Tasting- Cline Cashmere Red Blend

 Name: Cline Cashmere Red Blend 

Variety: Blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Grenache

Country of Origin: USA

Region of Origin: Sonoma, California 

Vintage Year: 2021

Price: $16

Winery Review: "This super-smooth blend is full-bodied, offering blackberry-strawberry jam, Red Vine licorice, dried nutmeg, cinnamon bun, sweet cigar and molten chocolate, with a dry, mouthwatering finish. It feels like cashmere on the palate. It's a perfect pairing for mole." (Tonya Pitts on Wine Enthusiast). 

Wine Folly: pg. 117 on Kindle on Grenache in general. Got a bit of the leathery, darker tastes. Extremely dry and still smooth. Page 172 on Syrah, picked up a little bit of the chocolate flavor as well. For all three varietals, felt the wine was very dry. I let it breathe for about an hour before tasting per the recommendation.

My Review: As someone who does not enjoy red wine typically, I enjoyed this blend very much. Very smooth on the palate and was very dry, which I enjoyed. The flavors were rich and juicy, and I really picked up on the jammy, blackberry flavors that the review specifies and that are characteristic of the varietals. Overall, had a pleasant experience tasting this wine and would definitely have this again.

I tasted this wine without food.

Tasting- Decoy Chardonnay

 Name: Decoy Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay

Country of Origin: USA

Region of Origin: Hopland, California 

Vintage Year: 2022

Price: $16.99

Winery Review: "With luxurious aromas of ripe mango, pineapple, Mandarin orange and sweet citrus zest, this vibrant Chardonnay beckons a first sip. On the smooth, supple palate, refreshing acidity adds poise and polish to the tropical fruit flavors, with hints of vanilla and toasted almonds adding complexity to a long, lush finish." (Found on Decoy Wines website). 

Wine Folly: pg. 93 on Kindle on Chardonnay in general. Very smooth and buttery. I picked up on the vanilla and got a bit of oak as well. Very dry and did not taste too acidic. I should have chilled the wine, but did not have time. I would like to try again after chilling. 

 

My Review: I thought this wine was too rich for my taste. I do not like the buttery flavors and felt that it just tasted alcohol-y. I could taste the citrus in this but didn't like how the flavors were balanced. While it's as dry as other wines I've tried and liked, I just wanted it to do a little bit more for my palate than it did. Was not anything super special.  

I tasted this wine without food.