Tasting - Santa Duc Gigondas

Name: Santa Duc Gigondas
Variety: 75% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 15% Syrah and Cinsault
Region: Gigondas
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $43.95

Winery Review: Aged completely in foudre, it exhibits lots of blueberry, blackberry and kirsch fruit intermixed with hints of crushed rocks and spring flowers. This medium to full-bodied, soft Gigondas is ideal for drinking during its first 6-10 years of life.

My Review: This wine had a very strong woody, oak aroma. There was not much fruit aroma or flavor. It was very mineral in flavor and had a very tannic finish which I did not like.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Santa Duc Cotes du Rhone Les Vielles Vignes

Name: Santa Duc Cotes du Rhone Les Vielles Vignes
Variety: 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Morvedre, 10% Cinsault, Cournoise, Carignan
Region: Cotes du Rhone
Country: France
Year: 2010
Price: $15.95

Winery Review: The old vines give great depth and density to the wine. Older vines produce less fruit, the flavors coming through the grapes are concentrated into those fewer clusters. The nose is of plump, dark fruit; ripe black cherry and blackberry as well as a bit of mint. The palate is full of lovely berry fruits, lush ripe strawberry, black raspberry and black currants and undertones of wild herbs, like a basket of freshly picked forest berries and herbs. Those lush flavor and herbal notes make this a nice partner for a cozy crock of French Onion Soup.

My Review:This wine had a smoky, spicy aroma with hints of oak. After tasting, there were some hints of berry fruits but it was very tannic and acidic which took away from the flavors.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - McPherson Tre Colore

Name: McPherson Tre Colore
Variety: 27% Carignan, 62% Mourvedre, 11% Viognier
Region: Lubbock, Texas
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $16.95

Winery Review: This light body, easy drinking red wine has aromas of cedar, black pepper and dried cherries and other rebellious berry characteristics. The taste of this approachable wine is rich and smoky with a smooth finish. This is a wine made for a man, but perfect for a woman. The approachable qualities in this light bodied red make it an easy match for both people and dishes. Feature this wine with your next chicken dinner or cheeses from all over the world.

My Review: This wine had a wood, spice aroma to it. There were some berry flavors in this wine but it was more tannic and had a drier finish that I did not find to be smooth.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - McPherson La Herencia

Name: McPherson La Herencia
Variety: 75% Temparanillo, 9% Syrah, 6% Mourvedre, 5% Grenache & Carignan
Region: Lubbock, Texas
Country: United States
Year: 2012
Price: $16.95

Winery Review: Spanish-style red wine made to give a tip of the hat to both the Spanish explorers who first crossed the Texas High Plains, and to those who first envisioned a Texas wine industry> This delicious blend is packed full of juicy bramble fruit, tobacco leaf, and spice. The wine fermented in stainless steel and aged fourteen months in new and neutral French oak giving more weight than 2010 but still round tannins and a pleasantly savory finish. Enjoy this wine on its own or with your favorite Texas BBQ.

My Review: This wine had a smoky, oak aroma as well as some tobacco aromas. However, after tasting, the berry fruit flavors came through and it was nicely balanced. There was a light tannic finish that surprisingly had some acidity to it.

I did not have this wine with food.

Tasting - Delaroche Cotes du Rhone

Name:  Delaroche Cotes du Rhone
Variety: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Year: 2011
Price: $8.95


Winery Review: "This semi-opaque ruby, custom cuvée of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre is made specifically for Fran Kysela. It exhibits very fresh, ripe dark red fruit with very good palate weight and depth and ends with rich fruit notes. Made from organically grown grapes. Incredible value!" - 90

My Review: This wine had a very tart smell and had some heat in the flavor. It was very mild for a red wine, however it was bit too dry and bitter for my taste. It was better than expected but the red fruit flavor did not come out as much as I would have liked.

I did not have this wine with food.