Piccini Chianti

2008 Tuscany, Italy $7

Pink, fruity & bubbly described this wine with a smooth and dry taste. Among seven chianti wines tasted, this tied for first place with the wine from Macaroni Grill.

Reid: 7
Val: 2
Mike: 8
Annie: 8
Sasha: 7
Toni: 4
Danielle: 8
Sophia: 7

Average: 6.4 / 10

Macaroni Grill Chianti

Macaroni Grill Chianti $10


Ruby red wine smelled of cherries, plums, and tasted of sangria.  This wine tied for first place among seven Chianti wines tasted.

Reid: 7
Val: 8
Mike: 7
Annie: 5
Sasha: 6
Toni: 8
Danielle: 7
Sophia: 3


Average: 6.4 / 10

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

Viu Manent Malbec

2008 Valle de Calchagua $14

The group described the wine as follows: "would go well with steak", "more cowbell", and "nice bouquet."  The tasters enjoyed this wine the most.  This wine earned the highest marks out of the five Chilean wines tasted.

Mercedes: 7
Eulalia: 10
Vicente: 6
Sophia: 8
Danielle: 7
Richard: 8
Efrain: 8

Average: 7.7 / 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

St. Sulpice Bordeaux

2006 $14

Out of seven bordeaux's tasted, this one earned the highest marks.

Andrew: 8
Sophia: 7
Vicente: 8
Efrain: 8
Valerie: 9
Mercedes: 9
Chris O: 8
Chris W: 4
Iza: 7
Noelle: 9
Agnes: 9
Danielle: 9

Average:  7.92 / 10

Barefoot Chardonnay

$16

"Pears", "green apple", "crisp" and "strong aftertaste" characterized this wine. 

Rankings

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

Average: 6.8 / 10

Viña Alarde Crianza Rioja

2006 Spain $15

Tasting comments included "more oak, less fruit", "cherries" and "bitter."

Rankings*

Vicente:6
Mercedes:9
Efrain:8
Sophia:8
Danielle:8
Reid:8

Total: 47



*Ranking system changed to every person allotted twenty points and can distribute those amongst the four wines tasted.

Chateau St. Michelle Gewurztraminer

2008 Columbia Valley, WA $15

Group commented on the taste with the following phrases: "developed", "crisp", "refreshing", and "great with lunch on a warm day in a patio."

Rankings

Vicente: 7/10
Mercedes: 4/10
Efrain: 6.5/10
Sophia: 9/10
Danielle: 10/10
Reid: 7/10

Average: 7.3 / 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