Tasting - "Beringer Smooth Red Blend"

• Name: Beringer
• Variety: Smooth Red Blend 
• Region: Napa Valley California
• Country: United States of America
• Year: 2012
• Price: Regular Price $15 Sale Price $5.95 
• Shop/wine critic/winery review: A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Without a doubt, very smooth and uniquely balanced. Not too dry but not too sweet. Has a foundation of raspberry and blackberry that lingers in the finish. A slight hint at vanilla and some spice when it touches your tongue. 
• My review: Initially I am hit with the smell of freshly opened jam or preserves with lots of sugar and berries. The individual smells that I am able to detect are strawberry and raspberry but both of them are muddled in a sugary smell. On the palate the jam taste is not there. Instead there is a distinct blackberry taste along with pepper, not sugar. The wine is not too dry as it has a sweet flow in the mid pallet but not sweet enough for it to be a sweet blend. There is a deep oaky flavor that hangs around from mid pallet to finish and that is accompanied by an after heat. Surprisingly enough I taste white grapes that have been frozen to give it a slight sweet taste.
• Food Pairing: I did not have any food paired with this wine.