Wine Tasting- Milbrandt Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Tasting- Milbrandt Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Milbrandt Vineyards
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: United States
State: Washington
Year: 2012
Price: $14.79

Winery Review:
Our 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is smooth and rich with classic aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, dried herbs and hints of vanilla and espresso. This wine is dense with chewy tannins on the mid-palate giving way to a touch of vanilla and toast on the lingering finish

My Review:
I really liked this wine. Really big bodied with robust flavors, the tannins really come through on this one. and the heat is just perfect at a %13.5. On the nose, that vanilla comes through and as well as an earthy kind of leather (dried herbs seem to elude me). Really reminds me of an Old World wine on the nose. On the tongue, this is a really jammy wine with all sorts of herbs that are complimented by a creamy, vanilla finish. I really liked this one.

I did not have food with this wine.

Wine Tasting- Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio

Wine Tasting- Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio

Name: Ecco Domani
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: $11.29

Winery Review:
Notes of light citrus and delicate floral aromas are complemented by hints of tropical fruit flavors. The wine is medium-bodied, with a pleasantly soft palate and crisp, refreshing finish.
My Review:
Right off the initial smell I knew this was going to be far too citrusy for me. Strong hints of pineapple really overpowered this for me. I absolutely despised the finish but this has always been an issue between me and pinot grigio. It just reminds me too much of cat urine. Well, technically, there isn't anything wrong with it. Just not a fan of grigio

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- Thorny Rose Red Blend

Wine Tasting- Thorny Rose Red Blend

Name: Thorny Rose
Variety: Red Blend with Cabernet, Malbec, and Syrah
Country: United States
State: Washington
Year: ???
Price: $10.79

Winery Review:
*Stuff*

My Review:
So the description is notably lacking here since the back of the bottle wasn't really explaining anything, only with random descriptors such as, "chocolate:" and, "unwind". Well, I definitely see where they got some of these so it isn't completely silly. This wine is obviously oaked, giving the rich, red body a hint of vanilla. I got hints of coffee on the palate and only very faintest traces of cinnamon and brown sugar.

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine tasting- Peter Mertes Riesling

Wine Tasting- Peter Mertes Riesling

Name: Peter Mertes
Variety: Riesling
Country: Germany
Year: 2013
Price: $6.97

Winery Review:
Crafted in the well-respected Rheinhessen region of Germany, this quality Riesling is crisp, clean and easy drinking. Floral and fruit aromas suggest sweet melon and honey with enough acidity to ensure a beautifully balanced and versatile wine.

My Review:
I liked this wine. It had a good body and a really nice, floral bouquet. The honey was really strong with this one but it worked as the finish was nice and clean. Additionally, got some apricot and apple but the melon still eludes me. Overall, really good.

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine Tasting- Chocovine

Tasting- Chocovine


Name: Chocovine
Variety: Supposedly Cabernet
Country: Holland
Year: ???
Price: $12.99

Winery Review:
ChocoVine is a fine French Cabernet subtly combined with a rich dark chocolate from Holland, paired together to create a decadent, silky smooth drink. It can be served on the rocks or as the main ingredient to an array of sinful cocktails.

My Review:
Blech. Perhaps my first big mistake here was thinking, "hey, I like these two things on their own, this sounds like a winning combination!" Well, no, it really isn't. I get chocolate milk on the nose and there isn't even the hint of Cabernet somewhere in there. It tastes like Bailey's but with a 14% alcohol percentage, there's some noticeable heat behind it. Well, if you plan on cooking with it, fine. Otherwise avoid.

I did not have this wine with food. Probably a mistake.

Wine Tasting- Sheffiel Cellars Silver Lane Oak Mellowed Marsala

Tasting- Sheffield Cellars Silver Lane Oak Mellowed Marsala


Name: Sheffield Cellars
Variety: Marsala
Country: United States
State: California
Year: ???
Price: $5.99

Winery Review:
*NOTHING TO ADD HERE*

My Review:
Yeah, that's right, a wine that isn't trying to sell itself. Weird, huh? Anyway, this was my first introduction to fortified wine. Holy cow is that a lot of alcohol and boy do I burn for it. Anyway, heat aside, it came to my intention that most people usually cook with this wine only after I tried it. Um, I got alcohol on the nose. Really, not a whole lot else I can add here. I got a super jammy red currant and cherry behind all that heat. Overall, I would use this for cooking, just not drinking.

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine Tasting- Blufeld Riesling

Tasting- Blufeld Riesling


Name: Blufeld
Variety: 100% Riesling
Country: Germany
Region: Mosel
Year: 2013
Price: $8.99

Winery Review:
The 2013 blüfeld medium sweet Riesling exhibits aromas of white flowers, lime, and ripe apricots. In the mouth, juicy acidity balances very well with the sweetness. A distinct minerality reminds us of the origin of this wine. blüfeld Riesling is light, bright, and precise, perfect for everyday enjoyment. Enjoy on its own or perfectly paired with spicy Asian cuisine, mild Indian dishes, sushi, salads, light appetizers, and, of course, German-style meals.

My Review:
Well, not bad for my first encounter with a Riesling. I can definitely see where the descriptor summery comes from. This wine was just extremely floral on the nose. Don't ask me which ones. I don't know anything at all about flowers. Anyway, the wine was sweet but not overpowering with a nice body. I got apricots, lime, and even some apple although not listed.

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine Tasting- Gnarly Head Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting- Gnarly Head Cabernet Sauvignon


Name: Gnarly Head
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: United States
State: California
Year: 2013
Price: $9.79

Winery Review:
Gnarly Head Cabernet Sauvignon is King - big, gallant and powerful. This dark, bold Cabernet has solid tannins and jammy fruit, with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, freshly-cracked black peppercorn, violet and charred notes. On the palate, flavors of dense black fruit compote and currant followed by a trio of clove, spice and earth, lead to a generous, lingering finish.

My Review:
Well, I didn't really like my first encounter with Gnarly Head but this went slightly better. Slightly. Ignore what the review says, it isn't king (but it isn't bad). The problem with this wine is that it's just too damn powerful for its own good. Way too jammy and nothing really subtle about this one. However, it is flavorful and in no way shape or form bad....other than at being subtle. Anyway, I got the peppercorn, blackberry, and black cherry. I got some nice spicy taste on the palate, blackberry too despite not really being listed.

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine Tasting- Toasted Head Merlot

Tasting- Toasted Head Merlot


Name: Toasted Head
Variety: 100% Merlot
Country: United States
State: California
Year: 2012
Price: $12.69

Winery Review:
Aromas of cinnamon, vanilla, and chocolate-dipped cherries give way to flavors of bing cherries, sweet anise, vanilla, and roasted coffee. The color is bright-to-dark ruby red.
My Review:
I really liked this. I've had some prior experience with Toasted Head and while I did enjoy their chardonnay, I really liked their Merlot. I got cinnamon and chocolate on the nose and I definitely got almost this creamy, vanilla and coffee flavor to it. Full bodied too which was a nice change in pace from other wines this week.

I did not have this wine with food.

Wine Tasting- Shutter Home White Zinfandel

Tasting- Shutter Home White Zinfandel

Name: Shutter Home
Variety: 100% Zinfandel
Country: United States
State: California
Year: ???
Price: $4.99

Winery Review:
You may blush with excitement over this fresh, lively wine. Beauty in a bottle, our light, refreshing White Zinfandel wine flirts with your tongue, as you taste essences of strawberry and melon. Perfect with all types of food, we recommend pairing it with something a little spicy such as Asian or Latin cuisine.

My Review:
Hm, I should have probably learned my lesson with these price labels by now. While not always indicative, it most certainly was in this case. I got some melon and some heat but there is just so little body to this wine that I honestly couldn't tell you much otherwise.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- Dark Horse Red Blend

Tasting- Dark Horse Red Blend

Name: Protocolo Tinto Temprenillo
Variety: Proportions are not known but contains: Malbec, Syrah, Tempranillo, Merlot
Country: California, Argentina, Australia
Year: ??
Price: $7.99

Winery Review:
The Dark Horse Big Red Blend has deep flavors of dark berry and black currant, supported by plush tannins, hints of dark roasted oak and a long finish. This Red Blend underwent alcoholic fermentation with hand chosen yeast to provide enhanced color, structure and fruit characteristics.

My Review:
This wine was subtle and dry. Didn't hit me over the head with super jammy flavors which was actually really nice. Nice body to it too, berry flavors came out buttery there. Not a whole lot to say but I really enjoyed this wine.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- Dark Horse Chardonnay

Tasting- Dark Horse Chardonnay

Name: Dark Horse
Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Country: California
Year: ???
Price: $7.99

Winery Review:
The 2012 Dark Horse Chardonnay has rich flavors of baked apple and pear, layered with toasted oak, notes of caramel and brown spice with a smooth, lingering finish. This Chardonnay underwent alcoholic fermentation with hand selected yeast and then a secondary malolactic fermentation to create a round, full mouthfeel.

My Review:
Compared to the Toasted Head, this was much more subtle in the oak approach. I definitely got apple there but I also picked up the caramel and brown spice. Considerably less hot in the finish. Nice and buttery after taste as well. Definitely would buy a full bottle in the future.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting- Gallo Family Pink Moscato

Tasting- Gallo Family Pink Moscato

Name: Gallo Family
Variety: 100% Moscato
Country: California
Year: 2014-15
Price: $5.99

Winery Review:
Our Pink Moscato is light-bodied and bursting with aromas of fresh citrus and peach, followed by hints of fresh red berries and orange blossoms. Great paired with an array of food from spicy dishes to sweet desserts

My Review:
So this was my introduction into flawed wines. The body of this wine just doesn't exist. Sniffing gave hints of...nothing. Actually nothing, I couldn't smell a single thing from this wine. A taste gave me apricot and berries but that's really it. After downing it, the taste didn't linger, it vanished as if it was never there. Perhaps there was a reason for the listed pricing because this wine was, well, not great.

I had this wine both with and without food. Slightly better with a slice of lemon cake.

Tasting- Toasted Head Chardonnay

Tasting- Toasted Head Chardonnay

Name: Toasted Head
Variety: 96% Chardonnay, 4% Viognier
Country: United States
Region: California
Year: 2013
Price: $9.99

Winery Review:
This wine delivers white peach and Asian pear aromas and is rich, yet crisp on the palate with great acidity.  We prefer to just think of it as a solid American Chardonnay with some oaky heft behind it.

My Review:
This is the first oaked wine I've had and boy did I taste it here. Right off the bat, I smelled vanilla to the point where it was almost overpowering. It was a really heavy-bodied wine that had hints of butterscotch, pear, and that oak taste you get from whiskey. There was a bit of heat to it but as a personal preference, that doesn't mean a whole lot to me right now. Overall, I found it a good introduction to oak.

I did not have food with this wine.