Motto Wines Gung Ho California Red Blend 2013, Washington State

My Rating 84 Points.

Price $13.

Ruby in color with a brick rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, plums, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, bell pepper, peppercorn, vegetables and smoke.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, plums, cherries, currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, spices, tar, pencil lead, peppercorn, smoke and bitter vegetables.

Medium plus on the finish with soft tannins and tangy cherries.

This California Red Blend is on the way out by now. Soft and smooth with nice complexity and balance.
A bit heavy on the vegetables and herbs, though, and a little bitter on the ending.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

Mezzacorona Trentino Pinot Grigio 2016 DOC, Italy

My Rating 83 Points.

Price $8.

Light straw in color with a golden hue.

Nose of lemons, citrus, melons, white pepper, minerals, herbs and spices.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with limes, grapefruits, citrus, green apples, herbs, vegetables and white pepper.

Medium finish with bitter almonds.

A drinkable Pinot Grigio from Italy. Simple and enjoyable with food. Balanced and spicy with a tangy ending.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

Truett Hurst Cakebox Paso Robles Petite Sirah Reserve Limited Release 2014, California

My Rating 87 Points.

Price $10.

Dark inky in color with a short purplish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, black currants, sweet strawberries, raisins, vanilla, dried figs, smoke, oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, earth, vegetables, graphite and peppercorn.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and extremely fruity on the palate with blackberries, sweet plums, black currants, cherries, figs, licorice, cinnamon, coffee, mocha, tobacco, earth, light vegetables, pencil lead, milk chocolates, spices and peppercorn.

Medium plus in finish with soft tannins and tangy cranberries.

This Petite Sirah from California is drinking very nicely now, spicy with a smooth mouthfeel. Well balanced with mild complexity, and a tangy ending.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

Spier Stellenbosch Signature Pinotage 2013, South Africa

My Rating 85 Points.

Price $10.

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose with black currants, plums, green pepper, chocolates, oak, licorice, spices, coffee, cola, pencil lead, peppercorn, barnyard and bitter vegetables.

Medium bodied with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, strawberries, wood, raspberries, barnyard, vegetables, tobacco, chocolates, bell pepper, spices, dark coffee, pencil lead, earth and peppercorn.

Medium on the finish with soft tannins and tangy cherries.

This South African Pinotage is drinking very nicely now. Lost most of the tannins by now, and it is earthy and balanced, with a soft mouthfeel and a tangy ending.

Showing nice complexity and needed 2 hours to open up, but still remained stinky.

I paired it with a beef flatbread.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

Römerhof Weinkellerei Shine Heinz Eifel Riesling 2015 Rheinhessen, Germany

My Rating 88 Points.

Price $12.

Light golden in color.

Strong fruity nose with white flowers, honeysuckle, citrus, lemons, honey, apples, pears, melons, spices and minerals.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity, crisp and refreshing.

Off dry on the palate with citrus, grapefruits, minerals, white pepper, red apples, melons, sweet pears, dried fruits and sea salt.

Long and tangy finish with limes.

This is a nice Riesling from Rheinhessen, Germany. Refreshing, interesting and well-balanced with nice complexity.

Good by itself or with food, and a good sipping wine as well. Nice and refreshing.
I sipped on it all by itself.

10% alcohol by volume.

La Vieille Ferme Récolte Rouge 2015, France

My Rating 82 Points.

Price $10.

 

Ruby in color with light intensity and a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of cherries, red currants, strawberries, light oak, licorice, earth, forest floor, green vegetables, spices, chocolates, barnyard, smoke, sweet candy and light black pepper.

Light to medium in body with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with cherries, strawberries, red currants, oak, earth, dirt, forest floor, smoke, dark chocolates and black pepper.

Medium plus in finish with soft tannins, spices and peppercorn.

This French red drinks nicely now, with a soft mouthfeel. Not balanced and simple, but a good food wine.

Good right out of the bottle, and better as it opens up ( 30 minutes), and when chilled.

I paired it with Beef Carpaccio.

13% alcohol by volume.

Dark Horse Wines The Original California Chardonnay 2015, California

My Rating 85 Points.

Price $8.

Pale lemon in color with a golden tint.

Fruity nose with citrus, lemons, light vanilla, toasted oak, peaches, apricots and light spices.

Full bodied and refreshing with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with lemons, grapefruits, citrus, spices, vanilla, wood, minerals, cream and white pepper.

Nice length on the finish with limes and bitter almonds.

This California Chardonnay is nice and refreshing. Well-balanced and simple. Showing some oak notes, but not overwhelming at all.

Enjoyable by itself or with food. A good sipping wine by the porch, or pool, if properly chilled. A little bitter on the ending, though.

I paired it with an assortment of creamy cheeses.

13.5% alcohol by volume.