'Y' and 'Z' round out the 'ABC' Cab tastings...with another Top 10!

Thursday October 20, 2011
‘Y and Z’ with Bob & Karen
Bob & Karen were in charge of ‘Y’ and Mike & Becky were in charge of ‘Z’

1. Baron Herzog 2008 Central Coast, CA $20.99
   Okay, I know, it doesn’t start OR end with Z…but it DOES have a Z in the name..and it’s DELICIOUS!
   Bob 8, Karen 8, Mike 8, Becky 8
   Karen: “Doesn’t have a lot of smell. Dry, but not super dry. Nice legs.”
   Becky: “Smooth.”
   Bob: “Very good!”
   Mike: “I like it. Not good with salami.”
   


2. Yellow Label Cab/Shiraz 2008 South Australia $9.34
   Bob 4, Karen 6, Mike 7, Becky 6
   Mike: “Very dark. Matches Bob’s shirt.”
   Karen: “Oooh. Smells good.”
   NOTE: Bob made a ‘sour’ face.
   Karen: “Smells so much better than it tastes. Fruity-like. Citrisy. Almost like sangria.”
   Becky: “It does taste citrusy!”
   Karen: “It’s like someone put an orange in. Unexpected taste. 2nd & 3rd sip much better.”
   


3. ZD 2006 Napa Valley $49.99
   Bob 5, Karen 4, Mike 5, Becky 4.5
   Bob: “This is a ‘medium’. It doesn’t wow me or disappoint me.”
   Karen: “I don’t know what that taste is, but I don’t like it. This is what we tasted in New York. A lot of those had this taste. You don’t taste this in California wines at all. ‘Musty’? No!”
   Mike: “Oooh. First sip was bitter. Pass me some carrots please.”
   Bob: “Sawdust.”
   Karen: “No.”

'X' marks the spot..

Thursday October 13, 2011
‘X’ night with Becky & Mike
We were a little creative with the ‘X’s. Not many wines START with an X..so we said it was okay to END with an X

1. Rex – Goliath
   Becky - Excellent value for the money
   Bob 7, Karen 6.5, Mike 6.5, Becky 7, Jess 6.5, Sean 8
   Sean: “I actually like this one!”
   Becky: “It smells spicy.”
   Karen: “It doesn’t taste spicy.”
   Becky: “It has a bite on the tongue.”
   Karen: “Not dry. More tart.”
   Bob: “Tangy.”
   




2. X Xplorador Central Valley, Chile Carmenere 2008
   Bob 5, Karen 5, Mike 4, Becky 5, Jess 5, Sean 3
   Karen: “I don’t know if I like the smell. Smells flowery.”
   Bob: “Big aroma.”
   Sean: “Smells weird. Like the bottom of a trash can.”
   Bob: “The taste is worse than the smell. The smell isn’t that bad.”
   




3. Chamonix 2008 Wine of South Africa $21.99
   Bob 6, Karen 4.5, Mike 6, Becky 5, Jess 5.5, Sean 5
   Bob: “Weird. It smells even more than the last one. Dishwashing liquid.”
   Becky: “Smells like lotion.”
   Mike: “Not good after strawberries.”
   




4. Frei Brothers Reserve 2008 AleXander Valley (I know…it didn’t start OR end with an X)
   Bob 5, Karen 6, Mike 4, Becky 6, Jess 6, Sean 6
   Karen: “This smells better. Okay!”
   Becky: “A little spicy.”
   Bob: “It’s still bitey.”
   Mike: “It must be a dry wine.”
   Sean: “I don’t like the weird flavored wines.”
   

'W' night..and another Top Ten!

Thursday, October 6, 2011
‘W’ with Karen & Bob

1. White Oak 2007 Napa Valley (a duplicate!) $23.99
   Bob 7.5, Karen 7, Mike 7, Becky 7.5, Dane 6
   Bob: “Ooohh!”
   Mike: “Aaaahhh!”
   Becky: “Very smooth. No bite. I like the smell.”
   Dane: “Nyeh.”
   Bob: “Smooth. Tang-less. Mellow.”
   Karen: “Deep berry. Blackberry?”
   Mike: “Definitely mellow.”
   Dane: “Tastes watered down.”
   This one made the Top Ten as an 'O'!!
   


2. Windsor Alexander Valley Sonoma 2007 $24.99
   Bob 6, Karen 7, Mike 7, Becky 6, Dane 7.5
   Karen: “I like this one better. It’s drier. Mike won’t like it.”
   Mike: “The after taste is different.”
   Dane: “I like it better.”
   (Karen: “He has a taste like mine.”)
   Becky: “I liked the 1st one better. There’s an odd tate.”Bob: “Not bad. Spicy. Tongue numbing.”
   


3. Whitehall Lane 2007 Napa Valley $45.99
   Bob 5, Karen 6, Mike 6, Becky 5, Dane 6
   Bob: “Ewww. That’s a different smell.”
   Karen: “Ewww. What is that smell?”
   Bob: “Garbage?”
   Karen: “Ewww. That isn’t the right word. It gets better.”
   Becky: “A weird after taste.”
   Mike: “A little sour.”
   Karen: “A little sweet.”
   


4. Woodbridge 2009 Robert Mondavi $7.99
   Bob 6, Karen 6, Mike 5, Becky 6, Dane 6.5
   Bob: “Smells like the last one. Is this the same wine?”
   Karen: “Not as pleasing.”
   Becky: “This wine is growing on me.”

'V' for Victory!

Thursday, September 22, 2011
‘V’ with Mike & Becky
A new guest “taster” arrives on the scene. Welcome Miranda!
One of the ‘V’ wines came from Cousin Frank and Pam who were travelling through CT in their RV

1. Veramonte 2008 Reserva Colchagua Valley, Chile
   Bob 6.5, Karen 3, Mike 7, Becky 7, Miranda 7
   Bob: “Spicy”
   Karen: “Fizzy. I’m not liking it.”
   Miranda: “REminds me of a Christmas wine. I like it and I don’t usually like red wine.”
   Karen: “Better with cheese. I don’t like the smell.”
   Mike: “I like it.”
   Los Vascos 2009 Colchagua Valley, Chile Domaines Barons de Rothschild
   Bob 5, Karen 6, Mike 5, Becky 5.5, Jess 5, Miranda 2.5
   Karen: “This one smells better. Not a lot of flavor. Very dry.”
   Miranda: “I don’t like this one. No spice. Too dry.”
   Jess: “Strong smell.”
   Mike: “Bland.”
   Bob: “Soul-less” (word provided by Kevin)
   Becky: “No bite.”
   


2. Vinas Chilenas 2010 Valle Central (Trader Joe’s from Cousin Frank)
   Bob 4, Karen 1, Mike 4, Becky 1, Jess 4, Miranda 1
   Karen: “Pretty color.”
   Bob: “Fruity. Socks.”
   Becky: “Ick. Bad after taste. Old refrigerator.”
   Jess: “Bitter after taste. Initial taste I liked.”
   Becky poured hers into Karen’s glass, who then poured hers into Bob’s glass.
   Miranda poured hers into Mike’s glass.
   


3. Viniterra Reserva 2008 Mendoza Argentina
   Bob 6, Karen 6, Mike 5.5, Becky 6.5, Jess 6.5, Miranda 8
   Becky: “Cocoa/Coffee”
   Karen: “Mocha. A little bit dry.”
   Miranda: “I like this one. Velvetty.”
   Jess: “Smooth. I like Miranda’s word.”
   Bob: “I like the velvety comment, too. Smooth. Not a drinking wine.”
   Miranda: “More luxurious.”
   Jess: “Tasty.”
   


4. Valdisanti Tenuta S. Giovanni 2007 Toscana Tolaini
   Bob 6, Karen 7, Mike 3, Becky 7, Jess 7, Miranda 6.5
   Karen: “Smells good. Tastes really different. Very dry. 2nd sip better than the 1st.”
   Becky: “Very dry.”
   Bob: “Dry. Dusty almost. Dusty & Musty.”
   Jess: “Pretty good.”
   Miranda: “Pretty good. Smells good. A hint of spice.”

'U' won't believe how these wines taste...

Thursday, September 15, 2011
‘U’ with Karen & Bob

1. Umbral de los Tiempos 2006 Mendoza, Argentina
   Bob 7, Karen 7, Mike 7, Becky 7
   Mike: “Smooth. Good so far.”
   Karen: “Very dry.”
   Becky: “I don’t think it’s that dry.”
   Bob: “Good outside in the wine tent. Feels like a picnic wine.”
   Karen: “Not, it’s a bit fuller than that.”
   


2. Terra Unica Reserva 2002 Product of Spain $8.99
   Bob 6.5, Karen 3, Mike 7, Becky 6
   Bob: “Mild. Wow! A mild wow.”
   Mike: “Sweeter. Not as dry.”
   Karen: “I don’t like the smell. It tastes like it smells. What is that taste…clover, or something like that.”
   Bob: “I like this.”
   Karen pours hers into Mike’s glass.
   Bob: “You’re giving this to Mike? Mike only drinks the crap stuff!”
   


3. Heredad Ugarte Crianza 2007 Product of Spain $10.99
   Bob 6.5, Karen 6, Mike 6, Becky 5.5
   Karen: “Bob will like this one.”
   Bob: “Full bodied. A lot of tannins.”
   Mike: “After the herb cheese this is mild. I can’t even taste it.”

'T' them up! It's Time for more wine...and another Top Ten Pick

Friday September 2, 2011
‘T’ hosted by Mike & Becky
We had a guest taster visiting from Germany. Welcome Silke!

1. Toasted Head Barrel Aged North Coast 2009 $11.99
   Bob 7, Karen 6, Mike 6, Becky 5.5, Jess 6.5, Sean 6.5, Meg 6, Ed 6, Silke 5
   Bob: “Nice. Fresh.”
   Becky: “A bit of a bite.”
   Karen: “Fruity. Tart. Like a Granny Smith apple.”
   Mike: “Definite bite at the back of it.”
   Silke: “A bit sour.”
   Sean: “Not bad.”
   Meg: “Smells good.”
   


2. 337 Lodi 2008 $13.99
   Bob 7.5, Karen 8, Mike 8, Becky 8.5, Jess 7.5, Sean 7, Meg 6, Ed 7, Silke 8
   Jess: “This one really attacks you.”
   Karen: “This one doesn’t have as much smell – but I really like it. Oh! I like this! Mike won’t. It’s very dry.”
   Bob: “No as ‘sauer’ as the last one.”
   Becky: “Smooth with a vanilla finish.”
   Sean: “If this wine had hair it would be a readhead. It comes after you.”
   Meg: “Mmmmm!”
   


3. Turnbull 2006 $59.99!!
   Bob 6, Karen 5.5, Mike 6, Becky 5.5, Jess 6, Meg 5, Ed 5, Silke 5
   Silke: “Sour.”
   Mike: “This is a Karen wine.”
   Jess: “Karen won’t like this one as much as the 2nd one.”
   Karen: “Really, really sour!”
   Becky: “It makes me thirsty.”
   Bob: “It is sour.”
   


4. Trapiche Malbec 2010 mendoza Argentina
   Bob 4, Karen 2, Mike 5, Becky 4, Jess 4, Meg 5, Ed 4, Silke 3
   Silke: “Eww. It smells sour.”
   Karen: “Eww. I’m not drinking it. I’m giving it to Mike.”
   Silke: “May be good for Sauerbraten.”
   


5. Twisted 2009 California…a Big Jug for $19.79
   Bob 6, Karen 7, Mike 7, Becky 6.5, Jess 7, Meg 7.5, Ed 7, Silke 7
   Karen: “Very different than it smells. Sweet. Cherry.”
   Silke: “Smells sour but tastes sweet. Cherry.”
   Meg: “It’s good.”
   Meg: “Definitely dry.”
   Karen: “Like a piece of wood/cork.”
   


6. The Sun 2008 California Red Wine
   Bob 6, Karen 7, Mike 4, Becky 5.5, Jess 7.5, Meg 5.5, Ed 7, Silke 7

'S' Night: Some Super wine! And one of the top ten...

Thursday August 25, 2011
‘S’ hosted by Karen & Bob

1. Black Stallion 2008 Napa Valley $19.99
   Bob 9, Karen 9, Mike 8, Becky 9, Lauren 9
   Bob: “Smells fantastic! That’s good.. psssst, taste..psst..tste.” (I didn’t know how to write the sound that Bob made)
   Becky: “Smells so good I don’t want to drink it. Mmmm! This is REALLY good!”
   Lauren: “If this is the cheap on I’m gonna really like it. Not strong at all.”
   Karen: “Dry. Dark berry taste.”
   Bob: “Pleasant. No bite. Really good.”
   Mike (with his stuffed nose): “I can’t taste anything. It’s a ten.”
   


2. Slingshot 2007 Napa Valley $21.24
   Bob 6.5, Karen 7, Mike 6, Becky 7, Lauren 6.5
   Lauren: “Stronger than the last one.”
   Mike: “It has a bit.”
   Karen: “This has no smell. This isn’t bad. If we hadn’t had the other one first, I would like it. Not as smooth. Much more bitter.”
   Bob: “Slightly bitey.”
   


3. Souverain 2008 North Coast $15.29
   Bob 7, Karen 7, Mike 7, Becky 7, Lauren 6 (because we’ve had worse)
   Karen: “Has more smell than the 2nd one.”
   Becky: “Harsh after M&M’s”
   Mike: “I like it better than the 2nd one.”
   Lauren: “This is a peppery one.”
   Karen: “It’s the chocolate. If you don’t have the chocolate, it’s not bad.”
   Bob: “Flavored. Not bad.”
   


4. Simi 2007 Alexander Valley $19.99
   Bob 6, Karen 5.5, Mike 6, Becky 6, Lauren 6
   Lauren: “Smells funny.”
   Karen: “Smells good.”
   Lauren: “I smell booze in there.”
   Mike: “Mild. Look at those lines! Nice.”
   Karen: “Chocolate-y. Mocha. A bite.”
   Bob: “Bitey. I’m surprised how bitey it is compared to the Black Stallion.”