Tasting - "Caymus Vineyards 1858 Napa Valley"

Tasting - "Caymus Vineyards 1858 Napa Valley"

• Name: Caymus Vineyards 1858 Napa Valley
• Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Region: Napa Valley AVA (Fairfield, California)
• Country: United States
• Year: 2016
• Price: $70

• Wine Critic Review: "This handcrafted Napa Cabernet is a powerhouse in flavor and texture. Featuring luscious, ripe blackberry flavors with undertones of dark chocolate and toasted oak. The initial surge of raspberry is stunning but almost outdone by the regal tannic finish.." (from the label at Total Wine and Beverage)
• My Review: This was the first $70 bottle of wine I've sampled and I could definitely taste why it is listed at this price point. This wine was beautifully balanced. The red fruity flavors of raspberry and cherry were balanced with a subtle, spicy oak finish that was awesome even without any food to compliment it. The employee that opened it for us told us it was recommended to wait 20 minutes before drinking to let the wine breathe. It was great even without waiting.
• I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - "Mascota Vineyards Unanime"

Tasting - "Mascota Vineyards Unanime"

• Name: Mascota Vineyards Unanime
• Variety: Gran Vino Tinto (Red Blend)
• Region: Mendoza, Argentina
• Country: Argentina
• Year: 2014
• Price: $21

• Wine Critic Review: "A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec, this delivers beautiful fruit with berry and lemon rind character and hints of toasted oak. Lovely flavorful finish. Delicious." (from the label at Total Wine and Beverage)
• My Review: I liked this wine the least out of the five I tried. It was very dry and oaky to the point of astringency. Any fruit flavors that were present were mostly overshadowed by the intense mouth-puckering tannins in the wine. It may have been better paired with food. 
• I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - "Sundry Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon"

Tasting - "Sundry Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon"

• Name: Sundry Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
• Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Region: Paso Robles AVA (Paso Robles, California)
• Country: United States
• Year: 2016
• Price: $18

• Wine Critic Review: "Cherry, plum, and black currant combine with notes of chocolate and cassis to create a rich mouthfeel leading into a long, lingering finish. Pairs spectacularly with grilled lamb chops and medium to strong cheeses." (from the label at Total Wine and Beverage)
• My Review: This wine was very nice. It was very fruit forward as the employee at Total Wine informed me Cabernet Sauvignon's from Paso Robles usually are. I picked up notes of black current balanced with a spicy finish of cloves and black pepper. The spicy flavors balanced out the fruity sweetness quite well.
• I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - "Samuel Robert Rose"

Tasting - "Samuel Robert Rose"

• Name: Vintner's Reserve Samuel Robert Winery
• Variety: Pinot Noir Rose
• Region: Willamette Valley AVA (Willamette Valley, Oregon)
• Country: United States
• Year: 2018
• Price: $15

• Wine Critic Review: "A fresh, medium-bodied Rose with lovely flavors of strawberry, citrus, and watermelon on the palate. Enjoy with shellfish or dry cheeses. The perfect pairing for your next dinner party." (from the label at Total Wine and Beverage)
• My Review: This wine was a great Rose. It was sweet without being overly syrupy. It tasted light and crisp on the palate with fruity notes of fresh strawberry and watermelon. I can imagine this being a great addition to a summer picnic.
• I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - "Viansa Chardonnay"

Tasting - "Viansa Chardonnay"

• Name: Viansa Chardonnay
• Variety: Chardonnay
• Region: Los Carneros AVA (Carneros, California)
• Country: United States
• Year: 2017
• Price: $40

• Wine Critic Review: "This full-bodied, creamy, and buttery Chardonnay from Carneros has delicious flavors and aromas of baked apple, fresh buttery croissants, vanilla spice, and oak. A long finish filled subtle notes of nutmeg and persimmon make this lip-smacking good." (from the label at Total Wine and Beverage)
• My Review: This wine was one of the best Chardonnay's I have tried. It was very balanced between the oaky, buttery nature of the California Chardonnay and lighter flavors of crisp apple.
• I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - "Liberty Creek Merlot"

Tasting - "Liberty Creek Merlot"

• Name: Liberty Creek Merlot
• Variety: Merlot
• Region: Central Valley (Modesto, California)
• Country: United States
• Year: Non-vintage
• Price: $4 for 500 mL

• Wine Critic Review: "Modesto, California- Deep ruby red color, unsurpassed smoothness, and silky richness. Medium-bodied with a mix of distinctive ripe raspberry and cherry characters, with a smooth finish." (https://www.totalwine.com/red-wine/merlot/liberty-creek-merlot/p/103461015-1?pid=cpc:NB+Inventory+Wine+US+VIRG+ENG+SPART::liberty%20creek%20merlot:google:&gclsrc=aw.ds&)
• My Review: This Merlot was super cheap but surprisingly nice. It had a light cherry scent that only began to express itself as the wine warmed to room temperature. The wine had beautiful notes of ripe red raspberry and sweet blackberry. It was smooth with a subtle oaky finish.
• I enjoyed this wine with a chocolate chip cookie. The sweetness and dark chocolate chips in the cookie paired well with the red fruity nature of the wine. The flavors complimented one another well.

Tasting - "Stanburn Winery Meadow Breeze"

Tasting - "Stanburn Winery Meadow Breeze"

• Name: Stanburn Winery Meadow Breeze
• Variety: Sweet White Wine
• Region: Blue Ridge Highlands Region (Stuart, VA)
• Country: United States
• Year: 2016
• Price: $15

• Wine Critic Review: "Sweet and fruity. Aromas of peaches and tropical fruits, with a crisp, clean finish. A great porch wine. Pairs well with desserts. Perfect for lazy afternoons or summer cookouts." (https://vinoshipper.com/shop/stanburn_winery/meadow_breeze_15,972)
• My Review: This wine smelled sweet and syrupy in the glass. It was cloyingly sweet with notes of honeysuckle and peach. It felt oddly warm on the palate.
• I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - "Liberty Creek Chardonnay"

Tasting - "Liberty Creek Chardonnay"

• Name: Liberty Creek Chardonnay
• Variety: Chardonnay
• Region: Central Valley (Modesto, California)
• Country: United States
• Year: Non-vintage
• Price: $4 for 500 mL

• Wine Critic Review: "Modesto, California- Made n a lighter style with an emphasis on crisp flavors of fresh citrus and inviting apple aromas. Well-balanced and easy-to-enjoy, its finish is remarkably smooth and clean." (https://www.totalwine.com/wine/white-wine/chardonnay/liberty-creek-chardonnay/p/103457015?bvstate=pg:2/ct:r)
• My Review: This wine had a light and sweet lemon scent. It did not taste like a traditional chardonnay to me, but I really enjoyed it. This wine was light and crisp and possessed light fruity notes.
• I enjoyed this wine with a cheeseburger, sweet potato fries, and asparagus. They paired well together I did not notice a significant change in the flavor of the wine.

Tasting - "Gallo Family Chardonnay"

Tasting - "Gallo Family Chardonnay"

• Name: Gallo Family Chardonnay
• Variety: Chardonnay
• Region: Central Valley (Modesto, California)
• Country: United States
• Year: Non-vintage
• Price: $1.50 for a split

• Wine Critic Review: "Medium-bodied Chardonnay with a pleasing range of unexpected flavor, including citrus notes, hints of vanilla and a dash of oak." (https://www.totalwine.com/wine/white-wine/chardonnay/gallo-family-vineyards-chardonnay/p/934015)
• My Review: This wine had a buttery scent that smelled slightly like ammonia and cat pee. It lit up the sides of my tongue with sharp acidity on the first sip which surprised me. It tasted light and buttery with notes of oak.
• I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - "Gallo Family Moscato"

Tasting - "Gallo Family Moscato"

• Name: Gallo Family Moscato
• Variety: Moscato
• Region: Central Valley (Modesto, California)
• Country: United States
• Year: Non-vintage
• Price: $1.50 for a split

• Wine Critic Review: "California- Sweet upfront with flavors of honey, bright citrus, peach, and flowers. Light-bodied and very easy to drink, this Moscato is perfect on its own or paired with spicy cuisine like Asian, Mexican, or Indian food." (https://www.totalwine.com/wine/dessert-fortified-wine/tokaji/gallo-family-vineyards-moscato/p/16796750)
• My Review: This wine had a scent that reminded me of fresh citrus and sweet floral nectar. On the first sip, I detected the sweet and light fruity flavors of lychee and honeydew. It was very refreshing.
• I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - "Gallo Family Cabernet Sauvignon"

Tasting - "Gallo Family Cabernet Sauvignon"

• Name: Gallo Family Cabernet Sauvignon
• Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Region: Central Valley (Modesto, California)
• Country: United States
• Year: Non-vintage
• Price: $1.50 for a split

• Wine Critic Review: "This full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon demonstrates satisfying flavors of blackberry and black currant." (https://www.totalwine.com/wine/red-wine/cabernet-sauvignon/gallo-family-vineyards-cabernet/p/935750)
• My Review: This wine had a deep cherry scent. The flavors were sweet and full with notes of cherry and dark fruits balanced with light tannins. I enjoyed this wine at the time but unfortunately, it gave me a horrible splitting headache the next day.
• I enjoyed this wine alongside a beef stew with vegetables. The red wine paired well with the fatty stew meat and brown stew gravy. The wine livened up the flavors in the stew and the stew cut some of the astringency of the wine.

Tasting - "Gallo Family White Zinfandel"

Tasting - "Gallo Family White Zinfandel"

• Name: Gallo Family White Zinfandel
• Variety: White Zinfandel
• Region: Central Valley (Modesto, California)
• Country: United States
• Year: Non-vintage
• Price: $1.50 for a split

• Wine Critic Review: "A combination of crisp refreshment with bright fruit. Flavors of fresh strawberry and hints of sweet, white peach." (https://www.totalwine.com/wine/rose-blush-wine/white-zinfandel/gallo-family-vineyards-white-zinfandel/p/946750)
• My Review: This wine had beautiful bright flavors of sugar dusted strawberries.  As I drank it I began to detect underlying notes of honey and watermelon.
• I did not have this wine with any food, it was basically a dessert itself.

Tasting - "Adega Vila Real Douro Reserva"

Tasting - "Adega Vila Real Douro Reserva"

• Name: Adega Vila Real Douro Reserva
• Variety: Douro
• Region: Douro
• Country: Portugal
• Year: 2013
• Price: $10

• Wine Critic Review: "New wood and vanilla show strongly over the red-berry fruits. This wine has attractive tannins and acidity, balanced to give a fruity while structured character. Produced by the cooperative of Vila Real, the wine will be ready from late 2017."(https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/adega-vila-real-2013-reserva-red-douro/)
• My Review: This wine was very enjoyable. It was smooth on the first sip. The wine had harmonious notes of dark fruits like plum and blackberry and was balanced with a subtle spicy and oaky flavor.
• I enjoyed this wine alongside a steak with a baked potato and green beans. The depth of flavor in the wine paired well with the savory, meaty steak. The fat in the meat made the wine less acidic and more drinkable.

Tasting - "Gallo Family Pinot Grigio"

Tasting - "Gallo Family Pinot Grigio"

• Name: Gallo Family Pinot Grigio
• Variety: Pinot Grigio
• Region: Modesto, California
• Country: United States
• Year: Non-vintage
• Price: $1.50 for a split

• Wine Critic Review: "Our Pinot Grigio brings together more than just the family. It brings together the refreshing crisp flavors of fresh green apple, white peach, and citrus. Bright citrus notes are perfect for fresh salads, rich seafood, and grilled poultry, and pair well with other acidic foods like tomatoes and lemon." (https://drizly.com/gallo-family-vineyards-pinot-grigio/p22920)
• My Review: This wine had a sweet aroma that was reminiscent of light florals and mild citrus. It had a light sweet flavor that was quite crisp and refreshing with notes of golden delicious apple.
• I enjoyed this wine alongside linguine pasta with shrimp and pumpkin alfredo sauce. It married well with the lighter flavors in the seafood and did not overpower the buttery cheesy flavor of the alfredo sauce.

Tasting - "Monte Clavijo Viura"

Tasting - "Monte Clavijo Viura"

• Name: Monte Clavijo Viura
• Variety: Viura
• Region: Rioja
• Country: Spain
• Year: 2017
• Price: $10

• Wine Critic Review: "The wine is prototypical of young Rioja whites; fresh, dry and fruity. It is a wine for daily drinking that makes a good companion to numerous dishes and tapas. Its aromas are typical of the Viura variety, with conspicuous notes of green apples, lemon-lime, and fresh white fruit." (http://www.castilloclavijo.com/our-wines/monte-clavijo/3/viura/en)
• My Review: The wine had beautiful acidity too it that I immediately felt on the sides of my tongue. It had robust flavors of tart green apple and lemon but still managed to be crisp and refreshing.
• I enjoyed this wine alongside some appetizers. The wine paired well with a slightly aged spicy cheese that had flecks of flower petals and red pepper flakes. The acidity held up to the cheese's strong flavors without competing with them.

Tasting - "Lamarca Prosecco"

Tasting - "Lamarca Prosecco"

• Name: Lamarca Prosecco
• Variety: Prosecco
• Region: Veneto
• Country: Italy
• Year: Non-vintage
• Price: $5 for a split

• Wine Critic Review: "Veneto, Italy- La Marca Prosecco is a fresh sparkling wine with a vibrant bouquet of apple, white peach, and honeysuckle. The soft, harmonious fruity notes highlighted by pleasant acidity make this wine ideal for any occasion." (https://www.totalwine.com/wine/champagne-sparkling-wine/prosecco/la-marca-prosecco/p/59921750)
• My Review: This sparkling wine smelled light and citrusy with notes of honeysuckle flowers. The wine was quite effervescent, but the bubbles were not too aggressive to the palate. This wine was lovely. It had an acidic nature with elements of lemon and green apple. It was dry, crisp, and refreshing.
• I did not have this wine with any food.

Tasting - "Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico"

Tasting - "Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico"

• Name: Borgo Scopeto
• Variety: Chianti Classico
• Region: Chianti
• Country: Italy
• Year: 2015
• Price: $15

• Wine Critic Review: "Dark ruby red. The bouquet is full and intense but at the same time sweet and fruity, with hints of black soft fruit. A pleasant overtone of noble wood, vanilla and cocoa, and a surprising cherry finish. Dry, firmly structured, austere and elegant on the palate; well balanced. Excellent persistence of the flavor on the palate. Wine to accompany the entire meal, especially thick soups, all kinds of meat and half-mature cheese." (https://www.wine.com/product/borgo-scopeto-chianti-classico-2015/393215)
• My Review: This wine had a deep red, fruity scent. It was lightly tannic with mild notes of oak and vanilla on the first sip. I was surprised, however, at the wine's spicy finish. After a few sips, I began to note a warmth on my palate with notes of spicy black pepper.
• I did not have this wine with any food.