Tasting - Gelisi Antonio Sangue di Guida

Name: Gelisi Antonio Sangue di Guida (Sweet Italian Red: Blood of Judas)

Region/Country: Lombardy, Italy

Year: 2015

Price: $12.95

Winery Review: A blend of 60% Croatina, 30% Barbera, and 10% Uva Rarathe wine shows candied black raspberry and plum fruit mixes with balsamic and cocoa powder accents in this frizzante red, with light tannins, a creamy mousse, and enough acidity for balance. 84 points by Wine Spectator.

My Review: This wine was super tart and an obvious raspberry flavor was exploding on the palate. It was also very sweet and it was almost like grape juice. It only contained 7.5% alcohol content, which explains its juice-like characteristics for this wine. This wine was definitely not up my alley. I would give this an 80. I tasted it on its own with no food. 

Tasting - Oasis del Cuyo Malbec

Name: Oasis del Cuyo Malbec

Region/Country: Mendoza, Argentina

Year: 2012

Price: $12-- Sale $6.95

Winery Review: Deep ruby color. Appealing red fruit nose with hints of tobacco. Medium bodied with a smooth and lush mouthfeel. Finishes dry with lasting flavors. Excellent choice for a young and fruity everyday wine. Enjoy as an aperitif or with meats and pasta dishes. 

My Review: This wine emitted a strong nail polish remover scent. It gave a punch on the nose, as well as on the palate and it left my throat on fire on the finish. There was a hint of green pepper on the palate with bitterness. It was quite dry but the finish was pleasant. I would give this red an 86. I tasted it on its own with no food, but I would love to pair it with a dish.

Tasting - Terranoble Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Terranoble Cabernet Sauvignon

Region/Country: Central Valley, Chile

Year: 2013

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: This Cabernet Sauvignon offers an intense and deep color and lovely aromas of red fruit, pepper, and tobacco. It has smooth tannins, very freshness, and rich fruit, which gives the wine a good balance. Pair with barbecue beef ribs, frilled sea bass, or spaghetti alla Bolognese. 

My Review: This red wine was very greeny with a hint of oak. Although it was tannic and left a strange feel on the tongue, the finish was very smooth and it was pretty pleasant. There was also an obvious black pepper component on the palate. I tasted it on its own with no food this time. I think it would smooth out the tannins when it is paired with a meal. I would give this wine an 86. 

Tasting - Terranoble Chardonnay

Name: Terranoble Chardonnay

Region/Country: Central Valley, Chile

Year: 2015

Price: $8.95

Winery Review: This Chardonnay offers a wine with an attractive color and lovely aromas, such as ripe pear and pineapple, mixed with butter and vanilla notes. It is a fresh style of white wine, with a medium persistence in mouth. Ideals as an aperitif. 

My Review: With a 13.5% alcohol content, it gave it a pretty strong kick on the tongue and the throat. The pear flavor mixed with floral component was nice inside the mouth. I would love to pair this wine with a dish. I tasted it on its own with no food this time. I would give this wine an 87. Although it was pretty strong, I liked the sensation it left inside my mouth on the finish. 

Tasting - Santola Vinho Verde Loureiro Pederña

Name: Santola Vinho Verde Loureiro Pederña

Region/Country: Vinho Verde, Portugal

Year: N/A

Price: $7.95

Winery Review: Soft and creamy, although with just right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors. Off dry and very fresh. 

My Review: This white wine was very refreshing on the nose and it was very pear-peach like on the palate. Very crisp. There was a very obvious honey component, almost a little too overbearing. It was acidic and smooth on the finish, but it was also pretty watery and just too light for my liking. I would give this wine an 83. I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Spumante Italiano Moscato

Name: Lost Viyeards Spumante Italiano Moscato

Region/Country: Piedmont, Italy

Year: N/A

Price: $6.95

Winery Review: Pale color. Confected, fruity aromas of yellow apple, honeysuckle, pear tartlet, and honeydew melon with a satiny, shy, spritzy, moderately sweet light-to-medium body and sleek, fast yellow apple, candied pear, honeycomb, and sweet papaya finish with no tannins and no oak. Simple and approachable with sweet apple, melon, and candied pear on a framework of gentle, delightful bubbles. 

My Review: This wine was super light, golden pink in color, and it was almost like sugary water. I did enjoy the sparky aspect of this wine, but it was not my type of wine overall. It was too sweet with not much fruity component on the palate. I would give this wine an 80. I tasted this on its own with no food. 

Tasting - Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz/ Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz/ Cabernet Sauvignon

Region/Country: Padthaway, Australia

Year: N/A

Price: $19-- Sale $8.95

Winery Review: This red wine is a well above average effort with lots of flavor as well as Australia's so easily obtainable, lush fruit. The 2013 Shiraz/ Cabernet Sauvignon (55% and 45% respectively) exhibits a dark ruby/ purple hue along with a layered, peppery, berry fruit-scented nose revealing licorice and meaty notes. From a much lighter vintage, it is a supple, easygoing red enjoy now and over the next several years. 

My Review: This red was filled with soy sauce aroma and flavor. It was very dark in color and the oakiness left my mouth feel very dried. It was very much tannic and I would think that it would go well with a meal. I tasted this on its own with no food this time. I would give this red an 84.