It had a strong taste of old granny apples that had been sitting around for a while. Overall it was an enjoyable drink, but nothing special.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon"

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Tasting: 2/18/2012

Name: Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $28.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Bright and expressive, offering a velvety mouthful of raspberry, cherry, blackberry and sage flavors, finishing with a hint of smoke. Shows depth and persistence.

My Personal Wine Review: The color was a nice dark red. This wine also had a very nice and unique wine smell for me. I got aromas from banana's to spinach with vanilla in there as well. The flavors were also fun to explore as I received a bouquet of sweet flavors but also vegetable's as well. It was like tasting spinach with honey poured on top, a delicious healthy taste. I enjoyed the complexity and variety of flavors and would recommend this wine.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Glop Priorat"

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Tasting: 2/18/2012

Name: Glop Priorat
Variety: grinache (red blend)
Region: Priorat
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $20.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Glop is a customer favorite in our retail store and it has a very memorable name which means 'sip' or 'gulp' in Catalan. Glop is an inky red wine from Priorat with deep plum and blackberry flavors perfect for pairing with grilled chorizo or iberico pork.

My Personal Wine Review: It is a dark red wine. The aromas are super sweet and remind me of candy and halloween caramel covered apples. Basically super sugar mixed in with fruit. I did not really taste any fruit with the wine and I really got a flat taste. I got a mouth full of tire and rubber with some sort of plastic edge. I tasted a lot of industrial type of flavors and this ruined the wine for me.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Zentas Malbec"

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Tasting: 2/18/2012

Name: Zentas Malbec
Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: This Malbec presents a nice deep red color. The nose offers intense and ripe aromas of red fruits, such as dark cherries, plums and raspberry. On the palate it is fresh and fruity with soft tannins and a nice finish. Pleasant and easy to drink.

My Personal Wine Review: The color had a nice dark core in it so I liked how dark it looked. The smell was a mix between some chlorine and then apple. So I got some fruit but also some industrial cleaning supplies too, but the taste was so much different. The oak monster definitely came and visited this wine as I tasted heavy wood and oak with high tannins. I also received some surprise with a delicious taste of dark chocolate which was awesome. There was some intense heat on the back of the throat as well which really fired up the senses. I thought this wine had a lot wood/dark flavors as well as warming, so I would recommend this wine.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Old Coach Road Chardonnay"

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Tasting: 2/18/2012

Name: Old Coach Road Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Nelson
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2009
Price: $14.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: This a delightfully satisfied wine full of ripe chardonnay fruit characters intertwined with smooth, supple, spicy oak. The palate is full and textured, with a clear definition and long lasting flavors.

My Personal Wine Review: At first the color gives off a light gold reflection that gets you excited about tasting the wine and then after swirling it and smelling the wine my excitement died. The aroma was that of bitterness and I got some moldiness as well. I could definitely get a three "part" tasting for this wine with the first part tasting of burned buttery popcorn and then followed by the mid-palate with a more fire taste of roasted nuts. The flavor then ends with an oaky finish that tends to stay for a long aftertaste. I do not like burned popcorn so I did not like this wine.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Old Coach Road Sauvignon Blanc"

Image: www.topshelfliquor.co.nz
Tasting: 2/18/2012

Name: Old Coach Road Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Nelson, South Island
Country: New Zealand
Year: 2011
Price: $14.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Fresh, lively and intense varietal fruit with delicious passionfruit flavors in the mouth. Old Coach Road Sauvignon Blanc Wine is nicely integrated and has a long lingering finish.

My Personal Wine Review: The color looked like a normal white wine with a clear translucent color with amusing bubbles that clung to the side of the glass. The aroma was a strong grape smell, mainly really ripe white grapes. It was like being in the fruit aisle of a grocery store or the farmers market. The flavor transitioned from sweet to dry with a light middle palate in between. I got a lot of juicy green melon in the tasting, and I think green was the main point I got out of the wine. I thought it was a good "green" glass of white wine.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Emeri Pink Moscato"

Image: www.debortoli.com.au
Tasting: 2/11/2012

Name: De Bortoli Emeri Pink Moscato
Variety: Moscato Bianco
Region: South Eastern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: NV (non-vintage)
Price: $13.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Pale translucent pink. Fresh fruit aromas with strawberry and musk. Medium sweet, light bodied. The perfect aperitif on it's own or enjoy with fresh fruits or seafood.

My Personal Wine Review: The color is a pretty pink and as rests in the glass it presents floating bubbles sitting on top of the wine. The aromas that were given off were that of peach fruit and soda carbonation. The taste was representative of the smell as there were smells of tropical and citrus fruit like peaches, melon and grapefruit. This moscato did not distance itself from other moscatos I have had and so it did not impress me.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Black Chook Shiraz-Viognier"

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Tasting: 2/11/2012

Name: Black Chook Shiraz-Viognier
Variety: 95% Shiraz, 5% Viognier
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2010
Price: $18.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: International Wine Cellar Jul/Aug 2011. "Inky purple. Vibrant, intensely spicy aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, cracked pepper and fresh flowers. Elegant, full-bodied black and blue fruit flavors expand nicely, with refreshing mineral bite adding vibrancy. Very clean, focused shiraz, with excellent energetic finishing lift and cut."

My Personal Wine Review: I really liked this wine! To start out with the color was a beautiful dark red. The wine's aroma itself really impressed me as it smelled sweet with hints of vanilla and ice cream. Now for this wine I could really taste the three levels of flavor. It started out going from a kind of bland taste of paint to a sweeter mid palate and then finishing off with a sugar cookie for dessert. The level of complexity was delicious and I would highly recommend this wine, especially if you have a sweet tooth.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Woop Woop Cabernet"

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Tasting: 2/11/2012

Name: Woop Woop Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: South Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2009
Price: $12.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: 90 points International Wine Cellar July/August 2011. "...Smells like a $50 Napa Cabernet. Lush, pliant and sweet, with a layered, chewy texture to the flavors of red and black fruits, bitter chocolate and spices. This is really packed with fruit by there's a litheness to it as well...A fantastic value..."

My Personal Wine Review: The color was a pretty dark red, but the aroma was of rotten fruit especially of some rotten tomatoes. This has been one of my favorite tasting wine's so far. It had a heavy mid-palate which stuck out to me and which was one of the first I have noticed in my tasting "career." I also tasted pear with a spicy aftertaste. So it kind of had a pear cobbler sensation to it which I really enjoyed. I would recommend this wine, especially for those who like cobblers.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Monte Antico Tuscan Blend"

Image: www.wallywine.com
Tasting: 2/11/2012

Name: Monte Antico Tuscano
Variety: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2007
Price: $13.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: 90 points, James Suckling. "Plenty of blackberry and chocolate character, with hints of plums. Full and very velvety with a bright and fruity finish. Always one of the best values in Tuscany. Screw cap. Delicious now."

My Personal Wine Review: The color was a light red with a smell of cherry. The first thing that stood out for me when I tasted it was how dry it was. Then I got a rubber type taste for the the mid-palate and a sour finish. I did not like this wine and I had to swallow fast to get through this wine.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Grayson Chardonnay"

Image: www.amazinggrapeswinestore.com
Tasting: 2/11/2012

Name: Grayson Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Paso Robles, California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $9.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Best Buy Wine Enthusiast. The 2010 Grayson Chardonnay is brilliantly ripe and shows aromas of bright, brisk acidity with notes of peach and Asian pear. The palate offers green apple with a crisp finish showing gentle hints of apple pie and tropical fruit.

My Personal Wine Review: The big aroma I got from this wine was sour apple. The fist waft of the wine I got a big nose of sour which then over some more time became fruity and the two smells blended to make a sour apple smell. This aroma carried the same taste for the wine as it was fresh, light and crisp. The taste reminded me of crab apples that are right off of the tree and they are still hard in texture, but a little sour and sweet. I thought it was an OK wine, but it did not wow me in the least.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Innocent Bystander Moscato"

Name: Innocent Bystander Moscato
Variety: Moscato
Region: Victoria
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $15.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: The focus of Innocent Bystander is to produce quality, flavor-driven wines from carefully selected vineyards in the Yarra Valley and beyond. Over time Steve Flamsteed and his team have increased the level of complexity and texture in the Innocent Bystander wines with greater use of wild fermentations and restrained oak handling.

My Personal Wine Review: The color was a very pretty pink with a wonderful "froth" on top. The wine had a huge amount of fizz with it which made it seem almost alive and active. After putting my nose up to the wine the aromas I received was fresh melon and peach. It smelled citrus like and and tasted like grape fruit juice with a lot of carbonation in it. It was like drinking a grape fruit soda. I enjoyed it, but it is not my favorite Moscato.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Sivas Sonoma Cabernet"

Name: Sivas Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Sonoma County
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $14.95 (Vintage Cellar)

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Fruit driven, with a nice combination of blackberry, red currant, and a background of dark chocolate and cocoa. A hint of brightness in the fruit aromas, together with the classic Cabernet depth, signals this wine's Sonoma County roots. On the palate, dark chocolate-covered cherry flavors meet hints of mocha, and the dark fruit provide carries all the way through the lively mid-palate. The mouth feel is soft and silky, with mouth filling, velvety tannins that give the wine finesse and marry well with the wine's light acidity. In addition the mixture of French and American oak aging lends light touches of vanilla and cinnamon to this wine's background complexity. This wine's focused fruit profile and depth, finishing with a long raspberry note.

My Personal Wine Review: The color of the wine got darker from the top to the bottom instead of a full body color. The smell itself was fruity but with a chlorine edge to it that made me think of a public pool. The flavors were light and I could taste the fruit but not pin point them. I really liked this wine especially because in my notes when I was tasting the wine I wrote down one word, "Good!"

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Antano Crianza 2008"

Name: J. Garcia Carrion Antano Crianza
Variety: 85% Tempranillo, 10% graciano, 5% mazuelo
Region: La Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: $8.95 (vintage cellar)

Producers Website Wine Tasting Notes: Antano Crianza is a ruby color Rioja, with an upper-middle layer, limpid and bride. The feeling in the nose has reduced its own rest in the bottle, to finally show potent and complex between the first aromas of the varieties that compose it and the wood that make it older giving it some spicy aromas in the mouth is something tannic and slightly cinaro, giving way to a nice wine with long end in the mouth complex and velvety. (http://www.garciacarrion.es)

My Personal Wine Review: I have never had a wine like this before. First the color was more brown than I am used and then the smell itself was reminiscent of other types of alcohol. The aroma I received was very spicy and reminded me heavily of whiskey which I do not like. So immediately I was already feeling estranged from the wine. The legs themselves were some of the longest I had seed, but also very spread out. Now to the taste. I was right about the smell of whiskey because when I first tasted it I got a big whiskey sensation but then it faded and a long dry aftertaste followed. This aftertaste consisted of a wood flavor which complemented the whiskey impression. The wine was unusual to me and the whiskey taste put a bad connotation in my mouth, so I would not drink this again.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Frisk"

Name: Frisk Prickly Riesling
Variety: 89% Riesling, 11% Muscat Gordo
Region: Alpine Valleys, Victoria
Country: Australia
Year: 2011
Price: $11.95

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Leave it to the Aussies to come up with a tasty value wine with a sassy descriptive name. Frisk is a frisky Riesling with a pleasant level of prickly spritz lifting the ample fruity flavors. It has a pale straw color, lively bubbles, loads of tropical fruit and jasmine aromas, off-dry fruity flavors, a refreshing 9.8% alcohol and a sweet/tart finish; and all that Australian goodness.

My Personal Wine Review: The wine had a nice crisp clear look in the wine glass. The wine smelled strongly of white grape and the legs were very long pointing towards a sugary wine. My assumption was correct and the wine was extremely sweet and I could already feel myself getting a sugar high after the first taste. I do like sweet drinks such as cool aid and soda, but this wine was way too sweet for me.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Allamand"

Name: Allamand Cuvee St. Jeanette
Variety: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Saint Jeannet
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $11.95

Vintage Cellar Review: From the winery formerly known as Finca El Reposo comes this blend of 90+ year old Chardonnay and the almost extinct grape Saint Jeannet. Saint Jeannet originated in the South of France, but is now thought to exist only at this one vineyard in Argentina. Made very naturally from organically farmed grapes with almost noghting aded later, wild yeast fermentation and no oak. Only 3,000 bottles of this wine are made each year, compared to around 420,000 bottles of Lafite Rothschild. Maybe we should charge more?

My Personal Wine Review: The color of the white wine had a hint of yellow to it while the smell did not represent the color at all. I received an aroma of little fruit, but mainly an odd smell of soap. Weird right. However, the tasting had a dominant flavor of white grape. This taste of white grape was so intense it reminded me of grape juice.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Vina Santurnia"

Name: Crianza Santurnia
Variety: 100% Tempranillo grapes
Region: La Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2006
Price: $14.94 ( http://www.winezap.com )

Winery's own Website Review: Origin: Comes from the area of Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa: Areas of Brinas, Haro, Rodezno, and Labastida. Process: Fermented in stainless steel tanks, transferred to barrel for 12 months and then left bottled for 1 year. Taste: A ruby coloured wine, brilliant appearance, round aftertaste and harmonic retro-taste.(http://www.rayalaehijos.com)

My Personal Review: This wine was the worst wine I have ever tasted. I did not like this at all! It was hard to take down and it almost seemed "hard" and reminded me of wood. The sensation was that of breathing in hot dense smoke at a campfire.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Doural"

Name: Doural Tinto
Variety: Touriga Franca
Region: Douro
Country: Portugal
Year: 2009
Price: $8.95

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: This Portuguese tinto(red) blend exhibits a deep red color with violet hues. The nose is vibrant and fruity. The palate offers notes of spice, cherry, and dark berry supported by good structure. Pairs well with red or game meat, cheeses and fish.

My Personal Review: This was one of my favorite wines from the daily tasting. It was a pretty red and the taste was very light with a hint of fruit. However, the aftertaste was extremely dry which painted my entire mouth with its flavor.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Sol'Acantalys"

Name: Sol Acantalys Cotes du Rhone
Variety: Syrah Blend
Region: Rhone
Country: France
Year: 2010
Price: $8.95

Calaiswine.co.uk Wine Review: Bright and juicy Cotes du Rhone with hints of spice and pepper. This young and fresh Cotes du Rhone from Les Vigneron de Tavel shows superb notes of red berry fruits spice, particularly pepper.(http://www.calaiswine.co.uk)

My Personal Review: The aroma definitely encourages a fruity taste and after tasting it I completely agree. It had a great fruit flavor after the initial contact on the tongue which then smoothed away. For this wine I thought the more air it got especially within the mouth the flavors became more sensitive.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - "Nykteri - Santorini Yannis"

Name: Nykteri Santorini Yannis
Variety: Nykteri
Region: Ionian Islands
Country: Greece
Year: 2010
Price: $13.95

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: I fell first for the compelling story of this "night work" wine, and then for the aroma and taste, and can't think of a wine to compare it to. "Nykteri - Dry White Wine Appellation of Origin Santorini of superior quality Since 3,500 years ago, the Nykteri is synonymous to Santorini's famous white wines. The formula to 'instant wine making' on the night of the same day that grapes were harvested solved the problem of the variety's sensitive aroma deterioration. The wine is matured for 3 months at least in barrels. In this way the wine's contact with barrel's wood gives the Nykteri a special finesse. Characteristics Crystal-clear, semi-yellow wine. Dominated by the aromas of jasmine, citrus fruits, flowers and pear, all these enhanced with a gentle vanilla sense. A strong body with warm personality and a long lasting taste. Serve with grilled anything as well as with local Greek dishes such as tomato meatballs and fava dip.

My Personal Review: This wine exemplifies dry for me and it stays around for a long time. Otherwise the smells and taste were very simple and I could not taste much fruit or anything else. Basically my senses were bored by this wine.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Casa Bianca - Spumante Rosato"

Name: Casa Bianca Spumante Rosato
Variety: white grape pinot nero prosecco and red
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: No Vintage
Price: $11.95

Vintage Cellar Wine Review: Prosecco is very popular in Italy. The wine is often served as a festive aperitif but mild dry Prosecco Spumante is also very suitable as a companion of appetizers and entrees. Prosecco is a generic term and can be sold in many different qualities. The best have their own appellation, as Casa Bianca. The vineyards of Montello and the hills of Asoli located in Northern Italy. This rosato spumante is made from white grape pinot nero prosecco and red. By fermenting them together creates the pale pink color and a red flavor that is more powerful than the white variety. Spicy rosato spumante with a fine, persisten mousse, juicy fresh red fruit in the aroma and a rich, smooth lasting flavor.

My Personal Wine Review: The pink color is definitely the first thing I noticed and this made it stand out from the other wines with the clear glass. Also before tasting the wine, the aroma itself was very fruity which combines well with the pink color bottle. The wine's taste went rapidly from a nice sweet taste to a bitter ending taste that was very short. There was not much of a lingering taste with this wine.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - "Revelry Merlot"

Name: Revelry Merlot

Variety: 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet and 3% Petit Verdot
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $14.95

Vintage Cellar Review: If you've ever relaxed in a cozy chair, you know what this Merlot is all about: soft, smooth, and luxuriously deep, with flavors of blueberry and black cherry supported by subtle suggestions of oak and spice

My Personal Review: This wine was smooth and fruity which is first noticed when taking in its initial aroma. I thought the wine almost had a "flat" taste to it and not really any kind of bite to it. It also had a long finish.

I did not eat food with this wine.

Tasting - "Candoni Moscato"

Name: Moscato d'Italia
Variety: 100% Moscato Bianco
Region: Apulia
Country: Italy
Year: No Vintage
Price: $14.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Low in alcohol, semi-sparkling, but remarkable fruity and fragrant, it has an excellent balance of sweetness and acidity. Excellence with pastries, cakes, desserts, fruit, sushi, sashimi and spicy dishes.

My Personal Review: This is the sweetest wine I have ever tasted! It smells and tastes extremely fruity and could be compared to apple juice. I do not think I could drink a bottle of this by myself. If you are a sweet tooth you may love this, but otherwise I am not a fan.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Alta Luna Phases"

Name: Alta Luna Phases
Variety: 40% Teroldego, 30% Lagrein and 30% Merlot
Region: Trentino
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: $9.95

Vintage Cellar Review: 40% Teroldego, 30% Lagrein, 30% Merlot aged in small oak barrels for 12 months, then further refined in bottle before release. Deep ruby red Dark cherry, plum and blackberry aromas combine with intriguing spicy notes. Rich, concentrated dark fruit character against powerful yet silky tannins and bright acidity. Excellent structure, with a distinctive freshness to the fruit that creates an elegant profile.

My Personal Review: The first think I noticed about the wine was the white eye-catching label in-front of the dark color glass of the bottle. This alone got me excited and interested in trying the wine and it did not disappoint. The wine's color was dark yet the red wine was light in taste, however there was nothing distinct about the taste that made it stand out. It also had a short aftertaste which I always find delightful and more appealing for my red wines.

I did not have food with this wine.

Tasting - "Lyeth Cabernet"

Name: L de Lyeth Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Sonoma County, California
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $12.95

Vintage Cellar Review: A little aggressive in an edgy texture, but for the price, this Cab offers plenty of richness and is a solid value. It's sweet and jammy in cherries, blueberries and cocoa.

My Personal Review: As I stared into the wine glass I first noticed small black chunks settling at the bottom which I still do not know what they are, but I disregarded them due to my inexperience. For tasting the wine I noticed it being a little more dry and not more bitter than how I usually perceive red wine. Because of this I also thought it did not have a strong taste and very little aftertaste. It was not one of my favorite tastings of the afternoon.

I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - "Candoni Pinot Grigio"

Name: Candoni Pinot Grigio
Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio
Region: Friuli
Country: Italy
Year: No Vintage
Price: $10.95
Shop: Vintage Cellar

Vintage Cellar Review: Medium-bodied, well-structured and sophisticated. It has a rich, pear-like nose, followed by a crisp acidity and a delicious mouth feel. A delicious accompaniment to fish, seasonal pasta dishes or chicken. It can also stand alone as an aperitif on a hot summer day.

My Personal Review: I enjoyed this white wine and it seemed lighter to me than a usual white wine. The first time it hit my tongue I thought it tasted cool, light and sweet which then kindly smoothed off leaving a refreshing taste in my mouth. I did not have food with this wine, but I agree with the store's review that it would be good in the summer because of its subtle cool stimulation.