Anaba - White Blend - 2010

Mendocino White Wine Alder Springs Vineyard

35% Roussanne, 33% Marsanne, 32% Viognier

From Anaba's website:
"It is both exceptionally versatile and truly delicious. Ripe apple and white peach, along with aromas of toasted almond, get a lift from a little bit of spice and a lot of minerality."

Colin: There's a nice balance of buttery oak. The only problem is the bite that makes the wine a bit harsh. That bite continues into the finish, but it's not bad. 

Rating: 7 out of 10 glasses

Rachel: Without food, there is a bite and sour note to this wine. With food, it becomes beautifully balanced. There's a nice oak finish and a taste of apples. Not a sweet white wine, but overall well-rounded flavors. 

Rating: 7.5 out of 10 glasses 

Where can I find it? We purchased this bottle from Lot18.com.  If you are a wine lover, we highly recommend Lot18 as a great way to discover new brands and varieties at a lower price.  We purchased this bottle for $12.00.  The sales go fast - so if you see a bottle you want to try, purchase it right away!

You can also purchase the white blend directly from Anaba's website for $28.00.

Double Decker - Red Blend - 2010

From California

From the bottle: 
"The adventure begins when you twist open the cap! This fruit-forward blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Barbera is doubly delicious and easy to sip - perfect for BBQs, dinners in, and you. Hop on the bus and let your senses take you a world away."

Colin: The three varieties blend well. There's nice fruity notes with a pleasant finish. My only complaint is the little sourness on the nose. 

Rating: 7.5 out of 10 glasses

Rachel: This deep purple wine has the fullness of a cab, but contains a nice fruity note that I like. It's an extremely harmonious blend. Recommend not resting it on your tongue, but quick sips for best taste - otherwise it can get really sour the longer it rests on your tongue. 

Rating: 7 out of 10 glasses

Where can I find it? We got this from Ralph's - the grocery chain near us. You can order it online from Double Decker's website for $11.99.

Mason - Sauvignon Blanc - 2010

From Napa Valley, California

After some online research, we discovered that the taste was so unique that employees in Mason's tasting room told reviewers on yelp that this Sauvignon Blanc would probably never have the same flavor profile again. Which makes us happy to review this 2010 wine!

Colin: I'm surprised by this wine, since it has a heavy-handed fruity bouquet. Yet, it has a very pleasant finish. If the fruit notes were dialed down, I would like this Sauvignon more. 

Rating: 6 out of 10 glasses

Rachel: This wine is crisp with a delicious, citrus finish. It's unlike any Sauvignon Blanc we've ever had. Definitely sweeter than the average, with a very earthy feel. I can only compare it to that flavor you get from cucumber water - very fresh and light. 

Rating: 8 out of 10 - highly recommended due to its unique flavor profile 

Where can I find it? We got our 325 mL bottle at Whole Foods for $4.99. 

Castillo di Amorosa

Fantasia
Napa Valley, California
2010

An Italian style soft sparkling wine and lower in alcohol.  It should be served chilled, it can go well with light meals and dessert - but it's probably at it's best as a dessert wine.  The light carbonation of the wine makes it very refreshing and great on hot, summer days.

Colin:  Tasting the wine alone did nothing for me.  However, paired with a sweet dessert, it was a good combination of sweet and tart fruit.  The sparkling aspect is nice, but I could not imagine having this wine with anything but a pleasant dessert.
Rating:  6 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  I love the sparkling aspect to this rose.  I think it allows the sweet and tanginess of the wine to come through.  Most roses are too sweet, but this one has a tart side to it as well.  I think Castillo did a great job at finding a balance in this wine.
Rating:  7.5 out of 10 glasses

Aerate:  No - this wine is sparkling, so you don't want to lose that carbonation.

Where can I find it?
This is another Castillo di Amorosa exclusive wines (and concludes all the wines from our Napa Trip).  You can sadly only by it either at the castle or order it online.  It costs $28.00 and is available online here.

Pourtal: Miguel Torres, Damien Coquelet, Edmunds St. John

Miguel Torres: "Las Mulas"
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chile
2008

Wine Enthusiast gives this wine 89 points, saying that it's very good for the price.  There's some bold, black fruit flavors and a very peppery side to this wine.

Colin:  Very fruity for a Cabernet. The oaky finish saves it for me.

Rating:  6 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  I don't really like this wine because it has a very sour taste.  It becomes ash-y soon after.  Too many pepper notes for me, but strangely, it has a very smooth finish.

Rating:  6 out of 10 glasses

Where can I find it?
K&L Wines has a pretty good deal 

Cost: $11.99


Damien Coquelet: Beaujolais-Villages
Gamay
France
2010

Beaujolais is known for their Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc grapes (the full name of the wine).  Gamay's tend to be a purple-colored variety.

Colin:  First time tasting this kind of wine, little underwhelmed.  I feel like I'm drinking a diet wine.  Good for someone that doesn't like wine. 

Rating:  4 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  This is a strange wine because while it is still bold in flavor, it has an aftertaste like water. It is a weird sensation, but it is still decent.  I think this is a good starter red for people who don't like reds, since it doesn't have a very strong finish.

Rating : 5 out of 10 glasses

Where can I find it?
Best bet is to search the internet... It's easier to find the 2009 Vintage than this one.

Cost:  2009 Vintage ranges from $16 - $25.


Edmunds St. John. "Bone-Jolly"
Gamay Noir
El Dorado County, California
2009

Edmunds prides themselves on building the best wines with the best grapes.  The company only uses vines that they got from Beaujolais, France, so it gives it the original French flavors, but still is an American fine (and thus, much easier to find).

Colin:  The Gamay Noir is much more palatable than just the Gamay.  Though, I'm still not a fan of this kind of wine. 

Rating:  5 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  This wine has a solid flavor to it.  It is very warm, looks almost rose red, and is fruity but not too sweet.  I think this was one of my favorite tastings at Pourtal - and I had never had a Gamay Noir before that day!
Rating:  8 out of 10 glasses

Where can I find it?
Edmunds has a list of distributors on their website.

Cost:  Premier Cru has it on sale (four bottles left in stock) for $14.99

Aconga

Malbec & Cabernet Sauvignon
Argentina
2010

80% Malbec and 20% Cabernet makes a rich purple and dark wine.  There's ample notes of plum, black fruit, and all the good flavors that you want out of a red wine.  It's soft and supple that goes with pasta or beef.  We had it with roasted garlic and rosemary potatoes and portobello stuffed mushrooms with almond meal and Italian dressing.  This was a completely vegan and gluten free meal -- and came out quite nicely.  Paired great with the wine - though we believe this could go with just about anything.  And under $10!

Colin:  Surprisingly good.  The price had me skeptical, but on the first sip, I was delightfully surprised at how smooth and fruity it was.  A little smoother than most Malbec - probably because of the amount of Cabernet in it.  The only thing that lowered the rating was the slightly poor finish - it was a little too citrus-y.  Great for $3.00
Rating:  7 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  This is a very smooth red, rich and fruity.  I was amazed that, for such a cheap wine, it was as great as it is.  It smells very smooth.  I don't really know what to say, because I really enjoyed this wine.  It's fruity, easy to drink for non-red wine lovers, but also holds up on bold flavors for the wine drinker.  And for the price - this is unbeatable.
Rating: 8 out of 10 glasses

Jennie's Birthday Review:  Surprisingly even, in both color and notes throughout.  This wine gives a clean finish, but after a few sips, the fruitier notes become more clear.  A little acidic for my taste, but overall a beautiful find for a great price!  I think I may be a fan of Malbec!

Rating:  8 out of 10 glasses

Where can I find it?
We bought it at Ralph's - our local grocery store.
Aconga's website

Cost:  On sale for $2.99!  If you live in Los Angeles, get this bottle at Ralph's!  Originally 8.99.  For white lovers, Aconga also makes Chardonnay - we bought a bottle, but have yet to try it.  We think the Malbec is worth the non-sale price too, but saving is always great.