Tasting - Morada Sangria

Name: Morada Sangria

Variety:
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year:
Price: $4.95

A traditional Spanish drink made with red wine and citrus extracts. Garnet color and fresh on the palate. Serve well chilled, on its own or with lemonade and slices of fruit like peach , banana or apple. 


Flowery, fruity, perfumy aromas, with hints of some sort of herbs. Tasted very fruity and delicious. Smooth and cool all the way through. I really enjoyed the taste (and the price), so I purchased it.


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Tasting - Cortenova Primitivo

Name: Cortenova 

Variety: Primitivo (Zinfandel)

Region: Puglia

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Dark, ruby-red color with violet highlights. Intense and fragrant bouquet with a rich array of red and black fruit aromas and flavors. Harmonious and velvety on the palate. Great balance and structure. Excellent with grilled or roasted meats, game and cheeses. 

Very deep red color. Smelled slightly woody, very strong, with a hint of berries. Tasted very tart in my throat. Very strong flavors that I had a hard time identifying. 

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Tasting - Canyon Road Pinot Noir

Name: Canyon Road

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $6.95

This Pinot Noir expresses tantalizing flavors of ripe cherry and wild raspberry, and finishes with brown vanilla spices and a smooth finish.

Smelled of raspberries, chocolate and oak. Did not taste much like a red wine to me, except for the slightly tannic finish. It tasted of dark berries with hints of chocolate. 

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Tasting - Oak Vineyards Chardonnay

Name: Oak Vineyards

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: California

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $5.95 (750 mL), $10.95 (1.5 L)

This light straw-colored Oak Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay expresses smokey aromatics with nuances of apple and lemon zest that continue onto the palate where they flourish into citrus, orange blossom, and smoked oak flavors until meeting a crisp, medium finish. 

Smelled fresh and crisp, with hints of lemon. Tasted smooth at first with a more tart finish. Had strong flavors that I could not identify. 

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Tasting - Poysdorfer Saurussel Gruner Veltliner

Name: Poysdorfer Saurussel

Variety: Gruner Veltliner

Region: Weinviertel

Country: Austria

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95

Crisp lime flavors, white pepper, and lentils, followed by a mouthful of mineral notes and gooseberry. A long lingering finish. A great accompaniment to any Asian or fresh seafood dishes. 

Had fruity aromas with a warmer background scent reminiscent of chocolate. Tasted of citrus. Slightly tart, but had something heavier in the background, possibly the same chocolate in the scent. 

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Tasting - Opera Prima Sweet White

Name: Opera Prima Sweet White

Variety: White blend
Region: La Mancha
Country: Spain
Year: 2010
Price: $5.95

Flowery and sweet smelling, then round and fairly smooth in the mouth. The flavor package of tropical fruits galore is pleasant and shouldn't offend anyone. Finishes clean and easy. A mango boat of flavor.


Smelled strongly of perfume and flowers. Almost too smelly. Tasted very sweet and soft with peach tones. Very delicious. I would buy this wine.



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Tasting - Senda 66 Tempranillo

Name: Senda 66

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: La Mancha

Country: Spain

Year: 2008

Price: $8.95

90 points, Robert Parker. "The 2008 Senda 66 spent 8 months in new French oak. Purple/black in color, it sports a fragrant nose of spice box, lavender, blueberry, and blackberry. Smooth-textured, layered, and remarkably rich on the palate for its humble price, this lengthy effort will drink nicely over the next 5-6 years."

This wine was very dark red. It had aromas of wood, dark berries, and a bit of chocolate. It tasted mostly of dark berries, with the same hints of chocolate. It was tannic at the end and stuck to my tongue.

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Tasting - Sierra Cruz Carmenere

Name: Sierra Cruz

Variety: Carmenere

Region: Maule Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2009

Price: $6.95

As a member of the cabernet sauvignon family, carmenere (pronounced car-men-yare) originated in Bordeaux as one of the grapes permitted for use in the red blends of that storied region. Chilean winemakers have embraced it and several wineries in that country produce it as a single varietal. The '09 Sierra Cruz is a very pleasant, soft, medium-bodied wine that has fresh cabernet-like aromas and flavors of spice, dark fruit, and black pepper. It is a great value and also would be a nice match with marinated and grilled skirt or flank steak. 

This wine had aromas of wet oak. It was very tart with some hints of dark berries in the background.

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Tasting - Lost Vineyards Chardonnay

Name: Lost Vineyards

Variety: Chardonnay, Torrontes

Region: Northwest corner

Country: Argentina

Year:

Price: $3.95

Pale golden color. Perfumed peach, pineapple, and nougat aromas. Round and soft with a fruity-yet-dry medium body. Tangy apple skin and lemon zest notes lift the fruit nicely on the finish. 

Smelled very strong. Could not discern any distinguishable flavors, but it was warm in my chest. Could not really decide how I felt about it overall.

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Tasting - Sierra Cruz Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Sierra Cruz

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Maule Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2011

Price: $6.95

This Chilean Sauvignon Blanc just oozes with bright citrus flavors and a nose of herbs and grass. Stylistically, it is a cross between the herbal, grassy wines so prevalent in Sonoma County and the riper, more fruit forward products of New Zealand. Match it with pasta sauced with arugula, pine nuts, mushrooms and parmesan.

Smelled fresh and somewhat fruity, with a hint of wood. It tasted a bit fruity, but had a warm feeling. It had a tangy, tannic finish that stuck on my tongue.

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Tasting - Cantina di Casteggio Moscato di Pavia

Name: Cantina di Casteggio Moscato di Pavia

Variety: Moscato
Region: Oltrepo Pavese, Lombardy
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $7.95

Bright, light golden color. Very aromatic nose of ripe apricots, sage, honey and a slight minerality. Medium bodied, sweet and fruity with flavors of apricots and tangerines. Well balanced acidity and medium finish with layers of sweet and citrus fruit.


Light pink color. Smelt of flowers, perfume, and kind of like artificially scented bathroom soap. Very bubbly. Tasted flowery, but also kind of perfumey. The artificial scents came through in the taste. I almost liked this, but there was something about it that did not taste right.

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Tasting - Montebuena Rioja Crianza

Name: Montebuena Rioja Crianza

Variety: Tempranillo

Region: Rioja

Country: Spain

Year: 2007

Price: $6.95

100% Tempranillo. Dark red. Spicy red berries and cherry on the nose, with hints of cracked pepper and dried rose. Crisp and dry on the palate, with spicy redcurrant and cherry flavors, light tannins and a fresh, energetic finish. An excellent value, and surprisingly elegant for this price point.

Deep red colored wine. Smelled of berries with a hint of wood. Tasted very ashy and cigarette-like. It had a bit of a spicy finish, which left my throat burning a little. I did not care for this wine at all. 

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Tasting - Varas Vinho Tinto

Name: Varas Vinho Tinto

Variety: Castelao, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Pinot Noir

Region: Lisbon

Country: Portugal

Year: 

Price: $21.95 3L box ($5.49 bottle)

This smooth Portuguese red is a blend of Castelao (45%), Tinta Roriz (25%), Tinta Barroca (20%), and Pinot Noir (10%). The vineyards are located near Lisbon, planted in sunny gentle slopes of clay and limestone soils. The wine was aged in oak barrels. 

Strong aromas of wet wood. Tangy, tannic taste with a softer finish. Left a slightly woody flavor in my throat.

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Tasting - Oveja Negra Syrah-Cab Rose Reserva

Name: Oveja Negra Reserva Rose

Variety: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Maule Valley

Country: Chile

Year: 2010

Price: $6.95

Oveja Negra Reserva Rose is bright cherry-red in color and has an attractive nose with aromas of raspberries and strawberries as well as plum and a bit of green apple. Crisp and juicy on the palate with a slight sweetness that accompanies the red fruit flavors. Pleasing natural acidity with medium-high intensity, nice persistence, and a fresh finish. 

Had rosy, light aromas. Slightly bubbly on the tongue and very tart. The ending was full of tannins. 

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Tasting - gPG Gargangega Pinot Grigio

Name: gPG Garganega

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: delle Venezie

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $8.95

gPG is from the delle Venezie regions of northeastern Italy. A clean and crisp palate with plenty of texture and weight follows aromas of apples and zesty lemons. It's perfect with grilled white fish or light risotto. 

Smelled like a red white, oaky and strong, but somewhat fresh. Tasted very tart. Burned all the way down. I did not enjoy this wine at all. The burn stayed with me for quite awhile after. 

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Tasting - Girard Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Girard

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa County

Country: USA

Year: 2009

Price: $14.95 (originally $30)

Showcases the forward, ripe fruit and fine, polished tannins for which the Napa Valley is most prized. The initial aromatic notes are of ripe red fruit and spicy oak. The flavors on the lush palate follow suit, while the finish underscores the high quality of the fruit from which this wine was made. Enjoy it now, but know that this Cabernet will continue to improve with proper aging for another 8 to 12 years. 

This wine had woody yet fruity scents. It was smooth to drink and had a spicy aftertaste with a hint of oak

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Tasting - Vidal Fleury Cotes du Rhone

Name: Vidal Fleury 

Variety: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan

Region: Cotes du Rhone

Country: France

Year: 2009

Price: $10.95 (originally $16)

Brilliant garnet red color. Red fruits and spices on the nose. The mouth reveals rounded tannins (thanks to the stay in the oak barrels), a warm and full-bodied wine with an uncommon and lasting aromatic intensity. The proof that Cotes du Rhone can be a serious and elegant wine.

This wine had soft smells of wood and dampness. It was warm in my mouth at first but finished very tangy an spicy on my tongue.

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Tasting - Girard Chardonnay

Name: Girard

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Russian River Valley

Country: USA

Year: 2008

Price: $12.98 (originally $28)

Experience tropical fruit balanced by small oak barrel aging, adding a layer of spice, richness, and complexity. Crafted specifically for the passionate football fans of New York, this limited release is a perfect addition to game day or your tail gate party.

I enjoyed this wine a lot. It had a soft fruity smell, but mostly sweet fruits, not tangy fruits. It had a cool beginning and an overall soft taste. It ended with a hint of tanginess left on my tongue.

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Tasting - Villa Pozzi Pinot Grigio

Name: Villa Pozzi

Variety: Pinot Grigio

Region: Sicily

Country: Italy

Year: 2010

Price: $9.95

Clear to light straw colored, this Pinot Grigio exhibits soft aromatic flavors of perfumed rose and soft honeysuckle that are attractive and indicative of the refreshing and rounded fruit style. The structure of this wine is well balanced and clean. Wonderfully complemented by a firm and crisp acidic finish.

This wine did not have any significant or distinguishable scents. It was smooth and cool at first, initially giving my mouth a fresh feeling. It transitioned and finished off tangy.

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Tasting - Fontana Candida Frescati

Name: Fontana Candida

Variety: Malvasia varietals
Region: Frascati
Country: Italy
Year: 2010
Price: $6.95 (originally $11)

The grapes for this dry, clean wine are grown in the porous, volcanic soils located in the Frascati commune near Rome. Rich in potassium, this soil produces plump flavorful grapes. Fontana Candida is the only Frascati producer that uses cold filtration and cold bottling to preserve the wine's flavor and clarity. Pairs well with salads, pastas, veal, chicken, vegetable soups, mild seafood dishes, and mild cheeses. 


This wine smelled crisp and clean, but did not have any identifiable aromas. It was tangy at first, but left my mouth feeling very fresh and clean. It hung on to my tongue after I was finished.

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Tasting - Palos Verdejo

Name: Palos

Variety: Verdejo
Region: Castilla, Leon
Country: Spain
Year: 2009
Price: $4.95 (originally $15)

Castellana’s 2009 Palos Verdejo is medium straw-colored with a nose of fennel, spring flowers, citrus, and apple. Crisp and vibrant on the palate, this tasty offering is a good value that will deliver pleasure over the next 12–18 months.


This wine had clean fresh citrusy aromas. It had a warm feeling that transitioned to something chillier. It was smooth, but lacked any really strong flavors. 








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Tasting - Cellar 8 Pino Grigio

Name: Cellar 8

Variety: Pino Grigio
Region: Napa
Country: California, USA
Year: 2009
Price: $4.95 (originally $13)

Cellar No. 8 wines are crafted at the historic Asti Winery in California. Cellar No. 8 Pinot Grigio displays notes of pineapple and jasmine on the nose. Crisp and light, this wine has grapefruit and lime flavors that open to a refreshing finish with balanced acidity. Cellar No. 8 Pinot Grigio is perfect on its own, anytime. Cellar No. 8 wines honor and reflect the rich winemaking tradition at Asti. Whether relaxing in your favorite leather chair or celebrating with friends, Cellar No. 8 is a great discovery which might just become your next tradition.


This wine had aromas of pineapple. It had a sweet citrusy taste with some heat in the end. 


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Tasting - Faraway Farms Chenin Blanc

Name: Faraway Farms

Variety: Chenin Blanc
Region: Western Cape Town
Country: South Africa
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95 (originally $15)

In the New World, South Africa is the top destination for reasonably priced, quality Chenin Blanc. Here, the grape represented 34 percent of land under vine up to 1990, but plantings have declined in favor of grapes with greater international appeal. Still, consider the consistently strong bottlings from Ken Forrester and Mulderbosch, both grown in the spectacularly beautiful Stellenbosch region. 


This wine smelt of tart, green apples. It was smooth and light to drink. Tart on the back of my tongue, but a good kind of tart that was very enjoyable.

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Tasting - Spanish Vines Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Spanish Vines

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Sevilla

Country: Spain

Year: 2009

Price: $4.95 (originally $10)

The 2010 Spanish Vines Sauvignon Blanc blends aromas of kiwi, tangerine, and honeydew melon with mouthwatering acidity. An ideal combination of Old World structure and New World fruit. This is a medium bodied wine bears a remarkably focused finish. Drink now.

This wine smelled fresh and crisp. It tasted clean, like spring fresh. It was not very dynamic, but still enjoyable. It had a bitter ending that stayed on my tongue. 

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Tasting - Morro Bay White Oak Chardonnay

Name: Morro Bay White Oak

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Sur Lie
Country: California, USA
Year: 2009
Price: $5.95 (originally $14)

Toasted oak, butter and crisp apple/pear fruit aromas. The texture in the mouth is like a knife cutting a green apple. Together these disparate areas and flavors create a symbiosis that fills the tongue and echoes down the palate.


This wine smelt of lighter, wet wood. It initially tasted good, however finished very bitter and hot. 








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Tasting - Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay

Name: Hardys Nottage Hill

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Southern
Country: Australia
Year: 2007
Price: $4.95 (originally $15)

The fruit for this Chardonnay has been sourced from a variety of regions to create a full flavoured wine with rich tropical fruit, complemented by vanillin oak characters. While drinking beautifully now, it can be successfully cellared for 2-3 years.


This wine smelt strongly of wet, damp wood. It tasted earthy and mossy. I did not enjoy this wine at all. 






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Tasting - Los Alisos Chardonnay

Name: Los Alisos

Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Santa Barbara
Country: California, USA
Year: 2007
Price: $7.95 (originally $20)

With a ripe, rich, tropical and creamy texture, our Chardonnay displays characteristics that are the hallmark of the Los Alamos Valley winegrowing region. Produced from grapes that come from cool-climate, sandy hillside and benchland sites, our Chardonnay is vinified using traditional Burgundian techniques including barrel fermentation, full malolactic fermentation and regular lees stirring.

This wine smelt and tasted of petrol with hints of wood.

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Tasting - Crane Lake Moscato

Name: Crane Lake

Variety: Moscato

Region: Napa, Sonoma

Country: California, USA

Year: 2010

Price: $6.95 (originally $12)

A unique Moscato nose with hints of pine nuts, petrol, apple and honeysuckle. The sweetness gives notes of honey and green apple, but it is well-balanced and finishes with a hint of oak. 

This white wine had aromas of herbs such as mint, basil, and rosemary. It tasted very sweet with an herby aftertaste. I really enjoyed and purchased this wine. 

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Tasting - Dona Sol White Zinfandel

Name: Dona Sol

Variety: White Zinfandel
Region: Sonoma
Country: California, USA
Year: 2008
Price: $4.95 (originally $8)

Doña Sol White Zinfandel is a voluptuous blush wine that has hints of strawberry and fresh fruit in its wide range of aromas. As the wine flows into the palate, fresh fruit and sweet cherries are evident. The wine ends with a smooth sweet finish.

This wine had aromas of roses, oak, and a bit of chocolate. It had a flowery, sweet taste.




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Tasting - Coldstream Hills Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Coldstream Hills

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Yarra Valley
Country: Australia
Year: 2009
Price: $7.95 (originally $27)

Coldstream Hills Sauvignon Blanc is sourced mainly from vineyards in the cool Upper Yarra. The wine is predominantly fermented in stainless steel, with a small percentage barrel fermented in older French oak - in some years, a percentage of Semillon is blended to add texture. Best consumed when young and fresh.


This wine smelled of tangy fruit, specifically oranges and peaches. It was citrusy to taste as well. It was warm in my mouth and then cool. It seemed to stay on my tongue. It had some other flavors as well but I was unable to identify what they were. 


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Tasting - Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling

Name: Villa Maria Private Bin

Variety: Riesling

Region: Marlborough

Country: New Zealand

Year: 2008

Price: $9.95 (originally $18)

A pure and delicate bouquet of ripe citrus-lime and spring blossom aromas. The palate is beautifully balanced with intense flavours, lovely juicy length and a zest lime finish. Great on its own or with light fresh food.

This white wine had a damp, musky scent. It tasted of watered down citrus. It had a bitter aftertaste and left my tongue feeling tangy. 

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Tasting - Horton Stonecastle Red

Name: Horton Stonecastle Red

Variety: 32% Mourvedre, 27% Carignan, 25% Syrah 5% Tinta Cao, 5% Touriga Nacional, 3% Tannat 1% each of Cab Franc, Malbec & Nebbiolo

Region: Virginia

Country: USA

Year: 2008

Price: $8.95 (originally $15)

Soft, ripe, berry scented wine with great depth and complexity.

This wine had an overwhelming smell of tobacco with faint berries. The tobacco prevailed in its taste as well. It was a sweet at first, but the taste of tobacco became overwhelming and very unpleasant. 

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Tasting - Into Zin Zinfandel

Name: Into Zin

Variety: Zinfandel

Region: Lodi

Country: California, USA

Year: 2008

Price: $7.99 (originally $13)

Spicey, jammy, yummy. 

This purply red wine had initial aromas of petrol and wood, with a late berry smell. It was smoother on the pallet. It tasted immediately of berries, but finished with a slight peppery taste and left my tongue a little bit tingly. 

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Tasting - Tamas Estates Zinfandel

Name: Tamas Estates

Variety: Zinfandel

Region: Italy

Country: California, USA

Year: 2007

Price: $7.95 (originally $15)

At Tamás Estates we've made it our passion to fashion California wines in a style honoring their varietal heritage. Our Zinfandel has flavors of raspberry, strawberry jam, cherry and vanilla. With a rich mouthfeel, integrated oak and a long fruity finish, this wine compliments a variety of meat selections and spicy foods. Hop on the bus for a multinational wine tour experience and stamp your passport for world taste.

This soft red wine had an aroma of wet wood, which I found to be unpleasant. The entire experience was very tart. It was full bodied and very hot in my chest. It left me with a very bitter aftertaste on my tongue. 

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Tasting - Los Alisos Syrah

Name: Los Alisos

Variety: Syrah

Region: Santa Barbara, California

Country: USA

Year: 2007

Price: $7.95 (originally $23)

Los Alamos Valley is generating great interest among winemakers and wine critics for the quality and character of its Syrah. The region has a flair for producing wines with the peppery aromatics of a cold climate, and yet displays the rich intensity of warmer locales. Our Syrah is dark, dense and sinfully opulent with ripe scents of blueberries, white pepper and earth.

This deep red wine had strong dark berry aromas with a tinge of bitterness and an earthy feeling. It was tart to taste and stuck to my tongue. It had a sweet yet bitter aftertaste. 

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Tasting - Three Rivers Merlot

Name: Three Rivers

Variety: Merlot

Region: Washington

Country: USA

Year: 2006

Price: $7.95 (originally $27)

Smooth and round, with a nice minty aura to the black cherry and dried currant flavors, persisting on the lively finish. 

This burgundy red colored wine smelled smooth and earthy with a hint of berries. It had a bit of a bitter and tangy taste, especially in the back of my mouth. It was smooth nevertheless, but had a very bitter aftertaste. 

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Tasting - Obvio Malbec

Name: Obvio 

Variety: Malbec

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: $7.95 (originally $13)

This carefully crafted Malbec from San Carlos, Valle de Uco encapsulates the vibrancy and soul of Argentinean life. Obvio´s Malbec excites the eye with its deep violet tones and tangoes on the palate with an array of red and black fruits. This is an easy drinking style of wine to be enjoyed on all occasions, and excellent when paired with meats, pasta and hard cheeses.

This purply red wine smelled of raspberries and flowers. It was smooth, but a little bit spicy and hot on my tongue. 

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Tasting - Hardy Nottage Hill Merlot

Name: Hardy Nottage Hill

Variety: Merlot

Region: South eastern

Country: Australia

Year: 2006

Price: $4.95 (originally $15)

This smooth, well-rounded Merlot is a full bodied, dry red with soft, rich berry fruit flavors that linger delightfully on the palate. Enjoy this flavorful wine with pasta and meat dishes

This wine had an aroma of petrol and dark berries. It was very smooth. It was chilly going down, but left a warm sensation in my chest. I purchased this wine. 

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