Tasting -- Peter Mertes Sweet Red Dornfelder 2014

Name: Peter Mertes Sweet Red Dornfelder 2014
Variety: Dornfelder
Region: Rheinhessen
Country: Germany
Year: 2014
Price: Regular $12/Sale $6.95

Wine Review: The trademark German red grape varietal Dornfelder has a lovely purity of soft red berry fruit. Integrated soft tannins combined with forward fruit flavors make for a perfectly balanced everyday sipping wine.

Great with grilled red meat, sausage and chicken. Best served slightly chilled.

My Review: This was a sweet red. It had an overwhelming smell of sugar. I couldn't pinpoint anything else. It tasted sweet and floral; it didn't have too much heat. I got notes of strawberry as well. It almost reminded me of the strawberry lip-smackers lipgloss from the 90s.

I did not have food with this wine. 

Tasting -- Castello Sonnino Chianti Montespertoli 2010

Name: Castello Sonnino Chianti Montespertoli 2010
Variety: Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia del Chiati 
Region: Chianti
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: Regular $15/Sale $8.95

Wine Review: A blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia del Chianti. Rich and modern, with a dark, saturated color and aromas of graham cracker and lemon rind. A juicy palate packed with plum and raspberry is carried by a creamy texture that’s rather toasty in terms of flavor. The finish is round, full and chocolaty.

My Review: This wine was very interesting. It smelled like vermuth to me. There were hints of grass and prune and pine. It tasted like petrol. It had a weird smoky element to it and was packing heat. The finish was super sour. 

I did not have food with this wine. 

Tasting -- Bolla Bardolino Magnum 2013

Name: Bolla Bardolino Magnum 2013
Variety: 60% Corvina, 30% Rodinella, 10% Molinara
Region: Bardolino
Country: Italy
Year: 2013
Price: Regular $18/Sale $9.95

Wine Review: A blend of 60% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 10% Molinara this bright ruby red wine has hints of black cherry on the nose.  It is soft and fruit-forward, with black-fruit flavors followed by a bright and fresh finish. Serve it as the Italians do – young and lightly chilled. Pairs perfectly with fleshy fish, beef, lamb, red-sauced pastas and pizza.

My Review: It was a very smelly wine; almost like rotten fruit or ripening old gym clothes. It had an overwhelming taste of pepper and blackberries. The finish was quite sour. 

I did not have food with this wine.