Mixed bag of wines....

Tasted a couple at work the other night. These are wines we're either featuring in our wine of the month club or running on special this month. Disclosure, I was a bit under the weather that night so my sniffer may have been a little off its game...


2010 Cline Ancient Vines Mourvedre, Contra Costa County - Inviting nose of blueberry and cinnamon spice. Quite tannic on the palate with tart fruit and road tar flavors. Medium-bodied. Seems a bit "hot," but that may be due to the temperature the wine was served at. Cool it off a bit and try it again.




2008 Peregrine Pinot Noir, Central Otago - Herbal, cherry, cranberry nose. Light-bodied with meager fruit, smoke and a hint of dill. Dusty tannins. Does nothing to convince me to drink more New Zealand Pinot Noir; especially for $30.

NV Bliss Schoolhouse Red, Mendocino County - Pretty color. Fantastic nose features Zinfandel-like fruit, licorice and a bit of chocolate. But the palate is distressingly light with modest leather flavors. Second label of Brutocao. Decent enough wine, but there are better $15 proprietary blends out there.