Tasting - Hahn Riesling

Name: Hahn Riesling
Variety: Riesling
Country: Germany
Region: Piesport
Year: NV
Price: $9.95

Tasting Notes: This wine’s light, airy mouthfeel belies its sweetness and intensity of flavor. Honeyed pineapple aromas; similar flavors on the palate, adding gentle citrus notes toward the long, sweet finish.

My review: This wine had semi fragrant peaches on the nose with some grassy undertones.  It was as sweet as honey with a medium to long finish.  Not over the top sweet, but best consumed on hot, dry days.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Tres Ojos Garnacha

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha
Variety: Garnacha
Country: Spain
Region: Calatayud
Year: 2012
Price: $6.95

Tasting Notes: 88 points – Robert Parker "The 2012 Tres Ojos Garnacha contains 15% Tempranillo (I wonder why), and unoaked cuvée of 200,000 bottles that matures in vat for at least seven months before bottling. What I tasted was a very honest, fresh and fruit-driven red with aromas of cherries, garrigue and thyme with a medium-bodied palate, some weight and tannins that would do better with food. This is a red that sells for a song.”

My review: This red had a powerful nose!  Imagine one of those bean bag things you warm up in the microwave and put on yourself for sports injuries or inflammation.  If that's not doing it for you, then think of gym mats because this wine brought it.  Also with some nice dark cherries.  This was was tannic, but in good balance.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Torre Castillo

Name: Torre Castillo
Variety: Monastrell
Country: Spain
Region: Jumilla
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95

Tasting Notes: 89 points - Stephen Tanzer
100% Monastrell, aged in American oak for four months. Bright ruby. Powerful, spicy aromas of dark berry preserves and lavender. Fleshy and round on the palate, offering spicy blackberry and blueberry flavors and gaining sweetness with air. Finishes smooth, long and slightly warm. "

My review: This wine smelled fantastically fruity and buttery.  It had medium complexity and medium bodied.  The fruit on the finish was definitely darker and more concentrated.  Not bad.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Chateau Suau Rose

Name: Chateau Suau Rose
Variety: Bordeaux Rose
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Year: 2013
Price: $7.95

Tasting Notes: 88 points - Stephen Tanzer 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Light, lurid pink. Tangerine, raspberry and white pepper on the fragrant nose. Juicy and focused in the mouth, offering zesty red berry flavors with a refreshingly bitter edge. Closes clean and tight, with lingering spiciness and a touch of orange zest.

My review: Floral and light bodied.  Easy to drink. I thought I was tasting steamed fruits which sounds kind of weird.  There weren't a whole lot of descriptors that came to mind for this particular rose.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Terre di Poggio Laude Pecorino

Name: Terre di Poggio Laude Pecorino
Variety: Pecorino
Country: Italy
Region: Terre di Chieti
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95

Tasting Notes: Bright and savory, this floral scented Pecorino offers juicy tropical fruit and lemon drop sensations accented by notes of mint and thyme. The ripe fruit is balanced by brisk acidity that leaves the palate feeling cleansed and refreshed.

My review: A nice, pleasant Italian white wine. Offering up lemon zestiness and herbal notes both on the palette and nose.  There was also a berryesque component going on in the finish.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Omnium Malbec

Name: Omnium Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Year: 2012
Price: $8.99

Tasting Notes: Deep garnet color. Attractive aromas of chocolate coffee bean, caramel cake, and raspberry-cherry pie with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tangy, sour cherry, honey, and peppery spice finish. A fruity, juicy crowd-pleasing malbec that delivers taste and value.

My review: This medium bodied Malbec from Argentina has a great blend of cherries, dark cherries, and coffee on the nose. There's a sour finish that lingers for a while overwhelming the pleasant fruitiness unfortunately, so it might be better if aged slightly or allowed to breathe for a few hours.

I had this wine without food.

Tasting - Peter Mertes Riesling Platinum

Name: Peter Mertes Riesling Platinum
Variety: Riesling
Country: Germany
Region: Rheinhessen
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95

Tasting Notes: This quality Riesling is crisp, clean and easy drinking. Floral and fruit aromas suggest sweet melon and honey with enough acidity to ensure a beautifully balanced and versatile wine.

My review: Floral and pinkish in color.  This Riesling was definitely honey tasting.  The most unique component was the finish.  It varied from semi sweet to dry on the after palette.

I had this wine without food.