Tasting - Peter Mertes Riesling Platinum

Name: Peter Mertes Riesling Platinum
Variety: Riesling
Region: Rheinhessen
Country: Germany
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95
Shop Review: 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.
Your Review: This riesling was almost clear and did not smell as sweet as most rieslings I have tried. It smelled of flowers and wet rock, which followed through in the taste, but was semi-sweet and very enjoyable.

Tasting - Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone

Name: Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone
Variety: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre
Region: Rhone
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $8.95
Shop Review: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre. 56 Ha grown organically since March 2009 (in conversion). Part of the vineyard is plowed with horses. Average age of the vines : 30 years old. Clear ruby wine with overtones of red berry fruits. Round and supple with smooth aftertaste. A good all round red wine for meat courses, poultry and light cheeses. Best drunk now while fresh with good keeping up to 4 years.
Your Review: The Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone was ruby red with a distinct earthy smell that followed through into the taste. On the tongue it became more complex with flavors of white peppercorn and asparagus.

Tasting - Terre di Poggio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Laude

Name: Terre di Poggio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Laude
Variety: Montepulciano
Region: Abruzzo
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $8.95
Shop Review: This opens with dark aromas of leather, tobacco, cured meat, plum and prune. It shows soft tannins and loads of dark fruit on the finish.
Your Review: This deep red wine had smokey, earthy scents on the nose. It was dry on the tongue and it held hints of dark fruits and leather.

Tasting - Sean Minor Pinot Noir Rose Vin Gris

Name: Sean Minor Pinot Noir Rose Vin Gris
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Carneros, California
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Price: $20
Shop Review: The Vin Gris is a bright and vibrant salmon color with cherry, strawberry, cranberry and ripe watermelon aromas on the nose.  On entry, the wine displays bright strawberry flavors. Throughout the mid-palate and finish, raspberry and cherry fruit characters are balanced with spicy and crisp acidity that linger creating a refreshing and lengthy finish.
Your Review: This pinot noir has a beautiful light pink, blush color and smelled like roses, grass and watermelon. It has mild flavors of fruit with slight acidity and is very easy to drink.
 

Tasting - Grande Resereve des Bastides Gaillac

Name: Grande Resereve des Bastides Gaillac
Variety: Loin de l'Oeil, Mauzac, Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Gaillac
Country: France
Year: 2013
Price: $9.95
Shop Review: A crisp and fruity blend featuring 20% of the herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc, 50% creamy Loin de l’Oeil and notes of fresh apple and crisp pear, plus a touch of herb from the 30% Mauzac. It has a bright feel, with a hint of mineral on the finish.
Your Review: This light yellow wine smelled of pears and lemons. It followed through on the tongue with citrus flavors and acidity.