Tasting - Alvaro Domecq Aranda Cream Sherry N.V.

Name: Alvaro Domecq Aranda Cream

Variety: Sherry

Region: Jerez

Country: Spain

Vintage: N.V.

Price: $20 Sale $9.95

Winery Review: Golden-brown in color, this has heady aromas of cola, nut, nutmeg, root beer and caramel. A pure, creamy palate of cinnamon apple, mocha, coffee and chocolate. It's quite smooth and balanced, and very long on the finish.

My Review: Extremely good wine!  Maple notes almost like a maple tree sap with fresh air.  No hiding the brandy, though cocoa, butter, and cream seep through.  On the palette, butter cream, cake: a dessert in itself.  Incredibly nutty, brandy not overbearing and accented nicely with the flavors.  Like sucking on a butterscotch candy.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Layer Cake Garnacha 2010

Name: Layer Cake

Variety: Garnacha

Region: Calatayud

Country: Spain

Vintage: 2010

Price: $18 Sale $7.95

Winery Review: The Layer Cake Garnacha from Calatayud, Spain is rich and powerful, yet clean and balanced. Layered with aromas of ultra ripe black fruit. On the palate, the wine shows intense dark fruit with abackground of rich dark chocolate and fresh ground coffee with a long creamy finish.

My Review: Very complex nose with a sort of blueberry, baking spice, and raisin aroma mixture.  Definitely a layer cake but not due to dessert qualities.  There was some sweetness but maybe suggested from the label and noticeable pungent light acidity though fairly aged.  Couldn't make up the fruit because it was complex though there were some cocoa flavors and black pepper, decent balance. 

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Fossi Rosso N.V.

Name: Fossi Rosso

Variety: Sangiovese, Merlot, Primitivo, Negroamaro

Region: Fiesole (Tuscany)

Country: Italy

Vintage: N.V.

Price: $18 Sale $7.95 Magnum

Winery Review: A blend of Sangiovese and Merlot with a touch of Primitivo and Negroamaro. It will remind those who have traveled to Italy of one of the local house wines they consumed while there.  Simple, juicy, and perfect for drinking with or without food, it’s packed with bright cherry, strawberry and cranberry fruit aromas and flavors.

My Review: What I hoped Italian red blends would taste like!  I couldn't quite decide on the nose but I'm in the range of pomegranate, cranberry, boysenberry, and olive.  Mouthfeel is almost watery with mineral qualities.  This goes away after swallowing to noticeably smooth tannins, complex fruit structure (though not fruit forward), with a light touch of earthy spices (dill maybe?).  Very good and wish it wasn't a magnum so I could justify buying to pair with a meat sauce Italian dish.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Nugan Pie In the Sky Chardonnay 2013

Name: Nugan Pie In the Sky

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: New South Wales

Country: Australia

Vintage: 2013

Price: $15 Sale $7.95

Winery Review: Aromas of poached peach, fig and pineapple with biscuity notes. Tropical, medium bodied style with peach and melon flavours complimented by zesty acids, savoury nuances and a crisp, dry finish. Perfect partner with many styles of modern cuisine including those with an Asian or Mediterranean twist.

My Review: Personally, I don't agree with either the review or the label at all.  I got a slight bit of cat pee in the nose, some burnt grass, herbs, and maybe some of the peach pie way down.  Taste forgave the cat pee a little and had a creamy though sour/acidic caramelized characteristic.  Peach showed up but overshadowed by everything else.  Not enjoyable and the majority of tasting partners agreed save one.

Tasted without food.

Tasting - Invino Si Pinot Grigio 2014

Name: Invino Si

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Lombardy

Country: Italy

Vintage: 2014

Price: $14 Sale $5.95

Winery Review: Pavia, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy where viticulture dates back thousands of years is home to the Si Pinot Grigio vineyards. The wine is creamy on the palate with a crisp, dry character, fresh citrus and pear flavors and an elegant finish.

My Review: Very complex on the nose compared to other (cheaper) pinot grigios I have tasted: floral notes with melon and yellow fruit.  Taste is softly acidic and semi-sweet.  Minerality comes out with apricot, sort of pineapple, and a bit of grass.  Very good!

Tasted without food.