Macari Early Wine Chardonnay

Name: Macari Early Wine Chardonnay

Variety:100% Chardonnay

Region: Long Island, NY

Country: North America

Year: 2004

Price: $17

Winery review:

Made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, this year’s Early boasts an inviting nose layered with ripe green apple, white peach and lemon notes. Candied fruit on the palate leads to a finish of crisp, refreshing citrus.  - Winemaker's Notes

My review:

My roommate brought this wine back from her house in Long Island after her dad went on a winery tour and bought a case of this wine. Immediately from the scent this wine was enjoyable it had a sweet smell kind of like green apples and a hint of citrus. The wine tasted very similar to its smell but was not overly sweet and had a nice balance of acid and sugar. This was one of the wines I have tasted that is 100% chardonnay and I appreciated that consistency throughout the wine. I tried this wine alone without food but I would like to try it with a citrus chicken or fish dish next time.

Col Des Vents Corbieres

Name: Col Des Vents Corbieres

Variety: 50% Carignan 35% Grenache 15% Syrah
Region: ?
Country: France
Year: 2009
Price: $8

 

Winery Review:

50% Carignan, 35% Grenache, 15% Syrah.
Brambly berry, cherry and raspberry, spices, black pepper…all are
present in this authentic French country wine.

 

My Review:

I found this wine generally unpleasant. When I first smelled it I got a lot of the spice and black pepper smell. I almost always know when I smell those notes I will not like the taste of the wine. Once I tasted it I was right and although there were elements of berries, specifically cherry to help with the spiciness of the wine I did not enjoy it. I tried this wine without food but would not try it again with or without food.

Zonin Pinot Grigio

Name: Zonin 

Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: ?
Country: Italy
Year: 2009
Price: $6

 

Winery Review:

Pale straw-yellow color with brilliant reflections.
Delicately fruity bouquet, with outstanding finesse and marked
hints of almond blossom and peaches. Elegant, soft and well structured
fruit on the palate, with remarkable freshness and a
clean, persistent aftertaste.

 

My Review:

I found this a very typical Pinot Grigio with fruity, clean and classic notes. I really enjoyed this wine and thought it would pair well with a variety of foods such as pasta and seafood, however I did try this wine without food. The aftertaste was very nice and to me one of the best qualities of this wine, it left and refreshing taste in my mouth, not an overly powerful fruit flavor or an alcohol after burn. The smell matched the taste with fruit being the main note I smelled.

Prochaine Chardonnay

Name:Prochaine Chardonnay

Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Region: Languedoc

Country: France

Year: 2009

Price: $14

Winery Review:

An unusual and delectable Chardonnay from the Languedoc region of France. This wine is aged on the lees from a Viognier fermentation with constant stirring (battonage). These Viognier lees give the wine distinct, easy to enjoy, flavors of pineapple, mango, and passion fruit.  

My Review:

This was my first time trying an unoaked Chardonnay and I was surprised at how that really did change the flavor of the wine. Instead of being buttery as other Chardonnays this one was very distinctly fruity, I especially tasted pineapple. When I initially smelled the wine the scent was very faint leading me to believe the flavor would be that way as well. I was pleasantly surprised that the flavor was bold and filled with fruit flavor. I tried this wine without food but would love to try it with fruit, desserts, cheese and chicken or seafood.

Ca'Lunghetta Pinot Grigio

 

Name: Ca'Lunghetta Pinot Grigio

Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio

Region: Veneto

Country: Italy

Year: 2008

Price: $10

Winery Review:
Full of refreshing flavors of citrus and apple, this Italian Pinot Grigio is easy to drink and well-balanced, with a clean, bright finish. Perfect alongside pasta, fish, or salad dishes.


My Review:
I tried this wine alone without food and found it very typical of a Pinot Grigio. It was crisp, clean and refreshing. The nose was fairly light but was filled with notes of citrus. The initial taste is very light but as you continue drinking the flavor seems to build. Unfortunately this wine also has a slight after burn which I did not enjoy. Overall I liked this wine and would like to try it again with food, specifically fish with a citrus glaze, I think it would compliment it well.

Alamos Malbec

Name: Alamos Malbec

Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Argentina
Country: South America
Year: 2010
Price: $12

Winery review: 
Malbec is the signature wine of the Mendoza region and represents the highest achievements of Argentine winemaking. The Alamos Malbec has dark, blackish purple color. The nose shows ripe black fruits, black pepper spice and floral notes. The mouthfeel is full yet soft and supple, with black raspberry and currant flavors mingled with notes of sweet spice and a touch of leather. The finish is long and persistent with soft, sweet tannins. 
- Wine Enthusiast

My review: 
After having several disappointing red wines I finally came across a smooth fruity, delicious dark red wine. This was my first time tasting a Malbec and I was very pleased the nose was floral and fruity but in a darker way instead of a light crisp white wine. After tasting it it was very smooth in my mouth and had no after burn but lots of flavor. I would say this wine was bursting with flavor! I tried this wine with sushi which was maybe not the best choice, as it didn't really bring out any flavor in the sushi but I would love to try it again with red meat or a heavier Italian chicken dish.

Old Vine Zin

Name: Old Vine Zin
Variety: 100% Zinfandel
Region: Lodi, California
Country: North America
Year: 2010
Price: $15

Winery review: Gnarly Head 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel is made from gnarled 35 to 80 year old head trained vines. Fruit from these unruly branches is intense and powerful, and as some of the oldes in California, these brash old vines produce exceptional, full flavored grapes. This intrepid Old Vine Zinfandel has a gnarly core of rich, dark raspberry and black cherry flavors with layers of spice and chocolate balanced by complex French and American oak toast. Try pairing this wine with braised short ribs, chicken enchiladas, or dark chocolate.
- Wine Enthusiast

My review:
This wine was far from enjoyable and I did not even finish the glass I poured for myself. At first this wine smelled lovely with tones of chocolate and berries. Once I tasted it, initially on its own it was barely tolerable and incredibly spicy. I decided to eat some cheese with this wine and found that this only made the taste even worse and even spicier with an especially distinct after burn. I would not buy this wine again, and really wish I didn't buy it the first time.

Kinsen Plum Wine

Name: Kinsen Plum Wine

Variety: ?

Region: California

Country: North America

Year: ?

Price: $7

Winery review:

Experience the unique and mellow aroma of Kinsen Plum! Serve it straight, on the rocks or as a sparkling soda. Compliment's many foods and is a perfect "party wine". Grape wine with natural plum flavor. 

- Winemaker's Notes

My review: 

I purchased this wine by the glass while in a sushi restaurant in NYC for $8. I had been told plum wine and sushi were an excellent combination. This plum wine was very intriguing and complex. The nose of the wine was quite distracting from the taste and smelled like licorice and cherry cough medicine. Once I got past the smell the taste was quite enjoyable it was light and crisp with a sweet but not overly sweet taste and no after burn. I tried this wine with a spicy calamari appetizer which really enhanced the spice in the calamari. I also had sushi with this wine which brought out the wasabi and the rice vinegar flavor in the rice. Overall, although this wine had a very enjoyable taste, the smell is very hard to overcome. 

Castell del Remei Gotim Bru

Name: Castell del Remei Gotim Bru

Variety:Tempranillo (55%), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Garnacha

Region: Catalunya

Country: Spain

Year: 2008

Price: $10

Winery review:

This red has an attractive, perfumed nose with cherry, toasted red fruit, balsamic notes and sweet spicy oak characters. Ripe fruit on the palate is balanced with fresh acidity and present yet supple tannins.
This is a wine that plays to both courts, appealing to those who appreciate fresh, juicy styles and those who prefer a wine with greater complexity, a savory twist and more serious structure. - Winemaker's Notes

My review: 

The aromas of this wine immediately put me off and I was scared to even try the wine. The aromas were spicy with a hint of berry and cherry. Once I tasted the wine I had the same reaction and did not enjoy the taste of this wine either. I tried this wine with a pasta with meatballs and it really brought out spices in the dish that were not appealing. I would not try this wine again.

Kitchen Sink White Table Wine

Name: Kitchen Sink White Table Wine

Variety:36% Chardonnay, 32% Chenin Blanc, 21% Gewurtztraminer, 11% Mixed white varietals

Region:California

Country: USA

Year: ?

Price: $10

Winery review:

Our Kitchen Sink White is a lively, aromatic wine with a lush fruity mouthfeel. Aromas of melon, pear, tangerine, and rose petals are layered with a slight lychee note with a hint of lemon rind. The palate features these same juicy flavors on entry and the mid-palate is lush with melon and pear flavors and has a light flinty finish.

- Winemaker's Notes

My review:

This wine was very crisp and was filled with citrus flavors. I would consider this wine a generally traditional white wine that would go well with a variety of dishes. The aromas from this wine were also on the citrus side with a touch of lime included. I had this wine with chicken with soy sauce and it complimented it well. Overall, the after taste was the biggest downside of this wine and left somewhat of a burn in my throat.