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.

Alma Andina

Reserve

Malbec 2011

Mendoza Argentina

Rating: 4.5 stars

Would recommend, we will be buying this one again.

Notes: Medium legs, medium to full body, taste lingers but not strongly. Very smooth tart and acidic on the front with a fruity finish. Spice and dryness linger, Hints of Nutmeg, and cherry on the back, very complex flavors

Nose:Very nice spicy Malbec, hints of tomato and Plum.

Color:Dark garnet red

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

A Zin challenge!

Comparing these three Zins which will be our preferred wine?

Sledgehammer (Far left)

Napa valley, California2009

Notes: Think lip, medium teardrop shaped legs, very smooth tart and sweet, warm on the back and spicey, went well with rosemary and tomato. Flavors lingered

Nose: Amazing Zin aroma

Color:deep dark ruby red nearly opaque

Rating: 4.8 stars

Gnarleyhead(middle)

Lodi California 2011

Notes: Very think lip, legs took forever to form, , smooth berry flavors and spice, very fruit forward

Nose:dusty/musty aroma, smells like crisp linen after warmed.

Color:Opaque plum color nearly as dark as the Sledgehammer

Rating: 4.8 stars

Ravenswood(Far right)

Acampo California 2011

Notes: thin lip, thin legs which formed immediately. Nice plum flavor mixed with light spice on the back

Nose: Strong plum aroma intertwined with Zin aroma/spice

Color:lightest color of the three ruby red

Rating:4/6 stars

Result: Sledgehammer and Gnarlyhead were tied as Amazing wines. each completely different than the other. Ravenswood was a very close second. We prefer the 2008 year and 2010 year of Ravenswood to the 2011.

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Tepena, Tempranillo

Spain, 2010.

Rating: 4.0

Not one we will buy again.

Very mellow

Notes:Smooth spicy on the back but not warm, fruity, raspberry, strawberries, like syrup, just enough acid to blend well. Pairs well with rosemary and pepper, not good with poultry

Nose:fruity and spicy also pungent cheese 

Body: tight lip, long slow legs took forever to develop

Color: deep ruby red

Pairing Unk...

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Tarima Monastrell  2011

Alicante Spain

Rating: 4.5 stars

Definite recommend!

Notes: Tart on the front, sweet on the back, light pepper, flavors linger for some time, lip is thin and tight, Legs are slow.Crispness from acid, Bing cherry hint of cranberries, Body is medium.

Nose: complex nose, buttery, sweet, smoke

Color: Deep dark purple almost black

Pairing:

Glasses: Drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Paso Creek, Zin

Paso Robles California

Year: 2011

Rating:4.75 stars

Hell yes we recommend!

Notes: WOW sit down before you taste this one! Flavors explode in your mouth, almost seems carbonated(it is not) feels fizzy, then mellows into fruity, shifting into pepper and warth on the back end. Flavors linger. Bold, complex and everything a ZIN should be! 

Nose:Butter and pepper

Taste: strong bold flavors that somehow remain balanced one rolling into another.

Color: rasbery red,

Glasses: drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Barefoot, Zin

Lodi California

Year Unk.

Rating:4 stars

Recommend(drinkable but lightweight for a Zin.)

Notes: Good with peppers, rosemary. Garlic tends to mellow all of the flavors too much, as does tomato

No legs when cold as it warms legs start quickly, very drinkable, best at  67 -68 degrees

Nose: Faint vanilla, butter, blueberries

Taste:plum and cherries hit of pepper on the back end, does not linger little or no depth warmth as the wine warms.

Color: dark ruby red, plum like color but not purple

Glasses: drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Zin

Year: 2009

Rating: 4.5 stars

Definitely recommend!

Notes: Deep dark red color, fast legs, medium body. Excellent white pepper taste, lightly Tart and fruity in the front. Nice balance, you can taste tannins, but it is not complex. It does have depth. Flavors linger.

Nose: Almost acidic onion like smell, similar to spicy beef jerky smell.

Glasses: drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Pepperwood Grove Unk Year

Old Vine Zin

Rating: 4.5 stars

 Definitely recommend

Notes: Rich garnet color, Medium body with long legs, faint taste of beehive

Nose: Faint smell of a beehive

Glasses: drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Sledgehammer, North Coast Zin

Year 2009

Rating: 4.5 stars

 Definitely recommend

Notes: Light ruby red color, very slow legs like molasses.

Nose: Light aroma fruity and tomato notes, similar to V-8 spices

Taste:Very good, spicy on the front end, sweet on the back, tastes linger, can be tart when paired with sun dried tomato. Very good with pepper. Body lightens as well as pepper Zin aroma comes out as it warms.

Glasses: drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Gascon Malbec Reserva 2010.
  Origin Mendoza Argentina.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Definitely recommend!

Notes: A very rich, deep, dark color. 

Nose: Spicy red fruits with hints of pepper.

Legs: slow thick legs at 60 degree temp, legs sped up and were lighter and faster as the wine warmed

Would be very good with grilled meats, blackened fish. Smoked meats

Glasses: drank with Schott Zwiesel full body red glasses.

Today is day one for A Wine Blog. The blog will discuss wines that we have personally bought, tasted and either would recommend purchasing again or decline.  Ratings will be 1-5 stars, with comments about glass type, texture, fruit, acidity, legs, color and nose.  Keep in mind we personally don't favor sweet wines and normally drink reds, preferring BOLD and complex flavors. We hope that you will enjoy the wine, and please feel free to send us your own recommendations.  Enjoy!!!

p.s. We love to experiment with how different foods pair with wine. When we find great combinations we will share those as well.