Tasting-"Crane Lake-White Zinfandel"

Name: Crane Lake 
Variety: White Zinfandel 
Year: 2013
Region: NA
Country: California 
Price: $5.95 

Vintage Cellar Review: Wine Spectator "Light pink wine with floral and tropical aromas: flavors of strawberry, peach and raspberry with a touch of sweetness. This wine is an easy sipping wine that also pairs well with a wide variety of foods ranging from crab cakes or pâté to spicy Asian dishes, glazed ham, and grilled sea."

My Review: This White Zinfandel was a lovely light pink color with a candied pineapple scent as well as taste. The taste was a lovely sweet peach taste mixed with other light fruits. This wine is a lovely dessert wine and could easily stand alone or with cheesecake. 

Tasting-"Vina Galana-Alicante Bouchet"

Name: Vina Galana 
Variety: Alicante Bouchet 
Year: 2012
Region: NA
Country: Spain

Price: $15

Vintage Cellar Review: Wine Spectator "From the rare Alicante Bouchet, one of the few grapes in the world with red flesh  this wine has a plush texture carrying flavors of brandied cherry and chocolate ganache in this round red. Light tannins and gentle acidity impart a lovely, balanced structure."

My Review: The Alicante was a darker red wine with an intense scent of dry mustard. This wine was an extremely interesting scent as well as taste. The taste was very bitter at the beginning followed by a sour mid palate and finished off with a bacon cheesy after taste. 

Tasting-"Tonnino Syrah"

Name: Tonnino 
Variety: Syrah 
Year: 2013
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy 
Price: $14

Vintage Cellar Review: Wine Spectator "An intense red color. Aromas of violet and blackcurrant enriched by hints of liquorice and black pepper. In the mouth it is full, round, slightly tannic and with a spicy note on the finish."

My Review: The Tonnino Syrah was a beautiful deep red wine. The scent was a mix of sweet and smoky notes. Taste was very similar to the scent, with a heavy emphasis on the smoky and oak wood taste.  I'm indifferent on this wine...I enjoyed it, but I am not sure if I would go and purchase a bottle. 

Tasting-"Riebeek Cellars- Viognier"

Name: Riebeek Cellars 
Variety: Viognier
Year: 2015
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa

Price: $12

Vintage Cellar Review: Washington Post "This is a luscious viognier, featuring a deep yellow color, that explodes with juicy peach and honeysuckle flavors. Viognier can easily become flabby, but this one manages to keep its figure within bounds. I recommend this for immediate, lip-smacking enjoyment."

My Review: The color of the wine reminds me of a green apple, with a light yellow tent. I did not get much scent out of this wine, other than a grassy scent. This wine was very dry and bitter, which overwhelmed my palate. I was not as big of a fan of this wine.  

Tasting-"Dom Michel Thomas"

Name: Dom Michel Thomas 
Variety: Sancerre Rose
Year: 2013
Region: Loire 
Country: France
Price: $32

Vintage Cellar Review: Wine Spectator "Bright orange-pink. Lively, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh red berries, orange peel and honeysuckle, with a hint of anise building in the glass. Dry and nervy in the mouth, offering vibrant strawberry and orange pith flavors and a suggestion of rose pastille. The floral element comes back on the finish, which lingers with very good spicy persistence."

My Review: A lovely peachy color with a hint of pink. The aroma of the wine was very floral, spring time flowers, mixed with some pear accents. The wine was extremely dry with hints of apple in the mid palate. I really enjoyed this wine and would love to get a bottle! 

Tasting-"Crane Lake Gewurtztraminer"

Name: Crane Lake 
Variety: Gewurtztraminer 
Year: 2013
Region: NA 
Country: California  
Price: $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Slightly high-toned notions of rose petal mingle with lemon on nose and palate of this lightly sweet, richly textured yet balanced Gewürztraminer. This is not as heady as you may expect and will be a treat with spicy Asian dishes. Lychee and rose petal make another very fetching appearance on the finish.

My Review: A happy medium between clear to light yellow wine with a very distinctive nose, I am not quite sure if I can put my finger on it...My best guess would be a mix candied fruits. The taste translated over with floral tastes. I enjoyed this wine, however, I am not sure I enjoyed it enough to drink more than one glass. 

Tasting-"Codirosso Chianti"

Name: Codirosso 
Variety: Chianti 
Year: 2014
Region: Tuscany 
Country: Italy  
Price: $13

Vintage Cellar Review: “Ruby red color with purple reflections.  Intense vinous bouquet with hints of violets and dark cherry fruit. The flavor is full of ripe fruit and a hint of spice. It is well balanced and dry. The finish is persistent and satisfying."

My Review: The Chianti is a lovely deep red purple color with a oak and smoke aroma with a hint of dried pomegranates. The wine was dry with a smoky taste along with some all spice. This was my first Chianti and I am not sure how I feel about them, I am ready to try more!