Tasting - Avant

Name: Kendall-Jackson Avant
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: California
Country: United States
Year: 2009
Price: $10.99
Shop Review: "Vivid, crisp and bright - the brand new Avant Chardonnay continues the nearly three decades of pioneering distinguished varietal wines from California's cool coastal appellations. Avant is very different from KJ's traditional rich, creamy styles of Chardonnay. Avant bursts with intriguing layers of fresh pineapple, bright green apple, crisp Meyer lemon, juicy pear and wildflowers. The wine's refreshing acidity and sleek mineral notes are balanced by a rounded mid-palate and slight oakiness with a long, pure fruit finish."

My Review: A very crisp refreshing taste of citrus fruit and green apple. The nose was quite grassy. Would recommend this wine be consumed in a warm time of the year.

Tasting - Tilia

Name: Tilia
Variety: Malbec Syrah
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2011
Price: $9.69
Shop Review: "Popped and poured with Rabbit aerator. Soft nose of black fruit, vanilla, and wild flowers. Light fruit-forward flavor, not big concentration, with sinewy dark chocolate tannins on a medium body and finish. Excellent QPR under $13. Screw top: substance over form. “Sustainably Farmed,” it says on the label, but who knows? It’s good wine, although I wasn't as impressed with the second bottle as it struck me as a little jammy. This was remedied by chilling."

My Review: While I did not use a decanter I thought this wine opened up quite nicely. It had an aromatic nose of raspberry and cherry. The tannins were quite prevalent in the taste and it had a nice fruity finish.

Tasting - Sunset Sipper

Name: Sunset Sipper Beliveau Estate
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $26.00
Shop Review: "A full bodied Red Zinfandel with a mellow edge."

My Review: A very smooth wine. Quite sweet and spicy at the same time. The finish is quite zesty and long. Would not drink again, tasted just average.

Tasting - Rainbow

Name: Beliveau Estate - Rainbow
Variety: 100% Zinfandel 
Region: San Joaquin, CA 
Country: USA
Year: 2011
Price: $26
Shop Review: "Rainbow is our "peppery" old-vine Zin. Along with the traditional aspects of Zinfandel, you will find that Rainbow is not too bold and will not overpower your food pairings. It pairs best with beef, lasagna, Italian sausage, stroganoff, red sauces, and burgers! One thing to keep in mind is that Rainbow will strongly enhance "saltiness" and "pepperiness", so it is especially great for folks who are cutting back on their sodium intake!"

My Review: This is a high alcohol content wine at 16%. It has a very dry and long finish. The taste is quite robust and peppery. 10/10 Would drink again.

Tasting - Silhoutte

Name: Beliveau Estate Silhoutte
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region:  Virginia 
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $20.00
Shop Review: "Our Cabernet Sauvignon is a cornucopia of light berry flavors topped with a spicy overtone. Medium body with nose to spare and a long finish. This "East Coast style" Cab pairs with steak, veal, and lamb, as well as chicken cordon bleu, pork with cranberry chutney, or your favorite ham & cheese. Strong enough to hold it's own, but delicate enough to not overpower your meal. Silhouette is also wonderful all by itself! "

My Review: A lighter red wine, very dry. The taste had strong flavorings of strawberries and raspberries. 20% Zinfandel. My favorite of the Beliveau Estate wines. 

Tasting - Destiny

Name: Beliveau Estate Destiny
Variety: Vidal Blanc
Region:  Virginia 
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $16.00
Shop Review:  This dry, crisp Vidal Blanc is an excellent sipping wine, best served chilled. A two-time Bronze Medal winner, Destiny is perfect on a warm day to quench your thirst and refresh your palate! Also pairs well with poultry, balsamic vinegar, roasted red pepper, goat cheeses, and fruit. Destiny is a very popular picnic white at our Estate on warm Summer afternoons.

My Review: This wine has a very crisp nose with a hint of grass. The taste was full of fruit including; Grape Fruit, and a lot of other citrus fruits.

Tasting - Afternoon Delight

Name:Afternoon Delight - Beliveau Estate
Variety: Vidal Blanc
Region: Virginia
Country: United States
Year: 2011
Price: $20.00
Shop Review: "A lightly oaked, dry Vidal Blanc with overtones of grapefruit and vanilla. Serving un-chilled presents a well rounded, full palate and a lingering finish. Afternoon Delight is well suited for pairing with seasoned pork, roasted poultry, heavy seafood such as salmon or mussels, peppermint, venison, lamb, and saged sausage. This wine really pulls out any Summer herbs, especially rosemary! Chilled it is a bright yet complex and crisp, refreshing white. Afternoon Delight is great with strong cheeses chilled or unchilled."

My Review: This wine had a hint of oak in the nose and was quite dry. It had a strong butter taste and also a full melon flavor.