Tasting - Firestone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Firestone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety:100% Cabernet Sauvignon 
Year: 2010
Region: Santa Ynez Valley

Country: United States
Price: $10.95
Critic review (Says wine makers notes, couldn't find a critic review): As Santa Ynez Valley's first estate winery, Firestone helped pioneer viticulture in this quiet, rural area. The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is rich, dark and weighty with mocha, cola, berries, vanilla and spice.
My review: It had an initial slight blackberries smell and another fruit I couldn't quite place, maybe some cherries slightly. It had a peppery smell and was just a very rich full body smell like it over took my nose. Upon tasting it was peppery and I felt like the middle of it didn't have much body but the finish was very over powering and I did not like it. Although, I then tried the wine with our steak dinner (same as previous wine's dinner of steak and potatoes with my dad) and it was MUCH better with the steak, it was almost crazy how much the steak changed the finish and I actually liked it. So, I wouldn't drink this wine on it's own, but I would definitely have it with steak again.

Tasting - Chateau St. Jean Merlot

Name: Chateau St. Jean Merlot
Variety:100% Merlot
Year: 2011
Region: California (Sonoma Valley)
Country: United States
Price: $11.99
Critic review: Vintages Wine Panel: Chateau St. Jean’s winemaker, Margo Van Staave, has been working the vineyards here for over 30 years. In that time, she has created many award-winning wines, and was named 2008 Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine. The 2008 Merlot is rich with notes of ripe cherries, wood and spice. Beautifully structured, the palate is well balanced and deliciously fruity right through to the end of the wonderfully long finish. This versatile wine will pair with a great variety of dishes. Try it tonight. My note: A consistency great producer! This merlot delivers the goods: plush plums, supple texture and full-bodied goodness. This wine can move from casual nights with take-out to a dinner party. Food matches: lightly spiced barbecued ribs.
(I could only find reviews for years 2008 and below for this vineyard and Merlot!)
My review: It had a very peppery smell initially with a lot of alcohol smell so I assumed it to be very dry. I got a slight hint of vanilla and black cherry. Upon tasting, it was definitely peppery and very dry, but I really liked the finish and the after taste it left in my house. I tasted this with dinner with my family, with steak and potatoes. My dad takes wine really seriously and was taking this tasting really seriously and was basically narrating everything from opening it to let it breathe, swirling it around, and smelling it like Gary V does. I really liked this Merlot especially with the steak, it made the finish much more interesting and tasteful. It let a good taste in my mouth.

Tasting - Monte Aman

Name: Monte Aman
Variety: 100% Tempranillo
Region: Arlanza
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: 5.95.
Shop review: Fermentation of selected grapes in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Aging in American oak casks for 5 months followed by 3 months in the bottle before being released in the
market. Inky ruby. Ripe cherry and plum on the nose. Smooth and fleshy, with deep dark fruit flavors complicated by bitter chocolate and anise. A spicy quality adds lift and focus to the weighty fruit. Offers an appealing mix of power and energy and drinks very well right now.
My review: It smelled very intensely cherry to me, with small hints of other fruits and chocolate. Upon tasting, I LOVED this wine! It was dry but not too dry as I like to say, and I could taste the chocolate! It really did almost taste like a cherry and chocolate mixed together, and I would love to try this wine again. It was a great red wine and I loved it.
I tried this wine without food.

Tasting - Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Name: Cortenova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Variety: 100% Montepulcino d'Abruzzo
Region: Montepulcino
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: 6.95
Shop review: Deep ruby red color with violet highlights and a pleasant and fruity bouquet. Full bodied, soft tannins and good acidity. Excellent with pasta dishes and red meats.
My review: This wine had such an extreme fruity smell but not distinctly one fruit to me. Upon tasting, it was very dry but sweet at the right places. I usually don't like red wine but this was a great red wine in that it was still dry but just sweet enough for me to still like. I would love to try this with food and see what its like.
I tried this without food on its own.

Tasting - Maipe Chardonnay

Name: Maipe Chardonnay
Variety: 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: 7.95
Shop review: Made from 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier. 30% malolactic fermentation, 30% was aged in French oak barrels. Brilliant yellow golden color with green hints. The wine is crisp and filled with white peach, pear, green apples flavors, toasty vanilla. Elegant and luscious wine, well balanced. Crisp and long finish. Pairs well with creamy soups, pork, veal, vegetables.
My review:  It had a strong alcohol scent with a slight scent of apples and pears, and I could smell the oak-y wood smell from the oak barrels. It had a little musty scent to it at the end as well. The taste was sweet, but with a very weird finish I couldn't quite place the taste. It was almost a biting, hot finish, and I did not like it. I will not be trying this wine again.
I tried this wine without food.

Tasting - Villa d' Orvieto

Name: Villa d'Orvieto
Variety: Grecjetto, Procanico (Trebbiano), Malvasia
Region: Umbria
Country: Italy
Year:  2011
Price: 6.95
Shop review: It’s a blend of Grechetto, Procanico (Trebbiano), and Malvasia. Fresh and crisp, it has a beautiful, floral bouquet. It is wonderful with appetizers, fish, chicken, and salads.
My review: It had a strong alcohol scent to me, but it had a very strong floral scent as well. I really liked how I could actually tell that it was flowers in this wine, I haven't really smelled flowers before. Upon tasting, it was fresh and sweet, and I loved that. It was almost like a juice sweetness but very crisp and refreshing. I will definitely be trying this wine again.
I tried this without food on its own.

Tasting - Dibon Cava Brut Reserve

Name: Dibon Cava Brut Reserve
Variety: 45% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada
Region: Penedes
Country: Spain
Year: Non-vintage
Price: 9.95
Shop Review: Light gold with plenty of bubbles, this wine has aromas of apples and pears with pleasant floral notes. Crisp and light-bodied on the palate, stone fruit flavors are accompanied by a mild minerality and balanced acidity. A delicious sparkler for a great price!
My Review: It smelled very appley, almost like apple juice to me, it was very strong. It had a crisp, clean smell slightly, kind of like soda does with carbonation. Upon tasting, it was bubbly, crisp, and very acidic. The finish was almost too acidic for me, which is why I may only just try this again, but definitely not buy.
I tried this on its own without food.