Tasting - Annalisa Malvasia

Name: Annalisa Malvasia di Castelnuovo Don Bosco Malvasia 2016

Variety: Malvasia

Region: Asti

Country: Italy

Year: 2016

Price: $17

Winery Review: The perlage is fine and persistent. The color is pale pink, almost cherry. The aromatic scent is intense and reminiscent of wild berries, blueberries and wild strawberries. The flavor is sweet, slightly sparkling and full of berries. Since this is a sweet and aromatic wine is a classic to combine with fruit tarts and pastry. An ideal companion in moments of celebration, Malvasia is also a nice refreshing drink at any time of the day.

My Review: Smells like strawberry candy and a tiny bit like honeysuckle. This wine is smooth and silky. Very sweet and tastes like cherries and strawberries. Both the smell and taste are extremely sweet. This wine is delicious, fun, and easy to drink. However, this is slightly too sweet for me to drink alone so I would pair it with a dessert.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - CK Mondavi Red Blend

Name: CK Mondavi Red Blend 2015

Variety: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec

Region: California

Country: United States of America

Year: 2015

Price: $20

Winery Review: Red Blend is their winemaker’s signature cuvee, an expression of five red varieties capturing the best of each vintage. It has the backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon, the finesse of Merlot, the structure of Petit Verdot, the floral essence of Cabernet Franc and the boldness of Malbec. This full-bodied wine offers flavors of black cherries and plums and ends in a soft, balanced finish.

My Review: Smells slightly vegetal. This wine has a taste that hints of tobacco. It has tannins which made it dry. I personally did not like this wine as I felt like it was too dry and could not pick up other flavors besides the overwhelming tobacco.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Vigna Lenuzza Refosco

Name: Vigna Lenuzza Friuli Colli Orientali Refosco 2011

Variety: Refosco

Region: Friuli

Country: Italy

Year: 2011

Price: $15

Winery Review: Classic varietal notes of wild herbs, roasted coffee beans, leather and spices deep ruby hues while on the palate sweet spiced notes of cinnamon and cardamom, held together with lively acidity and graceful tannins.

My Review: Smells very toasted and like burnt wood. This red wine is light bodied and slightly dry. It has tannings in it and tastes like it has lots of spices.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - William Fevre La Mision Chardonnay

Name: William Fevre Chile La Mision Reserva Chardonnay 2016

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Maipo Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2016

Price: $22

Winery Review: This La Misión Chardonnay is very fruity and highlights notes of pear, white peach, and a hint of smoke which is very characteristic of some vines from the Maipo Valley. It is very fresh and round in the mouth and has developed aromas of toasted bread and butter.

My Review: This wine smells like wood yet it is very light. It is a light bodied wine with hints of pear. The aroma and taste are very vibrant and bright; it is not too strong or overwhelming. I would not drink this wine alone, however.

I tasted this wine without food.