El Sierro

Name: El Sierro

Variety: 95% Macabeo, 5% Chardonnay

Region: Valencia

Country: Spain

Year: 2012

Price: $6.95

Professional Review: In the glass, there is a bright and shiny white wine with an incredibly welcoming, fresh appetizing aroma reminiscent of ripe tropical fruits. The flavor is rich, balanced and extremely comfortable. The near-perfect all-purpose white wine.

My Review: I got lots minerally, cool and crisp aromas. On the palate, I got a lot of acids on the mid palate but very sharp on the end. I had this wine at a tasting without a meal.

Masseria Cicella Primativo

Name: Masseria Cicella Primativo

Variety: Primativo

Region: Salento

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Price: $15.95

Professional Review: A wine sourced purely from Primitivo grapes grown and harvested throughout Lizzano, Torricella and Taranto. The long maceration of the skins provides a rich extraction and an intense, deep ruby red color with a particular aroma of blackberry and plum. The smoothness of its palates amazes as its flavor whole and persistent with a pleasant sweetness in the end. An ideal complement to meats, game and cheeses.

My Review: I actually did not get anything on the nose for this wine. I kept swirling and swirling and warming it up but nothing. In taste, I got hints of sweetness on the front palate. It was a little dry and a bit higher on the tannins. I had this wine at a tasting without a meal.

Postales Cabernet/Malbec

Name: Postales Cabernet/Malbec

Variety: 60% Cabernet, 40% Malbec

Region: Patagonia

Country: Argentina

Year: 2012

Price: $12.95

Professional Review: Intense red color with violet hues. Aromas of red fruits, ripe berries & plum. Gentle and pleasant on the mouth with soft tannins and a long balanced after taste.

My Review: I smelled lots of black berry, blue berry, hints of plum, some violets in there as well. This Cab/Merlot wasn't as balanced as I would have liked it to be, a little high on the tannins but a good red none the less.  I had this wine at a tasting without a meal.

Marc Roman Malbec

Name: Marc Roman

Variety: Malbec

Region: Vin de Pays

Country: France

Year: N/A

Price: $10.95

Professional Review: A heat loving varietal, Malbec thrives in the warm sunshine of Southern France where consistent weather and patience allow tannins to ripen fully. Its this warm climate that allows Marc Roman to make a rich and velvety Malbec, packed with black spice notes and dark berry fruit.

My Review: I liked this red wine. I wish it had a bit more on the body but I liked it none the less. On the nose, I got lots of jammy black berries with slight hints of wood chips and oak. On the palate, not a lot of body but a good balance between tannins and acidity. I had this wine at a tasting without a meal.

La Linda Viognier

Name: La Linda

Variety: Viognier

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2012

Price: $11.95

Professional Review: Exotic, clear and bright, almost gold in color. Well defined notes of orchid, musk and ripe apricot. It reveals an unctuous texture on the palate. Long aftertaste with piercing acidity.

My Review: On the nose, I got tons of leafy vegetables. On the palate, there were slight hints of sweet fruit, and had a great body and goo finish. I liked this Viognier. Good wine. I had this wine at a tasting without a meal.

Barth Rene Riesling

Name: Barth Rene

Variety: Riesling

Region: Alsace

Country: France

Year: 2011

Price: $16.95

Professional Review: Dry, delicately grapey, has an elegant bouquet with mineral and floral notes.

My Review: Now the smell on this was unique in the sense that I got hints of floral notes but it distinctively reminded me of the smell of an old velvet jewelry box. This was a dry, dry to the bone Riesling and ling on body and almost no finish. I had this wine at a tasting without a meal.

Postales Sauvignon Blanc

 

Name: Postales Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: 65% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Semillon

Region: Patagonia

Country: Argentina

Year: 2012

Price: $12.95

Professional Review: Intense, floral and fruity, with citrus notes and a mineral touch. Gentle, fruity, balanced and distinguished acidity. Delicious long finish.

My Review: This Sauv Blanc had intense acidic/citrusy notes on the nose. This was a dry white that was slightly bitter with lots of minerals and a great finish. I had this wine at a tasting without a meal.