Tasting -    Burgo Viejo Rioja Crianza 2012

Name:  Burgo Viejo Rioja Crianza 2012

Variety:  Blend: 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano

Region:  Rioja

Country:  Spain

Year: 2012

Price: $ 14.99

Vivino Review:  Cherries, blackberries, spices, with some woody and smokey elements as well. A tad harsh on the finish, the tannins are not very smooth. High acidity, medium body. This is a good second wine of the night, but I don't suggest leading with it.

My Review:  The aromas of this wine included blackberry, tobacco and black pepper. The color is a beautiful ruby-red with a purple hue. This is full bodies red with luscious smooth tannins and balanced acidity.  Blackberry, blueberry, tobacco, and mushroom flavors delighted my palate. The finish was silky smooth and magical. I absolutely loved this Tempranillo and Graciano blend as it was complex, had a black pepper spice kick with lots of personality but with a smooth and supple tannins. I highly recommend this wine to others looking for a complex and smooth red! 

Tasting -    Martellozzo Prosecco

Name:  Martellozzo Prosecco

Variety:  Prosecco

Region:  Venito

Country: Italy

Year: not available

Price: $6.99

Winery Review:  Light soft wine, slightly aromatic with delicate taste of apples and fruit. Excellent as a aperif or with light seafood or fresh fruit dishes.

My Review:   The aroma of this wine was of lavender, green apples, honeysuckle and lemons.  This sparkler is translucent with just the slightest hint of lemon yellow.  I served this sparkling prosecco chilled and it was extremely crisp and refreshing on a hot summer afternoon.  This is a light bodied dry sparkling wine with low acidity.  The taste is of crisp green apples, honeysuckle, pear and lemons.  I loved the effervescence and palate cleansing effect.  I highly recommend this Prosecco as it is an excellent value with excellent effervesce! 

Tasting -    Selbach Oster Riesling Spatlese

Name:  Selbach Oster Riesling Spatlese

Variety:  Riesling

Region:  Mozel

Country: Germany

Year: 2012

Price: $ 32.95

Winery Review:  Lovely floral, peach and hazelnut aromas, with a twist of acacia blossom. Delicate apricot on the palate, enlivened by a bracing citrus character. Finishes alluringly, with slate, lemon oil and a hint of clove and excellent length.

My Review:  I detected wonderful aromas of honeysuckle, green apple and lemon.  The color is a beautiful light lemon hue.  This is a sweet, light bodied Riesling with wonderful acidity.  The prominent tastes are of peach, green apple, lemon and lime.  I served this Riesling chilled and it was extremely crisp and refreshing! This would be excellent paired with Thai food.  

Tasting -    Odipus Old Vine Grenache

Name:  Odipus Old Vine Grenache

Variety:  Grenache

Region:  Navarra

Country: Spain

Year: 2008

Price: $ 12.95

Winery Review:   Cherry red color with violet hues. Complex aroma with subtle red fruits and black fruits with hints of spice and fine wood. The palate is long, sweet, expressive, with silky tannins and elegant, and a distinct terror.

My Review:  The color of this Grenache is a rich, deep, burgundy.  On the nose I detected a smoky, mushroom and earthy notes.  This is full boded dry red with smooth tannins and balanced acidity.   The tannins are a bit mouth puckering at first, but the finish is very smooth and satisfying.  The prominent flavors were black cherry, smoke, tabasco spice and blackberry.  This Grenache has a lot of personality and I would highly recommend it to others. 

Tasting -    El Pensador Tempranillo

Name:  El Pensador Tempranillo

Variety:  Tempranillo

Region:  Arogon, Campo D Borja

Country: Spain

Year: 2014

Price: $ 9.99

Winery Review:   El Pensador stirs the senses and brings your palate to light. Iconic in style with a Spanish flair, this wine is fashionably sophisticated yet playful.  Let our Tempranillo guide you through the verses with aromatic ripe strawberry and red cherry fruit flavors. Enlightening aromas of spice and juicy plum elevate the palate.

My Review:  This Tempranillo has a dark cherry hue. I detected notes of tobacco, spice and pepper on the nose.  This is full bodied red that has well balanced acidity and tannins that leave your mouth puckering for more.   My mouth was alive with flavors of Tobacco, black pepper and spice.  The finish was smooth with a lingering spicy taste.  I recommend this Tempranillo to anyone looking for a spicy and smooth red !