Row House Cellars - Red Table Wine

Tasted on : March 4, 2011
Purchased for: $9.99


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 12.5%
• Residual Sugar: 0%

Tasting:
Appearance: Dark, dark blood red
Aroma: A subtle bouquet. I can't really identify the aroma notes, but it's very nice.
Taste / Texture: An interesting blend of flavors. Again, I can't pin down the exact notes, but they're nice together. Smooth feeling on the tongue and nice blending of tastes.
Aftertaste: Medium-short finishing time on the tongue. The aftertaste itself is pleasant enough.

Decision: Decision 75/100 Okay for a blended wine. It isn't anything particularly special about this wine. I probably wouldn't buy it again.

Wagner - Reserve White

Tasted on : November 27, 2010
Purchased for: $5.99

Tasting:

Appearance: Clear, pale, pale straw. Nice legs.

Aroma: Playful apple aroma.

Taste / Texture: Nice, fairly bold taste. Smooth, but neither thin nor thick. Apple note is at the forefront and I cannot detect other flavors.

Aftertaste: Pleasant aftertaste despite a relatively short finish.

Decision: Great value wine! Not only is it tasty and pleasant, it is affordable. 85/100

Swedish Hill - Viking White

Tasted on : October 29, 2010
Purchased for: $6.99Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 12%
• Residual Sugar: 0.5%

Wine Awards and Ratings:

• Gold medal NY Wine & Food Classic, NY 8/09
• Gold medal LA Int'l, CA 5/09
• Gold medal Indy Int'l, IN 6/09

Tasting:
Appearance: Very clear, light straw-colored. Nice legs.
Aroma: Crisp apple aroma. Subdued such that it does not flit across the room to ensnare the nose.
Taste / Texture: My immediate reaction isn't very favorable. The taste of the wine is akin to a pinot grigio. There is a mineral or other type of note that completely overwhelms the taste.
Aftertaste: The aftertaste is the best part, funnily enough. The taste is nice and the finish is rather short.
Decision: I've had better wines in this price range, so I wouldn't buy this again. 70/100

Chateau Lafayette Reneau - 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasted on: June 26, 2010
Purchased for: $9.99
Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 13%
• Residual Sugar: unknown, dry
  

Wine Awards and Ratings:

• Gold, Best of Class – 08 New York Wine and Food Classic

Tasting:
Appearance: A gorgeous color of purple. A royal and dark purple. Clear and without fault.

Aroma: A wonderful bouquet marked with a cherry note. Definite notes of black pepper and perhaps oak?

Taste / Texture: An excellent taste. I can definitely pull out the black pepper taste and some of the oak. The cherry note is in the forefront. The mouthfeel is absolutely pleasant and the body is medium. The entire wine seems balanced in notes, acidity, alcohol, and sweetness.

Aftertaste: The aftertaste is nice. It remains on the tongue for a medium length of time, possibly shortened by its dryness.

Decision: A great red wine. I think cabernet sauvignon is at the top of my red wine types. I would definitely buy this again as it is both a bargain and an excellent wine. 90/100

2007 - Keuka Lake Estate White

Tasted on: March 27, 2010
Purchased for: $9.99


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 10.5%


• Residual Sugar: unknown
  

Tasting:

Appearance: Clear. Light green-yellow tint.

Aroma: Fruity bouquet.

Taste / Texture: Unique taste. I'm getting a note that I haven't experienced before, but it's hard to describe. Almost smoky. Lovely mouthfeel.

Aftertaste: Medium-long finish with lingering flavors being pleasant for the tongue.

Decision: A nice value wine. I don't have much more than that to say about it. 75/100.

Swedish Hill Viking Red

Tasted on: Friday, March 5, 2010
Purchased for: $6.99 750ml


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 12%


• Residual Sugar: .05%
  

Wine Awards and Ratings:

• "Best Red Hybrid Blend" NY Wine & Food Classic, NY 8/09


• "Best Red Hybrid Blend" NY Wine & Food Classic, NY 8/08


• Gold Medal & Best of Class San Francisco Chronicle, CA 1/08

Tasting:

Appearance: Deep garnet hue with faint opacity

Aroma: Subtle cherry/berry fruit with a slight wafting of oak. Lightly scented.

Taste / Texture: Soft beginning of berry that gains momentum as it coats the tongue in its velvet cloak. The oak becomes more noticeable when the liquid strikes the back of the palate.

Aftertaste: The wine quickly vaporizes upon swallowing yet leaves a footprint of is pleasant character. The mixture of berries continues to remind.

Decision: This New York Table Wine is an extremely good value for the product that you get. The mixture of French Hybrid and vinifera grapes is practically perfected. One can't expect a better red table wine! I will definitely be buying this again. I'll give it a 90/100 for the great value as well as the flavor that this wine possesses.

Hunt Country - 2008 Seyval Blanc

Tasted on: March 5, 2010
Purchased for: $7.99
Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 12%
• Residual Sugar: 1%
• pH: 3.3
• Total Acidity: 8.7 g/L
  

Wine Awards and Ratings

• Seyvals from Hunt Country have won 6 Gold and Double Gold medals since 2004
  

Tasting:

Appearance: Transparent, greenish-yellow hue with a medium intensity.

Aroma: Clean, fruity pear aroma. Very nice.

Taste / Texture: Sweeter than I expected, but still off-dry. Intense fruit flavor that I can't really identify. Medium-thin body. The pH, alcohol, and acidity seem balanced.

Aftertaste: Aftertaste is pleasant. Medium finish.

Decision: Excellent value wine. The taste is pleasant and very well balanced. I would buy it again. 85/100

Bully Hill - Bulldog Baco Noir

Tasted on: February 27, 2010
Purchased for: $6.99



Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 11%


• Residual Sugar: unknown, but labeled as very dry
  

Tasting:

Appearance: A dark, blood red with little transparency.

Aroma: Absolutely wonderful bouquet. Hints of pepper intermingled with a strong fruit background.

Taste / Texture: The pepper taste is at the forefront and I like that more than I thought that I would. It waters the mouth a bit and bites at the taste buds. There's a sweetness or lemony acidity in the first taste, but the wine is absolutely dry. It leaves me a tad confused. The notes seem off-balanced.

Aftertaste: Pleasant. A medium-short finish. The dryness doesn't leave the mouth a desert upon finishing.

Decision: This wine is very interesting and would best be paired with a strong red meat dish. I've had better red wines and I've had worse! 75/100.

Four Chimneys - Kingdom White

Tasted on: February 20, 2010
Purchased for: $9.99

Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 12%


• Residual Sugar: unknown

Tasting:

Appearance: Lovely light, pale yellow. No particulates.

Aroma: Strong fruity and oaked bouquet.

Taste / Texture: Initially thin and lacking flavor, but the taste quickly catches up and is well-balanced and flavorful. I can't distinguish the notes very well in this wine, but they seem to go together very well.

Aftertaste: Quick finish. Pleasant aftertaste.

Decision: First of all, I need to point out that this is an organically-produced wine. This is a novelty, especially in the Finger Lakes. The taste doesn't compare to some other FL dry white blends that I've had, but it is definitely respectable. I think that over chilling it will dull the flavor, so I would be careful with that. 80/100

Bully Hill - Chardonel

Tasted on: February 17, 2010
Purchased for: $8.99


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content:11%


• Residual Sugar:unknown - dry
  

Tasting:

Appearance: Lovely straw color. Very clear - no particulates.

Aroma: Crisp, melon bouquet. I can also smell a floral note too. Very nice aroma.

Taste / Texture: Wow. Complex taste on first sip. Very strong beginning. Melon note is the strongest. There is a note that I cannot identify that almost has a minerality to it, but not so bitter or moisture-sucking. Lovely medium body.

Aftertaste: Coats the tongue a bit. The aftertaste is nice and reminiscent of the primary tasting.

Decision: A great everyday wine. I would recommend drinking it in warmer weather with a nice southern-style meal. 85/100

Bully Hill Seyval Blanc

Tasted on: Friday, December 11, 2009
Purchased for: ~$6.99


Wine Data: Non-vintage White Table Wine from the Finger Lakes region, New York

• Alcohol Content: 11%
  


• Residual Sugar: .5%
  

Tasting:

Appearance: Medium straw colored with a very light amber sparkle

Aroma: Cool floral scent mingled with citrus and wood. Extremely light and pleasant bouquet

Taste / Texture: Light-bodied with a tart citrus entry that travels quickly. Extremely dry with lemon, grapefruit and mineral undertones. Right up my alley!

Aftertaste: Lingering citrus finish

Decision: This particular wine is definitely a medium-class, every-day table wine you won't be embarrassed to serve. The taste is pleasant yet lacks a strength of character. If you are in the mood for mellow, this wine fits the bill. 75/100

Fulkerson - 2005 Delaware

Tasted on: November 20, 2009
Purchased for: <$10


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 12%
• Residual Sugar: 4.5%
  

Tasting:

Appearance: Very clear. very slight straw tinge.

Aroma: Wonderful bouquet. Fruit notes are the strongest. Pear, perhaps?

Taste / Texture: Boy howdy, is there sugar. The sweetness almost overwhelms the flavor, but not completely. The sugar comes first and then the taste of the grapes. I can't pinpoint the flavor.

Aftertaste: Lasting and coating on the tongue (probably due to the sugar).

Decision: Way too sweet for my tastes. 65/100

Broadbent - Vinho Verde (NV)

Tasted on: October 23, 2009
Purchased for: $7.99


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 9%
• Residual Sugar: Unknown, but likely below 2.5%
  

Wine Awards and Ratings:

• 86 points - Wine Spectator

Tasting:

Appearance: Very clear. slight green tint.

Aroma: Very aromatic with citrus notes. Simple, yet delightful bouquet.

Taste / Texture: The slight carbonation gives it a tingly mouth feel. The blood orange note is clear. The wine has a medium body. The flavors work harmonious towards a generously flavorful taste.

Aftertaste: Lasting, somewhat coating, and quite pleasant on the tongue.

Decision: Excellent, excellent wine. It would pair great with a salad or white meat summer dish. Also a great wine to drink by itself. As a fan of champagne, I love bubbles and their tingling taste on the tongue. Definitely a keeper. 90/100

Penguin Bay - 2007 Rose of Chambourcin

Tasted on: October 9, 2009
Purchased for: $7.99


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 11.7%
• Residual Sugar: 0.25%

Wine Awards:

• Gold Medal Florida State Fair Int'l, FL 2/09
• Double Gold Medal San Francisco Chronicle Competition, CA 1/09
• Gold Medal Golden Nose Wine Competition, NY 5/08
• Gold Medal Indy Int'l, IN 6/08

Tasting:

Appearance: A beautiful ruby red with a medium intensity. No particulates or haziness. Mostly transparent.

Aroma: Strongly aromatic - sitting about two feet away from my opened bottle, I can smell it. Strawberry note is the easiest to detect

Taste / Texture: Thin bodied, full of flavor. Again, the strawberry note drowns out any other flavor for detection. Great dryness and acidity.

Aftertaste: Moderate-short length for the finish. Remaining flavors are pleasing.

Decision: Wine has a great balance of acidity, sweetness, and alcohol. Though simple, the flavors are very enjoyable. Would recommend and buy again. An easy wine to like. 85/100

Atwater Estate Vineyards - 2007 Riesling

Tasted on: September 26, 2009
Purchased for: $9.99


Wine Data:

• Alcohol Content: 12%
• Residual Sugar: 2.2%
• Acidity: 0.74%
• pH: 2.76

Wine Awards and Grades:

• 91 points from Wine & Spirits
• Gold at New York Wine & Food Classic

Tasting:

Appearance: Straw-colored and clear. Very subtle green hue.

Aroma: The first thing I smelled was the sweetness of the wine. Perhaps a fruit note.

Taste / Texture: Sweetier than I usually taste, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed the flavors. The sugar does not shield the taste of the grapes. Robust, complex flavors are present, but I am having trouble separating the different flavor notes. Smooth and medium-bodied.

Aftertaste: A nice, but not overbearing, coating of the tongue. Flavor doesn't overstay its welcome.

Decision: For a sweeter wine than I am used to, it does have a magnificent flavor. I would definitely buy this again. 85/100

Fulkerson Winery - 2007 Dry Riesling

Tasted on: August 27, 2009
Purchased for: $8

Wine Data:

• Alcohol: 12%
• Residual Sugar: 0.7%

Wine Awards and Grades:

• 85 Points Wine Enthusiast

Tasting:

Appearance: Clear and very pale straw

Aroma: Not very aromatic. Smells sweet and of melon.

Taste/Texture: Medium-bodied. Dry finish. Not bursting with flavor. Mellow. Mineral finish.

Aftertaste: Clean finish, slight coating of tongue with mineral and melon notes.

Decision: 70/100. Not bad. Might or might not buy again.

Anthony Road - 2007 Dry Rosé

Tasted on: August 21, 2009
Purchased for: $9.99

Wine Data:

• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Residual Sugar: 0.4%

Tasting:
Appearance: Clear crimson. Beautiful hue.

Aroma: Strong. Fruity (apple?). Pleasant.

Taste/Texture: Full of flavor. Strong beginning with a bit of a bite. Smooth.

Aftertaste: Soft finish. Lingers a bit, but doesn't coat the tongue.

Decision: Very nice. 80/100.

Lamoreaux Landing - 2008 Dry Riesling

Tasted on: July 17, 2009
Purchased for: $9.99
Wine Data:

• Alcohol: 12.2%
• Residual Sugar: Dry, exact % unknown
• pH: 2.93
• Acidity: 7.65 g/L
  

Wine Awards and Grades:

• 87 points Wine Spectator
  

Tasting:
Appearance: No particulates. Clear with a very light straw tint.

Aroma: Complex and aromatic. Very fruity. Citrus and peach.

Taste/Texture: Smooth with a bite. Briskly acidic. Tart.

Aftertaste: Pleasant and lasting.

Decision: All right. Not the best riesling I've tasted, but is respectable. 75 out of 100.

Castel Grisch - 2007 Cayuga White

Tasted on: July 10, 2009
Purchased for: about $7
Wine Data:

• Alcohol: 11%
• Residual Sugar: Unknown but after tasting, must be below 3%, but not dry

Tasting:
Appearance: Looks like water. No particulates and no tint.

Aroma: Strongly fruited. Complex.

Taste/Texture: A tad thin, but good flavors. No bite, quite smooth.

Aftertaste: Not lasting.

Decision: Pretty good wine for the price. May or may not purchase again. A little too sweet. 65/100

Herman J. Wiemer - Dry Rosé (NV)

Tasted on: January 30, 2009
Purchased for: $9.99

Wine Data:

• Alcohol: 11.9%
• Residual Sugar: unknown
• Grapes: 80% Pinot Noir 20% Chardonnay

Tasting:
Appearance: A very clear and brilliant rose. Not light and not dark.

Aroma: Complex, sweet, fruity, balanced

Taste/Texture: Smooth, pleasant, a bit thin, a little woody, but barely noticeable

Aftertaste: Lasting and pleasant

Decision: Very good. Would recommend and buy again.