Tasting - Jip Jip Rocks

Jip Jip Rocks

Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon

Regular Price $19 Sale

$8.95

Padthaway , Australia

Winery Review: This is 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 to enjoy now and over the next several years.

My Review: This wine smelled heavily of tropical fruit with a strong overtone of salami and had a nice purple color. The strange combination on the nose was reflected in the taste. I first tasted fruit immediately but that was followed swiftly by a sharp alcohol meat flavor. I did not enjoy this wine at all. 

Tasting - Cavit

Cavit

Alta Luna

Pinot Noir

2011

Sale Price $9.95

Winery Review: On the nose cherry, plum and berry aromas mingle with notes of spice and tobacco. On the palate soft, supple tannins and refreshing acidity are beautifully balanced by ripe cherry fruit flavors on the finish which is dry, harmonious and elegant.

My Review: This wine was darker than the first few and the first red wine I tasted out of this bunch. The nose had a sugary cherry smell. It had a plum and blueberry-ish flavor that added the sweetness and the dry, tannic bite added the opposite effect. 

Tasting - El Cortijillo

El Cortijillo

Verdejo

2014

$5.95

La Monacha, Spain

Winery Review: Golden straw color. Bright, attractive, tropical aromas of creme brulee and fruit tart with a silky, bright, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, intriguing, snappy lime and apple finish with crunchy, fruit tannins and light oak. A super smooth and pure white sipper.

My Review: The color was beautiful wheat color and had a pleasant, sweet smell that reminded me of freshly cut grass and lemons. The feeling of this wine was smooth on my palate and had a strong taste of seasonal fruit such as apples and had a bit of bark flavor also. It was a decent wine. 

Tasting - Trattoria

Trattoria Busa Alla Torre

Pinot Grigio

2014

$7.95

Veneto, Italy

Winery Review: It is crisp and dry, rich and spicy with hints of peach and honey…perfect with salads, pasta, chicken and fish! 

My Review: This wine had a strong nose with a hot smell almost like heated metal. The taste was dry and fruity but lacked the punch I was expecting with how spicy the nose was. I didn't hate it but I didn't love this wine either. 

Tasting - Beringer

Beringer

Chenin Blanc

2014

$5.95 Sale Price

California

Winery Review: A fresh green-apple aroma and vivid citrus and crisp apple flavors are supported by vibrant acidity in this medium-bodied wine. The texture is smooth but crisp, making lots of good food pairings come to mind, from pre-meal cheese, to salads, seafood and veggie pastas.

My Review: This wine has a soft yellow color and it was my favorite wine of the night. It had a sharp, fruity smell that reminded my of a fruit salad. It's taste was also fruity with an overpowering taste of apple that was pleasant and almost like drinking alcoholic apple juice. 

Tasting - Carraia

Carraia

Aglianico

$9.95 Sale Price

Campagna, Itlay

Winery Review: Produced in the Campania region of Italy, this Aglianico has delicious black fruit flavors with hints of licorice, volcanic soil and tar notes. Classic in nature, yet in a lighter, more crowd-pleasing style, the Carraia is made of the ancient Aglianico grape. This black grape originated in Greece and today is widely grown in Basilicata and Campania.

My Review: Right off the bat I could tell this wine was going to be full-bodied because of the color and the smell. It is a dark red, almost purple color, and smelled hot with hints of bitter candy and gasoline. First taste displayed a wide range of flavors that was overpowered by an earthy quality and a heavy, oily feeling it left behind. I did not like this wine. 

Tasting - Siemo

Siemo

Vino Rosso

Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo

$6.95 Sale Price

Winery Review: Intense ruby red with soft garnet nuances in the glass, the Rosso is intriguingly fresh, fruity and spicy on the nose. Perfectly round and balanced, the wine is particularly soft and dry. Pair with simple dishes like fresh cheese, ham, salami, or pizza for a divine culinary experience.

My Review: This wine had a beautiful red color, especially when light glinted off of it. This smell of this wine was a contradiction in that it had undertones of sweet fruit but one of the main things I kept smelling was hot sausage or pepperoni. This combination however did not carry over into the taste. It was a lot sweeter than I thought it would be and didn't have the bite I expected. This wine was one of my favorites of the tasting.