If you send me wine I will taste it.  If I don’t like it I won’t mention it as I know how much effort, talent and work goes into winemaking.  Suffice it to say, I must have liked these because I did spend time evaluating the color, aromas and flavors:

 

2007 Vines on the Marycrest Round Midnight

Paso Robles

60% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre, 20 % Grenache

http://www.vinesonthemarycrest.com/

Color

Garnet to ruby edge, clear in one-ounce pour, good condition.

Aroma

Ripe red berries I can smell a foot away, stewed fruit, white pepper, strawberry jam, chocolate covered coffee bean.

Taste

Dark, smoky fruit, cigar, black fruit, black pepper, deep tannins, astringent on the back palate, tar, smoke.

 

2006 Estrella Creek Stargazer

http://www.estrellacreek.com

Paso Robles Foothills

67% Syrah, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petite Sirah

15.0% alcohol

Color

Black cherry, color of Chambord liqueur, satiny edge, very pleasant.

Aroma

Dark cherry, blackberry, stewed plums, red licorice, mint, cigar, leather, dark chocolate followed by a hint of creamy vanilla, lots of layers.

Taste

Ripe fruit up front, followed by stewed fruit, smoke, astringent on the back palate, ready to drink and best with food.

 

2009 Rosella’s Vineyard Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

http://www.rosellasvineyard.com/

Applegate Valley, Gants Pass, Oregon

The percentage of Cab or alcohol is not on the label.  I contacted Sandi Garoutte at the winery to ask and received this response: Hi Eve, When you categorize it as a Table Wine with the feds, you don’t have to list alcohol percentages. BUT the alcohol content of the 09 Cabernet is 13.5-13.7 aged 26 months on French Oak and it is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon…

Color

Garnet-Purple stretching to a deep, dark purple edge.

Aroma

Blackberry, sweet black cherry, tobacco, smoke, black pepper, juniper, walnut, coffee grounds.

Taste

Bright red fruit, black fruit on the back palate, jammy, a little tight, charcoal, astringent, dry yet well-balanced, nice long finish.

 

2010 Nuggucciet Cellars Pinot Noir

http://www.nugguccietcellars.com/

Santa Maria Valley

14.8% alcohol

Color

Raspberry with the tiniest hint of apricot in a one-ounce tasting pour, clear over a white sheet of paper.

Aroma

Fresh raspberry and  strawberry, as well as stewed red fruits, some smokiness, maybe cloves…

Taste

Nice bright red fruit balanced with spice, nice viscosity, green peppercorns, pleasantly palate-drying on the finish.

Note: All of the above wines were donated by the winemaker or winery to our Pour Into Sandy hurricane relief wine tasting.  If they sound tasty to you, please return the favor and purchase wine from them to repay their kindness.