Rutherford Hill Merlot '13

American, Napa Valley, Cali.
Merlot (with Cab. Sauv. & Syrah)
$26ish

Poundability: 2.5/5
Value: 2.5-3/5
Overall: 3/5

Dark ruby color with a nose of strong plum and cassis.  Medium/light bodied.

Heavy plum flavors with a slightly spicy finish.

Mild/heavy tannins with strong acidity.  Good food wine but could be sipped on its own.  Great complexity with a nice long finish.  Cat like tongue texture, for reals.  A textbook representation of well made California Merlot, no juice bomb here.

Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a well made Cali Merlot, despite its decline in popularity over the years.  The strong tannic grip brings down it's poundability, but it is a great wine nonetheless.  The problem comes with the price tag, at $26/btl you need to be a damn good bottle of wine, and I really wish it were a few dollars cheaper. Although I feel that way about most Cali wine. All in all would repeat.

Side note, I killed two flies during the tasting so there's that.

Legado del Moncayo Garnacha '14

Spain
Garnache
$9ish

Poundability: 2.5/5
Value: 3/5
Overall: 2.5/5

Over ripe fruit on the nose with a slight alcoholic burn, medium body.  Good color.

Bright juicy fruit flavors.  Classic Spanish table wine.  Jamy grape/cherries with a slight black licorice hint.

Heavy alcoholic finish leads to unpleasant finish and a low poundability.  Relatively no tannin's.  Mild/light acidity.  Not overly complex with a short finish.  Lots of residual sugar in glass.

Used to be Spanish red's were one of my go to's for quality inexpensive wine.  I'm starting to worry they will suffer a similar fate as Argentinian Malbec's did a few years ago.  It seemed all the quality Malbec's started disappearing and many started tasting very grape juicy, and not in a good way.  That's what this wine reminds me of.  Hopefully this vintage is a fluke and they will go back to former glory.  Overall not a bad wine for under $10, just not the steal it once was.  Will certainly evaluate in the future though.

Sam Adams Oktoberfest

American, Massachusetts

Oktoberfest

$10ish/6 pack

Poundability: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Overall: 4/5

Standard bearer for American Oktoberfest's.  Easy drinking with a nice slightly creamy mouthfeel and nice maltyness.  Bright crisp palate.  Not overly complex, but good quality American style.  Many US Oktober's can be overly thin with not much going on but Sam Adams constantly puts out a quality version.  Not a huge Sam fan overall but the Boston Lager is always good when the craft selection is limited and their Oktoberfest is no different.  One of the better US versions.  Would always recommend.  

Slightly hazy color with moderate foam and fast rising bubbles.  Caramel and slight chocolate nose.  Medium finish.