Tasting - "Cline" Zinfandel

Name: Cline
Variety: Zinfandel
Region: Lodi, California
Country: USA
Year: 2014
Price: $9.79 for a 750ml bottle at Kroger

Personal Review: Upon uncorking the bottle, I smelt fruit on the cork and proceed to pour myself a glass. As I tried the wine, I got a medium-body feel as well as some dark fruit flavors. I thoroughly enjoyed this wine with a dinner, as it did a fine job of complimenting the meat on my burger and the spice to my Cajun-seasoned french fries. The wine had a nice color, as it was not too dark or light. I was very glad that I was able to find this bottle on sale.

Critic Review: "Delight your palate with the smooth complexity of supple tannins that mingle with flavors of dark berry, black cherry, strawberry, spice notes, and a lasting vanilla finish. Selecting fruit for the Lodi Zinfandel program is a daunting task; the primary focus is harmony, with an emphasis on early drinkability and an elegant structure. The 2014 vintage of the Lodi Zinfandel continues to draw from 11 superb Zinfandel vineyards. The grapes come to us from the famous Zinfandel growing area of Lodi where warm days and cool nights have ripened Zinfandel to perfection for over 100 years." - Cline Cellars

Tasting - "Night Harvest" by R.H. Phillips

Name: Night Harvest
Variety: American Cabarnet Sauvignon
Region: Acampo, California
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Price: $9.79 for a 750ml bottle

Personal Review: After uncorking the bottle, I smelled some vinegar on the cork and proceeded to pour a glass. The wine smelled fruity to me and upon my first sip, I instantly loved the wine. It had some some harsh tannin taste with a very smooth finish. I tasted some more fruits and berries in the wine. The wine had an awesome color and a medium body. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this wine. 

Critic Review: "This is the kind of inexpensive Cabernet you can serve at big parties. It's dry and full-bodied, with simple blackberry and cherry flavors leading to a spicy finish." - Wine Enthusiast 

Tasting - Yosemite Road Pinot Grigio

Name: Yosemite Road
Variety: 51% American Pinot Grigio and 49% Colombard
Region: Livermore, California and Ripon, California
Country: USA
Year: 2016
Price: $4.99 on sale at 7/11

Personal Review: My poorest decision of last Wednesday is that I decided to buy the cheapest bottle of wine that I could find at 711. Even though this bottle was only $4.99 plus tax, I would not purchase it again. It lacked any sort of powering flavor to me. In the scent and initial taste I got some pear and then tasted a little bit of oak I believe. It quickly began just tasting watery and depressed, lacking any real body or flavor. The color was very clear and unconvincing. I felt like I was drinking the Keystone Light of wines. I wasn't surprised under further inspection to find out that 711 actually produces this wine themselves to compete with Barefoot wine buyers.

Critic Review: "The Yosemite had more off-tastes than some of the Trader Joe Two Buck Chucks I’ve tried, which are just thin and watery as opposed to off-putting. It didn’t seem as well done as Walmart’s $3 wine, but I haven’t tasted that one in almost two years. And I’ve had some $6 wines, like Barefoot, which aren’t appreciably better than any of these." - Wine Curmudgeon