Name: Tinto Figaro
Variety: Garnacha
Region: Calatayud
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $6.95
Winery Review: Figaro is 100% Garnacha, made from a selection of the best grapes grown in the oldest vineyards. While not truly an "oaked wine", a short stay in oak barrels provides a nice spicy flavor boost. Bright violet. Dark berry and cherry aromas show a jammy aspect. Supple and gently sweet, with good lift to its black raspberry and boysenberry flavors. Smooth and broad on the finish, leaving behind a hint of spiciness. Extremely easy to drink and an excellent value. - Vintage Cellar 3/21/2013
My Review: Characteristic of it's plum color, Tinto Figaro is full of jammy, dark berries. Traces of plum, cherry and boysenberry are easily detectable in the taste. Though slightly acidic, this wine maintains a warmness through its spice and sweetness. Not a bad wine.
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Maipe
Variety: Merlot
Region: Mendoza
Country: Malbec Rose
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95
Winery Review: Intense pink color with violet hints, Fresh red fruit bouquet, strawberry and cherry flavors, balanced acidity, dry and lingering finish. Excellent with tuna or green salad, pasta, spicy Asian dishes. - Vintage Cellar 3/21/2013
My Review: Decent Rose that's spicy and fruity on the nose. Easily detectable hints of tomato juice and strawberry in its aromas. The taste was acidic but retained its freshness with a spicy strawberry sweetness.
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Cortenova
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Region: Venezie
Country: Italy
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Winery Review: Brilliant straw color with emerald reflections. Fresh and floral bouquet with a hint of pears, apricots and bananas. Fresh and inviting with bright fruit and an easy drinking style with a pleasing hint of almonds in the aftertaste. Pairs well with seafood dishes, risottos with scampi, spaghetti with clams, sole in white wine. Perfect aperitif. -Vintage Cellar 3/21/13
My Review: What a fruity and refreshing wine! This pale golden wine is slightly floral with strong green apple and pear flavor. Though it has a small acidic bite, it is sweet, simple and refreshing!
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Cupcake Red Velvet
Variety: Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2009
Price: $8.99
Winery Review:
The wine was a darkish red in the glass with hints of violet
streaking through that were really only visible when I swirled the wine.
On the nose I got blackberries and red fruit, but didn’t really pick up
the chocolate that the tasting notes claimed would be there. In the
mouth the fruit and berry continued on with a hint of what I can only
call cola (no brand names here) and a bit of tartness on the finish that
I actually enjoyed.
Paired with my simple dinner of rice and meatballs it was a pretty
good compliment, though with the cola and berry flavors I would love to
pair this with with a BBQ bacon cheeseburger – the mixture of sweet and
tangy would be great from both the wine and the food. - The Wine Guru 2/24/2011
My Review: I am absolutely in love with this wine! On the nose this wine is warm, chocolatey and decadent with an edge of plum and berries to liven it up. Tasting Red Velvet I found it almost gritty in texture, it definitely is not a smooth, light wine. Mildly acidic, the sweet. sensual combination of varieties made this wine my favorite I have tried thus far!
Food: I did not try this wine with food, but would love to alternate with both savory and sweet options!
Name: Windsor
Variety: Merlot
Region: North Coast, California
Country: United States
Year: 2008
Price: $14.00
Winery Review: Layered flavors of jam, black cherry and plum delight the senses in this
approachable and food-friendly wine. Hints of toasted oak complement
the rich fruit flavors for a well-rounded finish. Pair with steak,
spaghetti or simply good company.
- windsorvineyards.com
My Review: This ruby-red Merlot is very sweet on the nose. Fruity flavors of dried cranberries, raspberries and cherry can be detected. Windsor has a heavy consistency on the tongue, but has an after taste of cherry cough syrup. Absolutely hated this wine, its medicinal edge ruined it for me.
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Red Guitar
Variety: Tempranillo/Granacha
Region: Navarra
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $11
Winery Review: Wine from Spain is my newest value red wine – Olé
(Spanish for “there you have it” – loosely translated). It is a classic
Spanish Rhone style wine – Tempranillo and Garnacha – and is very tasty
– Olé. Normally I like Spanish Rioja wines that remind me of a dry, hot
summer. However, this one from Navarra is refreshing and interesting
-Olé. Rich and smooth but not too easy or sweet with medium tannis and
a slight funky odour that isn’t unpleasant. Besides, I like the funk –
Olé. - Travis Oke, pullthecork.wordpress.com 2/1/2011
My Review: This Spanish wine is very bold on the nose with a strong acidic bite. Upon further inspection aromas of sweet berries, cranberries, and apples can be detected. Dark purple in color, this is a bold wine that is surprisingly smooth on the tongue. This wine grew on me; it was bold to start off, but lightened and sweetened as I continued to drink it. Once I got used to Red Guitar it was enjoyable, but it isn't one to take lightly.
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
Name: Fortediga
Variety: Cabernet/Syrah
Region: Maremma, Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2008
Price: $9.95
Winery Review: A wine that reveals considerable richness and depth while maintaining a pure, crystalline quality in its dark, varietal fruit. This is 40% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Franc and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 6 month in used French oak barrels. - Vintage Wine Cellar 02/23/2013
My Review: This ruby red wine has an aroma of red, fruit punch candy. Though Fortediga has a warm syrupy aspect to it, the wine is light on the tongue. I enjoyed this wine; it was warm with a nice body, but not overly acidic.
Food: I did not try this wine with food.
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