Pale ruby in color.  The nose is different and a bit off putting.  Oranges and strawberries but also a burnt/raisin note that covers up any freshness.  Fortunately, this is better on the palate.  It is drier than most of the white Zins tried.   Citrusy, think pink grapefruits.  Some depth.  Kosher.  Retails for around $10.  

Ruby in color, slightly electric.  Pretty.  On the nose, there are light strawberries.  On the palate, this is a dead ringer for cherry lifesaver candies.  Its a bit cloying in a wine, but those who buy this are probably looking for this quality.  Nothing offensive and would pair nicely with a light salad on a picnic.  This retails for around $8.  

This is a blend of French and American varietals made along the shores of Lake Erie near what is known as the Lake Erie Islands.  For those history fans, back in the 1800's, the Lake Erie Islands were on of the top wine producing regions in the country.  As recently as the 1930's it was rated as one of the top 5 along with Napa, Virginia, New York and Missouri.  Now the area is a summer vacation spot and due to the cold winters, late springs, hot summers, it can be a difficult place to make wine.  Mon Ami is a restaurant and a winery.  This is ruby/orange in color, deep and bright.  The nos

This is a nice value in California Chardonnay.  It is pretty classic in style but maintains an even keel which is nice.  It retails for around $16.  Light golden in color.  The nose has some slight butter along with vanilla and melon.  On the palate, this has some oak showing  but there is also plenty of fresh vibrant citrus and melon fruit.  Nice texture.  Would work with a variety of foods.  Good finish.  Nice value and a wine that will satisfy a lot of people.  Drink in the next few years.  

This is a nice value in California Chardonnay.  It is pretty classic in style but maintains an even keel which is nice.  It retails for around $16.  Light golden in color.  The nose has some slight butter along with vanilla and melon.  On the palate, this has some oak showing  but there is also plenty of fresh vibrant citrus and melon fruit.  Nice texture.  Would work with a variety of foods.  Good finish.  Nice value and a wine that will satisfy a lot of people.  Drink in the next few years.  

CLE Urban Winery is located in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.  They are essentially a wine bar that gets juice from California and other places and makes their own wine which is sold at the bar.  The labels feature different scenes of Cleveland.  This one features the brick street that is the heart of Cleveland's Italian community.  The wine is light golden in color.  The nose has tangerine and orange with a slight minerality.  On the palate, this is big and fruity.  Tangerine with some sweetness.  It is not deep but it has enough acidity to be refreshing.  While it does not have the minerality n

This is an interesting wine.  Apparently, they hard press the must from their Grenache based Rose wine to get more juice.  Typically, this is a tannic, more colorful juice but lacking some of the stuffing and nuances.  Then Malbec is added back to the wine presumably to give it more freshness and character.  In any event, the resulting wine is quite interesting and at $16, a very nice value.  It is made from organically grown grapes.  It has a very deep ruby color to it almost, but not quite opaque.  On the nose, this has dark cherries, a slight bubble gum note, and cherry juice.  A bit lig

This is a Cabernet made by Thomas Rivers Brown, one of Napa's top winemakers.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, some pencil lead and a bit of chocolate and spice.  Very tight on the palate, give this time or air.  Cassis fruit and spice.  Very deep.  As it opens up over a couple of hours, it is delicious.  Precise.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  Worked well with food.  This has some upside to it and really shouldn't be opened for a few years.  Should last twenty years though so no hurry.  

Great showing for this.  Tasted over two nights with little change.  Of course, 2015 is young and a great vintage in the northern Rhone.  Purple in color.  The nose is pretty classic if a bit riper than typical.  Black raspberry fruit with spice along side some bacon fat, slight grilled meats and black pepper.  On the palate, this has a lovely rich texture.  Good acidity to balance that out.  Black raspberry fruit with an underlying crushed rock and slight roasted herbs.  Primary now but it unwinds in the glass.  A step up from a recent 2012 of this wine I had.  Not yet at peak, this needs

This is a GSM blend.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with black cherries, cherries, black raspberries, floral notes, slight earthiness, black pepper and spice.  On the palate, this is lush and deep.  Almost but not quite jammy.  Medium tannins.  This is still young and in need of time to delineate its complexity.  Right now it is fun and delicious.  Depends on how you like them.  Probably another 10 years to get to peak.