Tasting - Ebano Ribera del Duero Tempranillo

Name:  Ebano Ribera del Duero Tempranillo

Variety:  Tempranillo

Country:  Spain

Region:  Ribera del Duero

Year:  2007

Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  87 Points, Robert Parker.  The 2007 Ebano 6 is 100% Tempranillo aged 4 months in French oak. Dark ruby red in color, it displays a pleasant bouquet of cedar, spice box, violets, black cherry, and blackberry. Medium-to fullbodied on the palate with savory flavors and plenty of spice, this racy, vibrant Tempranillo has enough structure to drink well over the next 5-6 years and is a very good value.

My Review:  I tried this wine on its own without food

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Vinho de Mesa Tinto

Name:  Lost Vineyards Vinho de Mesa Tinto

Variety:  Tinto

Country:  Portugal

Region:  Not specified

Year:  Not specified 

Price:  $3.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Pours a light garnet color with a nice crisp zest, with aromas of cranberries and orange peel on the nose. Drinks smooth with a briary of mild cherries, wild strawberries and raspberries along with a note of rhubarb. Pairs particularly well with wild game and heavy fish such as salmon. 

My Review:  This tinto had a rhubarb aroma.  The palate was smooth with pepper and cherry flavors.  I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Torrent Bay Chardonnay

Name:  Torrent Bay Chardonnay 

Variety:  Chardonnay

Country:  New Zealand

Region:  Nelson

Year:  2009

Price:  $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Fleshy, melony aromas cuddle some fresh oak. The palate has decent acidity so there’s freshness along with weight, resiny oak flavors, lemon and green apple. 

My Review:  This wine had an earthy aroma.  The flavor had hints of oak and seafood, which came through as almost savory.  I tried this wine on its own without food

Tasting - Spanish Vines Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Spanish Vines Sauvignon Blanc

Variety:  Sauvignon Blanc

Country:  Spain

Region:  D. O. La Mancha

Year:  2009

Price:  $4.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  85 Points, Wine Enthusiast.  Apple and floral notes and then an almost buttery palate with baked apple and citrus flavors.

My Review:  This wine had a floral notes, melon flavors, and was remarkably smooth.  I tried this wine on its own without food

Tasting - Muscanti Brut

Name:  Muscanti Brut

Variety:  Muscanti

Country:  Spain

Region:  Girona

Year:  Not listed

Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Lemon blossoms, green apple, toast and honeydew melon are front and center in this crisp refreshing Spanish Sparkler. Silky supple with lingering flavors, yet a tingle of citric acid on the finish. A combination of traditional cava grapes but this wine is not made in the traditional méthode champenoise (which is required by Spanish law to be called Cava). This is made with the Charmat process so this wine may only be called ‘Spanish sparkling wine’ .

My Review:  This white wine had a hint of mint on the nose, with a bitter, acidic taste, that almost resembled green granny smith apples.  I tried this wine on its own without food.