Tasting - Marchesi Antinori Villa Antinori Toscana

Name: Marchesi Antinori Villa Antinori Toscana
Variety: 55% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Syrah

Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2011
Price: $10

Winery Review: An intense ruby red in color, the aromas are equally intense and complex with notes of ripe plums, sweet spices, and dried fruit. On the palate, the 2011 Villa Rosso shows a firm body, supple and velvety in its tannins, long on the flow, and savory on the finish and aftertaste.

My Review: This wine was earthy on the nose with a mix of dirt and cassis. It had a certain complexity to it. The taste was also earthy with a pruny quality. It had very high acidity which made for a harsh wine. The finish was long. This wine might have passed but maybe a nice hard cheese could make it more palatable. 

Tasting - Becker Vineyards Iconoclast Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Becker Vineyards Iconoclast Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100%

Region: Texas
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Price: $8

Winery Review: Becker Vineyards Iconoclast Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the number one selling wine at Becker Vineyards. The cabernet has black cherry notes, raspberries and is a popular, easy drinking wine. Red berry fruit with spice and notes of rich balanced tannins.

My Review: The nose had an earthy smell to it with mushrooms accompanied by blackberries and slight oakiness. The taste was decidedly Old World filled with black fruit such as blackberries, blackcurrants, and raspberries. It had a slight tannic component. The finish was long and smooth. This was nice entry point into Texas wines and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Tasting - Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec

Name: Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec
Variety: 100% Malbec

Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2014
Price: $12

Winery Review: Purple-colored, the nose offers up plum and black cherry notes with a touch of black pepper. The palate is soft and round with ripe, saturated berry flavors. Finishes spicy and full with chewy tannins.

My Review: The nose is quite pungent with hints of cherries and raspberries with a note of vanilla. The taste is similar with an oakiness readily present. It has quite the fruity component with black cherry. Vanilla is present on the finish. It is very acidic with a bite at the end.