Tasting - First Light Moscato

Name: First Light Moscato

Variety: 100% Muscat of Alexandria

Region: Barossa Valley

Country: Australia

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $15.00 (On Sale for $7.95)

Winery Review: Ripe lychee, tropical fruits and musk on the nose as you near the glass. Lovely grape and stone fruits and on the palate is highlighted with the subtle sweetness and spritz that makes this such a fun drink. Low in alcohol and nicely balanced acidity ensure you will want more than one glass of this easy drinking wine.

My Review: I think that this was the best Moscato that I have had to date.  The nose provided hints of tropical fruits, with pineapple and tangerine noticeable.  The particular part about this Moscato that I enjoyed the most was that it was not too sweet.  It provided a nice balance of sweetness and tropical flavors, with a little hint of earthiness.  Overall, it was very enjoyable!

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - CalNaturale Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: CalNaturale Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Viognier

Region: Paso Robles, California

Country: United States of America

Year: 2009

Price: $16.00 for 1 Liter (On Sale for $10.95)

Winery Review: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Viognier. This certified organic winery produces outstanding quality at reasonable prices offering classic Cabernet flavors of fresh herb, olive, cedar and cassis. Focused and intense, with a charming rustic side and broad tannins that firm up on the finish.

My Review: This was the first box wine that I had ever tasted and I was very impressed.  This very dry wine had a full nose, while imparting a variety of flavors.  I tasted earth, roots, firewood, and charcoal, among others.  It provided a buttery finish that left me wanting more.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Name: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Variety: 100% Gamay

Region: Beaujolais

Country: France

Year: 2013

Price: $15.00 (On Sale for $7.95)

Winery Review: Wine Spectator - An aromatic red, with floral and white peach notes accenting the black raspberry and plum flavors. This is open-knit and fresh, offering light tannins on the finish.

My Review: The nose of the wine was very pleasant, with an almost smoothie-like aroma full of strawberries and bananas present.  The taste, however, was not as pleasant.  This dry wine didn't really impart much as far as taste.  I couldn't distinguish any particular flavor and I thought the wine was rather bland.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Beltrame Friulano

Name: Beltrame Friulano

Variety: 100% Tocai Friulano

Region: Friuli

Country: Italy

Year: 2009

Price: $15.00 (On Sale for $9.95)

Winery Review: 100% Tocai Friulano. Straw-coloured yellow with a pale green tint express an intense, delicately aromatic and floral bouquet.The flavour is dry, soft, slightly fruity, with slightly bitter nuance in its almond aftertaste, and suggestion of peach.

My Review: This wine started off with a mellow nose, full of flowers and orange peel.  This fragile wine provided a light body, while imparting hints of vanilla, orange, and pear.  It was a decent wine, but it didn't really provide anything exciting.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Mas LLunes Maragda

Name: Mas LLunes Maragda

Variety: 100% Grenache Blanc

Region: Empordá

Country: Spain

Year: 2011

Price: $16.00 (On Sale for $9.95)

Winery Review: This Grenache Blanc is exquisitely sculpted with sharp acids and pinpointed minerals, and offers orange, melon and vanilla-honey flavors. A delight to drink, at a great price.

My Review: The nose of this wine consisted of soft, fruity flavors including orange, pear, and papaya.  However, upon tasting, I got completely different notes.  The palette provided a sharp, acidic taste that was surprisingly viscous.  I wasn't a big fan of the finish, but it was an overall decent wine.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Sonnenband Moscato Magnum

Name: Sonnenband Moscato Magnum

Variety: 100% Muscat of Alexandria

Region: Mosel

Country: Germany

Year: Non-Vintage

Price: $20.00 (On Sale for $9.95)

Winery Review: This wine is intricate with the delicate perfumes of white flower blossoms, profound tropical fruit sweetness, and energized by citrus nectars.

My Review: Personally, I wasn't a big fan of this Moscato, mainly because it was a little too sweet for my palette.  The nose emitted the essence of perfume, as well as a hint of honeydew.  The taste was very up-front and bold, with notes of sweet pineapple and papaya apparent.  I could see how this wine might be attractive to some, but it wasn't particularly enjoyable to me.

I tasted this on its own with no food.

Tasting - Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Neu Direction Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: $15.00 (On Sale for $7.95)

Winery Review: This Cabernet Sauvignon shows very good purity of fruit and skillful winemaking. This wine is full of blackfruit aromas, depth and style. The palate pushes ripe plum and berry fruit along with chocolate, and the finish is chewy and correct in terms of tannins and structure.

My Review: The nose of this wine provided hints of cinnamon, blackberries, spices, and chocolate.  Adding to this smell, the taste provided cherry, plum, and blackberry notes.  Personally, I didn't taste as much of the chocolate as the winery review would suggest.  Despite that, this wine was very well put together and I would recommend it!

I tasted this on its own with no food.