Wine Reviews You can Use

Nice inky dark plum hue with aromas of cigar ash, deep tarry black berry jam, Palate--Surprisingly metallic front with austere fruit presence and first impression.  Really tight which is surprising for a wine with 7 years on it. *I'm going to let it air out and hope it opens up. *24 hours later--A definite cocoa berry aroma background; Palate has lost it's hyper metallic front but not much else has changed.  I paid $19 for this rather than the $35 price tag.  Even at the reduced price I'd give this a pass.

Ever so slightly brick red at the rim, and above the glass are sweet red berry with aromas of menthol, light cherry with more savory darker berry in the glass. Palate--full bodied, savory dark fruit of heft with chewy tannins.  Finish lingers a bit. This is a sourced red blend of the classic Rhone grapes,  Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre which I suspect may have been made from excess of grapes of note but due labeling laws the vintner can't state so on the label.  I could be wrong. It was marked down from $30 to $13 which was my lucky day.  It's a tasty, well made wine and if you find it for under $20, I'd grab it and give it a shot! Raise a glass!

Darker garnet hue with aromas of green tart red berry fruit Palate--Rich jammy black berry fruit that is quite impressive, rear palate a touch of creamy, tarry cocoa, and more herbal spices. I paid $14 for this bottle that runs up to $26. It is rich and creamy and this is upon opening so it should be quite impressive. If I can find more of this at this price I will stock up.  What a deal so raise a glass!

Yellow with a tinge of orange hue with aromas of canned peaches, Lychee, sweet powder and pineapple hard candies Palate--Bone dry with crisp acidity, stone fruit, and a light pineapple life saver note. This Gewurz is from the Willamette Valley Oregon and I believe is my first of this varietal I have ever had from Oregon.  It is really well made in the Alsatian style which is bone dry with lovely fruity notes.  (Most domestic Gewurztraminers I have had, and they are many as I love this grape) are either a bit sweet or in the off dry style which actually tastes really sweet but isn't. If you happen to see this around, it's a great find and unique wine so raise a glass! I paid just under $14 for this

Garnet hue with aromas of cocoa laced cigar ash, savory spice and cranberry, with a touch of fresh red berry fighting its way through ending with rustic forest floor Palate--Tart, bitter first impression with milk chocolate in the middle, lip smacking young tannins, and fruit trying to fight its way out of a youthful straight jacket. Despite the rough beginning of this Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc, there is the hope of promise with this wine.  Mine needs to warm up from cellar temp., open up with some air, and this might just be surprising. It's going to be paired with a steak on the grill (charcoal of course) and we'll see what develops.  (*Check back for an update!)  Warning--wine geek stuff follows! *What a nice surprise! In the bouquet there is an added touch of mint and the lip smacking acidity and tannins toned down quite a bit as well. This was a superior pairing with my grilled steak, it just needed some time to breathe and open up.