I’ve had my share of GSMs (Grenache, Syrah, Mourevadre), but it wasn’t until my birthday earlier this week when I tasted just a GS. Distinctively missing the high tannin, rich Mourevadre, this unique blend of 52% Grenache and 48% Syrah really caught my attention. Let the wine breathe for a bit if you don’t want…
Category: Red Blend
Budget Buster, California, Red Blend
Review: 2011 Leoness Limited Selection Ten
by wineforthewin •
Spending a weekend up in the mountains? Bring some nice reds (or if you’re like me also pack a cheap Rose for the hot tub. I brought along a 2013 Josephine Rose). I brought along the 2011 Leoness Limited Selection Ten, a supple blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Cinsaut, Grenache and Mourevadre to pair with a…
California, Over $25, Paso Robles, Red Blend
Review: 2010 Tablas Creek En Gobelet
by wineforthewin •
Friday night was frustrating. On my way to pick up the other half from the train station, I get pulled over by a cop who gives me a ticket. Then my car won’t start and the cop just drives off. Triple A comes and saves me and lover drives home. What a sucky start to…
Blends, Non-California, Red Blend, Review
Review: 2012 Ceibo Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon
by wineforthewin •
If I had to pick one word to describe this Malbec, it would be tart. The wine has a lot of structure and a zesty flavor at the end, but I felt like the tart, pomegranate flavor was distracting. There’s also a flowery essence to the drink, which I tasted, but my fellow drinker did…
Blends, Red Blend, Review, Under $10
Review: 2012 Apothic Red Winemaker’s Blend
by wineforthewin •
After a day full of skiing in Big Bear, your body craves Alleve and warmth. Apothic Red is the next best thing. The sweet, vanilla-y red blend will soothe what ails you and warm you right up, especially if you have a glass or three. The mixture of Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is…
California, Red Blend, Under $10
Review: 2011 Cocobon Red Wine Blend
by wineforthewin •
For some reason, whenever I say Cocobon it makes me think of big band music, dancers with big feather headdresses, Miami Beach in the 1960s and that scene in “The Mask” when Jim Carrey does a crazy dance number. Remember that one? If not, here’s a refresher: The 2011 Cocobon, sold at Trader Joe’s, is…
Red Blend, Review, Under $10
Review: 2012 Green Fin Red Table Wine
by wineforthewin •
At a Friendsgiving dinner this weekend, I was told that the Green Fin Red Table Wine from Trader Joe’s would be the best under $5 wine I’ve ever had. This red blend is pretty simple. It’s drinkable, but not great. It’s got tart berry and a hint of vanilla, but not much else and the bottle…
Non-California, Portugal, Red Blend, Review, Under $15
Review: Casa Agricola HMR Varal Tinto
by wineforthewin •
Portugal is known for port, duh, but it’s also got blended table wines going on. I picked up a delicious red blend from Vintage Berkeley when I was visiting a friend. It’s from Casa Agricola, a winery in Alentejano, which is in the southeast area of Portugal. This wine tasted like plums, strawberry and cinnamon and…
Interesting Fact, Oregon, Paso Robles, Red Blend, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz
Wine in a can? Wine in paper bottles? What’s up with that?
by wineforthewin •
For those of us who went to college in the past 10 years, we’ve had our fair share of wine in a box. Who can forget slap the bag? But wine in paper bottles and wine in cans? These are new and intriguing entries to the U.S. wine market. First, the paper bottle: It’s made…
Barbera, Budget Buster, California, Nebbiolo, Red Blend, Sangiovese, Santa Barbara County
Review: Area 5.1 Majestic 12
by wineforthewin •
Remember how I raved about Area 5.1’s White Light? Well, I liked the winery’s Majestic 12 just as much, if not more. This red wine blend is jammm-my. Playing along with the alien theme throughout the whole wine tasting room, Majestic 12 is named after a secret committee allegedly formed in 1947 to recover a UFO that…