Tasting - Juan Benegas 2011

Juan Benegas Malbec 2011

Name: Juan Benegas
Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $10.99

Winery review: "This little gem WAY over delivers for its modest price. Winegrower/maker Federico Benegas Lynch is a master of getting perfectly ripe fruit from his old-vine vineyards and, with help from master consultant Michel Rolland, turning out honest wines of great depth and character. Here you'll find a fun, fruity, wine with earthy blackberry, blueberry, spice and coffee aromas and flavors. An iron ore minerality adds complexity and the round tannins and bright acids just the right support. It's fruitier and not quite as complex as Frederico's Estate Malbec, but just perfect for parties or pairing with everyday meals." - Chain Bridge Cellars

My review: The wine of this Malbec was floral, like lavender, with wafts of ripe black cherry. It tasted like fresh blueberries accented with clove and nutmeg. This wine was well balanced with lingering hints of licorice on the finish. Another enjoyable Mendoza Malbec!

Tasting - Tarima Hill Monastrell

Tarima Hill Monastrell 2011

Name: Tarima Hill
Variety: 100% Monastrell
Region: Alicante
Country: Spain
Year: 2011
Price: $17.99

Winery review: The wine exhibits deep garnet color with flashes of violet and a bouquet of dark red charriers and leather. On the palate the wine achieves its full potential, offering notes of black berries, plums and licorice with an elegant but persistent finish.

My review: The bouquet of this wine smelled like a unique blend of fig and old bay spices. It tasted like licorice and black currant with a well rounded black pepper finish. Absolutely phenomenal; well balanced and thoroughly enjoyable.

Tasting - Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc

Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc

Name: Ken Forrester
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Stellenbosch
Country: South Africa
Year: 2012
Price: $14.99

Winery review: Golden hued and full bodied, with melon and spicy baked apple aromas. Layered, with mineral notes enhanced by honeycomb and caramel flavours from lees contact. This wine is a great example of the harmonious balance which can be achieved between fruit and delicate oak/vanilla flavours, as they combine to form complex, soft flavours with sufficient body to enhance even spicy and full flavoured meals.

My review: This wine smelled tart, dry, and floral, but tasted slightly acidic, grassy with hints of orange peel. It had a thicker body and was absolutely delicious! I paired this wine with spicy chicken tacos.

Tasting - Alamos Torrontes

Alamos Torrontes 2013

Name: Alamos
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Salta
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $10.99

Winery review: The intense mountain sunlight and pure snowmelt water of the Andes gives the Alamos Torrontes its explosive floral aromatic character and bright citrus flavors. This crisp, refreshing wine is excellent with spicy empanadas and grilled fish.

My review: The nose of this wine smelled like apricots and orange blossom. It tasted tart and very floral, like a field of lavender, and had a grassy flavor. Unique and enjoyable.

Tasting - One Hope Sparkling Brut

One Hope Sparkling Brut

Name: One Hope
Variety: French Colombard
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: N/A
Price: $12.99

Winery review: Our Premium Sparkling is light in color and displays aromas of fresh green apple and nectarine with a hint of fresh baked bread. Crisp, intriguing fresh fruit reminiscent of succulent peach, sweet berries and pear linger on the palate, finishing with creamy and refreshing bubbles. This sparkling can be pared with appetizers, seafood, sushi, as well as a wide range of desserts and cheeses.

My review: This sparkling wine smelled floral, like lavender, but tasted like pears, apricots and apple and a lightly acidic but thick profile. Pleasant, but not a must-have for the price.

Tasting - Butternut Chardonnay

Butternut Chardonnay

Name: Butternut
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $17.99

Winery review: Aromas of peach, hazelnut and spiced candied apple. Round, creamy notes of fig, butterscotch and sweet oak.

My review: This California Chardonnay smelled floral, like roses, and overwhelmingly like pencil shavings. It tasted, creamy, like mushrooms, and smoky, like eating a tree surrounded by forest floor teeming with mushrooms. It was thick and rather pleasant because although the oak monster was present, it did not overwhelm the balance and complexity. I was shocked and excited about this unique wine!

Tasting - Antano Reserva Rioja

Antano Reserva Rioja

Name: Antano Reserva
Variety: 80% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo, 5% Garnacha
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain
Year: 2008
Price: $13.99

Winery review: It is ruby red in color and shows wonderful layers of cassis, cherry, and vanilla flavors with just a hint of spice in the mid-palate through the finish which is long and elegant. This well-aged wine is perfect with steak, roasted pork, lamb, and even hearty seafood steaks such as swordfish. It will also age beautifully for years in the bottle.

My review: This wine smelled of oak, smoke, and raspberries and tasted true to nose of oak. It also has some mineral components as well as a jammy blackberry mid-palate and a black pepper finish. This well rounded Rioja was a delight; I bought a bottle for my personal cellar.