…except that I’ve always said that I’d never be like regular wine bloggers and just rate wines.  I’ve stuck to that.  In the rare occasion that I attempt it, it still is Eve-il-fied.

The La Aldea Monastrell 2007 “red wine”, Jumilla, Spain.  14% alcohol.  I think it was between $10 – $20 (it was a gift) from Valencia Wine Company.

Nose: Bell peppers and mushrooms and maybe some other vegetal tinge hung on while blackberry pushed its way through.  Thankfully.

Taste: Balanced, dry, high tannins, black cherry muscled out by some white pepper.

Conclusion: I’d pay for this wine again.  I’d sell it to you if given the chance.  88 Eve points.

I meant to try it later with food, which I think I did, but I didn’t note the changes.  I’m still quite the novice in detecting what happens when I add food to my wine notes.  I get that chocolate makes a crappy red taste better, as does over-chilling a bad white. And I even get how Stilton Blue cheese makes my dessert wine soften and add nutty components.

But, when it comes to a red, I’m afraid I’m more guilty than not of the old chew and swallow.  You?