Thursday Tasting Notes

2006 Luna Rosa Malbec $7
Mendoza, Argentina 13% abv
Boysenberry extract, mild eucalyptus, hints of plum, rose blossoms and leather. The rose petals come through in the mouth, with red berry fruit. Spicy mint and bitter herb flavors in the middle, leading to dark plum and cedar on the finish. This could be a nice malbec, but is marred by a soapy flavor throughout the palate. On the hunch of an acquaintance who has some wine making experience, he tested the pH at 3.8- on the high side of normal and this may explain the soapy taste and odd mouth feel. That doesn’t excuse the winery for releasing a wine with a chemical problem, which could be easily fixed.

NV Messina Hof “Texas Hold’Em” White $10
American Wine 13% abv
This is a blend of pinot grigio and gewürztraminer from the Texas winery Messina Hof, it’s not clear from the bottle though where the grapes for this wine or the red came from. Pear and white grape aromas, followed by lychee nut and hints of nectarine and honeysuckle. The gewürztraminer spiciness comes out on the palate, lending white pepper and nutmeg to the fruit combination of: lychee, white grapes, nectarine and tangerines. There is an undertone of floral notes that starts in the middle and continues through the finish. Light and delicate, pair with scallops, shrimp, or sole munier.

NV Messina Hof “Texas Hold’Em” Red $11
American Wine 13% abv
Red plum, clove, vanilla spice and blackberry aromas come from this blend of merlot and “shiraz”. Oaky spices and plum flavors open the palate. Juicy mid-palate flavors of berry, vanilla and leather flavors. The tannins mellow in the mouth, letting the dark fruit flavors show through. Mid length finish, slightly overpriced. Pair with burgers or chili.