Tasting: Smoking Loon Moscato

Name: Smoking Loon Moscato 

Variety: Moscato

Region: California

Country: USA 

Year: 2013 

Price: $6.95 at Vintage Cellar, Regular $10

Shop Review: The 2013 Smoking Loon “Blue Loon” Moscato opens with enticing aromas of honeysuckle, overripe honeydew melon, sundried apricot and a touch of honey, peach and mandarin. The palate presents ripe melon, peach nectar and orange blossom honey. The bright flavors and refreshing acidity make this Moscato the perfect accompaniment to a wide variety of foods. Enjoy our “Blue Loon” Moscato with brunch, light chicken dishes or summer appetizers. It’s also delicious served with biscotti, creamy desserts, or fresh fruits such as yellow or white peaches.

My Review: On the nose this wine was tropical, lemon citrus, and deeply floral. This wine is sweet with floral notes and gave flavors. I enjoyed this wine. 

This wine was not tasted with food.

Tasting: Famiglia Bianchi Malbec 2013

Name: Famiglia Bianchi Malbec 2013

Variety: Malbec

Region: Mendoza 

Country: Argentina 

Year: 2013 

Price: $9.95 at Vintage Cellar, Regular $20

Shop Review: 92- Ken Vogt “The 2013 is absolutely phenomenal with gorgeous aromas of black plum, red currant and black tea.  The deeply rich flavors of blackberry, kirsch and a touch of spice are beautifully complimented by a kiss of vanilla from the French oak treatment.  This wine is a steal at this modest price and I highly recommend it.” 

My Review: On the nose this wine smells of berry, chocolate, spice, and tobacco. On the palate this wine has flavors of blueberry, leather, and cherry. 

This wine was not tasted with food.

Tasting: Riebeek Cellars Merlot 2013

Name: Riebeek Cellars Merlot 2013 

Variety: Merlot

Region: Swartland

Country: South Africa

Year: 2013 

Price: $7.95 at Vintage Cellar, Regular $11

Shop Review: One of the most popular wines in the Riebeek range, the Merlot offers an array of red berries and a soft and mellow palate. The style is elegant with well-integrated fruit and oak flavors on the nose. The palate is velvety and smooth with an aftertaste that lingers with the juicy flavors of abundant berries.

My Review: On the nose this wine smells so delightful with hints of cherry, dark berry, chocolate, spice, and plum. On the palate this wine actually tastes like coffee with some berry undertones. The light tannins and dryness of this wine are intriguing. 

This wine was not tasted with food.

Tasting Once Upon A Vine Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Once Upon A Vine Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: California

Country: USA 

Year: 2015 

Price: $6.95 at Vintage Cellar, Regular $14

Shop Review: Once upon a time, she searched all the wine shelves for her one true Sauvignon Blanc. Then she found The Lost Slipper. With vibrant tropical fruits and a rich, round style, it was the perfect fit. The nose radiated lively passion fruit aromas, giving way to ripe guava and pineapple flavors. The varietals bright, crisp character was elevated by sur lie aging, which added weight and fleshiness to the palate. Friendly, inviting and delicious, it was love at first sip.

My Review: On the nose this wine actually smells kind of musty mixed with an overripe melon. This wine tasted of tropical fruit like mango and passionfruit.   

This wine was not tasted with food.

Tasting: Risata Prosecco Extra Dry

Name: Risata Prosecco Extra Dry 

Variety: Prosecco
Region: Veneto 
Country: Italy 
Year: Non-vintage 
Price: $7.95 at Vintage Cellar, Regular $16

Shop Review: The nose has the scent of ripe peaches. It is semi sweet with peach apricot and floral notes on the palate.

My Review: On the nose this wine has the scent of peaches, pear, and green apple. On the palate this wine is not as drying as I originally thought it might be. Having flavor profiles of apple, pear, and pineapple was quite delightful. 
This wine was not tasted with food.

Tasting: Prime's Ruby Port

Name: Prime's Ruby Port 

Variety: Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinto Cao, Tinta Roriz
Region: Oporto
Country: Portugal 
Year: Non-vintage 
Price: $11.95 at Vintage Cellar, Regular $19

Shop Review: Ruby color with red fruit aromas; pleasantly sweet and balanced taste. As the wines used to produce Prime’s Ruby Port age , they gain smoothness and elegance while retaining their fruitiness, intensity and youthful ruby color. They are then blended together for smoothness and consistency.

My Review: This port was quite tasty but watch out because you could be feeling good quite quickly! On the nose you get ripe berry sweetness and alcohol (that's how you know it will pack a punch!). On the palate this port was sweet with berry and cherry flavors but had hints of leather and oak. I won't lie though after watching the film "A Year in Port" I was a little anxious drinking a port knowing it's made by stomping. Haha! If you like a little stinky feet in your port you'll enjoy. 
This wine was not tasted with food.

Tasting: Skyfall Merlot 2015

Name: Skyfall Merlot 2015

Variety: Merlot
Region: Columbia Valley, WA
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Price: $9.95 at Vintage Cellar, Regular $20

Shop Review: Wonderfully developed plum, vanilla and leather aromas swirl in the glass. Juicy flavors of cherry candy coupled with hints of cocoa powder weave through the palate. Balanced acidity and polished tannins on the finish.

My Review: This was a fabulous merlot! The smell encompasses aromas of ripe blueberry, cherry, and plum along with a noice nuttiness. On the palate the blueberry and plum are very forward and it finishes with a nice nutty flavor accompanied by tannins that mellow the palate. 

This wine was not tasted with food.