Menage a Trois Other words on the label: Folie a Deuse, California Red Table Wine 2004 Inexplicably, there are only two gleeful nymphs prancing about on the label of this blend of zinfandel, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon. The nose is full of pepper with what seems to be only a hint of rose at first,
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Santa Cristina Sangiovese 2005 Other words on the label: Antinori and Toscana This wine is actually a sangiovese and merlot blend, though it’s very light on the merlot side. Just thought I’d be honest since their front label isn’t quite! The nose is a mix of vanilla and cedar. You can definitely taste the time
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Wyndham Estate Cabernet Merlot Other words on the label: Bin 888 This medium to full-bodied wine smells richly of bing cherries and black pepper. The taste is a combination of plum and tobacco. Altogether, it is a full and near-perfect blend.

Santa Alicia Reserve Carmenere 2005 The acidity of this wine hits you first but it mellows quickly into a cool earthiness, where you can feel the mossy dirt rub between your toes. I taste chocolate, dried strawberries, and allspice when it lingers. While all are appealing flavors, they don’t combine well. I couldn’t finish my
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Mattie’s Perch Shiraz Other words on the label: Southeastern Australian “Ripper” The nose is very fruity—tart, unripened blackberries with a hint of creme anglaise on top. This wine has a lot of bite. Basil and blackberries are the flavors that rise to the top and combined, they make me think of a stir-fry. It’s an
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Beaujolais-Villages Red Burgundy Table Wine Other words on the label: Louis Jadot 2006 This was my first burgundy ever. Just thought you’d like to know. The wine is tart, which is a trainwreck with the cayenne-accented pizza in my mouth. Besides my ill-advised meal choice, the wine by itself tastes of an extra creamy key
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Two Tone Farm 2004 Merlot Other words on the label: California Tangy. Nutmeg. Thick and unripened apricots with a bit of eucalyptus tang. It numbs my tongue but I keep drinking anyhow.

Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz Other words on the label: Vintage 2004 Pleasantly earthy and lightly peppery as well. It doesn’t taste like a watermelon but for some reason, I can’t get the image of a thick, juicy slice out of my mind. There’s a floral element as well, like a few drops of liquid lavender
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Biltmore Estate Other words on the label: American Syrah The nose is peppery, floral, and tart. Upon sipping, “is peppery” is revealed to be an understatement-no need to add any to your food! It’s adventurous to drink and tickles your tongue. I think there’s some sweetness to the wine, but I’m too overwhelmed by the
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Echelion Shiraz Other words on the label: Central Coast 2003 This wine is alive with tart blackberries. There’s a bit of hippy to it, with an earthy undertone most reminiscent of patchouli. The wine is smooth and full-bodied but nothing really stands out.