Tasting Siegel Reserve Uber Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Siegel Reserve Uber Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon (label missing Reserve but waiter confirmed it is).

Variety: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Shiraz

Region: Colchagua Valley

Country: Chile

Price: $18

Year: 2013

Shop Review/ Critic Review: "Good yet generic aromas of spicy berry and ripe plum are clean and inviting. A juicy palate deals lightly  baked flavors of spiced berry and cassis. A medium- long finish is tasty and feels right." - Michael Schachner.

My Review: From the initial scent, this smelled like black currents and black raspberries. It had a hint of a tart undertone with an underlying spiciness as well, perhaps a spice I can't pinpoint yet. It also had a hint of dark chocolate. At the taste, I wasn't overwhelmed with how tannic it was. It had a dark cherry flavor, with a bit of perfumy flavor, and complimented my dinner perfectly.

I paired this wine with what the restaurant we ate at recommended. I had a nice steak frites, which included a hanger steak, some parmesan and truffle fries, and water cress. The steak came with a bearnaise sauce, and it's creaminess really went well with the wine.

Tasting Starborough Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Starborogugh Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Marlborough

Country: New Zealand

Price: $11

Year: 2014

Shop Review/Critic Review: Eocative of the luscious Marlborough region, this Starborough Sauvignon Blanc has refreshing flavors of citrus and tropical fruits with notes of fresh-cut grass. Layers of passion fruit, guava and kiwi create a crisp, approachable palate.

My Review: I initially really liked the crisp, fresh smell this wine gave off. After a second taste, it gave a sweet, peachy smell. I could also smell a tart apple, like a granny apple. The taste was really fresh and with a light body. It definitely tasted like green apples with a bit of a sour hint. What caught me off guard but was understandable due to where it's made, was the grassy taste. I actually found myself liking the freshness. I would definitely drink this again!

I did not pair this with food but definitely would be interested in trying it with some spicy Asian cuisine!

Tasting Coastal Vines White Zinfandel

Name: Coastal Vines White Zinfandel

Variety: White Zinfandel

Region: California

Country: USA

Price: $6.95

Year: 2013

Shop Review: This White Zinfandel has a beautiful pink salmon color and crisp acidity. The wine shows juicy fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry, with a tangy sweet finish. Pairs well with mild cheeses, crab cakes, and spicy Asian cuisine.

My Review: From the first whiff, I knew this was my kind of wine. It smelled like grape juice, so I knew immediately it was sweet. I also could smell a bit of a honeydew or melon smell, along with a summer fruit like berries. The taste of it wasn't very acidy but it had a nice crisp, honey taste. Compared to my typical preference of Moscato, it was a bit fresher and not as in your face sweet.

I went with the recommendation of drinking this wine with some mild cheese and my family and I enjoyed it with some mild cheddar, swiss, and some leftover brie.

Tasting Turning Leaf Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Turning Leaf Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Modesto, California

Country: USA

Price: $11.99

Year: 2014

Shop Review/ Bottle Review: As you uncork this bottle of our Cabernet Sauvignon, we invite you to enjoy the aromas and flavors of black cherries, hints of oak, and brown spice in the Turning Leaf Cabernet Sauvignon.

My Review: From the initial smell, I didn't think this wine had an extremely "red wine" like smell. It was somewhat acidic smelling, but perhaps a bit watered down. I did get a dark cherry whiff, along with a sour pear smell. I couldn't really get the distinct oaky taste, but it did taste a bit woody to me. To me, it tasted like a cherry like grape juice that went bad.

I did not pair this food and probably won't, since it's a pretty cheap wine that didn't have that great of flavor.

Tasting Santa Julia Malbec

Name: Santa Julia Malbec

Variety: Malbec

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Price: $9.99

Year: 2013

Shop Review/Wine Critic Review: This purple-red wine is packed with ripe fruit flavors of plum, cherry and strawberries with hints of chocolate and a spicy finish. It will pair well with steaks, burgers and pastas with red sauces.

My Review: From the initial smell, it felt very acidic or tannic. I could smell a lingering smell of a dark berry, perhaps a rich sour cherry. While it wasn't spicy in traditional ways that I am used to, the acidity of it did almost come off as a type of spicyness to my nose. The taste was surprising and it didn't feel as acidic as it smelled. I definitely got a cherry flavor but it wasn't necessarily sour.

I food paired this with a selection of ham and salami, olives, and some bread and swiss cheese. To me, the wine reminded me a tad of Spain, so I tried to match it with some of my "Americanized" version of tapas!

Tasting San Elias Carmenere

Name: San Elias Carmenere

Variety: Carmenere

Region: Valle Central

Country: Chile

Year: 2014

Price: $9

Shop Review: This medium-bodied red offers roasted plum, kirsch, sage and game notes, with light tannins supporting the spicy finish.

My Review: This was one of the more interesting wines I have tried because it was very different. It had a smoky smell but also had a smell like a dark cooking chocolate. It tasted like tobacco or a dark roast coffee, something that was a tad offsetting to a person used to sweet wine. It definitely had a woody smell as well!

I didn't have this with food and would be interested how it's unique flavor would go with food!

Tasting Riebeek Chenin Blanc

Name: Riebeek Cellar Chenin Blanc

Variety: Chenin Blanc

Region:  Swartland

Country: South Africa

Year: 2014

Price: $10

Shop Review: Like any good Sauvignon Blanc, this opens with oceanic aromas of citrus fruits, sea foam and minerality. In the mouth, it is juicy and stony, with washing acidity. Flavors of honeydew, lime and a nice grassiness finish firm, with good backbone. Drink this with salads, shellfish and ceviche

My Review: To me, this wine seemed almost a bit watered down. It had a distinct smell of dried fruit, perhaps like dried pears or mangos. It was very acidic at taste, but with the watered down feel, I wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

I didn't try this with food, but perhaps it would make it better!

Tasting Santa Luz Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Santa Luz Sauvignon Blanc

Variety:Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Valle Central

Country: Chile

Year: 2013

Price: $6.95

Shop Review: Like any good Sauvignon Blanc, this opens with oceanic aromas of citrus fruits, sea foam and minerality. In the mouth, it is juicy and stony, with washing acidity. Flavors of honeydew, lime and a nice grassiness finish firm, with good backbone. Drink this with salads, shellfish and ceviche

My Review: I felt like this wine had a bit of a sour apple smell and didn't seem very thick. It was kind of sweet with an earthy undertone. It was also a tad tart, going along with the initial smell I got. It was very fresh and I feel like it would go well with dinner!

I did not try this with food but certainly will next time@

Tasting Hugl Gruner Veltliner

Name: Hugl Gruner Veltliner

Variety: Gruner Veltliner

Region: Niederosterreich

Country: Austria

Year: 2013

Price: $14

Shop Review/Wine Critic Review: "A fresh scent of green pears greets the nose. What follows comes in a light, crisp citrus vein, supported by a rounded mouthfeel. A refreshing wine for immediate drinking - Anne Krebiehl, MW"

My Review: This wine had a really strong smell and almost burnt my nose when I sniffed it. This made me nervous that it would be really strong but I was pleasantly surprised! It was a little sour, like an unripened orange, but the taste wasn't strong at all! The lighter flavor mixed with the fruity undertone made it refreshing and crisp. However, I did feel like I was drinking a bit of a water'd down wine compared to some other dry whites.

I did not pair this wine with any food but it would be a nice addition with a meal or some appetizers of cheese!

Tasting Resonata Nero D'Avola

Name: Resonata Nero D'Avola

Variety: Nero D'Avola

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2013

Price: $14

Shop Review: "The grapes are soft pressed and the juice is placed in stainless steel along with the skins for a maceration of 8 to 10 days with daily pumping over of the juice to exract more color and sweet tannins. Dense ruby red with violent reflections. Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice. Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background. Excellent with lamb, grilled and barbecued meats, dishes with olives or capers and seasoned cheeses."

My Review: Compared to a lot of other red wines I have tried, I noticed right off the bat how dark this wine was. It was almost more purple than red. It was pretty smooth with taste and it almost reminded me of a red wine you would find in a sangria. While the  dark color made me think that it would be heavier, I was really surprised about how light it actually was. I enjoyed the woody flavor of it but wish I had another glass or two to get more of the complex berry flavors.

I didn't try this with any food but definitely would love to try it with some olives!

Tasting Maipe Torrontes

Name: Maipe Torrontes

Variety: Torrontes

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2013

Price: $7.95

Shop Review: "Spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body. Well balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and long finish."

My Review: The first thing that hit me about this wine was how strong it was and the warm feeling I had after drinking it. It felt almost like it had liquor in it. The best thing about it was the pear/tangyness in it. I usually haven't been able to taste the fruity aspect of most white wines but I really enjoyed the flavor in this one. Another intriguing thing about this wine was how it smelled sweet but tasted sour. I think I would prefer this white wine over most other reds.

I did not pair this wine with any food but might try next time to offset a little bit of how strong it was.

Tasting Canyon Road Moscato

Name: Canyon Road Moscato

Variety: Moscato

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2013

Price: $12

Shop's Review: "Floral, with tea rose and cherry blossom notes, this balanced Moscato shows flavors of ripe white cherry, candied plum and almond on the smooth finish."

My Review: As a Moscato lover, I absolutely loved this wine. Compared to some cheaper varieties of Moscato, it wasn't as artificially sweet. It did have the sweet, juice like quality I like and it tasted a bit like honey. It was light in flavor and it did remind me of a light tea. I would definitely drink this wine again.

I didn't have this wine with any food but it was the kind of wine I like to drink just on it's own!

Tasting Fetzer Valley Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon

 Name: Fetzer Valley Oaks Cabernet Savignon

 Variety: Cabernet Savignon

 Region: Mendocino County, California

 Country: USA

 Year: 2012

 Price: $8.00

 •Shop/wine critic/winery review: This Cabernet Sauvignon appreciates the warmer vineyards of California’s lower foothills, bringing out robust flavors of black cherry and chocolate. A hearty companion to steak, chops, and ribs.

 My Review: From my first initial whiffs, I could smell the cherries in it. It smelled very strong and acidic to me and kind of burned my noise. When I tasted it, it was a bit woody, almost like a strange burnt chocolate you eat in fondue. The after taste is what actually tasted good, and it almost made it taste better than the initial tasting. It tasted like fresh cherries, a tad sweet but also acidic. I'm not sure if I like this wine, but it has potential if my taste gets more refined.

I didn't try this wine with food but I would try it with some dessert to offset the acidity.