Tastings from Week of 3/30-4/5

I tried a Garnache and a Pinot Noir last week but I was not able to get the blog post uploaded so I've combined both tastings into one post to make it easier.

Bodegas Breca Garnacha de Fuego

--100% Garnache 

--Calatayud

--Aragon, Spain 
--2013
--$6.99 

From Wine Library: 

Description

This easy drinking red exhibits plenty of bright fruit and a clean, well defined finish. Remarkable for this price point, this is a great value to buy by the case!

My notes: The color was a very deep dark red, almost purple on the edges. The smell was very tarty, a lot of cherries, plums. Very bold. Slight chocolate components, little bit of oak. It was intense on the nose but made me want to drink it. I loved the nose. However it was extremely tannic to the taste and too tart. It was very dry and left a chalky taste in the mouth. It honestly needed to be paired with a chocolate something to counter balance it and was actually better with a small chocolate truffle. I'm interested to try this after letting it air out. May be better. I was kind of disappointed. Too much and too chalky. 

D'Autrefois Pinot Noir 

--Pinot Noir 

--Vins de Pays d'Oc

--France
--Year Unknown

--$11.99

Total Wine Notes: Vin de Pays, France- Fantastic value in a complex Pinot Noir, from a winery with longstanding ties to Burgundy. An alluring bouquet of cherry and berry fruit is framed by subtle vanilla and spice notes. Ripe, crisp finish. A staff favorite! Enjoy with Herb Roasted or Grilled Chicken

My Notes: It had a Classic chocolate berry smell to it. Little oakey and melon. Slight earthy tones. It had a pretty solid nose. The taste was very tannic, tart dry. Solid Pinot Noir feel to it. But it left a slight chalky feeling to it. It was very dry, light citrus. It had a back palate of tart rasberry. Overall it was pretty solid Pinot Noir but it needed food with it.