Decant Stop Tasting Wine Blog

I bought this wine in the hopes of finding an every day wine for 10 bucks that was readily available, and that I could count on – as from what I read this wine is pretty consistent with every vintage.  It isn’t bad, but it didn’t make me want to keep buying bottles of it either.  Mostly, it has the simplicity of most mass produced wines, the fruitiness of the California versions, but without the oak. 

It is a pretty medium to medium-light ruby red with a slight hint of violet for color and has a fairly nice aroma with cherry and raspberry being dominant with a floral aspect and tiny bits of veggies.  Mouth-feel was fairly light, but smooth and somewhat acidic, and just a hint of soft tannins.  Taste was similar to the nose, but not as good really.  Again, red fruit mix – the usual suspects, with a very slight hint of black pepper.  The after taste was all the vegetal aspect of the nose fleshed out on your palate, along with a mineral residue not a lot unlike the after taste you get when you eat something salty. 

This is a decent meal wine actually, and it would probably work decently to cook with, but I wouldn’t recommend drinking it on its own.  There are better wines for the price for that purpose.

Rating:  87

Price:  $10

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Confession:  I bought this wine because it was on display near the register at K&L as I was picking up other wines and I saw that it was $8 and rated 90 points by RP.  I rarely do this, but I figured, ah, what the heck.  Turns out, it really is a decent wine, and a great bargain.

Color is violet (purple-red) and pretty dark.  It has a pretty nice and interesting aroma of smokiness, tar, licorice, and black fruit.  It doesn’t smell like your average 7-9 buck mass produced wine you find at your local Ralph’s/Von’s/etc, this smells like a serious wine.  Tastes like a fresh tobacco wrapped black plum, as well as a mix of blackberries, blueberries, and cherry.  That might not make you feel like running out and buying a case of the stuff, but believe me, it is better than it sounds.  When you mix it all up it is quite good.  There is a spiciness and acidity that builds on the pallet and it has a substantial feel to it.  Not a wimpy wine by any means.  The after taste is more on the smoky side with some nice black cherry and blueberry, followed by nice ripe tannins. 

I would say this is a terrific bargain at $8, beyond any shadow of a doubt.  Robert is a little bit high on this wine though… I don’t think it quite makes the 90 point grade… but CLOSE.  I think, like me, he was initially sensationalized by how good this is for 8 bucks… and some places sold it at 7 bucks initially.  Consider also that he tastes SO many wines back to back and know that he didn’t have time to calm down and think rational about it.  Rika and I shared this whole bottle over the course of the night, so had plenty of time to consider our reaction.  I still highly recommend buying a bottle and trying it.

Rating:  89

Price:  $8 (K&L Wines)

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This Spanish Garnacha (Grenache) is a screaming deal at $7.  Very drinkable and visually appealing.  Medium ruby red.  Smells of red fruit, raspberry, slightly floral, a little spice box.  Flavor is mostly cherry Jolly Ranchers with a bit of raspberry and red plum.  Mouth-feel is fairly light, but almost creamy smooth with a little acidity and almost no tannins with a little spice at the end.  Finishes with strawberry and a tiny bit of cranberry.  We all enjoyed drinking this wine at our new year’s eve party and appreciated its light fruitiness. 

Rating:  88

Price:  $7

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This Spanish Garnacha was ruby red and fairly light in color.  The nose was mostly of young plum with a red fruit mix filling it in.  It had a clean, crisp flavor of red currant, black pepper, oak, raspberries, and nice rip tannins.  Finished with black pepper, cranberry, cherry, and walnut.  All in all a pretty nice wine for the price.

Rating:  87

Price:  $9

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