Tasting--Crane Lake White Zinfandel

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: White Zinfandel
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: $5.95

Winery Review: 

-"Light pink wine with floral and tropical aromas: flavors of strawberry, peach and raspberry with a touch of sweetness. This wine is an easy sipping wine that also pairs well with a wide variety of foods ranging from crab cakes or pâté to spicy Asian dishes, glazed ham, and grilled sea bass."
 

My Review:

-93 Points

-I loved this wine! It was definitely my favorite out of this week's tasting. On the nose, it was very fruity and smelled exactly like a watermelon jolly rancher. To the taste, it was very sweet, delicious, and tasted like any artificially flavored candy. This wine was very smooth on the palette and had no real after bite. I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting--Vina Galana Alicante Bouchet

Name: Vina Galana
Variety: Alicante Bouchet
Region: N/A
Country: Spain
Year: 2012
Price: Regular $15, Sale $9.95

Winery Review: 

-" From the rare Alicante Bouchet, one of the few grapes in the world with red flesh this wine has a plush texture carrying flavors of brandied cherry and chocolate ganache in this round red. Light tannins and gentle acidity impart a lovely, balanced structure."   

My Review:

-86 Points

-I was not a huge fan of this wine in the slightest. On the nose, it was very grassy, with almost the scents of wet rocks or an ant pile. To the taste, it was very much bland and earthy. I did not catch any of the flavors stated in the winery review. I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting--Tonnino Syrah

Name: Tonnino
Variety: Syrah
Region: Sicily
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: Regular $14, Sale $7.95

Winery Review: 

-"An intense red color. Aromas of violet and blackcurrant enriched by hints of licorice and black pepper. In the mouth it is full, round, slightly tannic and with a spicy note on the finish."
 

My Review:

-87 Points
-On the nose, this wine had a deep, heavy aroma of cherries and other dark fruits with a bit of Asian spice. To the taste,  it was very peppery with a light kick at the end. I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting--Riebeek Cellars Viognier

Name: Riebeek Cellars
Variety: Viognier
Region: Swartland
Country: South Africa
Year: 2015
Price: Regular $12, Sale $7.95

Winery Review: 

-" This is a luscious viognier, featuring a deep yellow color, that explodes with juicy peach and honeysuckle flavors. Viognier can easily become flabby, but this one manages to keep its figure within bounds. I recommend this for immediate, lip-smacking enjoyment."   
 

My Review:

-89 Points
-This wine was very sweet on the nose with floral hints coming through. I had a hard time getting the wine to fully open up, however. To the taste, this wine was smooth with a bit of honey and almost a chapstick flavor. For me, this wine was pretty dull and could have used more body. I tried this wine on its own without food. 

Tasting--Dom Michel Thomas Sancerre Rose

Name: Dom Michel Thomas
Variety: Sancerre Rose
Region: Loire
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: Regular $32, Sale $8.95

Winery Review: 

-" Bright orange-pink. Lively, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh red berries, orange peel and honeysuckle, with a hint of anise building in the glass. Dry and nervy in the mouth, offering vibrant strawberry and orange pith flavors and a suggestion of rose pastille. The floral element comes back on the finish, which lingers with very good spicy persistence."   
 

My Review:

-93 Points
-This wine had a very intriguing color. It was very aromatic--I could smell it before I had even lifted it to my nose. I was catching hints of fruit and a bit of chalky vitamin pill scent. To the taste, this wine was very citrusy and sour with a strong after bite. I tried this wine on its own without food. 

Tasting--Crane Lake Gewütztraminer

Name: Crane Lake
Variety: Gewütztraminer
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2013
Price: Regular $5.95

Winery Review: 

-" Slightly high-toned notions of rose petal mingle with lemon on nose and palate of this lightly sweet, richly textured yet balanced Gewürztraminer. This is not as heady as you may expect and will be a treat with spicy Asian dishes. Lychee and rose petal make another very fetching appearance on the finish. "   
 

My Review:

-93 Points
-This wine was heavy grape on the nose with hints of sweet fruit, citrus, and a little bit of feet odor. To the taste, this wine was a muted sweet, very smooth on the palette and had no after bite. Out of all the wines tasted this week, this one was by far my favorite. I tried this wine on its own without food.