Our "Scoring System"

A note about what our scores mean:
5 - Wine your kids buy for you
6 - Would drink. Jug wine. Good for parties and your kids!
7 and above - Good for ANYTHING. Would recommend to friends. The higher the better!

And for PAIRINGS the scores mean:
0 = Wine tastes best alone
1 = Wine tastes best with food #1
2 = Wine tastes best with food #2

About Me

My photo
This blog started because we needed a tenor in the church choir... Bob, Karen and I told Mike that if he joined the choir we would go out after practice every Thursday for drinks and appetizers. After a while we decided that it would be more fun (and less expensive!) to take turns hosting a "wine & cheese" night. Then Bob had the brilliant idea to "Taste the Vine" in alphabetical order. We started with Cabernet Sauvignon. The rules were simple: 1) The wine had to start with your designated letter, and 2) the bottle had to be covered up so we didn't know what we were drinking. I decided to write down our scores so that we would know which wines we liked the best....then was "forced" into writing a blog so that we could share our "finds" with our friends. So, enjoy!!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

My Birthday Blind Wine Tasting Featuring Sonoma County Wines

Happy Birthday Blind Wine Tasting hosted by Becky and Mike
Featuring 3 wines from Sonoma County
My birthday flowers!



Wine #1: St Francis 2007 Merlot
Tasting comments:
Santiago “Makes you pucker”
Wine #1
Meghan “Tongue stuck to the top of my mouth”
Wayne “Alcohol forward. Strong tobacco.”
Elizabeth “Dark berry and almost a chocolate taste”
Karen “Peppery”
Lauren “Spicy”
Mike “I don’t get the spice”
Bob “Not bitter. Not bad.”
Becky “Dry”
Linda “I taste the chocolate”
Wayne “If you taste chocolate the odds are it’s a Cab Sav. I’m leaning towards a Merlot.”
Becky “The olive tapenade smoothes out the wine”
Meghan “I think the saltiness helps smooth it out”
Wayne “Try the wine with the Havarti”
Various cheeses for pairing
Becky “Really good. Gives me more of my vanilla”
Andy “Deep”
Bob “Sassy”
Wayne “Silky, Sultry, Stimulus”
Meghan “It’s ok”
Elizabeth “Is that Satisfactory?”
Meghan “Yes”
Bob “Scrumptious”
Bryan “Good with the bean hummus but not by itself”
Stephen “A little too peppery”

Winemaker notes:Characteristic cherry and chocolate light up the palate of this classic Sonoma County Merlot. Flavors of coffee and luscious plum in the mid palate solidify its structure and give it depth, while its round, generous tannins deliver a bold, lengthy finish.
Blend: 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec and 2% Petite Verdot

WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 7, Karen 7, Mike 7, Becky 7.5, Andy 7, Elizabeth 6.5, Wayne 7, Linda 6.5, Meghan 5, Santiago 6, Bryan 5.5, Stephen 6.5, Lauren 6

Wine #2:  90 Cellar + Pinot Noir Lot 62
Tasting comments:
Bryan “Milder”
Wayne “Pinot Noir”
Wine #2
Bob “Becky, it’s one of those smells” said with a ‘stanky’ face
Linda “Fruity”
Andy “Soft and Sly”
Meghan “Very light smelling”
Bob “It came out of a sock drawer”
Stephen “I don’t like it”
Meghan “It’s neutral. Not sweet, not sour. Not anything.”
Santiago “A bland pairing wine. Better with food”
Mike “Not an old wine”
Elizabeth “Somewhat subtle”
Andy “Balanced and fruity”
Mike “What’s the fruit?”
Andy “Grapes”
Karen “I say cherry”
Lauren “Currants”
Wayne “Becky, do you know what the fruit is? Blackberry.”
My birthday napkins :)
Meghan “Best pairing this with the pate”
Wayne “Good with the fatty food”

Winemaker notes:Brilliant ruby red in color with placid aromas of red raspberry, pomegranate, and cranberry with a delightful spark of exotic spices and freshly baked pastries. Once sipped, all the flavors harmoniously unite to create a Pinot Noir that's ideal for slowly sipping alone or generously pouring to friends. 
WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 4, Karen 4, Mike 6, Becky 7, Andy 7, Elizabeth 6, Wayne 5, Linda 6, Meghan 5, Santiago 5, Bryan 6.5, Stephen 5, Lauren 6

Wine #3:  The Forager Pinot Noir
Tasting comments:
Becky “This is darker”
Wine #3

Wayne “Beautiful color”
Bryan “Not as harsh as the other two. Smooth”
Karen “Smells amazing”
Bob “THIS is your Pinot Noir”
Becky “A caramel burnt taste”
Wayne “Black cherries, currants and vanilla”
Meghan “Velvety”Andy “What she said”
Bryan “Silky”
Santiago “Definitely black cherry”
Elizabeth “Black cherry with a hint of vanilla”
Linda “Very good. Smooth”
Bob “I agree with the vanilla. Tastes creamy”
Santiago “Sabroso! I give it a 7”
"Premature scoring!" everyone yelled.
Meghan “That’s a common problem”
Salami and Toasted French bread
Stephen “Smooth”
Mike “Smooth. Goes good with strawberries”
Lauren “Smooth. Also lots of vanilla”
Karen “Too fruity”

Winemaker notes:
There's considerable depth here, as the palate expands to reveal layers of complexity. Mineral and earth spice notes accent the finish. This Pinot Noir is open, bright, and accessible while maintaining a certain sophistication. Spicy cherry & dark raspberry nose. Taste more of the same berry/cherry fruits along with cinnamon, black tea, violets and vanilla. French oak aged, small percentage new.  Big flavor, smooth tannins, moderate acidity. Excellent wine to pair with stronger-flavored fowl. 

WINE #3 SCORING
Bob 7.5, Karen 6.5, Mike 7, Becky 8, Andy 7.5, Elizabeth 7.5, Wayne 8, Linda 8, Meghan 7, Santiago 7, Bryan 8, Stephen 7.5, Lauren 8

Before the ‘big’ reveal Wayne said “I guess Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet”
Close…but no cigar Wayne! J

"Blinders" for our Wine Bottles
Yes, the socks are clean!


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Thursday, July 18, 2013

Italian Reunion! Some excellent wines from Tuscany

“Italian Reunion” A Blind Wine Tasting hosted by Karen and Bob
 


Wine #1: I Perazzi Morellino di Scansano – La Mozza 2010
Tasting comments:
Becky “Wow! Smells good. Tastes even better.”
Bob “Pretty good”
Karen “Smooth. Deep berry start. Finishes dry. Yay!”
Elizabeth “Not pucker your mouth dry”

Wayne “Plum”
Bob “Plum good!”
Wayne “A good drinking wine”
Mike “Smooth”
Becky “It’s interesting after the meat”
Bob “Bitey after the olive”
Sean “I like it a lot with the swiss”
Wayne “I’m going out on a limb – Sangiovese grape”
Karen “I say Brunello”
Becky “I like it with the sundried tomatoes”
Jess, Linda “Smooth”
Andy “Delicate but tasty”
Becky “A ‘metallic’ taste with the camembert”


Winemaker notes:85% Morellino (the local name for Sangiovese in Maremma), 5% Syrah, 5% Alicante, 2% Colorino, 3% Ciliegiolo The foundation of the La Mozza winery, was created to be unlike most typical Morellino di Scansano. The blend, which includes Mediterranean varieties, is more expressive and better demonstrates the potential of Maremma's terroir. I Perazzi is named after the pear-like fruit that grow on our estate and are depicted on the label. Dark berries and cherries notes are mixed with black licorice tones. This wine is very soft, gentle, balanced and a true crowd pleaser. Great with tomato based pasta sauces and pizzas.

WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 8, Karen 8.5, Mike 7.5, Becky 8, Andy 8, Elizabeth 8, Wayne 8.5, Linda 9 Jess 8.5, Sean 7.5

Wine #2:  Castello di Selvole Sangiovese - Toscana
Tasting comments:
Bob “Not a lot of odor”
Karen “It does have a really nice smell. But it’s light”
Bob “Fruity. Cherry fruity”
Karen “It has a ‘fizz’”
Andy “Grape fruity”
Karen “Definitely cherry”
Andy “OK. Cherry”
Jess “I see where she gets the fizz”
Karen “Tart”
Linda “Weak finish”
Wayne “Alcohol up front on the smell”
Becky “I get the tart right away”
Wayne “Spice”
Jess “The swiss takes away the bite”
Becky “Really good with the dried tomato”
Wayne “Reminds me of some NY wines”
Becky “Really good with the olives”
Jess “Makes the wine interesting”
Elizabeth “It’s fine. I really liked the other one”
Wayne “Is it a Chianti?”
Bob “Only the sock knows”

Winemaker notes:
Red, ruby intense colour. Persistent and pleasant fruity flavour. In the mouth, a taste of
red fruits, vanilla, and coffee. The balanced acidity, evolved and mature tannins together with a long finish, leave the mouth pleasantly dry. Service temperature: 18 degrees centigrade. Open one hour before drinking.

WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 6.5, Karen 7, Mike 6, Becky 6.5, Andy 6.5, Elizabeth 5.5, Wayne 6.5, Linda 5.5 Jess 6.5, Sean 5.5

Wine #3:  Morellino di Scansano – Castello Romitorio
Tasting comments:
Wayne “A beautiful color”
Karen “Oh man. We had the best one first!”
Andy “It just needs to breathe a little first”
Bob “Dry”
Karen “Alcohol-y”
Wayne “Let it breathe – I think you’re right Andy”
Karen (after aerating) “A LOT better!”
Mike “I don’t like the smell”
Andy “The socks or the wine?”
Wayne “I’m making a guess – a vina noble – Montepulciano”
Elizabeth “Smells like mold”
Karen “Root cellar”
Wayne “Wine of the earth”
Andy “Really complex and interesting once it breathed”
Wayne “After breathing, the complexity changed and layered the wine”
Sean “I wanted to say a whole bunch of words. It’s bad”

Winemaker notes:
The grapes utilized in the Morellino are a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. The combination of altitude, southwestern exposure, and rich volcanic soil create in Scansano one of Italy’s most unique micro-climates. A nose of fresh flowers, earth and distinct notes of plum. On the palate, bitter cherries open into a round and steady finish.

WINE #3 SCORING
Bob 6.5, Karen 7, Mike 5, Becky 6.5, Andy 7.5, Elizabeth 6.5, Wayne 7.5, Linda 6.5, Jess 6.5, Sean 3

Wine #4:  Rocca di Frassinello – Maremma Toscana 2009
Tasting comments:
Sean “It’s actually not bad. Spicy.”

Bob “Smells a lot better than the last 2”
Karen “The best smeller”
Wayne “If Yankee Candle could get this smell they would have a hit on their hands”
Karen “Wayne & I don’t want to taste it because it smells so good”
Linda “Tastes as good as it smells”
Elizabeth “Deep. Full mouth wine.”
Karen “Similar to the first wine”
Wayne “Flavorful mouth with a wonderful finish. In my wheelhouse”
Linda “Stays longer”
Andy “Saucy, insouciant, forward yet restrained.”
ANDY T-SHIRT à “Wine night is not just for breakfast anymore”
Karen “It’s in Wayne’s wheelhouse?!? It’s in Karen’s wheelhouse too! I like it better without the chocolate”
Becky “I’m getting a lot of fruit”
Karen “It’s dry”

Winemaker notes:
A wine of great character. Deep ruby red in color, with good berry fruit and floral notes, hints of minerals, and nice elegant spicy tones. Medium-bodied, with fine, velvety tannins and a medium-to-long finish. Wine suitable for ageing, but so very pleasant due to the soft tannins that it can also be drunk young. It pairs well with all red meat dishes and mature cheeses.

WINE #3 SCORING
Bob 7, Karen 9, Mike 6.5, Becky 7.5, Andy 8, Elizabeth 8.5, Wayne 9, Linda 8, Jess 7.5, Sean 7

note: Wayne’s score was influenced by Karen!!


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