Tasting - "Caresses Du Terroir Bordeaux"

• Name: Caresses Du Terroir  
• Variety: 60% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc
• Region: Bordeaux 
• Country: France
• Year: 2012
• Price: Regular Price $15.99 Sale Price $11.99
• Shop/wine critic/winery review: The only review of this wine I could find was on the vineyard's website. Fruity wine with tannins. Ideal with traditional meals. Aged 12 months in new oak barrels and in 1 year old barrels. Vinification is done in stainless-steel tanks.
• My review: On the nose the wine seems very inviting with the smell of crisp red apples and warm cinnamon sticks, there is a hint of pepper mixed with lemon juice that gives it a wake up feeling on the nose. My initial sip took me a back as this wine is full on tannins which we catch you off guard when not prepared. The wine is very deep and thick as it coats your entire mouth in a murkiness with very strong earthy mud flavor. There are hints of blackberry and currants in the midpalate but they are quickly covered up with the strong tannic taste that leaves room for many other flavors. There is no cinnamon taste but a strong black pepper that stays with you long after finishing the sip. This has to be one of my least favorite wines that I have tasted and I had to buy a soda in Kroger to wash down the bit that remained in my mouth. 
• Food Pairing: I did not have any food paired with this wine but I wish I had something to clear it away.