Tasting - Game of Thrones Chardonnay

Name: Game of Thrones Chardonnay
Variety: 90% Chardonnay and 10% Riesling

Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2016
Price: $20

Winery Review: Enticing aromas of stone fruit and white blossoms lead to a rich, creamy palate of peaches, apricots, tangerine, Meyer lemon, baking spices and honey, balanced by mouth-watering acidity. A touch of oak on the lingering finish.

My Review: I was very excited to try this a couple reasons. One it being Game of Thrones brand and two I’m always looking for a Chardonnay to change my opinion of it. It succeeded on both counts. The nose was floral with hints of grass and honeysuckle and a slight citrus note. The taste was slightly fruity with hints of peach and pear. It was subtle but intriguing all the same. It was light on the palate with a long finish. Quite delicious!

Tasting - Fairhills Cape Original Chenin Blanc – Grenache Blanc

Name: Fairhills Cape Original Chenin Blanc – Grenache Blanc
Variety: 95% Chenin Blanc and 5% Grenache Blanc

Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2017
Price: $7

Winery Review: This wine has upfront citrus and tropical fruit flavours on the nose. Full juicy palate and minerality with racy citrus lime freshness. Balanced acidity with concentrated flavours that lingers. Good for Alfresco lunches.

My Review: The nose has a floral note to it with apple, orchid, and slight honey hints. On the palate, there is apple and slight butter. The fruit and flavors of this wine are quite subtle but overall it works. It has a nice body and mouthfeel with a long finish.

Tasting - Chrysalis Norton Estate Bottled

Name: Chrysalis Norton Estate Bottled
Variety: 100% Norton

Region: Virginia
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $20

Winery Review: This 100% Norton wine shows off Norton’s intense fruit and mellow palate. Mellowing with time in the bottle, it continues to deliver a powerful nose with concentrated fruit aromas and sweet spice. The flavors of cherries and plums that define Norton, with nuances of ripe fruit, pepper, earth, and a vanilla edge, round out this expressive synergy of grape and winemaking excellence.

My Review: The nose had hints of red fruit mainly currant and raspberry and some oak and vanilla. There were some spice notes as well and it came off very bold. The taste was a cherry bomb. It was very fruit forward with vanilla and spice arriving after. Currants were noticeable with some oakiness. It had a long finish and full body. This was a good wine that could benefit from some decanting.

Tasting - Starling Castle Gewürztraminer

Name: Starling Castle Gewürztraminer
Variety: 100% Gewürztraminer

Region: Pfalz
Country: Germany
Year: 2016
Price: $10

Winery Review: Fruity flavors like lychee, grapefruit, pineapple, peach, apricot, orange and cantaloupe. A nose of tangy orange marmalade, rose petals, and apricot leads to a zingy lime sherbet taste.

My Review: Tropical fruit, pineapple, and pear filled my nose with a slight citrus note. The taste was only slightly tropical with more pear and white fruit. It was slightly sweet which added to the body of the wine. It had a long finish and the acidity was very nice. This was a pretty good wine.

Tasting - Hinnant Family Vineyards Scuppernong

Name: Hinnant Family Vineyards Scuppernong
Variety: 100% Scuppernong

Region: North Carolina
Country: USA
Year: N/A
Price: $7.50

Winery Review: Sweet. Made from a blend of Scuppernong grapes grown in North Carolina. Smooth and medium sweet, thick and full bodied with a clean finish. Excellent pairing for fresh fruits, chocolates, and your favorite desserts

My Review: The nose smelled just like a bag of green grapes with some honey. Very reminiscent of muscadine wines I’ve had. The taste was predominantly honey and grape juice. It was sweet but not overbearing. There was no alcohol taste to it and not complexity. It had a short finish. Not a bad wine but it wasn’t anything special.

Tasting - 19 Crimes The Warden Reserve

Name: 19 Crimes The Warden Reserve
Variety: Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Grenache, and Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: South Eastern Australia
Country: Australia
Year: 2015
Price: $20

Winery Review: Somewhat more serious than the previous releases from 19 Crimes, The Warden is a Shiraz-based red blend with tons of richness and complexity. On the nose, there is ample plum, currant, and cherry intermixed with vanilla and cinnamon spice. The same flavor profile is evident in the mouth, picking up some licorice notes. Make no mistake; this is a big wine that needs a high-protein dish to accompany it.

My Review: The nose was very fruity with lots of cherry. Red and black currant were noticeable too with hints of vanilla and oak. The taste was super smooth with hints of blackberry and currants throughout. There was a lot of black fruit present and a slight oakiness. It had a long finish and was quite delicious.