2 Copas 2011 (Syrah/Tempranillo Blend)

Wine of the Month Club, $21.99


Teri: I tasted a lot of ripe strawberry flavor with berry and a slight smoke and oak finish. The flavor is full and lingers pleasantly on the palate. The tannins are full but smooth. This bottle would be great with full strong meals, pastas, meats, or lamb. The fruit and earthy flavors are balanced well to accompany any occasion. 91 points

Aaron:  There was a potent, intense smell to this Syrah blend.  Raspberry balsamic initiated an open flavor which made me think of a hollow sphere.  Spice and fruit surround a light center, which evaporated.  The flavors honestly seemed like fruity gummy chewies (fruit snacks, not gummy bears).  90 points

Formation Chardonnay 2011

Cost Plus World Market, Price Varies by store

Formation Label, by Vino Del Sol Website

Aaron:  This had a pretty oaky smell with a slight bite of strawberry blossoms.  The flavor featured oak, piled on top of oak, which had been fermented in oak, which was smoked over oak, and in case there was any other flavor still lingering around some oak was added to bring out the true oakiness.  Kidding aside, wow, a little too much for me.  The flavor was smooth and buttery but there wasn't enough to combat the wood flavor.  84 points

Teri: Very DRY Chardonnay. If that is what you like in a white wine pick up this bottle! A lemon-grass smell hits the nose before the continuous and consistent dry citrus taste with oak on the finish. For me I like a bit more butter in my Chards but its consistency is a good quality. 87 points

J & J Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Wine Club Shipment, $22.99

J&J Website

Aaron:  Having visited the winery, we were excited to see this bottle featured on the Wine of the Month club (if you get the chance to visit them, do! they're very nice).  There was a tart raspberry and cranberry smell on this wine with some earthy undertones and limited tannins.  The flavor dissipated immediately after the swallow with not bite at all (so good and bad).  There were some blackberry and cherry flavors throughout but overall this was a bit thin.  89 points

Teri: Aaron and I have actually had the pleasure of visiting this winery in the beautiful Paso Robles area. Their 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon carries a strong fruit smell of black cherry and some oak. Structured tannins sit for a while on the palate to give you a long finish of bing cherry and woody oak. Not overly complex in flavors yielding easy paring with multiple foods. 88 points

Domain Barrossa Black Tongue Shiraz 2010

Purchased from Naked Wines, $21.99

Domain Barossa Website

Aaron:  This bottle impressed me.  Most notable of everything: watermelon flavor - fyi, I love watermelon!  Precluding this was a strong berry smell with a hint of spice.  I felt the creamy flavor with only a slight bite on the swallow was great and the unique finishing flavor makes this is a must try.  92 points

Teri: This bottle lives up to its name, my tongue was dark purple after enjoying this bottle (nothing a good scrub with the toothbrush couldn't get out). The flavor starts out with a lighter raspberry taste then blends from one flavor to the next very nicely until it ends with a spice finish. A full bodied strong red that is bound to be a favorite of those who like spicy dry reds. Overall, I loved the complexity and uniqueness of this bottle. 91 points