Rose' War

2010 Chateau d'Aqueria, Tavel, France ($19.99 at Nielsen's Market)
This wine had an intensely dark color for a rose'. Lindsay (my girl) and I had this in Carmel with our friend's Mike and DeeAnn and enjoyed it with the sunset and hors d'oeuvres. This was more like that of a light red (think Beaujolais). I don't like rose' that's that darkly colored or that expensive. We liked this, but it wasn't worth the price.




2010 Quinson & Fils, Provence, France ($4.99 at Trader Joe's)
This was lightly colored, simple and easy to quaff. It was dry and fresh although, it did have some nice aromas of watermelon. We sipped this one down at Lover's Point and we realized that you don't need to have a lot of money to have class. I prefer this one over the Tavel and you can buy four bottles for the same price.

McClaren Shiraz

2003 D'arenberg Shiraz/ Mourvedre (50/50), McClaren Valley, Australia 8/24/07 $15 @ Neilsen's - this tasted much better out of a Burgundy bowl and it definitely had a high alcohol concentration. The port-like strawberry jam seemed delicate in the glass. It was real dark and had a burnt fig character. The neighbor Steve Kelly enjoyed a glass. It seems like if you tell a customer what they might get in the wine, they won't complain. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2013 

Venencia

2005 Monastrell Fernandez, Venencia - move over Tempiere', this wine is cheaper and similar, but the nose is so funky. Last tasted 8/30/07 Drink now-2015 