Tasting - Hahn Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling

Name: Hahn Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling

Variety: Riesling

Region: Piesport

Country: Germany

Year: N/A

Price: $9.95

Shop Review: "This wine's light, airy mouthfeel belies its sweetness and intensity of flavor. Honeyed pineapple aromas; similar flavors on the palate, adding gentle citrus notes toward the long, sweet finish."

My Review: I couldn't really identify the color of this one since it was in a very tinted green bottle and it mixed with the previous red wine in my glass. I'm assuming it was a pale yellow, like most rieslings. It had a really interesting nose. It smelled like some kind of meat - I immediately thought of pot roast. I've never smelled that in a wine before. Its flavor was light at first, but had a strong floral finish. Overall it tasted interesting, was not my favorite, but I could drink it again and would like to see what cheeses and other foods it would pair nicely with. Was not paired with any food.

Tasting - Tres Ojos Garnacha Calatayud

Name: Tres Ojos Garnacha Calatayud

Variety: Tempranillo, Garnacha

Region: Calatayud

Country: Spain

Year: 2012

Price: $6.95

Shop Review: "88 points - Robert Parker. The 2012 Tres Ojos Garnacha contains 15% Tempranillo (I wonder why), and unoaked cuvee of 200,000 bottles that matures in vat for at least seven months before bottling. What I tasted was a very honest, fresh and fruit-driven red with aromas of cherries, garrigue and thyme with a medium-bodied palate, some weight and tannins that would do better with food. This is a red that sells for a song."

My Review: I thought this wine was a gorgeous red. It had such a pretty color. It also smelled good, with the presence of that buttery component that I love. It had quite a strong nose, really fragrant, with a nice full and rounded scent reminding me of butter and spices. Sadly, it did not taste like it smelled. It tasted like spices but not in the best way. The flavor was very tannic and not very good to me. Was not paired with any food.

Tasting - Torre Castillo Cosecha Monastrell

Name: Torre Castillo Cosecha Monastrell

Variety: 100% Monastrell

Region: Jumilla

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $7.95

Shop Review: "89 points - Stephen Tanzer. 100% Monastrell, aged in American oak for four months. Bright ruby. Powerful, spicy aromas of dark berry preserves and lavender. Fleshy and round on the palate, offering spicy blackberry and blueberry flavors and gaining sweetness with air. Finishes smooth, long and slightly warm."

My Review: Purplish in color, the wine looked light and airy, probably medium-bodied. It smelled very sweet, like candy, then peppery afterwards. It was almost as if it tasted like a weak cabernet with a really dry finish. It wasn't too overpowering, but I think I would prefer it with food rather than on its own. Was not paired with any food.

Tasting - Chateau Suau Bordeaux Rose

Name: Chateau Suau Bordeaux Rose

Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Bordeaux

Country: France

Year: 2013

Price: $7.95

Shop Review: "88 points - Stephen Tanzer. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Light, lurid pink. Tangerine, raspberry and white pepper on the fragrant nose. Juicy and focused in the mouth, offering zesty red berry flavors with a refreshingly bitter edge. Closes clean and tight, with lingering spiciness and a touch of orange zest."

My Review: It smelled like a blueberry pie, or some kind of berry compote that tagged along with the smell of a puff pastry crust. It had a pale salmon color, not very pink. Smelled like potpourri and tasted like it too. The taste was stinky, overly floral, and had an acidic aftertaste. It was like an old lady's perfume that she drenched herself in because she could barely smell it. Not my favorite. Was not paired with any food.

Tasting - Terre di Poggio Laude Pecorino

Name: Terre di Poggio Laude Pecorino

Variety: Pinot noir

Region: Terre di Chieti

Country: Italy

Year: 2013

Price: $8.95

Shop Review: "Bright and savory, this floral scented Pecorino offers juicy tropical fruit and lemon drop sensations accented by notes of mint and thyme. THe ripe fruit is balanced by risk acidity that leaves the palate feeling cleansed and refreshed."

My Review: This wine was surprisingly quite greenish in color, almost like a really pale emerald, because it sparkled in the glass. It had a tart but also spicy kind of smell, with the tartness initially on the nose and the spice coming later. Its taste started out sweet, but it had an overall bland mouthfeel with gasoline-ish flavors. Slight zesty notes made it somewhat refreshing, and it had a dry finish. Was not paired with any food.

Tasting - Peter Mertes Riesling Platinum

Name: Peter Mertes Riesling Platinum

Variety: Riesling

Region: 2013

Country: Rheinhessen

Year: Germany

Price: $8.95

Shop Review: "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: The color of this wine seemed pink but this was probably due to the previous red wine in my glass. It smelled like flowers, lavender specifically. It seemed as if there were a strong alcohol content. There was a nice amount of bubbles - it was only slightly bubbly. I sensed a sort of gasoline aftertaste that was particularly acidic. It was light on the tongue with a slightly weird finish, but it was still pretty good. It was an interesting experience tasting this wine, but I would like to one day try it with food. Was not paired with any food.

Tasting - Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone

Name: Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone

Variety: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre

Region: Rhone

Country: France

Year: 2013

Price: $8.95

Shop Review: "50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre. 56 Ha grown organically since March 2009 (in conversion). Part of the vineyard is plowed with horses. Average age of the vines: 30 years old. Clear ruby wine with overtones of red berry fruits. Round and supple with smooth aftertaste. A good all around red wine for meat courses, poultry and light cheeses. Best drunk now while fresh with good keeping up to 4 years."

My Review: This one was more burgundy in color than the last red wine. It smelled extremely plasticy, but also like buttered toast, cloves, and cinnamon. It was dry on the tongue but had a sweet finish. There was a pleasant aftertaste. It gave a little kick which was also enjoyable. I really liked the even flavor of this wine, it was easy to drink and I would definitely drink it again. Was not paired with any food.