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!!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

We "travelled" to Spain for this week's Blind Wine Tasting

Blind Wine Tasting hosted by Elizabeth and Andy
Featuring 4 wines from Spain plus a BONUS wine from Italy


Wine #1: Carlos Serres Crianza 2008
Tasting comments:
Bob “That’s a nice aroma!”
Becky “I’m guessing it will be spicy”
Linda “I’m not getting spicy”
Mike “Me either”
Bob “I like this one”
Wayne “Me too”
Becky “Oooh. That’s nice! It’s a surprise”
Andy “It is. It’s kind of interesting”
Becky “It’s almost my velvet”
Karen “Smokey”
Becky “Like a smoking jacket”
Karen “A red velvet smoking jacket”
Elizabeth “Subtle. I like it!”
Bob “I’m eating too much. It’s about the wine”
Bryan “Better by itself than with the cheese”
Jessica “Smooth”
Linda “Very light”
Wayne “Medium bodied with a hint of vanilla”
Elizabeth “I thought it was on the light side”
Wayne “Do you taste the vanilla Karen?”
Karen “Yes”
Andy “We’re suggestible”

Winemaker notes:Color rojo picota con ribete púrpura, limpio y brillante. Aromas a fruta roja madura sobre un fondo especiado, con ligeras notas de regaliz. En boca presenta una buena estructura, sabroso, fresco, frutal, con un final persistente y goloso.  Perfecto par acompañar platos de la cocina mediterránea. Frituras, verduras a la parrilla, arroces, pasta legumbres, carnes blancas y rojas, quesos suaves o de media curación.

WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 7.5, Karen 7.5, Mike 7.5, Becky 8, Andy 7.5, Elizabeth 7.5, Wayne 8, Linda 7.5, Jessica 7.5, Bryan 8

Wine #2:  Beronia Rioja Reserva 2007
Tasting comments:
Bob “This smells good”
Mike “Very good. Not as smooth as the first one”
Bob “Now you get the pepper”
Elizabeth “Has more bite to it”
Jessica “A stronger taste”
Andy “Younger. More direct.”
Elizabeth “What the ‘heck’ does that mean?”
Andy “Not aged and not as mellow as us”
Wayne “The salty cracker turned it sweet”
Bryan “has the perfect amount of spice”
Jessica “A nice balance”
Karen “Sweet..Not sweet. The pepper goes away with the salt. Fuller than the first one”
Wayne “Fills your mouth”
Karen “Full, dry, great finish”
Wayne “Pepper forward. Satin finish”
Winemaker notes:Cherry red in color with a garnet rim. Complex aromas with great intensity. The blackberry, licorice and black fruits really stand out and are mixed with chocolate and clove over a mineral base. A powerful wine, lively with a pleasant structure. On the mouth the licorice, chocolate and sweet spices stand out. A balanced and fresh wine. 
WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 6, Karen 8, Mike 7, Becky 7.5, Andy 7.5, Elizabeth 8, Wayne 7.5, Linda 7, Jessica 7.5, Bryan 8.5

Wine #3:  Bodegas Olara Cerro Anon 2006 Reserva
Tasting comments:
Wayne “Look at the color of that one!”
Bob “Very mild. Of course I just ate salami and cheese”

Linda “Went up my nose”
Karen “They all have a similar smell”
Elizabeth “I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but it’s very dark”
Bob “Interesting flavor”
Andy “Inky”
Elizabeth “Kinky?”
Bryan “Seems like it’s a wine that would own fluffy handcuffs”
Wayne “Pepper is on the side of the tongue”
Karen “Tart”
Linda “A strong finish”
Wayne “Becky , this is a redhead. Tobacco?”
Jessica “It’s more brothel”
Elizabeth “Black cherry”
Wayne “Sweet. Sugar. I’m hallucinating.”
Karen “His mouth is doing something. I don’t know what it is”
Wayne “It’s not a dry wine”
Karen “I hate to say tart when I’m talking about red wine”
Wayne “Are we recommending wine therapy?”
Becky “Absolutely”
Elizabeth “I always practice wine therapy”
Andy “Deep and inky. Not as accessible”
Becky “Has an iron back taste”

Winemaker notes:
"Deep ruby. Pungent aromas of cherry-vanilla, mocha and floral oils, with a smoky topnote. Lush and expansive, offering sweet red fruit flavors and a strong jolt of vanilla. Finishes smooth and sweet, with very good energy and juicy persistence." 

WINE #3 SCORING
Bob 6, Karen 6, Mike 6, Becky 6, Andy 6.5, Elizabeth 7, Wayne 7, Linda 6, Jessica 6.5, Bryan 6.5


Wine #4:  Marques de Caceres Crianza 2008 Rioja
Tasting comments:
Jessica “Dry”
Wayne “A I wrong, or is this wine bland? Not a bad flavor, just not enough”
Linda “Yes. Bland”
Karen “Tart”
Becky “Definitely dry”
Karen “Sour. Tart.”
Jessica “Tart like the other one. Lackluster wine.”
Mike “Under performing”
Elizabeth “No sparkle”
Andy “Good but nondescript”
Wayne “The ultimate insult - It’d be good in Sangria.”
Bryan “A good flavor. Just not enough”
Becky “Sour”


Winemaker notes:
Intense ruby color. Expressive bouquet with notes of raspberries, bilberries and cherries, enlivened by a touch of spice and a depth of vanilla. Charming fruit in the mouth with good structure that highlights concentrated flavors and fleshy tannins. Nice complexity on the tasting resulting in good length. This Crianza is made from our best "cuvees" from the 2008 vintage and conserves in full the character derived from top quality grapes.

WINE #4 SCORING
Bob 5.5, Karen 5, Mike 5, Becky 5.5, Andy 6, Elizabeth 6, Wayne 5, Linda 5.5, Jessica 5.5, Bryan 6


Wine #5:  Caparzo 20110 Sangiovese Toscana Red Wine
Tasting comments:
Becky “Fruitier than the other wines”

Karen “Fruity”
Andy “I don’t particularly care for this one”
Wayne “Fruity”
Karen “It does have a dry finish”
Bryan “Mom, Mom, Mom! It’s fruity with a dry finish”
Elizabeth “I like it better than the last one”
Wayne “Not bad for a screw-top (if I want to be snooty)”


Winemaker notes:
Round, with blackberry and black cherry flavors, this is a juicy red. There are firm tannins lurking beneath the surface, adding texture to the finish.

WINE #5 SCORING
Bob 6, Karen 6, Mike 6.5, Becky 6.5, Andy 5.5, Elizabeth 6.5, Wayne 6.5, Linda 6, Jessica 6, Bryan 6.5


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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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Friday, June 28, 2013

Back to our "Blind" taste test!!

Blind Wine Tasting hosted by Elizabeth & Andy

This week we went back to the “Blind” tastings where we cover the wines with (clean!) socks so that we are not influenced by the name or price of the wine.

Check out the sample sock ------> 


Wine #1: Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Columbia Valley
Tasting comments:
Becky “It looks to be a white wine”
Mike “She’s peeking!”
Jess “Smells crisp”
Bob “It’s that pear taste. I’m going to guess a Pinot Grigio – but maybe not!”
Elizabeth “Crisp”
Andy “Refreshing”
Bob “The brie makes it crisper”
Elizabeth “It’s not brie…it’s camembert”
Becky “It’s good with the camembert”
Karen “It’s fizzy”

Winemaker notes:“The cooler vintage led to a more herbal style of Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of grass, fresh herbs and grapefruit with a clean, fresh finish. The mostly stainless steel fermentation makes this a crisp wine that would pair well with dishes with cream sauce.”
- Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker

WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 5, Karen 3, Mike 8, Becky 7, Andy 6, Elizabeth 7, Jess 7, Bryan 6


Wine #2:  Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Merlot Columbia Valley                                                
Tasting comments:
Bob “Very good. A peppery finish.”
Elizabeth “Spicy”
Bryan “Very spicy”
Jess “The initial taste is mild”
Becky “I agree. The very first taste is kind of watery; mild”
Mike” Mild. Plain”
Bryan “I don’t like it that much”
Elizabeth “I like it. It’s spicy. I like it best with the Camembert cheese.

Bryan “I like it best with the Campo cheese because I can’t taste it”
Bob “Not bad”
Karen “Not dry”
Winemaker notes:
“We craft this wine to be our complex yet approachable Merlot. The wine offers aromas of black cherry, leather and spice with layers of rich dark red fruit flavors and a long, smooth, sweet finish. A touch of Syrah adds a jammy fruit character. I think of this wine as a great ‘any day red.’”
- Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker

WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 6, Karen 6, Mike 5, Becky 5.5, Andy 6, Elizabeth 6, Jess 6, Bryan 4.5


Wine #3:  Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Indian Wells
Tasting comments:
Elizabeth “I smell spice in it, but not as much”
Becky “You get the spice quick”
Bob “It’s a nose turner!” (said with a “stank” face)
Karen “Tastes musty”
Andy “Tastes raw”
Bob “We haven’t used that word before!”
Karen “Rough”
Mike “Bad taste in the back of the throat”
Bob “Ewww”
Elizabeth “I’m slightly disappointed. I was expecting more” (Elizabeth cheated and knew what the wine was!)
Andy “Next time don’t buy it at Quickie Mart”
Elizabeth “You told me to keep the cost down”
Andy “Got better over time”
Winemaker notes:
“The Indian Wells Cabernet is our warm climate, ripe, jammy “New World” style of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine really typifies the Wahluke Slope region with dark fruit aromas and flavors with hints of vanilla. Vineyards in the area are more than a decade old now and showing character and complexity.”
Bob Bertheau - WINEMAKER

WINE #3 SCORING
Bob 5, Karen 5, Mike 5, Becky 5, Andy 6, Elizabeth 5, Jess 5, Bryan 4.5

Note: This is one of our “go to” wines! We were quite surprised when it scored it so low.
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