2010 Horse Heaven HillsH3 Les Chevaux Red Wine – $10.99

(Blend – 80% Merlot 13% Cabernet Sauvignon 7% Syrah)

Wine Maker’s Notes:  “Aromas of fresh blueberries, anise and earth lead to firm and supple tannins on the palate. This red wine blend presents incredible depth, with layered flavors of candied nuts, licorice and dark chocolate that lead to a mocha finish featuring ample, sweet tannins.”

Wine Spectator’s Notes: “Supple and spicy, with a plush-textured, dark-hued, blackberry-rich mouthful lingering against creamy oak notes on the long and polished finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Drink now through 2017.” (90 points)

Kim’s Notes: “I’m so confused”

Ok, so you know how you go to your grandmother’s house on Thanksgiving and you can’t wait to eat the mashed potatoes because you just LOVE mashed potatoes.  The bowl gets passed around, you scoop a huge ass portion onto your plate and dig in.  Mmm, it’s fluffy, smooth, and rich…but wait…what the hell is that taste? WTF is it? Grandma?!

Oh yeah, she forgot to mention that she added radishes to them this year.  I did not expect that.  I hate radishes.  Thanks a lot.  But then you shrug and eat it anyway because you LOVE mashed potatoes.  Well, that’s exactly like this wine.

So I poured a nice big glass (it smelled nice and oaky), took a big gulp (a full, round feel in the mouth), then I felt Pop Rocks going off in the back of my throat.  Ok, not Pop Rocks but it was this huge peppery-ness (is that even a descriptor?).  It was kinda weird because the smell, feel, and initial flavor was very pleasant, it was just a few seconds of pepper after every gulp.  I winced a little every time but, needless to say, I kept drinking it.

Would I buy it again?…Meh, probably not.  Would I drink it if you served it at the next book club? Of course I would, duh.

*I decided that, like wine spectator, I needed a rating scale.  And since a wine bottle holds 4 glasses (so I’ve been told…all mine hold far less), I’m going to rate a wine based on how many glasses I would drink before switching to something else.

MY RATING

Drum roll, please…..

I give this wine 2 WINE GLASSES

But if you love pepper, this is the cheapo wino for you!