Ramada Tinto 2009 (Portugal)

Nose: Sharp, maybe floral? Musky?

Taste: Sweet at the beginning.

Finish: Nice finish given the rather unremarkable beginning.

What we say: V - "I like the finish." S - "I don't know what to say about it, but it's not bad."

What they say: Dry, soft and smooth taste. Fruity aromas of fresh cherries and raspberries. Fruity aftertaste with a spicy note on the palate.

Rating: 5

Campo Rojo Gran Seleccion 2008 (Spain)

Nose: Sweet red berries, nice aroma.  Cherries, blackberries and strawberries? Definitely a hit of cherry at the beginning.

Taste: Pretty dry and almost a bit pungent, particularly towards the end.

Finish: Quite a long, bitter finish.

What we say:  V - "Not quite as sweet as I expected it to be from the nose - it's far more dry." S - "It started off better, but then it got bitter, and I don't know why."



What they say: Mineral notes with berry and licorice hints, followed by smokey aromas.

Rating: 3.5 (V - 3, S - 4)

Prestige and Calvet Bordeaux Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (France)

Nose: Pretty light, nothing distinguishable.

Taste: Pretty dry all the way through.

Finish: See quote below.

What we say:  V - "There's a finish to it, and it's long, but it's not really related to the first bit.... or maybe it's the opposite, that it doesn't change at all?" "There's just not that much to say about it, it's pretty boring."  S - "Smells a bit like pencil crayon!" "It's a shame about the taste, because the label is kind of nice."



What they say: Full and fruity with a long, smooth aftertaste.

Rating: 4

Matsu El Picaro 2010 Toro (Spain)

Nose: Heavy, but not strong. Dense.

Taste: Red berries, a bit sweet.

Finish: Almost no finish to speak of.

What we say: S - "It reminds me of the mulled berry punch. It's a punch of berries that doesn't do much." V - "The nose is definitely something more than wine, but I can't figure out what it is." "It's a one-hit wonder."

What they say: Full-bodied and powerful.

Rating: 6

Tarragona Gran Reserva 2005 (Spain)

Nose: Woody, with berries.

Taste: Full, smooth, with berries.

Finish: Very little bitterness.

What we say: S&V - "L picks out good wine, one of the better wines we've had to date."

What they say: Rich and full-bodied.

Rating: 7