Charles Smith Wines 2011 The Velvet Devil

Variety: Merlot 83%, Malbec 8%, Cabernet Sauvignon 6%, Syrah 3%

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Vintage: 2011
Colour:  dark purple
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Red flesh plum and cedary tones/ tobacco leaf
Flavour: Fleshy, lush plum flavours with good, round and gentle tannins. Well integrated wine with a lot of finesse.
Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7)

Notes:  USD10-11. Excellent value for money for a well made wine.

The Naked Grape 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
 Region: Modesto
 Vintage: 2011
 Colour: ruby red
 Alcohol: 13.0%
 Bouquet: Lively, robust blackcurrant
 Flavour: Thick, luscious blackcurrant and some rough tannin. Simple stuff.
 Points: 78 (3+6+9+5+5+50)
 Notes: USD6.99 Very rough. No more of these while we tour.

14 Hands Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon

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Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol: 13.5%
Colour: ruby red
Bouquet: Vanilla and raspberry
Flavour: Rich blackcurrant and vanilla with lingering tannins. Some dried verb secondary flavours and cinnamon as well. Nice complexity. Elegant.
Points: 85 (3+6+12+7+7+50) Notes: very nice drop for USD10. Was keen to try wines from Washington State.

Castello del Poggio 2010 Barbera D'Asti

Variety: Barbera
Region: Barbera D'Asti DOCG
Vintage: 2010
Colour:  ruby red
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Crushed sour cherry, mulberry and raspberry and a hint of clove
Flavour: Medium to heavy bodied with savoury, drying herbs like rosemary and oregano balanced elegantly with some sour cherry flavours in the background. Nice length and acidity. A well poised and enjoyable wine.
Points: 87 (3+7+12+7+8+50)

Notes:  I really enjoy the savoury flavours of this wine. $16.50 ~ 330 Kc in a liquor warehouse chain here.

Nova Vita 2010 Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region/G.I.: Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills
Vintage: 2010
Colour:  copper red
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Crushed raspberry and stems with the smallest hint of soaked stable wood
Flavour: A big (new world?) style of Pinot with a sticky, almost marmite residual in the mouth with some light tannin to finish and thick, stewed sour cherry conserve flavours. A big mouthful which is enjoyable but not particularly elegant
Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)

Notes:  This is an unusually big style of Pinot that I would not probably guess in a blind tasting. Even so, it remains very satisfying.

Angel's Reserve 2011 Malbec

Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Vintage: 2011
Colour:  violet purple
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Leathery with piercing, red currants drowning out the nose
Flavour: Surprisingly light with a pleasant, even contribution of plummy fruit and simple tannins
Points: 83 (3+7+10+6+7+50)

Notes:  It's sold through a company called Naked Wines Australia and is clearly meant as a quaffer. It's perfect for a mid-week drink.