Tasting - Ksana Bonarda

Name: Ksana Bonarda
Variety: Bonarda
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2008
Price: $9.95
Review: The bouquet is floral and lightly jammy, with berry aromas and a savory note or two. To the uninitiated, this is a great introduction to Bonarda. Finishes solid. Very sweet, berry smell with some rooty undertones. Kind of dry, makes your lips pucker.

My Review: A very jammy aroma to the wine. I thought the wine had some nice tannins and tasted a little spicy which went into a nice smooth finish. Overall it tasted pretty good.

Food? I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Ruta 22 Malbec

Name: Ruta 22 Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Patagonia
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95
Review: Stout and dense from the beginning, with blackberry and violet aromas. Despite being a bold and dark Malbec, this is fresh and composed, with sweet blackberry and cassis flavors. Good on the finish, with candied fruit and caramel sweetness.

My Review: This wine had what I thought was a "classic red wine smell" with a blend of red berries to the aroma. It tasted like watermelon with a hint of spice to it. Specifically, it tasted like the crappy watermelon pucker schnapps my roommate had as long as you removed the overly sweet or sour tones of the schnapps. As strange as it sounds, that's exactly what this tasted like to me.

Food? I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Potluck Sweet Malbec

Name: Potluck Sweet Malbec
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95
Review: Deep red brilliant with violet hints. Complex, fruity, and predominant red fruits. Easy to drink, round with persistent sweetness, very well balanced with sweet tannins.

My Review: I thought this wine had a very strong cherry smell. It did have a sweet taste to it, but I didn't really like it that much. I didn't get a whole lot of distinct flavor at first from the wine; however, I was left with a blackberry aftertaste on my palette.

Food? I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Maipe Malbec Rosé

Name: Maipe Malbec Rosé
Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95
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.

My Review: I thought this wine had a light and fruity smell, specifically of strawberries. I thought it tasted extremely smooth, like a lighter good red wine. I actually really liked this wine and would probably buy it in the future.

Food? I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Maipe Chardonnay

Name: Maipe Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2012
Price: $7.95
Review: 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: I thought this wine had a very strong fruity flavor, almost overwhelming at first. I could definitely taste the peach in the wine. It had almost a tangy aftertaste to it - a very interesting wine.

Food? I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 60% Shiraz 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Unknown
Country: Argentina
Year: NV
Price: $3.95
Review: It is dry and contains subtle tobacco undertones with a black licorice, cherry, scent. The oak is in the background. Would pair well hamburger or a steak rather than stand alone.

My Review: I thought it had a deep fruity smell. There was definitely some spice in the taste, but it seemed very smooth on the palate. Apparently it tasted "like a pipe", but I wouldn't know since I've never smoked.

Food? I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Norton Torrontes

Name: Norton Torrontes
Variety: Torrontes
Region: Mendoz
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $5.95
Review: Greenish yellow with hints of gold, this Torrontés has intense aromas of white peach, rose petal, and jasmine. Norton Torrontés 2011 is pleasant and well balanced on the palate.

My Review: I thought the wine had a very strong peach flavor and that it was overall very fruity and flavorful. I thought it had a far more interesting palate than the Dibon Cava I had tasted immediately before.

Food? I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Maipe Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Maipe Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $7.95
Review: Yellow color with green hints. Expressive wine, fresh, very aromatic. This Sauvignon Blanc displays grapefruit flavors, with hints of melon and honey. It finishes with bracing acidity and fresh mouth feels that make it a terrific aperitif and an excellent accompaniment to virtually all seafood, especially shellfish.

My Review: I thought it was definitely a lot more bitter than the previous white I tasted (the Vinho Verde). I didn't taste any distinctive flavors.

Food? I did not taste this with food.