rchahal

Gróf Degenfeld Tokaji Szamorodni Sweet 2010, Hungary (500ml)

Acidic, sweet, and refreshing. Lots of apple and orange marmalade flavors. For some reason I was hoping to get apricot flavors but didn't get any.

Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Really happy with this wine. Starts off great without any breathing time. Don't let it breath more than 2 hours.

I get berry and leather.

Paired it with a steak, and grilled halloumi cheese.

Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2015, Swartland

Love this wine!

Peppery. I get leather and fruit on the nose. Great tannins without being overpowering.

I had it with a steak with a pile of blue cheese and garlic on it. In this case the wine didn't stand up to the volume of blue cheese I had but with a regular steak and regular seasoning it would be sensational.

Trapiche Reserve Merlot 2015

Really happy with this wine.

Very drinkable on its own.

I'm going to pick up a case of it to see how it ages.

Marqués De Riscal Reserva 2012, Rioja Reserva

A really nice wine.

The American oak really comes across and it's interesting to compare this Rioja with a Rioja that uses French oak.

Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Grigio 2014

Trapiche Pure Malbec 2015

I'm really surprised with this wine.

When you first open the bottle, the wine starts off with a punch of fruit. I get raspberry and cherry. After about 30 minutes of breathing I stat getting notes of tobacco and leather.

I had this wine with duck confit, bababganoush, and pasta in the leftover duck fat and stock. It paired really well.

Mezzomondo Negroamaro 2015, Salento, Puglia

Love this wine!

Tastes just like a chianti with a bit more spice and acidity.

I'm eating it with a steak and it doesn't stand up to the meat. That said, it's great on its own and I'd like to try it with a tomatoes based pasta.

For $10 / bottle ... I'm crazy happy with it.

Château Macquin 2012, Ac Saint Georges Saint Emilion

Soft tannins - not great with duck - try with steak and mushrooms

Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir 2013, Central Valley

Great with duck confit.

Fruity and spicy with lots of oak and dill.