2012 Tamaya Carmenere Reserva

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5
Price: $15.99

Apparently, this was Tamaya week at my house!  This was a Dec 2012 Wine Club wine, and much preferred over the Chardonnay.  This was deep and inky, powerful and spicy, while remaining fruit forward. The mouthfeel was round and full with a finish of peppers, blackberry and plum.  A great pairing with steak fajitas!  A close tie to another favorite - Tarima Hill Monastrell.

2009 Vina Casa Tamaya Chardonnay Reserva

Taste: 3/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $15.99

 

This was a wine club wine from Jan 2012 and was an interesting Chardonnay.  Great if you're looking for a non-buttery, citrusy white wine.  For me, I would pick up a Sauvignon Blanc for that.  For the record, I kept thinking this WAS a Sauv Blanc.  The wine club description listed white peaches, fresh pears with citrus tones of mandarin orange and lemon.  I got neither cream nor vanilla nor body that I would usually expect.  I did get a tense finish, crisp and high in acidity.  Not bad, just not what I'd pay $16, although it did rate 90 points from Wine Spectator.