Tasting - "Gallo Family Mixed Berries and Chocolate Holiday Blend"

• Name: Gallo Family Mixed Berries and Chocolate
• Variety: Holiday Red Blend
• Region: Central Valley California  
• Country: United States of America 
• Year: NonVintage 
• Price: Regular Price $10.99 Sale Price $5.50
• Shop/wine critic/winery review: We couldn't resist creating a limited edition wine just for the holiday-this is our favorite time of the year. This delicious red wine has hints of mixed berries and chocolate. If you enjoy this, try our Merlot available year round. 
• My review: I was very excited to try this wine as it was Valentines day and the two things that come to my mind are chocolate and strawberries. It was also a nice choice as the wine was for the December holidays, which are now long past, giving it a nice sale price sticker. The color of the wine is not very appealing as it is a murky red with brown hues to accent it. On the nose there is a deep dark chocolate smell that is very reminiscent of opening a fresh box of chocolates. The berries are also very identifiable as smells of raspberries, blackberries, and a strong blueberry smell that lingers. Mixed in with all these delectable aromas is an earthy clay smell that gives the overall aroma depth and grounds the wine. This is the first wine that I have had where my smell of the has translated over to provide me with exactly what the wine will taste like. There is a very distinct chocolate taste with a very strong blueberry and raspberry filling taste like a mixed berry chocolate truffle. The wine is very smooth as it travels over the palate with a heat at the end. On the mid palate the is a rip peach taste that makes the wine sweeter. The finish of the wine has a bit of a lemon pucker and the overall finish is very reminiscent of a chocolate espresso. This wine was very enjoyable as it was drinking a dozen chocolate covered berries and I wish they made it all year round. 
• Food Pairing: I ate some chocolate lava cake with this wine and it was a great combination. The cocoa taste in the wine complemented the cake very nicely and brought a new depth to the cake with the mixed berry finish. It was very dense though and I wish I had some whipped cream to put on the cake to lighten up the taste, but otherwise it was a great dessert combination.