We’ve written about TastingRoom.com several times before. Recently the company sent us one of its mixed samplers, designed (as the name may imply) to be consumed with food. Which I did. Thoughts on each follow. (All bottles are sub-$20 retail.)

2011 Lake Chalice Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – Extremely tropical. Lots of acid to back up that fruitiness. Refreshing, but powerful — a bit much for most food, in my opinion. B+

2008 Urraca Mendoza Chardonnay – Pear-heavy, but not too fruity. More buttery than the tasting notes let on, but with grassy notes on the finish. B+

2009 Lucas & Lewellen Santa Barbara County Chenin Blanc – Very aromatic, some tropical notes, but overloaded with perfume and rose petal character. Interesting but the least enchanting of the whites. B-

2010 Il Cuore “The Heart” Mendocino County Barbera – Very extracted, ultra fruity, and not at all like Italian Barbera. More like a Zin or an Aussie Shiraz. C-

2009 Stickybeak California Syrah- Big, bright fruit. Powerful, but balanced with a big enough body to support it. Nice cherry notes, touches of wood and smoke. A-

2009 Penley Estate “Condor” Coonawarra Red Blend – Smoky, with massive cherry notes that, unfortunately, are reminiscent of cough syrup. B-

$30 for six 1.7-oz. mini bottles

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