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Château Du Bois Chantant
 No. 1 [ 8808 ]
|
| Bordeaux Supérieur [Garonne Right Bank]
|
| Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
|
| France
• 2014
|
| Alcohol: 14%
|
| Purchased: 05/06/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $14.99
|
| Score: ★★★ |
| Brilliant ruby color, fruity aroma, scents of licorice, blueberries and mocha. Balanced and persistent. MN: Tannic and a little sour. |
|
 |
| Château Bellevue
No. 2 [ 8810 ]
|
| Bordeaux [Garonne Right Bank]
|
| Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
|
| France
• 2016
|
| Alcohol: 13.5
|
| Purchased: 05/06/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $10.99
|
| Score: ★★★ |
| Deep purple with ruby reflection. Red and black fruits of strawberry and blueberry. Full bodied with a refreshing finish. MN: very dry, tanic, a little sour and slightly musty. |
|
 |
| 19 Crimes
No. 3 [ 8858 ]
|
| The Uprising
|
| Red Wine
|
| Australia
• 2018
|
| Alcohol: 15.0%
|
| Purchased: 06/12/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $7.37
|
| Score: ★★★ |
| A new red wine aged for 30 days in rum barrels. Dark with jammy flavors and a smokey finish. MN: Initially sweet in the mouth, jammy, tasting like cherries but a little hot, sour and lemony on finish. Strong 15%. Pretty good. |
|
 |
| Ménage à Trois
No. 4 [ 8778 ]
|
| Folie À Deux
|
| Red blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
|
| California
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 13.5%
|
| Purchased: 04/27/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $7.47
|
| Score: ★★★ |
| Fresh, ripe, jamlike fruit. MN: Fruity, red cherries. Very rich and sweet — a little too sweet. |
|
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| Gnarly Head
No. 5 [ 8848 ]
|
| |
| Cabernet Sauvignon
|
| Lodi, California
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 13.5%
|
| Purchased: 06/05/2019
• Rapid Liquors, Stoneham
• $7.49
|
| Score: ★★ |
| Solid tannins and dark jammy fruit with black currant, dried cranberry, clove, toasted oak, and pepper. MN: Somewhat thin, not bold and lush like the 4-star entries in this group. A little sour and dry, not very fruity as described on the label. Not choclatey. Not great, but ok. |
|
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| Bend
No. 6 [ 8819 ]
|
| |
| Cabernet Sauvignon
|
| Napa, California
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 13.5%
|
| Purchased: 05/18/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $7.99
|
| Score: ★★★ |
| Initially peppery, hot, acidic, but mellows out after some time.
|
|
 |
| Barbera D'Asti
No. 7 [ 8791 ]
|
| Rosa dell'Olmo
|
| Red Barbera grapes
|
| Italy
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 13%
|
| Purchased: 04/29/2019
• Trader Joe's, Somerville
• $5.99
|
| Score: ★ |
| Italian red wine made from the Barbera grape variety. DOCG status (quality assurance for Italian wines). Trader Joe's exclusive. MN: very sour and slightly musty. Not so good. |
|
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| Bogle
No. 8 [ 8820 ]
|
| |
| Merlot
|
| Clarksburg, California
• 2016
|
| Alcohol: 14%
|
| Purchased: 05/18/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $7.47
|
| Score: ★★★★ |
| MN: Sweet, fruity, bright, chocolatey. Hint of cherries. Very Good.
|
|
 |
| Ravens Wood
No. 9 [ 8787 ]
|
| Vintners Blend
|
| Zinfandel
|
| California
• 2016
|
| Alcohol: 13.5%
|
| Purchased: 04/29/2019
• Trader Joe's, Somerville
• $7.99
|
| Score: ★★ |
| Spicy red raspberry, cherry and boysenberry. MN: Thin, vinegary, sour but fair. |
|
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| Dark Horse
No. 10 [ 8782 ]
|
| |
| Cabernet Sauvignon
|
| California
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 13.5%
|
| Purchased: 04/27/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $5.97
|
| Score: ★★★ |
| Flavors of blackberry, black cherry and a hint of spice with finish of dark chocolate espresso. MN: Very strong, tart, lemony apples, almost sour. Tannic, makes the backs of your bottom teeth feel gritty. Not bad though. |
|
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| Yellow Tail
No. 11 [ 8788 ]
|
| The Casella Family
|
| Merlot
|
| Australia
• 2018
|
| Alcohol: 13.5%
|
| Purchased: 04/27/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $4.97
|
| Score: ★★ |
| Dark plums, raspberries and dark chocolate. |
|
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| Witching Hour
No. 12 [ 8866 ]
|
| |
| Red blend
|
| California
• 20XX
|
| Alcohol: 13.5%
|
| Purchased: 06/17/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $7.49
|
| Score: ★★★ |
| Dark cherries and blueberries integrated with vanilla and mocha. MN: Vintage not specified on the label. A little hot and lemony, a hint of fruity sweetness. |
|
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| 19 Crimes
No. 13 [ 8783 ]
|
| |
| Cabernet Sauvignon
|
| Australia
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 13.5%
|
| Purchased: 04/27/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $7.47
|
| Score: ★★★★ |
| Aside from appellation & vintage, label does not include any notes about the product. MN: Rich dark fruit, juicy with a hint of chocolate. Very good. |
|
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| 90 + Cellars
No. 14 [ 8843 ]
|
| Lot 53
|
| Cabernet Sauvignon
|
| Mendoza, Argentina
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 13.5%
|
| Purchased: 05/30/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $8.49
|
| Score: ★★★ |
| Aromatic black currant, cherry and cassis with a backdrop of tobacco, mocha and toasty oak. MN: Dry, berries, slightly acidic. Not bad. |
|
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| Velvet Moon
No. 15 [ 8871 ]
|
| |
| Cabernet Sauvignon
|
| California
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 13.0%
|
| Purchased: 06/18/2019
• Trader Joe's, Somerville
• $5.99
|
| Score: ★ |
| No flavor descriptions on the label. MN: Very tannic and sour. Not good. Would not buy again. |
|
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| Black Mountain
No. 16 [ 8850 ]
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| Fat Cat
|
| Cabernet Sauvignon
|
| Napa, California
• 2015
|
| Alcohol: 12.5%
|
| Purchased: 06/06/2019
• Trader Joe's, Somerville
• $6.99
|
| Score: ★ |
| Black cherry, plum, anise and vanilla. MN: Very thin, hardly any aroma, bland and a little sour. |
|
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| Grifone
No. 17 [ 8780 ]
|
| Profumato e Fruttato
|
| Sangiovese red blend
|
| Italy
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 12.5%
|
| Purchased: 04/29/2019
• Trader Joe's, Somerville
• $4.99
|
| Score: ★★ |
| Sweet fruits with hints of spice. Pronounced Gree-fo-nay. |
|
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| Carson Ridge
No. 18 [ 8818 ]
|
| Paso Robles
|
| Cabernet Sauvignon
|
| San Miguel, California
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 13.5%
|
| Purchased: 05/18/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $10.99
|
| Score: ★★★ |
| Ripe berry aromas, medium tannins, touch of oak. MN: Standard, average. Not outstanding. Nice label. |
|
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| Apothic Crush
No. 19 [ 8855 ]
|
| |
| Smooth Red Blend
|
| California
• 2016
|
| Alcohol: 14.0%
|
| Purchased: 06/12/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $7.97
|
| Score: ★★★★ |
| Red fruit flavors with notes of caramel and a velvety smooth mouthfeel. MN: Cherries, caramel and chocolate. Very good, perhaps the best of the Apothic varieties. |
|
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| Crimson Thread
No. 20 [ 8860 ]
|
| |
| Red Blend
|
| California
• 20XX
|
| Alcohol: 13.0%
|
| Purchased: 06/12/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $7.99
|
| Score: ★★★ |
| Vintage not specified on label. Aromas of dark cherry, blackberry and blueberry with hints of brown sugar spice and vanilla. MN: Not much aroma. Initially grapey, sweet and juicy in the mouth, but goes down hot and acidic. Mellows over time. Tasty. |
|
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| Moon X
No. 21 [ 8854 ]
|
| |
| Cabernet Sauvignon
|
| Napa, California
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 13%
|
| Purchased: 06/06/2019
• Trader Joe's, Somerville
• $6.99
|
| Score: ★★★ |
| Intense dark flavors of blackberries, raspberry jam and exotic spices with a caramel toast. MN: Pleasantly sweet. My favorite from Trader Joe's. |
|
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| Alamos
No. 22 [ 8781 ]
|
| |
| Malbec
|
| Argentina
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 13%
|
| Purchased: 04/27/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $6.97
|
| Score: ★★ |
| Flavors of dark cherry and blackberry. MN: Smells like celery. Tastes ok. Fair. |
|
 |
| Cocobon
No. 23 [ 8784 ]
|
| |
| Red blend
|
| California
• Vintage not specified
|
| Alcohol: 13.5%
|
| Purchased: 04/27/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $6.79
|
| Score: ★★★ |
| Label does not specify blend varieties or vintage. Screw cap at TW&M, cork at TJ's (this year anyway). Dark cherry and vanilla. MN: pretty good. |
|
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| Dark Horse
No. 24 [ 8845 ]
|
| Double Down
|
| Red Blend
|
| California
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 14.5%
|
| Purchased: 05/30/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $7.47
|
| Score: ★★ |
| Lush blackberry fruit, toasted oak and brown spice. MN: Too sweet. Slightly acidic, tastes like raisins and lemon. |
|
 |
| Apothic Dark
No. 25 [ 8812 ]
|
| |
| Red blend
|
| California
• 2016
|
| Alcohol: 14%
|
| Purchased: 05/06/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $7.47
|
| Score: ★★★ |
| Dark fruit of blueberry and blackberry with opulent notes of coffee and dark chocolate. MN: Tastes like dark chocolate. I suspect a colorant is added to make it very dark. Stains your teeth black. Ultra cool bottle, label & cork. |
|
 |
| Villa Cerrina
No. 26 [ 8785 ]
|
| Montepulciano D'Abruzzo
|
| Montepulciano red grapes
|
| Italy
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 13%
|
| Purchased: 04/29/2019
• Trader Joe's, Somerville
• $4.99
|
| Score: ★ |
| DOC Grown in Abruzzo Central Italy. Deep red fruit aroma and flavor. Trader Joe's exclusive. MN: thin, very bland. The "deep red fruit aroma and flavor" claim is not true. Won't buy again. |
|
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| Ménage à Trois
No. 27 [ 8816 ]
|
| Midnight
|
| Dark Red Blend
|
| California
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 13.5%
|
| Purchased: 05/18/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $7.47
|
| Score: ★★★ |
| Black cherry and berry flavors with hints of mocha and spice. MN: Sweet and juicy. |
|
 |
| Ancient Roots
No. 28 [ 8862 ]
|
| |
| Red blend
|
| California
• 20XX
|
| Alcohol: 13.5%
|
| Purchased: 06/17/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $6.49
|
| Score: ★★ |
| Dark cherry, layered with hints of mocha and vanilla. MN: Vintage not supplied on the label. Unpleasantly sweet and sour. Tastes of celery and caraway. Not so good. |
|
 |
| Apothic Red
No. 29 [ 8786 ]
|
| Winemaker's Blend
|
| Red blend
|
| California
• 2016
|
| Alcohol: 13.5%
|
| Purchased: 04/27/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $7.47
|
| Score: ★★★★ |
| Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend. Dark red fruit, hints of vanilla and mocha. MN: Well balanced, sweet and lightly acidic. Lush & fruity but also lemony with hints of chocolate. Very good. |
|
 |
| Robert Mondavi
No. 30 [ 8864 ]
|
| Private Selection
|
| Cabernet Sauvignon
|
| California
• 2017
|
| Alcohol: 13.5%
|
| Purchased: 06/17/2019
• Total Wine & More, Everett
• $7.97
|
| Score: ★★★ |
| Smell: Red berry, spice. Taste: Cherry, blueberry, vanilla. MN: Tannic and a little sour, dry, acidic. Not fruity, but also not bad. |
|
NOTE: I purchased the first two Bordeauxs to set what I thought would be the tasting standard on which to judge the rest. From this experience, I learned that these two Bordeauxs (each slightly more expensive than $10) are not necessarily superior to inexpensive Californians. The better California wines (in this group) had richer flavors than these two inexpensive "Old World" offerings. So I quickly learned that "price" is not necessarily an indicator of quality. According to nakedwines.com, the value of the liquid inside a $100 bottle of wine is about $20, and the value of the liquid inside a $35 bottle is also about $20. The higher prices result from fancy packaging, middle men, and marketing. Undoubtedly, these factors would also apply to wines in the under-ten-dollor price point.
★ Not good
★★ Fair
★★★ Good
★★★★ Very good
★★★★★ Excellent