Bivio Italia Tuscan Red 2006

The Wine
Region: Gaggiano di Poggibonsi in the heart of Chianti Classico, in the province of Siena, Italy

Vineyards: "Highly acclaimed vineyards in southern Tuscany"
Grapes: 65% Sangiovese,  20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Merlot
Oak: 8-12 months in barrels

Price: $14

Tasting Notes
Look: medium-dark red

Smell: fruity, strong overtones of alcohol

Attack: dry-ish, but otherwise unremarkable
Evolution: smooth, medium bodied

Finish: short, meh.

an OK table wine. not impressed.

Agricola Falset-Marca Etim Seleccion 2006

The Wine
Region: Priorat, Spain

Vineyards: Agricola Falset-Marca
Grapes: 60% Garnacha, 30% Carinena, and 10% Syrah
Oak: 6 months in seasoned French and American oak

Price: $15

Tasting Notes
Look: Very dark purple

Smell: very big, blueberry

Attack: berries, dry, pepper
Evolution: smooth slightly dry

Finish: very nice, long lasting, mouthwatering


very good.  would definitely buy again.

Parker Station Pinot Noir 2006

The Wine
Region: CaliforniaVineyards: Parker Station 
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Oak: ??

Price: $??
Tasting Notes
Look: Light burgundy, light maroon

Smell: berries, grape juice, cherryAttack: quick to the punch, but not very strong
Evolution: not much, semi-dry, unremarkable, meh

Finish: not great, slight aftertaste doesn't leave me wanting more, more meh

Not good.

Gabbiano Chianti Classico 2006

The Wine
Region: Chianti Classico
Vineyards: Gabbiano
Grapes: Sangiovese
Oak: Oak, 12 months

Price: $10

Tasting Notes
Look:Translucent Maroon

Smell: Fruit and pepper
Attack: Subtle (not bold, but not weak, just subdued)
Evolution: Smooth, berry and pepper

Finish: Tastes good, seems to coat the throat, leaves a warm sensation.

A good wine for $10.  If we ever need a Chianti, we'll probably consider picking this one up again.

Blue Pirate Pinot Noir 2006

The Wine
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Vineyards: Pommard Clone Vineyard
Grapes: pinot noir
Oak: French oak barrels
Price: $15

Tasting Notes
Look: Red, not dark

Smell: fruity, mostly berries
Attack: unimpressive, dry, smooth
Evolution: fruity, not very bold

Finish: unremarkable

This wine was good, but not as bold as we normally like in a pinot noir. The smell was good, but it did not taste as bold as it smelled. We will probably not buy this wine again.

Desert Wind Ruah 2006

The Wine
Region: Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA
Vineyards: Desert Wind Vineyard
Grapes: 48% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc
Oak: 14 months in American and French Oak
Price: $16

Tasting Notes
Look: dark purple-ish
Smell: cherry and pepper
Attack: a bit spicy
Evolution: cherry, spicy, dry
Finish: smooth, lasting, gets better and better as you drink it.

This wine is very good. Very worth the $16 we paid.  We will probably get another bottle when we go back to the store to get more wine.  We have had this wine before at a restaurant (paid $36 for the bottle) and the bartender told us where we could find it for ourselves.  We bought 2 bottles and we are saving the other one until 2013 (it's supposed to be quite good when aged).