Tasting- "Indwe Pinotage"

Name: Indwe
Variety: Pinotage 
Year: 2013
Region: NA 
Country: South Africa 
Price: $12

Vintage Cellar Review: Robert Parker “A disclaimer: I have never cared much for Pinotage, the indigenous South African grape variety, but this 2013 Pinotage from Indwe, named after the country's national bird, the blue crane, comes across like a light Pinot Noir. Subtle notes of cherries, spice and forest floor are followed by a round, light to medium-bodied, pure, seductive, well-crafted wine.” Drink now-2016.

My Review: The Pinotage was a medium red color with sweet smoky cherry smell. I really enjoy the smell of the wine, however the nose was quite different from the taste. My mouth was overwhelmed with heat with the first sip, which stuck through out the rest of my tasting. I wish the smell had translated to the taste. 

Tasting- "Bornos Verdejo"

Name: Bornos 
Variety: Verdejo 
Year: 2013
Region: Rueda  
Country: Spain  
Price: $12

Vintage Cellar Review: 89 Wine Enthusiast " Zesty and clean, with pure grapefruit and passion fruit aromas. It’s charged up but perfectly balanced, with bright, focused citrus and pineapple flavors. Lemony acidity keeps the finish rolling, then throw in some chive and fresh greens and you have a spot-on Verdejo."

My Review: A lovely golden yellow color with citrus and melon aromas to the nose. The Verdejo had a much sweeter smell than the Grillo. A crisp dry taste accompanied by grapefruit and other citrus fruit overwhelmed my palate. I don't think I would purchase this wine, but I didn't mind the taste. 

Tasting-"Tonnino Grillo"

Name: Tonnino 
Variety: Grillo
Year: 2014
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy 
Price: $14

Vintage Cellar Review: Wine Spectator "Fruit-forward and tangy, this light-bodied, snappy white offers flavors of guava, apricot, candied grapefruit zest and stone. Drink now. 20,000 cases made."

My Review: Light gold coloring with not much going for my nose other than a slight fruity smell, not a sweet fruit either. The Grillo was very dry to taste with hints of orange and apple. I was not the biggest fan of how dry this wine was because I felt like I didn't get to taste any flavors. 

Tasting-"Peter Mertes Platinum Riesling"

Name: Peter Mertes Platnium 
Variety: Riesling
Year: 2014
Region: NA 
Country: Germany 
Price: $18

Vintage Cellar Review: “Light-bodied slightly sweet white wine; medium pale slightly greenish yellow. Inviting fresh white peach aroma and flavors. Easy to drink and not complicated, but what's there is very pleasant, and flavors develop in the glass." ~ Winery notes

My Review: The riesling is a light colored wine with fruity floral aromas. I enjoyed this sweet, but not too sweet quality of this wine. Fulled with lots of lighter fruity flavors such as apple, cantaloupe, and peach.  I would buy this wine in a heart beat. A perfect wine for watching a summer sunset or any other summer activity. 

Tasting-"Crane Lake Petite Sirah"

Name: Crane Lake 
Variety: Petite Sirah
Year: 2013
Region: Lodi 
Country: California 
Price: $5.95

Vintage Cellar Review: This wine is ruby-purple colored; notes of blackberry, plums and spice predominate the nose and flavors. The tannins give a soft, full mouth feel.

My Review: Petite Sirah is a beautiful burgundy colored wine. This wine had more earthy or mineral tones that overpowered my senses. I believe there was a subtle hint of cherry, however, it was very difficult to tell. I was not the biggest fan of this wine and would not purchase it. I think this could pair well with a pasta dish. 

Tasting-"El Cortijillo Tempranillo"

Name: El Cortijillo
Variety: Tempranillio 
Year: 2014
Region: La Mancha 
Country: Spain 
Price: $9

Vintage Cellar review: Bright purple. High-pitched red berry and floral scents display good clarity and a hint of cracked pepper. Shows a touch of jamminess to its pliant black raspberry and cherry compote flavors, with a spicy quality adding vibrancy. Finishes with good focus and no obvious tannins, leaving a sweet berry note behind.

My review: A medium colored red wine with a musty oak smell. Tempranillo is a very masculine wine, with a strong oak taste mixed with a leathery twist and elderberry flavor. This wine's flavors were hard to pinpoint, which was probably due to the fact that I did enjoy this wine as much. This wine reminds me more of a winter wine to be enjoyed by a fire while relaxing and reading a book. 

Tasting- Les Clos Francs Vouvray Chenin Blanc

Name: Les Clos Francs Vouvray
Variety: Chenin Blanc 
Year: 2013
Region: Lorie Valley 
Country: France
Price: $21

Vintage Cellar review:The cool climate in the Vouvray appellation area insures good acidity, which is balanced by the distinctly fruity character of the Chenin Blanc and the mineral qualities imparted by the soil. Thanks to these natural elements, this Vouvray combines elegance and vigor with honey dipped pears and an inherent freshness.

My review: A lightly yellow tinted wine with not many aromas to intake. After trying this wine, the first word that came to mind when I tasted this wine was crisp. This wine differed from the chardonay and was far from dry in my opinion. I enjoyed the fruity accents in the wine, without the sweetness. A perfect mix of not being too dry or too sweet. Pears and apples were subtle tasted. I enjoyed this wine, but I'm not sure if I would ever purchase it...