Tasting - Don Ramon Tinto

Name:  Don Ramon Tinto

Variety:  75% Grenache;  25% Tempranillo

Country:  Spain

Region:  Campo de Borja

Year:  2008

Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  75% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo. Aged 3 months in American Oak casks. Ruby red in color, with creamy aromas of earth and cherry. 

Flavor turns toward deeper and darker black cherry and raspberry on a medium framework. A subtle earthiness underneath the bright fruit adds some depth and complexity.

My Review:  This wine was fruity on the nose, with an earthy flavor.  The oak aging definitely came through on the palate with this wine.  I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Resonata Nero D'Avola

Name:  Resonato Nero D'Avola

Variety:  Nero D'Avola

Country:  Italy

Region:  Sicily

Year:  2010

Price:  $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Dense ruby red with violet reflections.  Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice.  Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background.

My Review:  This Nero D'Avola had a berry aroma.  It was a dry wine with tannic flavors.  I tried this wine on its own without food.

Tasting - Protocolo Blanc

Name:  Protocolo Blanc

Variety:  70% Airen, 30% Macabeo

Country:  Spain

Region:  Not specified.

Year:  2009

Price:  $6.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  87 Points, Stephan Tanzer.  Greenish gold. Subtle aromas of mint, lemon and orange, with a hint of honeysuckle. Dry, understated and focused, offering clean citrus and melon flavors and slow-building sweetness. Finishes dry and brisk, with an echo of lemon. As usual, this is an outstanding value.

My Review:  This wine had a citrus aroma.  On the palette, it was dry and had subtle mint flavors.  I tried this wine on its own without food

Tasting - Santola Vinho Verde

Name:  Santola Vinho Verde

Variety:  Vinho Verde

Country:  Portugal

Region:  Mealhada

Year:  Not listed

Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Soft and creamy, although with just the right Vinho Verde bite, this is a crisp and clean wine, boasting light pear and pink grapefruit flavors. Off dry and very fresh. 

My Review:  This vinho verde had a zesty, lemony aroma and granny smith flavors.  I tried this wine on its own without food

Tasting - Legaris Crianza

Name: Legaris Crianza

Variety:  Crianza

Country:  Spain

Region:  Ribera del Duero

Year:  2003

Price: $8.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  90 Points, Wine Spectator.  A silky texture carries plum, tobacco, coffee and mineral flavors over ripe tannins in this balanced red. Berry and vanilla notes linger on the finish. Drink now through 2013.  –T.M.

My Review:  This Crianza had a crimson and orange color.  There were coffee aromas and a peppery taste.  There was definitely some heat coming through in the body of this wine.  I tried this wine on its own without food.  

Tasting - Into Zin Zinfandel

Name:  Into Zin Zinfandel

Variety:  Zinfandel

Country:  United States

Region:  Lodi, California

Year:  2008

Price:  $7.95

Vintage Cellar Review:  Spicy , jammy, ripe round plum with juicy soft finish. Goes well

with marsala chicken, peppered steak or broiled lamb shank.

My Review:  The Into Zin Zinfandel had a crimson color and a slight cherry aroma.  It was full-bodied and smooth with a spicy flavor.  I tried this wine on its own without food

Tasting - Tres Ojos Garnacha Tempranillo

Name:  Tres Ojos Garnacha Tempranillo
Variety:  50-50 blend of Tempranillo and Garacha
Country:  Spain
Region:  Calatayud
Year:  2010
Price:  $5.95


Vintage Cellar Review:  A 50-50 blend of Tempranillo and Garacha, this medium rosecolored rosado boasts a spicy red cherry/plum nose with a soft lush attack of red berry fruit flavors and a crisp dry finish. Simple
and refreshing and a natural for tapas


My Review:  This Tres Ojos Garnacha Tempranillo had a berry aroma and a pepper-y taste.  It was full-bodied and smooth.  I tried this wine on its own without food