This series of very inexpensive wines sound like they’re from Spain but they’re really from California. In fact, they’re part of the Wente Vineyards portfolio, a renowned California wine empire that stakes its claim as the country’s oldest continuously-operated family winery.

Here’s how its new Tamás label wines — which are rapidly becoming unavoidable in restaurants and markets — stack up.

2009 Tamás Estate Pinot Grigio Central Coast – Lemony with a big pineapple kick. Easily drinkable, with a good balance of fruit and acid. Hard to fault, especially at this price level. A- / $10

2010 Tamás Estate Rosato of Sangiovese San Francisco Bay Livermore Valley – A “riserva” rose? From San Francisco? OK, well… this moderate pink wine offers mostly white wine character, a lively, somewhat buttery wine with mild fruit notes — fig, apples, maybe peaches — and the lightest of bitter finishes. Fine, but short of remarkable. B / $10

2008 Tamás Estate Double Decker Red Central Coast – Mixed opinions on this oddball blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Barbera. I found it to be overly big and jammy, with strage menthol, wood, and whiskey notes. The lady liked it. What can you do? B- / $12

2009 Tamás Estate Pinot Grigio Central Coast

$10

9

Rating

9.0/10

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Christopher Null

Christopher Null is the founder and editor in chief of Drinkhacker. A veteran writer and journalist, he also operates Null Media, a bespoke content creation company.

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