Barefoot Merlot

California $9

Comments included slightly darker than the [Kitchen Sink] wine.  The wine contained a velvety color and mellow body.  Less alcohol but more taste.

Although this isn't technically a blend as was implied by the theme "Red Table Wine for under $10", it achieved the highest marks of the five wines brought to this meeting. 

Rankings

Vicente: 9
Mercedes: 9
Efrain: 7
Matt: 6
Danielle: 8
Sophia: 6

Average: 7.5 / 10

Kitchen Sink Red Table Wine

CA $9
Nice brick red color, balanced and no distinctive flavor described this wine.  One member commented that the after taste reminded them of the white flesh of a grapefruit and she added "blah".

Rankings

Vicente: 5
Mercedes: 6
Efrain: 6
Matt: 6
Danielle: 3
Sophia: 4

Average: 4.8 / 10

Barefoot Sweet Red

California $5.50

Described as: bubbly; smells really sweet; sangria-like; lacks body; does not look fermented; party wine.

It reminded Mercy of Lambrusco.

Recommended for beginners.

Rankings

Vicente: 4
Mercy: 6
Efrain: 3
Matt: 6
Danielle: 8
Sophia: 3

Average: 5 / 10

Black Mountain Pinot Noir

2009 Black Mountain $6
"Currants", "licorice", "alcohol overpowers", and "sweet & dry" described this wine.  One member proclaimed "I want this after a long day of work."   This wine ranked fifth out of the eight that were tasted.

Rankings

Vicente: 9
Sophia: 10
Valerie: 9
Chris: 4
Rebecca: 4
Danielle: 4
Mercedes: 3
Efrain: 4

Average: 5.9 / 10

Mission Point Pinot Noir

Santa Maria, California $8
Bought at Trader Joe's

This wine scored the highest out of eight pinot noir's tasted.  Comments included "wine smells like oak" and "not fruity."

Rankings

Vicente: 6
Sophia: 6
Valerie: 5
Chris: 6
Rebecca: 5
Danielle: 4
Mercedes: 9
Efrain: 8

Average: 6.1 / 10

Gladiator Pinot Noir

2008 Napa, CA $10

Tasted "bitter" and "dry" to some of the group while one member described it as "spritzy."

Rankings

Vicente: 4
Sophia: 7
Valerie: 5
Chris: 7
Rebecca: 4
Danielle: 3
Mercedes: 6
Efrain: 8

Average: 5.5 / 10

Angeline Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2008 Sonoma, CA $16

"Ruby tones", "fruity", "heavy alcohol", and "pungent but not gross" described this wine.

Rankings

Vicente: 7
Sophia: 6
Valerie: 6
Chris W: 8
Rebecca: 6
Danielle: 4
Mercedes: 5
Efrain: 5

Average: 5.9 / 10

Calera Pinot Noir

2005 Mt. Harlen Hollister $45

Bought at the Total Wine store.  Comments included "ruby red", "easy to drink", "delicate", & "smoky."  This wine tied for second in the pinot noir tasting of eight wines.

Vicente: 3
Sophia: 5
Valerie: 6
Chris: 5
Rebecca: 7
Danielle: 5
Mercedes: 10
Efrain: 7

Average: 6 / 10

Gallo Chardonnay

2007 Sonoma, CA $11

"Butter!", "green apple", "cheese", and "pears" characterized this wine in taste and smell.

Rankings

Vicente: 6
Mercedes: 4
Efrain: 5
Sophia: 4
Danielle: 7

Average: 5.2 / 10

Au Bon Climat Chardonnay

 Santa Barbara, CA $22

"Slight oak", "daffodils", "stronger aftertaste than [Barefoot brand]", and "more complex than [Barefoot brand]" described this wine.

Rankings

Vicente: 7
Mercedes: 6
Efrain: 6
Sophia: 3
Danielle: 3

Average: 5 / 10

JW Morris Gewurztraminer

2007 Gewurztraminer from California ~$11

Some members tasted honey and faint strawberry.

Ranking

Vicente: 7/10
Mercedes: 4.5/10
Efrain: 4.5/10
Sophia: 3/10
Danielle: 6/10
Reid: 5/10

Average: 5 / 10

New Gewurz

2008 Mendocino County, CA $11

Comments ranged from "crisp", "sour" and "bright" to "earthy" and "oaky."

Vicente: 5/10
Mercedes: 3/10
Efrain: 5/10
Sophia: 4/10
Danielle: 3/10
Reid: 5/10
Valerie: 8/10
Caty: 4/10
Jessica: 6/10
Kory: 5/10
Haylee: 3/10

Average: 4.6 / 10

Fetzer Gewurztraminer

2008 Fetzer California $9

Members commented on tasting "red grapefruit" and "peaches." The complexity of the smell also provided the following observations on aroma: "flowers" "honeysuckle & daffodils" "honeydew melon" and "roses".

Ranking

Vicente: 7.5/10
Mercedes: 6.5/10
Efrain: 5/10
Sophia: 8/10
Danielle: 9/10
Reid: 5/10
Valerie: 7/10
Caty: 5/10
Jessica: 5/10
Kory: 2/10
Haylee: 1/10

Average: 5.5 / 10

Chateau Julien Gewurztraminer

2008 Monterrey, CA $17

Comments from the tasting included "silky", "soft" and "slightly earthy."

Ranking

Vicente: 7/10
Mercedes: 2/10
Efrain: 4/10
Sophia: 6/10
Danielle: 5/10
Reid: 7/10
Valerie: 7/10
Caty: 2/10
Jessica: 3/10
Kory: 5/10
Haylee: 1/10

Average: 4.5 / 10

The Flying Winemaker Zinfandel

2007 Lodi, CA  ~$16

Comments ranged from "fruity" to "high in tannins."

Ranking

Vicente: 5.5/10
Mercedes: 7/10
Efrain: 6/10
Sophia: 5/10

Average:  5.9 / 10

Plunger Head Zinfandel

2007 Lodi, CA ~$19

Comments ranged from "earthy aroma" to "bit of a jam taste."

Ranking

Vicente:3/10
Mercedes: 3.5/10
Efrain: 5/10
Sophia: 7/10

Average: 4.6 / 10

Brochelle Zinfandel

2007 Paso Robles, CA ~$30

Comments from the members ranged from "easy to drink" to "liquefied Smuckers jam."

Ranking

Vicente: 5/10
Mercedes: 6/10
Efrain: 5/10
Sophia: 3/10

Average: 4.75 / 10