The Wine: Rickshaw Chardonnay, California, 2014
What we tasted: Green Apple, Pear, Citrus, lemongrass, Stone, Starfruit, Slate
What we Guessed: Dry Riesling, White Burgundy, California Chardonnay
What we thought: This wine was a big hit with our panel, even Chardonnay-haters! Most everyone enjoyed it, although no one picked up on any oak.
The wine: Barone Fini Pinot Grigio, valdadige, Italy, 2014
What we tasted: Bug spray, Mineral, "Closet freshener", apple, Pink grapefruit, Cantaloupe Rind, Perfume, Honey
What we Guessed: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Washington State Sauvignon Blanc
What we thought: It was actually a more popular wine than you might expect with "bug spray" and "closet freshener" as descriptors. Most everyone thought it was Sauvignon Blanc. Very aromatic! I never guess Pinot Grigio when it has so much flavor. I guess I have Pinot Grigio predjudice...
The Wine: Treviso "Rubicone" Sangiovese, Emilia-Romagnia, Italy, NV
What we Tasted: Oak, Flowers, Honey, Smoke, Tobacco, "NyQuil", Alcohol, latex balloon
What we thought: "I love it", one of our tasters said! Most agreed that it was a solid everyday, table wine, although lacking in varietal characteristics and Terroir. I thought it tasted like a generic red.
What we Guessed: Shiraz/Syrah, Zinfandel, "Cheap merlot", Sangiovese
The Wine: Woop Woop Shiraz, South Eastern Australia, 2014
What we Tasted: "jammy fruit and dirt", smoke, "Toejam", bacon, Tobacco, Sourdough, barnyard, Black Cherry, Beef jerky, Pickles
What we Thought: Not a popular one. Quite a few on our panel did not drink their glass (a really bad sign with this band of Pirates!). "Aftertaste is not good", "Needs food" and "Don't like it, not drinking it" were the comments I scribbled down.
What we Guessed: South African Shiraz, Zinfandel, Cabernet