Carnivor

California.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Rating: 4.5 stars

Our new favorite Cab! Excellent wine.

Notes: Thin to medium lip, legs form slowly ripe. very thick. Very strong flavors tart with warmth on the back end. Smoky savory oaky reminds us of a barbecue. Full lush fruit and berry flavors Best with tomato

Nose: Black currents with hints of spice, vanilla and toasted oak. Amazing buttery aroma with slight green onion.

Color: Almost Black

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Collezione Di Paolo

Rufina Italy

Chianti 2011

Rating: 4.25 stars

Very good Chianti.

Notes: Medium lip with legs that fall in a sheet, then form into very fat thick legs. Light mineral and tart flavors, Notes of plum and warm on the back end.

Nose: Earthy and mineral aroma spice with hints of vanilla and plum

Color: Medium red.

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Foxglove

Paso Robles, California

Zinfandel 2009

Rating: 4.5 stars

Excellant wine! We very much liked it.

Notes: Medium lip with heavy thick legs. Actually fely like Pop rocks in your mouth, as if it was carbonated. Fruity and smooth went well with tomato and garlic. Tangy and fruity yet balanced and sweet. Lingered.

Nose: Spicy with hits of fruit. Also a hint of tomato when swirled.

Color: Ruby red.

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Pillastro

Puglia Italy

Blend 2009

Rating; 4.5 stars

We liked it and would recommend it.

Notes: Extremely think body and texture, very tart and fruity, a good full and complex mixture of flavors. Thick lip no legs at all.

Nose: Kool-aid powder like aroma, very fruity smell

Color: Nearly black

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Selvascura

Toscano Italy

Italian Blend, 2010

Rating: 1 star

Did not like at all

Notes: Very thin lip, quickly forming legs,

Nose: Smelled like a homeless persons ass! Awful reeked like pond water. Could have been a bad bottle...Horrible.

Color: Dark red color

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Clayhouse

Paso Robles, California

Malbec 2009

Rating: 4.25 stars.

Loved this wine would recommend.

Notes: Thin Lip took over 5 minutes for legs to form. (unusual!) Dry with tannins and a non peppery spicy taste. Tartness lingers Plum and warm cherries with hints of vanilla.

Nose: Burnt Rubber, cherries and plum with a hint of smokiness

Color: Dark red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Bogle

Essential Red 

California, 2010

Blend

Rating: 4.75 stars.

Excellant wine, We really liked it!

Notes: Medium lip with thick slow legs that develop after the lips sheets down the glass. Full and soft flavors, well balanced, red fruits warm on the back end complex fruit tartness and warmth all flowing throughout. A very smooth transition from each

Nose: Fruity and floral with a hint of spice. Then with air erupts with tomato and spices  like white pepper.

Color: Dark red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Kaiken 

Mendoza Argentina

Malbec, 2010

Rating: 4.25 stars

Excellant wine.

Notes: Very thin lip with medium speed thin legs.Very storng grape flavor with hints of tannins. Almost sweet yet dry. Smokey like liquid smoke is announced on the back end. Complex and full it lingers

Nose: Very fruit forward for a Malbec. Old wine smell , dusty and or musty. Without air It smells like the cereal TRIX.

Color: Almost purple

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Ascencion

Salta, Argentina

Malbec 

2010

Rating: 4.5 stars

An excellant Malbec 

Definitely recommend

Notes: Thin lip which forms into fat heavy drops which are wide at the top. Slightly firm or full flavors. Tart cherries and a hint of cloves. Tannins on the back end, Spice is similar to Cilantro. Excellant with cracked pepper and Rye.

Nose: Spicy red fruit with hints of Oak. Spicyness is enhanced w/air. After it has sat still for a while the burnt oak smell comes out.

Color:Ruby red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Isabela

Patagonia Argentina

Malbec

2011

Rating: 4.25 stars

Excellant wine, will buy again

Notes: Medium lip slow thick legs. Bold spice almost fizzy feeling, fruity and balanced

Nose: Fruity and Minerals hints of tomato.

Color: Garnet rich red.

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Ravenswood 

Acompo, California

Shiraz

2009

Rating: 4.0 stars

We will buy again and we recommend this one.

Notes: Nice thick lip fast legs with heavy tear drop shape. Taste is tart and tangy on the front with a hint of front on the back. Pleasantly sweet, not overbearing. Rich and not flat like like most Merlots. Also not strong or complicated like a Zinfandel. Very well balanced and refreshing.

Nose: Nice smoky with hint of acid. Faint tomato.

Color: Ruby red.

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Groote Kaap

Western Cape

South Africa

Carnet Sauvignon

2011

Rating: 3 stars

Not our favorite. If you like sweet red wines try it.

Notes: Fine lip with very thin legs. taste is smooth, sweet on the front, then dry too sweet almost syrupy very heavy sweet and then dry. Feels thick.

Nose: Pomegranate and spice

Color: Dark red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Sledge Hammer

Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa California.

2009

Rating: 4.5 stars.

Awesome wine! Buy this one.

Notes: Thick lip with very slow legs Excellant wine with very robust flavors of pepper, fruit. Balanced and full bodied.

Nose: very deep fruit and mineral nose.

Color: Plum in color

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Chocolate Box

Truffle Chocolate

Barossoa Valley, South Australia

Cabernet Sauvignon

2009

Rating: 4.25 stars

Would Recommend! Excellent.

Notes: Medium Lip long fat slow legs. Vey balanced Tart yet bold. Very rich and full bodied A lot of depth. Full flavors rolling one after another on each other and they just keep comming. Lingers!

Nose:Plums and dark fruits with spice. Tomato and green pepper, almost feel warmth when you inhale

Color: Dark opaque purple

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Mirassou

Cabernet Sauvignon

California

Rating: 4.25 stars

Would recommend!

Notes:Thick lip and large legs. Very well balanced and fruity. Almost succulent flavor similar to a bee hive smell. Very good. Hints of vanilla as well

Nose: Blackberries, and currants. Spices like cloves and pepper very balanced

Color: Dark ruby red.

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Gnarly Head 

Cabernet Sauvignon

California

2010

Rating: 4.25 stars

Would recommend!

Notes: Medium lip, legs take a long time to form. Tart and robust flavor. Fruit then warm and spicy on the back. goes well with cracked pepper rosemary and dill.

Nose: Tomato spice, toasted oak and hint of berry.

Color: Dark ruby red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Primal Roots 

Blend 

Acampo California

2010

Ratings: 4.25 stars

Would buy again

Notes: Tastes linger with Dill and sausage appetizers . Sweet but spicy and warm on the back end. Tart an spicy with warmth

Nose: Light berries with a hint of spice, definitely can smell the Zin. in the blend. Smells like berry syrup

Color: Bright ruby red.

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Ravenswood

Merlot

Sonoma California

2007

Rating: 4 stars

Very mellow, we like bolder wines but this is a nice Merlot.

Notes: Very spicy yet balanced slight warmth on the back end Initially a bold spice and fruit then finishes with a light pepper on the back. Hints of dark unsweetened chocolate

Nose:Very Earthy, smells like a wine cave. Almost artisan cheese when you spin the glass and then smell

Color: Deep opaque garnet red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Mirassou

Merlot

California

2010

Rating: 4.0 stars

Would buy again. We have liked all the Mirassou reds.

Notes: Medium Lip with fat slow legs. Taste is very bold for a Merlot. Hits on the front end with berry sweetness and then tart, layers with just a  touch of spice. Very balanced and drinkable. Lightly spicy and complex, has character.

Nose: Smells like the yeast that is in warm bread dough rising. with hints of raisins and fig. Similar to strawberries left out in the sun.  

Color: Dark garnet

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Santa Alicia 

Reserva

Maipo Valley,Chile

2010

Malbec

Rating: 4.25 stars

would buy again

Notes: Thick Lip, slow forming legs falling in sheets. Fruity and warm

Nose: Hard to pin down smells like baked butter, teriyaki jerky

Color: Typical ruby red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Collezione di Paolo

Chianti

2011

Rating: 4.5 stars

Would recommend!

Notes: Thin Lip. thin legs. First impression as it hits your tongue is a fizzing sensation almost like carbonation. Fruity and Lingers with a nice spicy finish. As wine warms the fizzing sensation subdues and it becomes more tart on the back end

Nose: Earthy and yeasty

Color: Dark, ruby red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

J Opi

Roldofo Sadler

Malbec

Mendoza Argentina

2012

Rating: 3.5 stars

Not s sipping wine. Pairs well with red meat.

Notes: Definitely a food pairing wine. Not exceptional by itself but goes really well with Prime rib.

Nose: Fruity, dark berries, with a hint of Plum and a little smokey

Color: Deep ruby red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Mario Ercolina

Sicilia Italy

Blend; CAB/Merlot/Syrah/Sangrovese

2010

Rating: 4.75 stars

Definitely recommend. Very nice!

Notes: Thin lip with legs that initially form quickly and symmetricall. Interestingly this is the only wine we have found that actually has legs that repeat. We consistently counted 4 waves of legs! Taste of fruit and vanilla, with warmth and spice throughout. very nice balance while maintaing complexity flavors linger a long time

Nose: Mineral and earth tones with a hint of plum and raw vanilla.

Color: Opaque garnet. 

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Evodia

Altovinum

Old vines Garnacha

Calatayud red wine

Spain, 2011

Rating: 4.75 stars

Definitely recommend!

Notes: Spicy on the front, with hints of fruit. Spice continues throughout. Pepper hits on the back end followed by lingering warmth. thin lip with thick slow legs

Nose: Spice, mineral and fruit similar to a Zin

Color: Dark purple 

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Marques de Cacares

Crianza, Spain

Rioja

2007

Rating: 4.25 stars

Would buy again

Notes: Taste spice and Tannins woven into each other with a dry under current. Very flat on the front, then blooms with spice and fruit as it goes down. Thin Lip small slow legs. Would have rated it higher with a strong front

Nose:Yeast and Earth with a touch of fruit

Color: Dark garnet red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Barefoot

PinotNoir

Modesto California

2011

Rating: 2 stars

If you like cool aid, you will like this. 

Notes:Fruity, buttery,and slightly warm too sweet and simple. Very thin lip

Nose:Butter and spice

Color:Light red, rose like color

Glasses: Drank with Wine Enthusiast Pinot glasses.

Joseph Castan

Corbieres Reserve

France

2010

Rating: 3.5 stars

not very interesting. Bland 

Notes: very warm on the pallet, perfumish not complex Medium Lip, slow legs

Nose: Floral, almost too floral. Hints of mineral.

Color: Deep red, crimson

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Palacio Del Conde

Gran Reserva

Valencia Spain

2005

Ratings: 4.5 stars. 

Definitely liked it, we will buy again

Notes: Very thin Lip, long slow legs that drop in a sheet. Dry wine, flavors linger, fruit is a mix of cranberry and watermelon. Med body, warm on the back. Went very well with Garlic.

Nose: Buttery fruity and sweet

Color: Dark garnet, red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Ermita De San Lorenzo

Gran Reserva

Campo de Borja, Spain

2003

Rating: 4.25 stars

Will but again. 

Notes: Very thin lip, fast legs, sediment. Dry mature wine. goes well with pepper, initially sweet then flavors unfold as it lingers in your mouth

Nose: Dust with hints or grape and Lilac. Very floral nose. 

Color:Dark garnet

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

San Lucas

Malbec

Mendoza Argentina

2011

Ratings: 4.25 stars

Will buy again.

Notes: Medium thick lip, legs are medium as well.  Body is heavy and think on the pallet. Not traditional Malbec flavor. Pepper brings out hot spice in the wine in the back. Tart on the front. Tomato and avocado compliment it very well

Nose: Smokey and spicy with hint of plum

Color: Rich ruby red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Gnarly Head

Authentic Blend

Mobi, California

2010

Rating: 4.25 stars.

This is an unusual wine. 

The best of Whites and Reds.

 definitely recommend!

Notes: Very thin lip. Legs take a while to form and are smooth and very thick. Very unexpected taste. HUGE bold. blackberry and cherry sweet on the front, spice evolves on the back. Warmth as well. Honey sweet not syrup sweet.

Nose: Tomato and spice similar to a Zinfandel.

Color: Dark ruby red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Primal Roots

Acampo, California

Blend

2010

Rating: 4.5 stars.

One of our Favorites. We own a case. Definitely recommend

Notes:Spicey tomato, pepper on the back. Tart with a hint of raspberry. Flavors linger for a long time.

Nose: A lot like a V-8, tomato and spices. Amazing!

Color: Medium rose color

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Pont Du Diable

France

Malbec

2011

Rating: 4.25 stars

Not a traditional Malbec, but worth looking at. 

Notes: Thick lip with consistent legs. Smooth balanced and buttery flavors

Nose: almost Sweet, Strong raspberry flavors

Color: Rich ruby red.

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Michell's Pass

Malbec

Western Cape, South Africa

2011

Ratings: 4.5 stars

Definitely will buy again!

Notes: Medium lip with heavy teardrops. Very balanced, yet complex, flavors are hard to detect and describe. Not a simple wine at all, bold and yet smooth. elegant juicy full finish.

Nose: Sweet and Spicy aroma of Pipe tobacco hints of cherry. Wonderful Malbec Aroma

Color: Dark Ruby red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Pacific Rim

 Riesling

2010

Rating: 4 stars

We do not favor white wines but this is a keeper. We will buy again

Notes: Crisp and refreshing. Sweet but not syrupy, Light crisp fruity like green seedless grapes. Not complex, very drinkable 

Nose: Buttery and fruity, like an apple orchard.

Color: Beautiful apple juice golden color.

Glasses: Riedel white wine glasses

Trapiche Broquel

Malbec

Mendoza Argentina

2009

Ratings: 4.75 Stars

Would definitely recommend, we will buy again.

Notes:Medium Lip legs form heavy teardrop shape with thin legs. Soft on the front Dry on the back. Excellent with very spicy foods and red meats.

Nose: Mint, spices and fruit

Color: Nice rich dark red color

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Monastero De Santa Cruz

Terragona

Spain, 2010

Rating: 4.25 Stars

Would buy again but not an everyday wine.

Notes: Thin lip, legs drop in a sheet, take 30 seconds or more to form,medium teardrop size then drop fast. Very rich thick creamy texture. Tart and bold at first. No warmth. spice, tart and dust flavors

Nose: Pomegranate fruit at first then a pleasant musky smell develops. Dark fruit and spice. Actually feels warm as you smell the aroma

Color: Dark ruby red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Piscadela

Casa Emerlinda Freitas

Reserva

Portugal 2010

Ratings: 3 stars

Too bitter would not buy again.

Notes: Medium body, Warm on the back, spice and peppery. Slightly tart with hints of fruit.

 Nose: Aromas of cork and Oak barrels. Earthy Cab like aroma

Color: Dark ruby red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Hacienda

San Martin Mendoza

Bonarda, Malbec

2011

Bonarda grape-55%/ Malbec 45%

Ratings: 4.5 stars

Very complex. would definitely buy again

Notes: Very thin lip,slowly forming legs. Taste is very hard to describe, very well balanced. flavors come forward and then disappear. Fruit, spice. flavors are very subtle

Nose: Very fruit forward and intense spice, tomato and black berries

Color: Dark Garnet red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Victor Hugo

Opulance

Paso Robles, California. Unk Year.

Ratings: 4 stars

Nice, different but not a wine we would drink often.

Notes:Very acidic, like green apples, good, fast legs

Nose: Lots of dust, and you can smell the alcohol, Floral notes and strong dust.

Color: Dark Plum

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Victor Hugo

Zinfandel

Paso Robles, California

2010

Ratings: 3.75 stars

Not our favorite Zin(and we like Zin a lot), but drinkable.  

We prefer Hugo's Hunchback to this wine. 

Notes: Fast legs, Very thin Lip. Light to medium body. Taste like a raspberry sorbet, but not too sweet. Taste lingers, strong spice on the back end very nice complexities very fruit forward. Light and smooth tastes of candied plums

Nose:Very fruity and hints of floral. also hints of radishes or onions straight out of the ground. A bit earthy

Color: Nice ruby red color

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

HJ Fabre

Reserva

Malbec, 2010 

Rating: 4 stars

An ok wine, not as good as the Alambrado

Notes: Very traditional Malbec flavors, nice body(medium to full) Sweet on the front Very fruit forward

 Nose:Spice up front, fruit is forward. Smells like cinnamon sugar toast. 

 Color: Very dark opaque garnet red.

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Alambrado

Gran Selection 

Malbec, Mendoza Argentina

2011

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Definitely recommend, we will buy this one again.

Notes: Thick Lip very slow forming legs, Velvety smooth texture, Creamy. Excellant with rosemary and tomato. 

Nose: Strong Smell of Burnt toast, hits of plum and dark fruit ripe cherries, and vanilla as the wine warms. Very complex taste, pepper and warmth on the back end

Color: Beautiful Garnet inky color

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Chateau Milligrand

Grand Reserve

Minervois France 2010

Rating: 3.5 stars

Not our favorite, we will not purchase it again(we poured it out)

Notes: Light to medium body, thin lip, fast legs flavor simliar to a wine cooler, cranberry with grape. A little burnt toast on the back end with a lingering warmth. A good wine but not bold enough for our tastes.

Nose: Fruity, with notes of spice

Color: Light Ruby red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Plan de Dieu

Domaine du Vallon

Cotes du Rhone Villages, France

2011

Rating: 4 stars

would recommend

Notes: Very thin lip, took a long time for legs to form, legs were thick and slow. Very cool and tart on the front, then berries and spice hit with a very warm finish. Nice smooth flavor with a rapid transition from tart berries to warm spice. The transition of flavors smooth as the wine warms.

Nose: Buttery nose with hints of red berries

Color: Dark Purple Garnet color

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Don Manuel

Carmenere

Rape Valley Chile 2011

Rating: 3 stars

Notes:Strong flavors, Overpowering Green pepper smell and taste we did not like.

We poured it out.

This wine would be great if you love Green bell peppers and green olives. Very unique but not a drinkable wine.

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.