EAST COAST PALATE

This bottle came into my life thanks to my friend and neighbor - Carolyn - who shares some of my enthusiasm for Spanish vino tinto.  This Crianza was aged 14 months in American oak and consists of a blend of Tempranillo (85%), Garnacha (5%), Graciano (5%), and Mazuelo (5%).
The nose is hearty and full of oak, with a whiff of black cherries lurking just below the woodsy aromas.  The flavor profile follows suit; this wine is tannic and spicy.  The oak is smelled and then felt, but on the palate it isn't so dominant.  After it was opened for a half an hour the cherry emerged a bit and melded well with that leathery, saddle/baseball mitt smell that I love so much in many Riojan wines.
This wine would go better with food, but it worked well with a movie, too.  It came from the Wine Source up in north Baltimore, where it costs $13.59.  For me it's a solid B to B+, however some people won't like it due to the oaky component.

This blend of Marsanne and Roussane has a color and an aroma rarely found in most white wines.  Its hue is a dark gold with a tinge of orange.  The smells coming off the nose are slightly oxidized (like a Sherry smells), with other odors like sawdust, flowers, and perfume joining the unique bouquet.
There is a nice acidic kick to this wine, and a woodsy, almost burnt taste that creates a slightly bitter, floral finish.  This wine isn't for everyone, but I think that for those of you looking to try new things, this bottle from the Robert Katcher selection will surely deliver some novel flavors and aromas.  I'd rate this wine a solid B, and it is a decent value for the $11  I spent at the Montgomery County liquor store.