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!!

Monday, October 13, 2014

Some Nice or Naughty 'N' Wines - You decide!

The Invitation:
Nothing Needed. Notification Noted. Bob

The Response:
Naturally. Elizabeth 


Wine #1: Novelty Hill 2009 Royal Slope Red Columbia Valley $21.99
Tasting comments:
Bob “It has a little Nip to it”
Andy “A pop. Get’s you.”
Mike “A nice smell”
Bob “Spicy”
Andy “Good after bleu cheese”
Elizabeth “Has a nice finish to it”
Karen “I like it. Good start, middle and finish. No nonsense.”
Elizabeth “Noble”
Andy “kNowledgeable” (note the “n”)
Jessica “The blue cheese mellows out the wine”
Andy “Nice or Naughty?”

Elizabeth “Nice”
Bob “I like Naughty”Becky “A little spicy”
Kara “I was going to say mellow but I think it’s the amount I’ve been eating”
Becky “A little harsh”

WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 7, Karen 7.5, Mike 7, Becky 7.5, Andy 7, Elizabeth 8, Jessica 7.5, Kara 6.5

Wine #2:  Block Nine – Caiden’s Vineyards Pinot Noir 2012  $13.99
Tasting comments:
Bob “Ewww”
Mike “The smell is definitely different”
Karen “Tastes like a red chardonnay”
Bob “This wine sucks”
Elizabeth “An acid-y smell”
Andy “Smells bad”
Mike “Tastes worse than the Happy Hour wine at the hotel”
Kara “Musty”
Elizabeth poured hers into Bob’s glass
Kara “Has Lauren’s ‘feet’ smell”
Becky “It’s not as bad as it smells”
Karen “I had it with these crackers and it wasn’t bad” (Bob’s gluten free crackers - Elizabeth can’t eat those crackers)

WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 4, Karen 4, Mike 4, Becky 5.5, Andy 5, Elizabeth 4, Jessica 5, Kara 4


Wine #3:  Argiano NC Rosso Toscano 2011 Italian Red $22.99
Tasting comments:
Becky “This one looks a lot better – darker”
Andy “This one is Heaven on Earth compared to the last one”
Karen “Nirvana”
Elizabeth “Has a nebulous flavor”
Mike “I’m not getting a taste yet”

Bob “Soak your tongue in it”
Karen “Has a bite in the back at the end”
Bob “It bit me when I was putting the aerator in it”
Elizabeth “Has a sharp finish”
Andy “Makes my ears hurt”
Kara “Is it oak or something?”
Bob “You are sitting next to the Weeping Pussy Willow”
Kara “It’s dry but it doesn’t have much flavor”
Jessica “Has a bitter taste at the end”
Bob “Better au naturale”
Elizabeth “Better with the bleu cheese”
Bob “I like it with the Gouda cheese”

WINE #3 SCORING

Bob 6, Karen 5.5, Mike 5, Becky 6, Andy 6, Elizabeth 6, Jessica 5.5, Kara 5.5

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Sunday, September 14, 2014

It's "M" for Marvelous wines

The Invitation:
Methinks I am tardy in Mailing.  Please join us for a Magnificant Magical evening of Mood Management. Methinks it will be Metempirical.  And the wine will not be Maderization. 

The Response(s):
The Mealeys will Meet the Medley of Members at Mike's and Miss Becky's Mansion.  Karen's Mother, Mr. Don, and My Miss Kara will Magically appear with Me.  
Memorably yours, Mr. Mealey

The McDonalds will Mosey over to the Vortherms Maison to enjoy More Merriment on a Memorable night.

The McBees will Most Majestically Meet you at the Mansion entrance (Most likely My Mini Me). 


Wine #1: Murphy-Goode 2010 Liar’s Dice Zinfandel Sonoma $19.99
Tasting comments:
Bob “Smells like dirt”
Jessica “It does have an earthy smell”
Bob “Rich and full. Marvelous.”
Sean “Tastes good after the spicy cheese”

Don “Leaves a nice taste in the back of your throat”
Elizabeth “A rich, earthy taste”
Becky “It has a dry finish”
Caroline “Not as well as some”
Mike “I like the smell and taste”
Elizabeth “I like the spiciness”
Don “Has a little pepper in it”

WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 8, Karen 7.5, Mike 7.5, Becky 8, Andy 7.5, Elizabeth 7.5, Jessica 8, Sean 8, Kara 8, Don 8.5, Caroline 4

Wine #2:  Michael Pozzan 2010 Napa Valley Merlot $17.99
Tasting comments:
Elizabeth “I really like this one”
Caroline “Much better than the first one. Smooth. Goes all together.”
Karen “Dry”
Elizabeth “I’m coming over to the dry side”
Becky “The taste isn’t quite as full as the first wine”
Kara “Weaker. But good.”
Don “Doesn’t have the bite like the first one. A little flat.”
Jess “Dryer than the first one”

WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 7, Karen 8, Mike 7, Becky 7.5, Andy 7, Elizabeth 8.5, Jessica 7.5, Sean 8, Kara 7.5, Don 6.5, Caroline 8

Wine #3:  Max Family Cuvee Napa Valley Red 2011 Private Reserve $27.99
Tasting comments:
Karen “Light color”
Bob “Rubyish red. Not a Pinot. A Rojo.”
Becky “Has a nice spice to it”
Elizabeth “I like it, but I liked the second one better”
Sean “A must have”
Andy “Medium good”
Elizabeth “Great merit”
Don “A good before dinner wine”
Elizabeth “Mellow”
Kara “I agree with that”
Bob “Majestic”
Mike “Mouthful”
Sean “I’m going to bring a dictionary next time”
Sean “It’s good”
Elizabeth “Not quite as magical as the first one”
Bob “Myth”
Andy “You’re mistaken”
Becky “Now I can put the rankings in”
Bob “Sure you don’t want more?”
Becky “Has spice to it. A thin finish.”
Becky “The first one had my vanilla. That’s why it was my favorite.”

WINE #3 SCORING
Bob 7, Karen 7.5, Mike 7, Becky 7, Andy 7, Elizabeth 7.5, Jessica 7.5, Sean 8, Kara 7, Don 7, Caroline 7.5 

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Thursday, July 31, 2014

"L" Night with Andy and eLizabeth - We had a LoveLy Time!

 The Invitation:
Since I have been a Laggard in hosting wine tastings, it is time to stop my Laziness and host this Thursday's  Long-awaited wine night. It is an especially Lovely time to host since I have my Loyal sister Laboring to
help prepare the Litany of food and Libations.

All Lads and Lasses are welcome to Leisurely arrive in their Lounge clothes, if desired. We would Love the evening to be filled with Laughter, Levity and occasional Lunacy. Hopefully the wine will be Luscious and not Lousy. We Look forward to a Lively time.
Lovingly,
ELizabeth and Andy


Wine #1: Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir Arroyo Grande Valley 2010 $21.99
Tasting comments:
Becky “Interesting smell”
Bob “That’s weird. I don’t know if it’s the wine or the Paté. It tastes better than it smells”
Andy “It’s a little tart. I like little tarts.”
Jessica “It’s ok”
Becky “I like this wine”
Karen “Smells better when you aerate it”
Ginger “I enjoyed it. The best one I’ve had today, so far.”
Sean “Smells better the less you have in the glass”
Elizabeth “Drinkable, but not exciting”
Mike “It’s like sangria”
Becky “Smells like a clean latrine”
Andy “Likeable but ultimately lacking”
Ginger “I would drink it if it was free”

WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 5, Karen 4, Mike 5, Becky 7, Andy 6, Elizabeth 5.5, Jessica 5.5, Sean 5, Ginger 5

Wine #2:  Lan Rioja-Crianza 2008 Red Wine Spain $12.99
Tasting comments:
Becky “Smells smokier”
Mike “Nice lines”
Elizabeth “I like this one. Smooth. Has a level taste.”
Karen “No tartness”
Bob “Luscious”
Andy “I’m longing for more”

Ginger “This is better. I would pay for this.”
Becky “Has the iron taste”
Sean “Not bad”
Karen “Not super dry. Nice finish.”
Elizabeth “I don’t like it super dry”
Jessica “Smells better”
Bob “I like this one”
Elizabeth “Smells like the liquid earth”
Becky “Smooth with a spicy note”

WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 7.5, Karen 7.5, Mike 7.5, Becky 7.5, Andy 7.5, Elizabeth 8, Jessica 7.5, Sean 7.5, Ginger 7

Wine #3:  Chateau LaRose-Trintaudon Haut-Medoc cru Bourgeois 2005
Tasting comments:
Bob “Musty”
Elizabeth “I think it smells lusty”
Mike “I like this one”
Ginger “Loaded with flavor”
Mike “Almost lovable”
Becky “Fresh”
Karen “A little earth, more berry”
Andy “A lilt to it”
Elizabeth “Gives me a lift”
Karen “Tarter”
Becky “Very dry”
Karen “It would be perfect if it wasn’t tart”
Sean “Makes me want to be a lush”

WINE #3 SCORING
Bob 7, Karen 8.5, Mike 8, Becky 7, Andy 7, Elizabeth 7.5, Jessica 7, Sean 8, Ginger 6


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Sunday, July 6, 2014

It's "K" night with Karen and Bob!

The Invitation:
Let the Knowledge of wine Kindle your desire for Kinship.  Keep 7:30pm this Friday as your post Kris Kringle celebration time at the Mealey Kitchen.  Kindly reply with your number of Kin folk attending.  Tie a Knot around your finger so you Know to come.  Travel a few Kilometers by car or your yellow Kayak if raining. Just be there!!!!! Kindheartedly Yours…Bob and Karen

The Responses:
1) Kudos to the Mealeys for the invite.  The McDonald family will be Knocking on your door Friday night.  We will be bringing the Kids and wine, but not Kangaroo wine.   With Mood Management present, there is bound to be good Karma as well as the regular Kookiness involved.   Elizabeth will be wearing a Killer red Knitted scarf made by the Kind Jessica McBee who has a Knack for such items.  It will be a Kodak moment. Kindest regards, The McDonalds
2) A Kwik Kount of the Vortherms Klan shows 7 adults with one Kinchin.  We will set the Klaxon to Klang at 7:15 so that we will not be tardy.  My Kickie-wickie and I look forward to tasting a Kaleidoscope of Kermes wines.  Andy’s tastes will undoubtedly run toward Kir and Kirsch.   I’m sure the night will end with a Kantikoy to the wine with a Kolo sytle. Kudos to all. The Vortherms Klan

Wine #1: Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Merlot 2009 Sonoma $23.99
Tasting comments:
Meghan “Smells fruity”
Becky/Jessica “Smells good”
Karen “I don’t think it has a lot of smell”
Jessica “A little dry”
Robert “So far better than what dad picked out last week”
Bob “I like it”
Lauren “I do, too”
Wayne “Is this K?” (as he smells it)
Bob “See if you can give it Kudos”
Stephen “It’s sharp as a Knife”
Bryan “Thumbs up”
Wayne “Kautiously Kandid on this one”
Miranda “I actually like it”
Lauren “It’s tart”
Bob “I don’t find it tart. It doesn’t hurt my ears.”
Sean “I don’t think it’s half bad”
Wayne “A good medium bodied wine. Goes well with the meatballs.”
Meghan “I taste the tart”
Bob “It might be the King of the day”
Andy “A Kaleidoscope of flavor”
Stephen “It’s not a Knockoff”

WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 8, Karen 6, Mike 6, Becky 7, Andy 7, Jessica 7, Sean 7, Wayne 7, Linda 7, Bryan 7, Robert 7.5, Stephen 7, Lauren 6, Kara 7, Sarah 7, Brian 7, Miranda 7, Meghan 7

Wine #2:  King’s Ridge Oregon Pinot Noir 2011 Willamette Valley Grown $15.99
Tasting comments:
Bryan “Light in color”
Wayne “Boone’s Farm”

Miranda “Looks like Manichevitz grape juice”
Bryan “Sour”
Meghan “Pink and it smells bad”
Jessica “See through wine”
Kara “Is this a Mike wine?”
Karen “Smells like strawberries”
Miranda “Smells like cough syrup”
Bob “Bizarre”
Lauren “It’s not that bad. A little booze-y.”
Sarah “Watery”
Meghan “Sour without any flavor behind it”
Brian”It’s better when I can’t taste it”
Beck “Not bad after the Havarti”
Karen “I don’t like it”…as she poured hers into Mike’s glass
Becky “Light tasting”
Miranda “You have to have food to make it decent”

WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 5.5, Karen 2, Mike 4, Becky 5, Andy 5, Jessica 4, Sean 3, Wayne 5, Linda 4, Bryan 4, Robert 3.5, Stephen 5, Lauren 5, Kara 5, Sarah 4, Brian 4, Miranda 2, Meghan 3

Wine #3:  Kaiken Malec 2011 Reserva Mendoza Argentina $19.98
Tasting comments:
Jessica “A much better color”
Miranda “I like this one. It doesn’t make me shudder. A nice after taste.”
Robert “A Sharp taste at the beginning”
Stephen “Pungent”
Wayne “This wine passes the meatball test”
Meghan “A tart, not quite sour taste”
Wayne “I don’t think it’s sour, it’s cloves.”
Bryan “Am I imagining vanilla?”
Becky “I taste vanilla just before the sour hits”
Karen “I don’t like it. Currants. Tastes like there’s a lot of pulp in it.”
Karen Iron-y”

Mike “Black currant syrup with white wine. Kir.”
Karen “Better with the meatball”
Becky “A lot better. I don’t taste the sour.”
Bob “Tastes like feet”


WINE #3 SCORING
Bob 5.5, Karen 5, Mike 5, Becky 5.5, Andy 5, Jessica 6.5, Sean 7.5, Wayne 7.5, Linda 6, Bryan 7.5, Robert 6.5, Stephen 5, Lauren 4, Kara 4, Sarah 7, Brian 6.5, Miranda 6.5, Meghan 6
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Saturday, May 31, 2014

"J" is for a Joyous night of wine

Blind Wine Tasting hosted by Mike & Becky
“J” Night

The Invitation:
Please Join us for a Joyous Jubilation of wine tasting tomorrow evening
The Response:
I cannot believe the Jocularity generated by such an event that Jump starts my Jamboree of a weekend.  Just Karen and I will Jostle to your home for the Junction of family Joy!!!!!!!

Wine #1: Josh Merlot 2011 $23.99
Tasting comments:
Bob “Uh oh. What is this? Welch’s? We’re not on W!” pauses to taste “Doesn’t taste as fruity as it smells”
Elizabeth “I think it tastes like air” note: Elizabeth wasn’t drinking…she was on meds
Karen “Not full”
Sarah “Generic red wine”
Jessica “Non descript”

Robert “More flavor, better after cheese”
Mike “It’s plain. Just plain.”
Bob “You don’t think it’s a Gem?” note: Bob was trying to get a “J” word and failed….
Mike “It’s not a jewel”


WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 6, Karen 6, Mike 6, Becky 6, Andy 6 Jessica 6, Robert 5.5, Brian 5, Sarah 5

Wine #2:  Santa Julia Malbec Mendoza, Argentina 2012 $9.99
Tasting comments:
Becky “Deep fruity flavor. Plummy.”

Mike “More body”
Andy “Good. A lot more complex than the last one.”
Elizabeth “I don’t think it tastes different than the last one”
Sarah “Too dark for me. Tastes church-y to me.”
Karen ‘I don’t get fruity”
Becky “Not berry…Plummy!”
Andy “Currant” (to laughter)
Becky “A little harsh”

WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 6, Karen 6.5, Mike 7, Becky 5.5, Andy 6.5, Jessica 7, Robert 6, Brian 6, Sarah 6.5

Wine #3:  Joyvin Red/Rouge Italy – Rashi Vineyards
Tasting comments:
Becky “Really light color”
Robert “Bubbly”
Bob “No legs”
Robert “I don’t know if you can call this wine”
Karen “Smells like strawberry”
Robert “Tasty. Tastes like sparkly juice.”
Bob “It’s kind of fun. It’s Jolly.”
Mike “Refreshing”
Bob “Put it this way. I think it will go well with a cookie.”
Jessica “It’s fun. It’s like a cider.”
Becky “Definitely sparkly”
Andy “Did this wine come in a box with a straw?”
Robert “It does have a cool cork…tapered.”
Bob “Is this a joke?”
Mike “A good wine for sangria”
Bob “A Jason wine”

WINE #3 SCORING

Bob 3, Karen 3, Mike 3, Becky 3, Andy 3, Jessica 5, Robert 5.5, Brian 6, Sarah 5


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Thursday, May 8, 2014

I love wine! It's "I" night!

Blind Wine Tasting hosted by Bob & Karen


Wine #1: Incredible Red – Peachy Canyon – 2011 Zinfandel $11.99
Tasting comments:
Bob “Smells fruity”
Karen “Very earthy smelling”
Becky “I was going to say the same thing!”
Karen “More flavor than I expected”
Bob “Is it full body or more intimate?”
Sean “Not bad”
Mike “It’s Ideal. You could almost say incredible.”

WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 7.5, Karen 6.5, Mike 7.5, Becky 7, Jessica 7, Sean 7, Lauren 6.5, Stephen 6.5, Kara 5.5

Wine #2:  Il Bruciato 2011 Bolgheri – Tenuta Guado Al Tasso $31.99
Tasting comments:
Bob “The wine is really good with the chocolate”
Karen “This one smells good”
Lauren “I like this one. Light and mild.”
Stephen “A little inaccessible. I don’t have an inkling on how I’m going to rate this one.”
Bob “Do you want to impart some of your intelligence?”
Jess “I don’t like the wine by itself. It has a weird after taste.”
Bob “It’s not bad”
Stephen “Inferior to the last one”

Karen “I don’t get a bite. It’s really dry. Drier with the chocolate.”
Mike “A non Italy wine”
Jess “This wine is really inconsistent”
Karen “Chocolate makes it drier”

WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 6.5, Karen 7, Mike 5, Becky 5, Jessica 5, Sean 5, Lauren 6, Stephen 5.5, Kara 6

Wine #3:  Ruffino Il Ducale Sangiovese 60% Toscana 2010 $16.99
Tasting comments:
Sean “I don’t like the smell”
Stephen “It stinks”
Bob, Mike “Ewww”
Lauren “Smells like poop”
Bob “The taste is 10 times better than the smell”
Karen “No finish”
Becky “It’s sour”

WINE #3 SCORING

Bob 5, Karen 5, Mike 4.5, Becky 5, Jessica 4, Sean 3, Lauren 3, Stephen 5.5, Kara 2


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