Tasting - Ca' Bea

Name: Sangue di Guida
Variety: 45% Uva Rara 10% Barbera
25% Croatina
Region: Oltrepo Pavese
Country: Italy
Year: 2014
Price: $9.95

Winery review:
Off-dry with a slight fizz, offering bright berry and mineral notes. Medium-bodied, with a clean, fresh palate and fruity finish. This is a rare, sweet red wine that is wonderful with desserts such as dry pastries, cookies and cakes.

My review:
I loved this wine. I liked that it was sparkling and I liked the strong floral aromas. This wine tasted sweet and very floral. It was pretty viscous and very, very dark purple. I would definitely drink this wine again.

Food or no food:
I didn't have this wine with food.

Tasting - Alvarez de Toreldo

Name: Alvarez de Toreldo
Variety: 100% Mencia Roble
Region: Bierzo
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $8.95

Winery review:
91 Points – Robert Parker
“The 2009 Alvarez de Toledo was bottled just a week before the wine was presented but seems to be showing no symptoms of distress. Balsamic, leather, and black fruits are the principal notes struck by this suave effort that over-delivers in a big way. Like its older sibling, it can be enjoyed now but will have more to say in 2-3 years.”

My review:
I liked this wine because it had sweet smells and light cherry aromas. The sour taste and light tannins of the wine we not that enjoyable so I do not think I would have this wine again.

Food or no food:
I didn't have this wine with food.

Tasting - Cordiosso

Name: Chianti
Variety: 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo,
3% Colorino
Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2015
Price: $7.95

Winery review:
Parker has yet to review the 2015 but said of the 2014…
87 Points – Robert parker
A heck of a value in Chianti, this delicious blend of 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo and 3% Colorino offers up notes of licorice, new saddle leather, black cherry and berry fruit, loamy soil undertones and a touch of pepper and herbs. It is medium-bodied, savory and best drunk over the next several years."

My review:
This wine had an herby, dirty, tastes. It also had dark berry aromas. I liked the light tannins and light meat taste of this wine. I wouldn't have this wine again though.

Food or no food:
I didn't have this wine with food.

Tasting - The Royal

Name: Old Vines Steen
Variety: 100% Chenin Blanc
Region: Western Cape
Country: South Africa
Year: 2015
Price: $8.95

Winery review:
87 Points – Robert Parker
"The 2015 Chenin Blanc offers loads of melony fruit interspersed with hints of honeysuckle and peach. It is delicious, crisp, fresh, lively, and a dead ringer for a good Loire Valley Chenin Blanc. Drink it over the next year."

My review:
This wine had harsh sharp apple aromas and light tannins. To me, it tasted like fruity water. I would definitely have again.

Food or no food:
I didn't have this wine with food.

Tasting - Barão de Figueira

Name: Barão de Figueira
Variety: 100% Siria
Region: Beira
Country: Portugal
Year: 2014
Price: $6.95

Winery review:
84 Points – Wine Enthusiast
This wine is soft and rounded. It has lemon and light spiciness along with cool acidity. It is an easy wine that is ripe with apple and fresh lemon juice and ready to drink.

My review:
This wine had fruity aromas, a sour taste, and a slight sour aftertaste. I liked that there was a light tannic finish. I would have this wine again.

Food or no food:
I didn't have this wine with food.

Tasting - Crane Lake

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: 100% Riesling
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: unknown
Price: $5.95

Winery review:
Pale golden color. Ripe and dried peaches on the nose. Minerals and dried peach flavors. Nicely balanced, leaning towards lime acididty.

My review:
This wine smelled sweet and fruity. It was more tart than I expected although it remained sweet as well. It had a dry finish which I didn't like so I wouldn't have this wine again.

Food or no food:
I didn't have this wine with food.

Tasting - Vinedos Real Rubio

Name: Vinedos Real Rubio
Variety: 100%
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $9.95

Winery review:
90 Points – Wine Enthusiast
Lightly baked berry aromas vie for attention with leather, spice and mild earth notes, and the result is disjointed. On the palate, this is tight as a drum initially, but more expansive as it unfolds. Cherry, plum, raspberry, vanilla and woodspice flavors finish pure, clean and easy. This is a fine yet manageable Rioja that’s not trying too hard. Drink through 2016.

My review:
I didn't like this wine because it had strong aromas of cherry and cat pee. It had a smooth taste but enough tannins that it was too dry for me. It tasted like slightly wet gravel and black pepper. I would not have this wine again.

Food or no food:
I didn't have this wine with food.