Chateau Vieux Taillefer, Saint Emilion Grande Cru 2006 - $19

David: A lovely dark crimson color with hints of orange around the edge. A nice nose has red and black currant with iron and some bready raspberry tart. Full bodied with moderate acidity. The wine has dense fruit which is delightful to swirl. Big but soft tannins. Finishes long with some berry flavor. Very pleasant.
Score: 4.1/5

Chateau Picau-Perna Bordeaux 2005 - $17

70% merlot. Rest cab.

David: Opaque purple. Nose of sweet blueberries, violets, herbs. Medium to full bodied. Low acidity. Very tasty blueberry fruit though not incredibly complex. Big powerful tannins remain rounded. Nice gentle finish. A very enjoyable wine.
Score: 4.1/5

Chateau Les Gravieres Saint Emilion 2008 - $22

100% Merlot.

David: Dark purple red. Nose of concentrated red fruits, graphite, berries, some floral tones. Medium to full bodied. Lots of acidity. Cranberry and blackberry fruit. Strong tannins. Well layered with a nice juicy finish. Good stuff.
Score: 4.2/5

Chateau Cru Juste Blanc 2008 - $14

Mostly sauvignon blanc with some semillon.

David: Light grayish yellow. Nose is a little tight. Grassy with some stone or chalk. Some very light perfume. High acidity is the theme on the palate. Light bodied and a little hollow on the mid-pallate. Sour lemon is the dominant fruit taste which carries through to the long, lemon zest finish. Was impressed that this tasted just as good after being left in fridge for a week.
Score: 3.8/5

Jess: Did not like.
Score: 3.2/5

Gwen: Smells like lemons.

Chateau La Croix Mouton Bordeaux Superieur 2008 - $15

A blend of 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc

David: Medium depth ruby color. Nose of red currant, a little raspberry. Not much else. Steely acidity. Medium bodied. Fresh red fruit is subdued. The wine tastes a little like the Loire cab franc we had recently; that is, a little under-ripe. I thought it was merlot and cab franc but would have guess more cab franc. Dry, a little bitter and austere. But the wine is pretty well balanced. Good tannins and a decent finish. Just a little boring. Not my favorite style of red.
Score: 3.7/5

Chateau Mylord Bordeaux Superieur 2008 - $9

Probably mostly merlot.

David: Vibrant, cherry red color. A nice nose showing pure, fresh red currants. Rose petal, thyme. A faint whiff of rubbery, inner tube earthiness. A touch of vanilla. Medium bodied. Silky smooth texture. Good acidity. Simple structure, not much tannins. Showing cranberry fruit, darkening a little into a more liquorish, blue fruit finish. Pretty likable wine on the cheap.
Score: 3.9/5

Chateau Lestrille Entre-Deux Mers - $11

A white Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc.

David: Light golden color. Classic Sauvignon Blanc nose. Some pineapple. A little muskiness, citrus and white peach. Floral notes. Medium bodied. Mouthfeel is a little Chardonnay-like. Medium acidity. A little hollow on the palate at first but it picks up and becomes a bit more interesting. Overall, a decent refreshing wine but not too exciting.
Score: 3.8/5

Chateau de Lugagnac Bordeaux Superieur 2006 - $12

50% Merlot – 40% Cabernet-Sauvignon – 10% Cabernet-Franc.

David: Crimson in color. Seductive nose of black currant, beets and smokey, toasted oak. Some faint asphalt. A little vanilla and maybe cinnamon. Nose takes a while to open up and evolve. Medium to full bodied, medium acidity. On the palate it has some tangy fruit but much more earthy in character. Tannins are very mild and the finish has some bitterness.
Score 3.9/5

Chateau Guiraud-Cheval-Blanc Cotes de Bourg 2006 - $10

David:
75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec and Cabernet Franc.
Color is ruby and fairly light for a Bordeaux. Nose is fairly fragrant: red cherry, leather and violets. Medium to full bodied. Juicy and plenty of fruit. Well balanced with good acidity and soft tannins, fruit balancing the earthy notes. Nicely layered as cherry turns to juicy boysenberry on the finish. Had with grilled steak but wasn't really an ideal match since the wine is a little too delicate (tannins too soft). Got this at Whole-foods for $10 and for the price, there is nothing to complain about. A solid effort.
Score: 3.9

Jessica: Full-bodied. Leathery nose. Strong dark currents initially. Dark fruits and juicy taste. Mildly tart, medium tannins. Has a bit of a bite. Puckery finish. Pleasant enough, I would buy again.
Score: 4.1/5

Chateau Haut-Brisson La Grave 2004 - $13

David: Saint-Emillion Grand Cru, Bordeaux. 90% Merlot and the remainder Caberbet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Color is garnet verging on purple. Nose has black currant, black cherry, hints of cocoa and violets. Smoke and some balsamic character, both of which get less apparent as it breathes. Medium bodied and light in alcohol. Medium acidity and silky tannins. Sour cherry Kirsch is the dominant flavor. Fine sediment. Long finish.
Score: 4.0/5

Jessica: Leather in the nose and smoke too. Medium dark fruits. Full tannins present but not overwhelming. Agree with the long finish. Some sourness evident, but it is not off putting. Overall a satisfying wine.
Score: 4.0/5

Ch. Beaulieu Comtes de Tastes 2006 - $13

A Bordeaux. Beaulieu means beautiful place. The Comtes de Tastes are south facing hills 15 miles north-east of Bordeaux. 60% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Color is garnet with some slight opaqueness. Smells like a rose-garden: roses and dirt and maybe a little fertilizer. But the scent of cedar is also prominent and some baking spices and smoke. Medium to low acidity. Medium to full bodied. Black cherry and black currents on the palate but fruit is subdued. Some barnyard character subtracts some points for me. Tannins are round but fairly powerful. Dark fruits with some bitterness lingers in a medium length finish, getting earthier towards the finale. Did not taste good on the second day.
Score: 3.7/5