Tasting - Crios Malbec

Name: Crios Malbec

Variety: 95% Malbec, 5% Bonarda

Region: Mendoza

Country: Argentina

Year: 2010

Price: $14.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Previous Vintage, 90 points, Robert Parker 5% Bonarda in its blend.  It spent 9 months in 50% new French and American oak.  Notes of balsam wood, smoke, black cherry, and spice box lead to a similarly styled wine that comes off as just a bit too lean.  Again, the flavors are pleasant, but it should be drunk over the next several years while it retains its fruit. 


My Review:  This wine was made from female wine makers, I found this to be an interesting fact, mostly because the woman leading the tasting felt it was a necessary thing to mention.  There was an initial scent of coffee from the wine, which then gave way to a bold fruity flavor.  The aftertaste of this wine was bitter, and it burned my throat as a swallowed it.  I would not call this wine smooth.  It also happened to be my least favorite of the tasting.  This wine was tasted without food. 

Tasting - Four Bears Cabernet

Name: Four Bears Cabernet
Variety: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petite Sirah
Region: Paso Robles, CA
Country: USA
Year: 2010
Price: $14.95


Vintage Cellar Review: 2010 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon is ruby in color and displays aromas of lavender, cedar and raspberry fruit.  Flavors of blackberries and raspberries combined with hints of savory spices coat the palate.  The soft tannins and sweet oak balance lead to a long and lingering finish.


My Review: This wine was enjoyable.  The initial taste of raspberry was followed by a woody aftertaste.  The  aftertaste lingered in the back of my throat for a few moments, I assume this means it does not have a clean finish.  I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting - Revelry Merlot

Name: Revelry Merlot
Variety: 100% Merlot
Region: Walla Walla, WA
Country: USA
Year: 2008
Price: $14.95


Vintage Cellar Review: If you've ever relaxed in a cozy chair, you know what this Merlot is all about: Soft, smooth, and luxuriously deep, with flavors of blueberry and black cherry supported by subtle suggestions of oak and spice.


My Review: I enjoyed this wine.  This wine had a strong taste of blueberry in the beginning, which was followed by a lingering aftertaste of cherry and oak.  There was only a small burn of alcohol when swallowing the wine.  It was a smooth drink.  This wine was consumed without food.

Tasting - RN 13 Vin de Pique Organic White

Name: RN 13 Vin de Pique Organic White

Variety: 40% Viognor, 35% Chenin Blanc, 25% Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Languedoc'Roussillon

Country: France

Year: 2010

Price: $14.95

Vintage Cellar Review: A really good fun, sociable white.  Very easy-going.  This is a blend of Viognier (40%), Chenin Blanc (35%) and Sauvignon Blanc (25%).  The palate is a blend of apples, pears and peaches with refreshing acidity and a hint of lemon.  Great balance and perfect example of an easy drinking white to serve chilled as an aperitif pr with tapas.

My Review: The vintage cellar review describes this wine as "easy going" and "easy drinking", I however did not enjoy this wine.  I found it to be bitter and extremely tart.  This wine was tasted without food.  

Tasting- Four Bears Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Four Bears Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Sonoma County, CA

Country: USA

Year: 2010

Price: $12.95

Vintage Cellar Review: Rich and complex with aromas of ruby grapefruit, citrus and tropical fruit.  On the palate, the combined flavors of fresh melon, fig and lime are balanced perfectly to form a crisp, mouthwatering texture and a lingering finish.

My Review:  This was my first wine at my first wine tasting, and I must say it was my favorite.  The wine tasted fresh and fruity and did not burn my throat as I swallowed it.  It was also kind of sweet, but the sweetness was not overpowering.  I tasted this wine without food.