Snowbird Merlot

• Smooth, Easy-Drinker
• Fruity
• Front Porch Wine

The Snowbird Merlot is interesting in that it is a fruity merlot without having any specific fruit overtones. It is very soft and low acidity making it a wine that could not dissapoint anyone. White wine drinkers will enjoy it as an alternative. On a hot day, red wine drinkers will appreciate its subtle flavors as an alternative to drinking a white wine. It would go fine with any food but certainly brings to mind fresh fruit on the porch. We would strongly recommend using it for Sangria, the subtle fruit notes will be complemented with the addition of peaches and raspberries and will play well against a small amount of brandy.

Chiusa Grande Tommolo Monepulciano d'Abruzzo

• Organic Grapes
• Amarena Cherry , Plums , Strawberry
• Refreshing

This is a pleasant wine made from Organic Grapes. The winery is located in the hills of Abruzzi. The vintner makes special note of not retreating to the coast like many other Italian wineries. We thought it had a strong Cherry/Strawberry opening and a citrus tinge that was rather interesting. It would be resfreshing to drink on a warm day. It will work best with milder meals as any amount of spice will make for a neutral flavor.

3/5 - $5.99

St. Donatus Estate Balatonboglari Merlot Semi-Sweet 2005

• Apple,Pear
  
• Piquant
  
• Coffee Blossom, Tea Rose
  
• Spritzy
• Chamois
  

Although we have not reviewed Hungarian wines yet, we have tasted several and found them all interesting. This particular wine had a predominately sweet, prickling sensation at the tip of the tongue. Also, a honey apple sauce opening leading to a baked cherry finish across a constant spritzy backdrop. It would potentially be an interesting replacement for those who like port with chocolate or even certain cigars.

4.5/5 - $5.49

Alice White Merlot - 2006

• Vanilla, Caramel
  
• Drinking Wine
• Mellow
  
• Smooth

Alice White Merlot was a simple drinking wine and it serves very well as one. Plum lead the palate and it had an interesting finish of burnt caramel. We were drinking from a Magnum bottle (1.5 liters) and would have no reservations serving this to guests, it may be the second bottle however...

3/5 $8.99-$14.00

ABRAZO del toro Tinto Joven Syrah; 2006

• Fruity; blackberry, cherry, slight raisin finish
  
• Bright
• Smooth
• Slightly Firm Acidity
  

This was our first bottle of the Abrazo del toro Syrah. At first glance, it's full black profile promised a boldly fruit forward wine. Yet, it is a very smooth drinking wine with nice subtle hints of fruitiness. We thought it had a bright profile that would cleanse the palate well for a spicy dish, especially those with a thick sauce. In this case, it worked well with pizza with goat cheese allowing a better taste of the overall pizza. Would be a great complement when tasting multiple smoky cheeses as it would help set the stage for milder flavors.

3/5 - $4.99