Tasting - Apothic Red

Name: Apothic Red Winemaker’s Blend
Variety: Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $10

Winery Review: A masterful blend of rich Zinfandel, smooth Merlot, flavorful Syrah and bold Cabernet Sauvignon creates layers of dark red fruit complemented by hints of vanilla and mocha.

My Review: This was a great red wine for the price point. It is much better than expected. It has a dark ruby red color. The nose is fruity with a slight oakiness and vanilla notes. I also get some red fruit especially strawberry and raspberries. The red fruit also comes through on the palate with a slight vanilla taste. It is a very fruit forward wine. It was smooth from start to a finish that was short. This was a very nice wine and would buy again.

Tasting - Gnarly Head Authentic Black

Name: Gnarly Head Authentic Black
Variety: Petite Sirah blend

Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $10

Winery Review: True to its name, Gnarly Head Authentic Black opens with brooding aromas of black cherry, black licorice and vanilla providing a powerful entrée to this big, robust Petite Sirah-based blend. Dark and inky in the glass, concentrated flavors of boysenberry and dark chocolate are framed by hints of baking spice on the finish. Styled to stand up to the heartiest of dishes, boldly pair this full-bodied wine with venison chili, meat lover’s pizza or grilled rib eye steak.

My Review: This is a very good wine especially at this price point. The nose is big filled with raspberries, black fruit, and vanilla. The taste is much the same. It’s bold and very fruity with more blackberries and cherries. This is a very fruit forward wine. The heat comes through a bit but not as much as you would expect from a 14.5% wine. The finish is smooth and short. Delicious.

Tasting - Woodchuck Pumpkin

Name: Woodchuck Pumpkin
Variety: Pumpkin and Apple

Region: Vermont
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Price: $12

Brewery Review: Private Reserve Pumpkin is a rare and limited run cider that features pumpkin in its most pure form. No spices, no frills, just delicious pumpkin. The naked pumpkin profile plays perfectly against the red culinary apple varieties used in this cider. It is a unique cider that is unlike any other on the market.

My Review: The pumpkin taste in this cider is very subtle. It is subtle to the point where I question if it is there. The apple is coming through most with a little bite/tartness. It is very smooth though. At 6.9% alcohol it doesn’t taste like I’m drinking alcohol. It is very good though. I would definitely buy again. This is a treat when it comes around.

Tasting - Crane Lake Petite Sirah

Name: Crane Lake Petite Sirah
Variety: 100% Petite Sirah
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $5

Winery 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: This wine has a great nose to it. Blackberry notes, butter, oak, and spice plays with the senses. The taste is really subtle but delicious. More blackberry comes through on the palate with spice on the back end with a general fruitiness. This is not a big, boisterous wine but a smooth, soft one. Gentle on the short finish with a nice mouth feel. Solid value wine. Definitely worth more than its price.

Tasting - Mattaponi Pow Wow

Name: Mattaponi Pow Wow
Variety: 100% Strawberries
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $25

Winery Review: Translation means "Dreaming."  Mattaponi Winery knows everyone will dream about our amazing Chocolate Cover Strawberry Wine.  Don't just dream.....come taste this perfect combination.  A  great way to tell someone, "I love you."   Made with our Award-Winning Strawberry Wine, Odeimin.

My Review: I was looking forward to tasting this wine after hearing what was in it and after tasting Odeimin. It was actually a bit of a disappointment. The strawberries were there on the nose and the taste, same with the chocolate but they just didn’t mingle well together. I’ve had chocolate fruit wine before that were great but this wasn’t. It was like the chocolate was sitting on the strawberries. It is a bit difficult to explain. The strawberries and the chocolate were separate entities in the same bottle of wine. It was just okay.

Tasting - Mattaponi Odeimin

Name: Mattaponi Odeimin
Variety: 100% Strawberries
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $20

Winery Review: Translation means "Strawberry."  This wine is delightful on the taste buds.  Compliments strawberries everywhere!

My Review: This was the best wine that they had. Strawberries hit the nose and the palate and were present throughout. The taste was sweet but not overpowering. It had the right balance. This was very enjoyable. I would definitely get this again.

Tasting - Mattaponi Kizismin

Name: Mattaponi Kizismin
Variety: 100% Peaches
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $20

Winery Review: Translation means "Sun Berry."  The refreshing Peach Wine has a pleasant flavor with a light finish

My Review: This was a tasty wine. I’ve never had a peach wine before so this was a treat. The smell was that of straight peaches while the tasted was sweet with an overwhelming peach flavor. I haven’t been able to taste my share of fruit wines but this was good. I would get this again.

Tasting - Mattaponi Miskwamin

Name: Mattaponi Miskwamin
Variety: 100% Concord Grapes
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $15

Winery Review: Translation means "Red Berry."  Intense flavor of Blue Concord with full-bodied.  Best served with pasta, beef or lamb.

My Review: This was an interesting wine. I’d never had a wine from Concord grapes before. I was impressed with this one. It smelled and tasted a bit like grape juice. It went down smooth. I ended up buying this one. The alcohol taste to it is subtle and it works.

Tasting - Mattaponi Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Mattaponi Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $15

Winery Review: Impressive structure.  Medium bodied, displaying rich and elegant flavors, with a rich finish. Hints of oak and plum. Wonderful with beef, pork or lamb.

My Review: I didn’t particularly care for this wine. I got hints of red fruit and some spice on the nose. The taste was similar with more red fruit on the palate with a certain spiciness that lasted through the finish. The spiciness didn’t mix well with the fruit that I tasted. I was expecting a big bold Cab Sav and that’s not what I got. It was actually kind of weak. 

Tasting - Gabbiano Chianti

Name: Gabbiano Chianti
Variety: 90% Sangiovese, 10% red berry vines
Region: Chianti
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $8

Winery Review: A very natural wine making process, in which the alcoholic fermentation is followed naturally by malolactic fermentation in steel casks.  The ageing period of the wine before the bottling is brief, without passage in wood: in this way, the wine maintains and displays all the organoleptic characteristics of the grape, along with great freshness. It is a young, enjoyable wine that does not require ageing, which should be drunk in the first two years of life.

My Review: This was my first venture into Tuscany and the Chianti region of winemaking. The wine was a ruby red color. The nose was fairly aromatic with red fruit, raspberries, and spice. The taste had notes of red and black fruit with a slight oakiness coming through (despite not touching oak in the winemaking process). Nothing about this wine really stood out. It had a medium body with a short finish. It was unoffending and slightly acidic. I paired this with Chicken Piccata. It was a nice pairing but a better wine would’ve been a better choice. Not a bad wine but not for me. 

Tasting - Peller Estates Ice Wine Vidal

Name: Peller Estates Ice Wine Vidal
Variety: 100% Vidal Blanc
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Country: Canada
Year: 2005
Price: $60 for 375 mL

Winery Review: An exceptionally well-balanced Icewine exhibiting sophistication and elegance. The clean fruit flavours of peach, pear juice, tangerine and a drizzle of honey excite the palate. Lemon drops, apricot and candied citrus peel linger through on the finish. Best enjoyed through 2018.   Serve chilled at 8 to 10°C in small white wine glasses, 1 to 2 oz per person. Enjoy before a meal, chilled with your favourite vodka and a couple of frozen grapes for an amazing Icewine Martini. During a meal with pâté or with foie gras for a mouth sensation. Also a wonderful companion to Indian curry dishes and spicy Asian cuisine. Serve with the cheese course which may include Saint Andre, 3 year old Canadian cheddar or creamy blue cheeses. After a meal with fruit based desserts of mango, pear, quince, sweet citrus and tropical fruits; crème caramel; crème brûlée; custards; and syllabubs.

My Review: This was a wonderfully splendid wine, one of the best I’ve ever had. I was able to try this because my aunt had forgotten she had it in her fridge and let me have it. It was an unopened 50 mL individual (half of a half) tasting but wow did it leave an impression. The wine had a goldish, possibly pinkish hue to it. The nose was very aromatic. It had a dominant peach or stone fruit smell. It seemed to me that this could be a fruit liqueur; it had that kind of nose to it. As for the taste, my palate detected peach, apricot, and honey. It was super silky smooth. I couldn’t taste any alcohol really. It finished short. Boy, was this a delight. I’ve grown to like Vidal Blanc as my white wine variety of choice (along with few select others) as I’ve haven’t had a bad one yet in my limited experience. This was my first Ice Wine though and I was impressed by it. While the product is certainly worth the price, this wine is out of my range. Bottom line, fantastic wine and would love to drink again.

Tasting - Liebe Winemaker's Collection Riesling

Name: Liebe Winemaker's Collection Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Rheinhessen
Country: Germany
Year: 2011
Price: $7

Winery Review: A sweet wine that also gave me a nice and crisp feel. The flavors of citrus and pear finished off in a slightly dry finish. I paired this wine with salmon in coconut curry sauce over cauliflower, and it was the perfect match. The sweetness of the wine cooled off, and mellowed the spiciness of the curry sauce.

My Review: Not a bad value wine. This wine was made specifically for Wegman’s. The nose was fruity with some floral notes coming though. I smelled apple and apricots presenting too. The taste was of apricot and honey with a light peachiness. It had a silky mouthfeel. It was slightly acidic on the back end. It had a medium length finish. An unoffending wine that isn’t bad if you just want anything. The flavors are almost too subtle to really pick out. I’ve had better Rieslings at near the same price point.

Tasting - Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel

Name: Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $8

Winery Review: Vibrant, ripe notes of summer raspberry intoxicate the senses, enticing you to take a sip of this lively red zinfandel. Once on the palate, plush and round flavors of pomegranates meld with fresh cracked peppercorn, juniper and anise. Playful and serious at the same time, the mouth-coating tannins relax into a smooth and supple finish: long, lingering and full of enjoyment.

My Review: This was a big wine and a varietal I was excited to try. The nose was hot and very fruity, very jammy. There were hints of raspberries and cherries and a slight oakiness. The taste was also hot and jammy but bold. There were a lot of red fruits noticeably cherry on the palate. It has a hot, long finish. At 14.5% alcohol the heat is to be expected. Very good wine though. It was thoroughly enjoyable. I also tried this with Manchego cheese and it cut through the heat and brought out more raspberry taste.

Tasting - Hogue Late Harvest Riesling

Name: Hogue Late Harvest Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Region: Washington
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $8

Winery Review: Eastern Washington’s low annual rainfall and cool nights during the growing season make it the perfect area for producing consistently great late harvest wines. The Hogue Cellars has developed a style of late harvest Riesling that is crisp yet moderately sweet. The wine was produced from select Riesling vineyards where the fruit can ripen to the required 24°+ Brix. At that level of ripeness, the wine develops its trademark tangerine/apricot flavor. Zesty aromas of orange, lemon-lime and peach are followed by flavors of tangerine, apricot and a trace of mineral. Serve with poached pears, apple pie or a cheese platter of Stilton, smoked Gouda and fresh goat cheese. It’s also excellent served well chilled as an aperitif.

My Review: Not a bad wine. There is pear and apricot with a bit of honey on the nose. A light floral component comes through too. The taste is of peach and pear with a spritzer quality to it almost like Sprite. It is a bit zesty. It has a silky mouthfeel and a smooth finish. It is sweet but not overpowering considering its 5.3 g of residual sugar. But something is a tad off about it that I could not drink it as a dessert alone. I would grab something else if I want a true dessert wine.

Tasting - Vincent’s Vineyard Cabernet Franc

Name: Vincent’s Vineyard Cabernet Franc
Variety: Cabernet Franc
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $13

Winery Review: A slightly oaked dry red wine. The beautiful ruby red wine has rich flavors of black cherry and plum, complimented by elegant aromas of toasted oak. This wine leaves an impressive finish.

My Review: Back to my favorite, the Cabernet Franc. This wasn’t the best I’ve had but it was pretty good. Cherry and plum tickle the nose. From there, black cherry and a slight oakiness with some spice dance on the tongue. This was a nice effort and well-crafted. It was enjoyable and had a nice finish that kept me wanting more.

Tasting - Vincent’s Vineyard Ambrosia

Name: Vincent’s Vineyard Ambrosia
Variety: Steuben
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $14

Winery Review: Made from the Steuben Grape, this crisp sweet red wine with hints of honey and has a sweet and spicy flavor. Makes a great porch or hot tub wine.  This wine is appropriately named because in ancient Greek mythology, Ambrosia was known as a food or drink of the Greek gods.

My Review: I think this was my favorite wine from Vincent’s Vineyard. The nose was pungent with hints of cherry, raspberries and honey. The taste was similar but included a subtle spice component. It was also pretty sweet. It was very smooth and the sweetness really masks any alcohol taste. This is a great wine to pair with dessert or if you just want something sweet. 

Tasting - Vincent’s Vineyard Shepherd’s Red

Name: Vincent’s Vineyard Shepherd’s Red
Variety: Chambourcin
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $12

Winery Review: Our most popular wine made from the Chambourcin grape. This full bodied, mildly oaked, semi-sweet red wine will pleasantly surprise your taste buds.  Shepherd’s Red is named from the Katahdin sheep raised on the Gilmer farm.

My Review: This wine surprised me. I wasn’t sure what to expect but was impressed. The nose had red fruit with a tinge of oak. The taste was nice too with some like oak and cherries. It was a bit sweet which brought it altogether. Good effort and I can see why it is the most popular.

Tasting - Vincent’s Vineyard Traminette

Name: Vincent’s Vineyard Traminette
Variety: Traminette
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $11

Winery Review: A unique Gewurztraminer hybrid wine with a fresh, fruity aroma and floral-spicy flavors.  This wine is a semi-sweet wine that will pleasantly please your palate.

My Review: I am glad that I have had a Gewurztraminer before. This varietal shares a lot of qualities with it but is able to stand on its own. The nose is very floral with honeysuckles. The taste was unique. There was an underlying spiciness behind the fruit and honey. I got pear on the taste as well. Nicely crafted wine and one that I would like to try more of. 

Tasting - Barren Ridge Cabernet Franc

Name: Barren Ridge Cabernet Franc
Variety: Cabernet Franc
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $18

Winery Review: A very fruit-forward wine with hints of smoky light oak.

My Review: I was excited to try this wine. Cab Franc has become one of my favorite varietals. It had a nice nose to it. I got hints of cherries and some red fruit. The taste is what I have come to love from Cab Francs. I get cherries, some raspberries, and some nice spice that I think makes Cab Franc stand out. Smooth finish with some lingering taste. Very enjoyable. 

Tasting - Barren Ridge Christof

Name: Barren Ridge Christof
Variety: Traminette and Vidal Blanc
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $27 (for a half bottle)

Winery Review: Layers of complex flavors in our sweetest offering. A blend of Traminette and Vidal Blanc, this sweet dessert wine offers complex flavors of caramelized pear and honey. Wonderful with sliced fruit, Stilton cheese, or drizzled over vanilla ice cream.

My Review: This was an amazing treat. I love dessert wines. The smell was heavenly with hints of stone fruit and honey. The taste was so smooth and silky. It was fantastic. I got hints of pear, apricot, peach, and honey. It is a well-crafted wine. It was outstanding. This is a wine that will come back to time and time again. 

Tasting - Fincastle Rose

Name: Fincastle Rose
Variety: Chambourcin and Vidal Blanc
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $13

Winery Review: Refreshing, semi-sweet blend of Chambourcin and Vidal Blanc crafted for well-balanced acidity with cherry and strawberry notes. Chambourcin produces a deep-colored wine with a full aromatic flavor, and no unpleasant hybrid flavors. It can be made into a dry style or one with a moderate residual sugar level, giving it a pleasant but not overbearing sweetness. Vidal Blanc produces a fruity wine due to its high acidity and is particularly suited to sweeter, dessert wines. The pairing of Chambourcin and Vidal Blanc complement each other perfectly.

My Review: Fincastle does uncommon grapes very well and this is another one. It is very aromatic with strawberries and cherries on the nose. The taste was just a bit sweet which is nice. More strawberries and cherries made their way onto my palate with just a hint of citrus. It was an enjoyable wine and something I wouldn’t mind having again.

Tasting - Fincastle Knight’s Tour

Name: Fincastle Knight’s Tour
Variety: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Chambourcin, 20% Petit Verdot
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $15

Winery Review: Dry red blend of Petit Verdot, Chambourcin, and Cabernet Sauvignon aged 2 years in oak.

My Review: This was a nice red wine that they put out. The blend of grape is interesting enough. The nose smelled of strawberries and cherries. The taste was similar but also added a citrus quality to it. I enjoyed this wine. The finish was long and smooth and very satisfying. It was well structured and balanced. Quality wine. 

Tasting - Fincastle Hybrid Vigor

Name: Fincastle Hybrid Vigor
Variety: Chardonnel, Vidal Blanc, and Traminette
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $13

Winery Review: A semi-sweet white wine with a citrus finish blended from French-American hybrids Chardonnel, Vidal Blanc & Traminette. You will notice bold tropical fruit flavors of pineapple and mango.

My Review: A very nice and interesting blend of grapes in this one. The nose was bit of both earthy and fruity with some pear standing out. The taste was definitely a bit heavy on the tropical side with pineapple being the key fruit. I enjoyed this wine and its sweetness. Definitely one I would come back to.

Tasting - AmRhein Sangria

Name: AmRhein Sangria
Variety: Sangria
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Price: $15

Winery Review: A nice, sweet, fruity flavor with 100% natural juices with wine as the main mixer.

My Review: This was a great sangria. I have only had a few sangrias before but this one was the best. I felt like I was sipping on fruit juice. It had tastes of grapefruit and peach. It was so delicious. This is an anytime kind of drink. Absolutely fantastic.

Tasting - AmRhein Ruby

Name: AmRhein Ruby
Variety: Red, White, Raspberry, and Chocolate wine
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $15

Winery Review: Enjoy the spices and fruits that emanate from the glass. This provocative blend of red and white wine combined with natural raspberry and chocolate flavors will entice you back for another decadent sip.

My Review: This was my favorite wine from AmRhein. Right off the bat I smell raspberries and a lot of them but not overpowering the senses. I take a sip and it tastes like I am drinking a Godiva chocolate raspberry truffle. It is so good. It is smooth and just coats the mouth. It doesn’t feel like you are drinking alcohol. This is a dessert all on its own.

Tasting - AmRhein Vin de Peche

Name: AmRhein Vin de Peche
Variety: Peach wine
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $14
Winery Review: This wine has a delicate flavor of a ripe peach with layers of sweetness, reminiscent of a southern peach harvest.

My Review: This was a superb wine. I got peach through and through on the nose and the palate but it was never overpowering. There wasn’t much acidity to it and there wasn’t a tannic component. It was all around smooth. Fantastic porch or dessert wine. Left me wanting more.

Tasting - AmRhein Petit Verdot

Name: AmRhein Petit Verdot
Variety: 100% Petit Verdot
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $27

Winery Review: A smooth rich wine with dark plum flavors underlain by notes of cherry, blackberry, spice and subtle oak nuances.

My Review: I was looking forward to trying this wine because I have been curious about the varietal and because this is AmRhein’s signature wine. I was a bit disappointed and underwhelmed. The nose was nice with hints of black fruit but the taste left something to be desired. It was kind of watery. Not a very good mouthfeel at all. I was detecting some plum and blackberry but the wine just didn’t sit right with me.

Tasting - AmRhein Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: AmRhein Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $25

Winery Review: This full-bodied wine displays a complex blend of black fruits and cassis flavors complemented by ripe tannins and a full round lingering finish.

My Review: This was a bold Cab Sav. The nose was bursting with aromas of black cherry and blackberries. The taste was just as good with more blackberry coming through and a bit of spice. It was a full bodied wine with a nice mouthfeel. Very nice tannic component. It finished smooth. 

Tasting - AmRhein Merlot

Name: AmRhein Merlot
Variety: 100% Merlot
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $25

Winery Review: This medium bodied wine features layers of cherry, plum and black currant with undertones of oak.  This wine unfurls on the palate into a long fruity finish.

My Review: This was pretty nice red wine. The nose had hints of cherry with just a bit of oakiness. The taste was well-structured with more cherry and plum with currants and just a hint of vanilla. There was a slight wateriness to it but not as much as the Petit Verdot and not enough to ruin anything for me. This was a nice wine for what it is and I like it. 

Tasting - AmRhein Petit Manseng

Name: AmRhein Petit Manseng
Variety: 100% Petit Manseng
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $15

Winery Review: This varietal showcases creamy apricot with rich fruit flavors of apple, pear, and citrus.  A spirited wine with a gentle sweetness balances nicely in the glass.

My Review: This is another varietal that Virginia does well. This wine had a lot of things going for it. The nose was fruity. The taste had many flavors working together. I got apricot and pear right off the bat with a bit of an underlying citrus. They were well balanced. There was some acidity there but it worked. This wine finished smooth.

Tasting - AmRhein Vidal Blanc

Name: AmRhein Vidal Blanc
Variety: 100% Vidal Blanc
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $14

Winery Review: This intriguing wine features sweet, luscious tropical fruit.  It is well structured wine that is rich in taste, and very elegant with a smooth finish that is clean and refreshing.

My Review: This was a great wine. Virginia does this variety very well I have come to realize. The nose is pretty fruity. The taste is kind of tropical like pineapple coming through. Very well made wine. The finish is smooth and silky. Very nice and would drink again.

Tasting - AmRhein Sauvignon Blanc

Name: AmRhein Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $15

Winery Review: This is a dry, crisp wine made using the New Zealand style with the terroir of Virginia.  The unique flavor is mouth-wateringly fresh and bold, featuring bright citrus and lively kiwi.

My Review: A nice, unassuming white wine. Fresh cut grass hits the nose with a bit of fruit. On the palate are citrus flavors with some apple. Not a bad wine by any means. But this one doesn’t particularly stands out. It too isn’t very memorable. It is pleasant and has light acidity.

Tasting - AmRhein Pinot Gris Reserve

Name: AmRhein Pinot Gris Reserve
Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $16

Winery Review: This German Alsatian style wine shines with a beautiful light honey hue.  There are multiple aromatic notes consisting of lush fruit, citrus, mineral, and spice.

My Review: This was a light and tasty wine. It was pretty good for a Pinot Gris. Light fruit and citrus on the nose. It had a mineral and apple taste on the palate. All in all a quality wine. It was enjoyable. It was nothing too memorable though. Pleasant and unoffending.

Tasting - Fetzer Gewurztraminer

Name: Fetzer Gewurztraminer
Variety: 100% Gewurztraminer
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $7.79

Winery Review: Passion fruit along with tangerine, mango and aromas of honey and orange spice join with pineapple, baked pears and hints of cinnamon. This wine can be zesty, and flavors of clove, orange and caramelized apples are evident.

My Review: This was a very interesting wine. I had been looking forward to trying a Gewurztraminer for a long time. The nose had some notable fruit on it with a distinct floral component. I get honeyed apricot and peach. The taste has some orange citrus with apples springing forward. There is some nice acidity coming through and finishes smooth. It is on the sweeter side with 3.2% residual sugars but it is not too much. Very enjoyable white wine.

Tasting - Lindeman's Bin 55 Shiraz - Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Lindeman's Bin 55 Shiraz - Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Southeastern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2014
Price: $5.71

Winery Review: Medium purple in colour with red hues. This wine displays aromas of blackcurrants and mint intermingled with vanillin oak aromas. The medium bodied palate shows a mixture of blackcurrant and plum fruit flavours nicely balanced by a soft lingering finish.

My Review: It has a fragrant nose. Big fruits are present such as raspberries and cherries with an oaky vanilla quality. The aromas are very pleasant. First thing I notice is an interesting tannic structure. The fruits I get are plum and blackberries. The alcohol is present but it is not too hot. I was guessing between 13-14% as it seems less than a typical Shiraz at 14%. I was correct as it clocks in a 13.5%. It’s not very complex but not bad either. I would drink more of this and pair it with a nice steak. 

Tasting - Aconga Bonarda Merlot

Name: Aconga Bonarda Merlot
Variety: 80% Bonarda and 20% Merlot
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2014
Price: $4

Winery Review: This one seems to get a little better every vintage. For a very pittance out of your pocket, this is a tasty mouth full of red wine. Surprising viscosity for a Bonarda based wine. Dark ruby, but by no means opaque color. It is very easy to discern the rustic, vegetative contribution of the Bonarda on both the nose and palate. The Merlot brings a flinty, creamy, mineral richness that totally compliments the Bonarda. Gritty little tannins. Bramble, blueberry and mulberry fruit. Some vanilla from oak. Opens up nicely with a little time in glass. Rustic, earthy finish. A great value.

-Mike Kopanski – 87 Points

My Review: The nose on this is quite pungent. There’s cherry with some oak and maybe spoiled fruit. It definitely has a rustic quality to it. There’s cherry present on the taste with a certain spiciness to it. There are some awkward flavors in there. I don’t think it necessary works for me. It’s got some bite. The finish is short-medium length. It’s not that good.

Tasting - Attimo Sudden Downpour

Name: Attimo Sudden Downpour
Variety: Apple and White Blend
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $16

Winery Review: This sweet apple wine, blended with white table wine embodies a quality of surprise, with warm vanilla notes drawn from the aged bourbon barrel.

My Review: This was an absolute fantastic wine. The nose was very aromatic with qualities of apple cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, and just breakfast in general. The taste was even better with what was similar to liquid apples. It was super sweet and was very smooth and had a lingering finish. Just a beautifully crafted wine. I loved it.

Tasting - Attimo Promise

Name: Attimo Promise
Variety: Syrah, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: NV
Price: $25

Winery Review: Robust red, well oaked.

My Review: This wine had a very nice nose. It was fruity with raspberries being the main component and a buttery, oaky, or vanilla component mixing in. It disappointed on the taste though. There were predominantly red and black fruit on the palate but it tasted kind of watery. It also finished too hot for me. I was not a fan of this wine.

Tasting - Attimo Vertex

Name: Attimo Vertex
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $21

Winery Review: This bold and unassuming Cabernet Sauvignon with rich tannins and intense plum flavors, reaches a peak of spiciness. It can be paired with bold meats and rich pasta meals.

My Review: Very aromatic. Big nose with raspberries, blackberries, and currants. Raspberries dominate on the palate with big tannins present. It was an okay wine but could definitely benefit from some aging or at least some decanting. I would like to taste the wine after that. 

Tasting - Attimo After Midnight

Name: Attimo After Midnight
Variety: Merlot, Blackberry, and Zinfandel
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $17

Winery Review: Semi-sweet red, fruity flavors; velvety texture. "A red wine with training wheels."

My Review: This is a very interesting blend. The nose is of raspberries, blackberries, and typical Cab Sav smells. The taste was fruity with blackberry dominating throughout. It was sweet with almost no tannins. It has a silky mouthfeel with a medium finish. Not a bad wine at all and quite enjoyable. 

Tasting - Attimo I Do

Name: Attimo I Do
Variety: Traminette and Petit Manseng
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $17

Winery Review: I Do is a semi-sweet white wine with tropical fruit flavors on the nose, citrus notes on the palette, and a crisp, clean finish. This blend combines the best qualities of each grape to create something new.

My Review: I didn’t care for this wine. The nose had an earthy floralness to it with what smelled like pine needles. It was very eh and blah. The taste also had pine needles but it was fruity. It finished hot but silky. This was a very weird wine and it’s just not for me. 

Tasting - Attimo Off-the-Cuff

Name: Attimo Off-the-Cuff
Variety: 67% Riesling and 33% Chardonnay
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: NV
Price: $17

Winery Review: Off The Cuff is a semi-sweet white that is mellow, slightly sweet and bright to pair well with a variety of life's unplanned moments. Silver Medal winner at the 2013 Florida Grape and Juice Competition.

My Review: I was excited to try this particular blend but wasn’t sold on the execution. The nose had a lot of mineral with slight floral undertones and melon. The taste was of stone fruit, melon, and a slight citrusness. I get a lot of the Chardonnay coming through with the Riesling’s sweetness in the back. The finish was short and not wholly satisfying. It wasn’t bad but not something I want to pay that price for such an effort.

Tasting - Attimo Wonder

Name: Attimo Wonder
Variety: Viognier, Vidal, and Traminette
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: NV
Price: $19

Winery Review: Dry, oaked white blend. Toffee and fruity flavors.

My Review: The nose was a bit of a turn off with a slight oakiness and possibly leather and something bad being dominant. The smell made the taste that much more amazing though. It was very fruity with stone fruit and maybe melon present. Although it had no residual sugar this wine was very sweet. It had a short silky finish. It tasted of dessert.

Tasting - Attimo Sonnet 98

Name: Attimo Sonnet 98
Variety: 100% Vidal Blanc
Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $18

Winery Review: Although the intensity of the papaya, blonde caramel and dill flavors leaves something to be desired, the flavors prove to be more virile. The wine feels buttery and rich, with a precise, tenacious toasted-almond note that clings to the finish.

My Review: The nose was citrusy with floral components coming through. The taste was similar with oranges and citrus present with a silky mouthfeel. It finished short and smooth. It was similar to drinking a subtle liquid orange. It is a nice varietal.

Tasting - Sophenia Malbec Altosur

Name:  Sophenia Malbec Altosur
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2013
Price: $11

Winery Review: Attractive red color with violet hues. Aromas of intense ripe fruit: cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and fresh plums, combined with spicy and floral hints. In the mouth the sweet and round tannins increase its fruit sensation and balance. Wine of good intensity, concentration and long after taste.

My Review: This was a nice wine. Pretty big aromas consume the nose. Blackberries and raspberries come through most. The taste was pleasant with hints of cherries, blackberries, plums, and some spice on the back end. It was well-balanced with a smooth, medium finish. I’ve had better Malbecs at or below this price point but not bad on the whole. 

Tasting - Bricco Dei Tati Piemonte Barbera

Name:  Bricco Dei Tati Piemonte Barbera
Variety: Barbera
Region: Piemonte
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $7

Winery Review: This is a young, fresh, lively Barbera with a persistent and attractive bouquet of black cherries and a bit of spice on the palate. It has few tannins which is typical of the Barbera varietal, and a medium finish. Delightfully approachable, it is great with medium to strong cheeses, barbecue and game.

My Review: This had nice aromas, not too big but good. Red fruit hits the nose with some black cherries. The taste was similar with that red fruit really through with maybe some blackberries. The finish was medium but subpar with some acidity on the end. I’d like to see a Barbera had a higher price point/quality and see what it really should be like. I felt like this wine went away from me too quickly. 

Tasting - Redwood Creek Winemaker’s Reserve Rich Red Blend

Name: Redwood Creek Winemaker’s Reserve Rich Red Blend
Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: NV
Price: $5

Winery Review: A flavorful combination of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, our Redwood Creek Rich Red Blend has luscious flavors of dark cherry and brown spice. Melding three celebrated varietals means countless food options: think spicy pizza, baby back ribs or marinated flank steak.

My Review: This was a nice little wine. The smell starts off very nicely with a fruity nose with hints of blackberries, raspberries, light chocolate, and pepper. It smells distinctly Merlot to me. It’s pretty aromatic. The taste is of red fruit, dark chocolate, and currants. It has the taste qualities of a Cab Sav but the tannic structure of a Merlot, and the heat of a Syrah. The tannins are nice and it had a long finish. This is a well-crafted wine especially at this price point. Good quality and I like it.

Tasting - Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio

Name: Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio
Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio
Region: Veneto
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $11

Winery Review: Our Pinot Grigio is crafted from 100% Pinot Grigio grapes harvested at optimal maturity levels. The wine was made "in bianco" or "in the white," referring to the vinification process that transforms the blue-gray colored berries into delicate white wine. A soft pressing was used to enhance flavor extraction while imparting minimal color from the skins. The juice was fermented in temperature-controlled tanks and a selection of specific yeast was added at a temperature of 18ºC.  After settling, the wine was cold stabilized, filtered and bottled under sterile conditions, avoiding malolactic fermentation and preserving the fruit characteristics of the wine. This wine has a clear, straw yellow color, with light golden reflections. Notes of light citrus and delicate floral aromas are complemented by hints of tropical fruit flavors. The wine is full bodied, with a pleasantly soft palate and a long finish.

My Review: It has a distinct floral smell to it. I get notes of green apple, melon, tropical fruit, and a little citrus on the end. The taste is a bit subtle with more acidity than I would’ve thought. Light taste of apple, mango, and pineapple dance on the back palate. It is silky in its finish and short. Not a bad wine. One of the better Pinot Grigios that I’ve had although that’s not saying a whole lot.

Tasting - Barboursville Paxxito (Malvaxia)

Name: Barboursville Paxxito (Malvaxia)
Variety: 50% Moscato Ottonel and 50% Vidal
Region: Orange County, Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $32 (for 375 mL)

Winery Review: A distinctive wine created in the traditional Passito process, the grapes are carefully hand-selected and set aside to rest and air-dry for up to 120 days before crushing and pressing. Six months of slow, cool fermentation followed by extended barrel aging produces an intense, rich, balanced wine of luscious sweetness and good acidity. Vibrant with echoes of tropical fruit, the wine exudes a bouquet and palate of pineapple, apricot and pear.

My Review: This is the big boy of dessert wines. Coming in at 15% alcohol and 11% residual sugars, this wine packs a punch. The aromas are absolutely huge! They combine apricot and a smell of alcohol. The taste is super sweet almost liqueur like with just a hint of pineapple. It is a very balanced wine though and very smooth. This is one of my all-time favorites and would return to in a heartbeat. Fantastic wine.

Tasting - Barboursville Phileo

Name: Barboursville Phileo
Variety: 60% Moscato, 30% Vidal, and 10% Traminette
Region: Orange County, Virginia
Country: USA
Year: NV
Price: $17

Winery Review: A truly beautiful and friendly dessert wine, with a brightly refreshing sweetness indebted to a carefully preserved fruit acidity, for a clean and disarmingly elegant finish.

My Review: The smell was super fruity, almost over the top. Some citrus notes came through as well. The taste was very sweet. Definitely something to drink in small amounts. Contains 8% residual sugars and it shows. It finishes silky smooth.

Tasting - Barboursville Rosato

Name: Barboursville Rosato
Variety: Chardonnay, Riesling, and Cabernet Franc
Region: Orange County, Virginia
Country: USA
Year: NV
Price: $10

Winery Review: A dessert style rose wonderful with fruit desserts, light cheeses, and strawberry shortcake. Rich and fruity with hints of strawberry, plum, and spice.

My Review: This wine had a fruity smell to it. Nothing very distinctive on the nose. The taste was super, super fruity. I got strawberries on the taste. It had a smooth finish and was an easy drinker. This is a wine to sip on the porch on a hot summer’s evening. It was pleasant.