Red Blends from Paso Robles, purchased from Safeway

🍷 Varietal Focus: California Red Blends

This tasting explored California red blends, known for bold fruit, silky textures, and drinkability. These wines, mostly from Paso Robles and Lodi, featured undisclosed blends but likely included Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot, and Syrah.

• Paso Robles blends often show ripe cherry, plum, baking spices, and oak 🥧🍒.

• Lodi wines tend toward jammy, soft reds, ideal for casual sipping 🍓🌞.

🥂 Wines in Revealed Order

1️⃣ Wine A: Booker Harvey & Harriet Red Blend

• Region: Paso Robles, California

• Vintage: 2022

• Price: $24.00 (with Safeway discount)

• Winery: Booker Vineyard

• Store: Safeway

• Tasting Notes:

  • Dark, clear color with good legs

  • Aromas of plum, raspberry, forest floor 🌳

  • Complex and smooth with lasting finish and structured tannins

  • Described as both party-ready and personal cellar-worthy

• Scores:

  • Lynn: 17 – Would buy again and take to a neighborhood party

  • Ryan: 17 – Would buy again and keep a second bottle for himself

  • Kim: 18 – Favorite; still sipping it during scoring

  • Scott: 15 – Would buy again and take to a party

  • Total: 67

• Buy Again? ✅ All 4 said yes

2️⃣ Wine B: Freakshow Red Blend

• Region: Lodi, California

• Blend: Petite Verdot, Petite Sirah

• Price: $14.99

• Winery: Michael David Winery

• Store: Safeway

• Tasting Notes:

  • Clear with raspberry and oak on the nose

  • Described as oaky, spicy, and high in tannin ("sandpaper finish")

  • Heavier cab-like presence, good for parties

• Scores:

  • Lynn: 15 – Would buy again and take to a party

  • Ryan: 12 – Would buy again, but only for a second bottle or "friends who wronged him" 😂

  • Kim: 16 – A solid wine, best as a second pour

  • Scott: 16 – Liked it; would bring to a party

  • Total: 59

• Buy Again? ✅ Most said yes, Ryan hesitated

3️⃣ Wine C: Pessimist by DAOU

• Region: Paso Robles, California

• Vintage: 2022

• Price: $22.15

• Winery: DAOU Vineyards

• Store: Safeway

• Tasting Notes:

  • Cloudy with thick legs; dark plum purple color

  • Strong alcohol aroma ("smells like booze") 🍷🔥

  • Peppery, but short on character; one taster said it’s a “2am wine”

• Scores:

  • Lynn: 12 – Would drink only as second or third bottle

  • Ryan: 8 – Did not like it; lowest score

  • Kim: 13 – Boozy but “fun”; would bring to a party for the novelty

  • Scott: 12 – Occasional drinker only, as second wine at home

  • Total: 55

• Buy Again? 😬 Kim said yes (for fun); others no or with hesitation

4️⃣ Wine D: Tooth & Nail Red Blend (XLV1)

• Region: Paso Robles, California

• Vintage: 2021

• Price: $21.77

• Winery: Tooth & Nail Winery

• Store: Safeway

• Tasting Notes:

  • Clear, fruity, with plum, vanilla, and some called it "new car" or “Uber” scent 🚗🍷

  • Light and pleasant, not complex but easy to sip

  • Enjoyable for relaxed, casual drinking

• Scores:

  • Lynn: 13 – Would drink it at home

  • Ryan: 14 – Would buy again and take to a party

  • Kim: 14 – Good enough to share socially

  • Scott: 16 – Liked it; would bring to a party

  • Total: 57

• Buy Again? ✅ All 4 yes

🏆 Winning Wine: Harvey & Harriet Red Blend (Wine A)

Total Score: 67

Praised for its balance, rich nose, lasting finish, and elegance. Universally approved for both personal enjoyment and social sharing.