Crane Lake Riesling 2013

Crane Lake Riesling 2013

Riesling

California

USA

$5.95

Punchy lime and lemon mark this off-dry Riesling with a staccato rhythm, adding edge to honeyed tones of peach and honeysuckle. Exceptionally priced, it’s satisfying and elegant.

The most prominent flavor I experienced with this wine was honey. It was sweet, but not in a cringe-worthy way. The server mentioned that this wine would pair excellently with spicy food. My dad has 4 brothers and all of them LOVE crazy spicy food (my dad will put tabasco on anything), so next time we have a get together I'm going to bring a bottle of this or a Riesling just like it. It's a very refreshing wine, but the flavors wouldn't overpower any food you pair it with. I would've liked to pair it with food, but I didn't end up buying a bottle.

Crane Lake Petite Sirah 2013

Crane Lake Petite Sirah 2013

Petite Sirah

2013

California

USA

$5.95

Shows a certain rustic simplicity now, with youthfully jammy flavors of blackberries, cherries and currants, sprinkled with cocoa and pepper and wrapped into dusty tannins.

Rich chocolate and berry flavors. The server at the tasting said that the bottle was a steal because it's uncommon to see a (good) Sirah for under $40. There were lots of different, complex flavors, but none were over-powering like I've noticed during a few other tastings. I didn't get to pair it with any food.

Yellowtail Reserve Merlot 2010

Yellowtail Reserve Merlot 2010

Merlot

South Eastern, Australia

2010

$6.95 

Round, velvety and mouthfilling, this is a satisfying Merlot at a bargain price. Aromas of black cherries and herbs fold in hints of cinnamon and mocha, while the flavors are generally fruity, but with a slightly tomatoey note. Soft on the finish. Drink now.  

I was surprised that the Vintage Cellar was serving Yellowtail as a part of the tasting (or that they're even selling it...). As the employee running the testing put it, it's a wine that you see at every 7-11, but apparently a wine rep got them to admit this is actually a solid wine in a blind tasting, so they bought it! It has a very dark, rich flavor to it. I tasted a bit of chocolate and definitely picked up on a lot of the cinnamon. I didn't get to pair it with any food, but I imagine it would work with lots of dinner options.

Takutai Pinot Gris 2009

Takutai Pinot Gris 2009

Pinot Gris

Nelson

New Zealand

2009

$6.95

Since this wine weighs in at 14%, the fruit was clearly very ripe. That ripeness is reflected in the flavors as well, which feature nectarine and honey accented by hints of white pepper. It’s full bodied and lush, with a long finish that mingles the sensations of sweet and spicy.

This wine had a natural, grassy flavor. On top of that, it has a peppery flavor. I think that's partially due to the high alcohol content, it was definitely hot. It was pretty strong for a lighter type of wine. As I tasted it at the Vintage Cellar, I didn't try it with food.

Mars & Venus Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Mars & Venus Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Sauvignon Blanc

La Mancha

Spain

2013

$5.95

Citrus and gooseberry aromas are mild but typical of the variety. A basic citrus palate delivers modest tangerine and nectarine flavors which lead to a mild, pithy finish showing light citric notes.

This was a very crisp and refreshing wine. At first it seems fairly dry, but then you get a light citrusy aftertaste. I tasted more of an orange flavor, and maybe even some lime. I thought about buying a bottle, but I'm still working on the wines from last week! I think this might be my first Sauvignon Blanc experience, so that's awesome. I also got excited to see that it's from La Mancha, because I actually got to visit that region of Spain this past summer (unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity to tour any vineyards). As I tasted this at the Vintage Cellar, I didn't have any food with it.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Sweet Riesling

Chateau Ste. Michelle Harvest Select Sweet Riesling

Sweet Riesling

Columbia Valley

USA

Vintage 2013

$9.79

Review from TotalWine: "It offers beautiful crisp Washington Riesling character with rich flavors of ripe peaches. The fresh fruit and decadent character is balanced with crisp acidity to keep the wine in harmony. This is a perfect patio sipping wine or would be a great match with Thai food."

I loved this Riesling too! The first sip I had, I felt like I was being punched in the face with fruit flavor (not in a good way). But then I took the second sip, and it seemed like all of the flavors had mellowed out, and I could taste a lot of peach. It is a very buttery, creamy wine, I definitely agree that it is suited for patio sipping. I didn't have it with food, but I imagine in the future I will!

Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling

Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling

Dry Riesling

Columbia Valley

USA

Vintage 2013

Review from TotalWine.com: "Washington- A dry, crisp, refreshing style of Riesling with beautiful fruit flavors, crisp acidity and an elegant finish. Great with spicy dishes. Firm Yakima Valley fruits is the backbone here, tart and spicy, with bright flavors of pear and apple. A juicy, palate-cleansing style."

This is my favorite wine that I have tasted over the course of the semester. I had a chip on my shoulder when I tasted it because the bottle itself was a pain to open (the cork started falling apart and it was a mess), but the flavor of this wine blew me away. The first sip was pretty dry and I wasn't impressed. It was nutty on the nose, but when I took the second sip, the fruit flavors came through. I think it tastes like a granny-smith apple, it's very crisp and light. I definitely agree with the videos that we had to watch for the weekly quiz, why drink a chardonnay when you could drink a riesling? I didn't have it with food, but I agree that it would be a good pairing with spicy foods.

Hedgeline Vineyards Pinot Noir 2012

Hedgeline Vineyards Pinot Noir 2012

Pinot Noir

Oregon

2012

$8.99

A review from an amateur wine connoisseur just like me!: "This was good, fruity wine. Blackberry flavors with an acceptably long finish (not long, long, but long enough). Really good with sausage and cheese.

This Pinot was recommended to me by another friend in the wine class. He said that he decanted it and poured out a glass to drink with dinner/grading papers, and he ended up finishing the entire bottle. That's how much he liked it! Needless to say, I had high hopes for this Pinot Noir. It had a very bold favor, to me it seemed like there was a hint of cherry to it. It got better the longer I let it sit. He advised me that the tannin flavor has very powerful, and suggested that decanting the wine might lessen the intensity of it. Unfortunately, I don't have a decanter, but this wine makes me think I should invest in one. I didn't have it with food, but I can see it being paired well with red meats and, of course, cheese.

Estancia Unoaked Chardonnay

Estancia Unoaked Chardonnay

Chardonnay (Unoaked)

Monterey County

USA

2013

$9.99

Critical Acclaim from Wine.Com: "Unfettered by oak, the 2013 Estancia Chardonnay Unoaked dazzles with aromas of pear, orange blossom and fresh citrus flavors with lean, crisp acidity and fruit on the palate."

After tasting both types, I think I like the unoaked version of Chardonnays better than the original oaked style. The unoaked type exposes the fruit flavors more than the wooden, oaky flavors. In my opinion, this makes the wine more drinkable (is that proper english...?). I thought this wine had a granny smith apple/pear flavor to it, which I enjoyed, but in the aftertaste it had a bit of a bite to it. The bitter aftertaste kind of ruined it for me, but otherwise it's a solid chardonnay. I didn't have it with food, but with that strong of an aftertaste, I'm not sure if I'd want to.

Hedgeline Chardonnay

Hedgeline Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Washington State

USA

2013

$8.99

I couldn't find a review for their 2013 Chardonnay, but their 2010 was incredibly popular and here is the Wine Enthusiast review: 

"A light style, but still stylish, with finesse and good structure. The pretty plum fruit is lightly dusted with cocoa, softening the tannins and adding spice to the finish. A gentle and beguiling wine, ready for near-term enjoyment.

  — P.G.  (6/1/2012)"


I picked this Chardonnay with the intent on comparing it with an Un-oaked or "naked" Chardonnay (The Estancia, in another post). I was really excited to try different types of chardonnays because it's my mom's favorite type of wine. She always insists on buying Talus chardonnay though, so I was hoping to maybe broaden her palate and get her to try something new. I tried this wine twice, once immediately after opening the bottle, and again after chilling it for around 40 minutes. Before the chill, the flavor was definitely more oaky than anything. It almost had a saw dust flavor to it. After chilling it, I opened the bottle and immediately noticed that it had a much sweeter nose to it. After it was chilled, it didn't seem as oaky, and the regular creamy/buttery flavor a chardonnay finally came through. It wasn't my favorite wine, but it wasn't too bad either! I didn't have it with anything to eat, but I think it'd be good with fish or a salad. Anything light, really.

Canyon Road Pinot Noir

Canyon Road Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir

California

USA

2013

$6.95

Rich, fruit forward cherry flavors, soft tannins, a medium body and a smooth velvety finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, salmon, and savory pork dishes.

My notes for this wine are simply "Sweet in a subdued way". This is a very drinkable wine, you can taste the different fruits but it's not overpowering. I came really close to buying a bottle (plus, it was on sale)! I think it would be good on its own or with lots of different dinner pairing options.

Didn't have food with it, but I really would've liked to!

Maipe Torrontes

Maipe Torrontes

Torrontes

Mendoza

Argentina

2013

$7.95

"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 a long finish."

I didn't particularly care for this wine. I thought it was pretty bitter and acidic, and after the light first tasting it came as a shock. After reading the review, I'd like to try it again. It's a $7 bottle of wine, so I'm not sure decanting would help all that much (I'm pretty sure it's meant for immediate consumption).

I didn't have this with food, but I'd like to try it with something that would bring out the fruityness described in the professional review.

Hugl Weine Grüner Veltliner 2013

Hugl Weine Grüner Veltliner 2013

Grüner Veltliner

Niederösterreich

Austria

2013

$7.95 

"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"

When I tasted this wine, I was surprised at how light it was. The first thought that popped into my head was "this would be awesome during the summer", unfortunately it's February and it was snowing a little bit outside. It was a little dry, but not in a bad way. It was just a simple wine that you can pop open and drink by itself.

I did not have this wine with food, but honestly I don't think it needs it.