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
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.