Mannina Cellars Red Blend Walla Walla Valley Cali 2009

Named after the winemaker’s grandmother, our Cali is a Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. The nose shows loads of black currant fruit, olive tapenade and hints of cedar. This wine has a nice backbone with medium acidity and a long finish. This is an exceptional wine for the price. blending PROFILE: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot and 3% Syrah VINEYARDS: Pepper Bridge, Birch Creek, Golden Ridge, Les Collines and VA Piano barrel aging: Aged 14 months in 30% new American, French and Hungarian barrels

This wine is killer for the price. It pairs well with many things and goes down smooth with a long finish. I've purchased several bottles and wouldn't hesitate to purchase 6 or more bottles...it's that good.

Because this wine is about to knock them out! The nose is green apples, sour kraut, and Strawberry PopTarts. When you swirl this wine in your mouth, your taste buds awaken to the tart, sea salt and balsamic vinegar flavors. Wowee WOW wow!

I love this wine and I would easily pay more for this finely labeled bottle. Cali hasn't got much press as of yet, but I kinda like it that way. Leaves more for the crowd that knows about the Mannina goodness.

The aroma of this wine reminds me of a slightly tart yet slightly creamy strawberry, maybe even a strawberry pastry of some type, very nice nose to start with. The taste lays on a more tart strawberry with some apple and earthiness thrown in for good measure. The finish is nice and smooth. After re-visiting this wine maybe 45 min. later some of the more tartness was rounded off and gave an even smoother mouthfeel.

An excellent table wine for the less sophisticated meal. Light to medium body with a smooth finish. Great value.

The color being a bit brownish red is like the red rocks you find in AZ or CO - not CALI, but then again this wine was not named for a place but a person. . . . It starts off smelling like tart strawberries, then leads into a bit of a ball park action - sour kraut, pickles and mustard. It's tart on the palate too, tasting like the skin of a granny smith apple, the way it pulls at the sides of your mouth. It finishes nicely, leaving you salivating for more.