It happens every year. The holidays come and go and we think about how incredibly fast this past year has gone by. Then resolution talk comes into play and then back out of play, fast forward 10 months and we’re back in the same place. Here’s an idea, a challenge, better yet “The Challenge.”

We are putting you to the ultimate wine test. 28 wines. A blind tasting. Glory and a gift certificate. Now is your chance to develop that palate that you’ve always talked about and stray off your beaten path by trying some new and different wines. Be that wine snob that you despise and have fun while doing it. Now till March 20th, 111 Lex Liquors will lead you through intense, full-bodied reds to delightfully aromatic whites. Stop by for more details and to start 2017 off on the right bottle.

The Challenge Tasting Notes

Broadside Cabernet Sauvignon Margarita Vineyard
While robustly fruited in its youth, Broadside Cabernet Sauvignon is graced with an underlying framework of subtle tannin and acidity that ensures a bright future in the cellar as well. Inky ruby, with notes of black currant, cigar box spice, and plum. It’s substantial structure and lengthy finish ensure a long life ahead.

Château Famaey Malbec
Bright ruby color. Fruity and spicy nose, quite soft. Supple start evolving into a polished middle and a completely rounded finale. A wine bursting with black fruit aromas yet the ripe tannins become seamless on the palate with the full-on red fruit flavors

Château Tour d’Auron Bordeaux
Medium to deep cherry red, the wine shows good intensity and a complex bouquet of truffles, violets and rich fruits. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied with tannins that give structure and frame the black cherry and blueberry fruits. Well balanced, elegant, complex and long.

Chloe Pinot Noir
The Monterey County Pinot Noir provides flavors and aromas of wild strawberry, plum, and cherries, while the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir complements these fruit notes with spicy clove that adds complexity, richness, and aromas of fresh torn spearmint leaves.

El Coto de Rioja Crianza
Ruby-red offering fresh fruit and liquorice aromas with a silky, velvety, well balanced taste and a good aromatic intensity throughout.

Federico Paternina Banda Azul Rioja Crianza
A well developed Crianza. Full in the mouth with a rich long bouquet. Highly persistent and fruity with a complex, harmonious structure.

Franck Givaudin Irancy
Medium-bodied, dry. Flush with raspberry, cherry, and strawberry on the nose and throughout the palate. Rich, velvety, berry flavor on a dry finish of minerals, tannin, bright acidity, and flowers.

Guenoc Pinot Noir
Cherry, white pepper and spice flavors accompanied by hints of oak on the palate. This wine has a bright acidity with soft tannins and a smooth finish of concentrated red fruit flavors.

Insurrection Red Blend
Big bold flavors envelop the palate with red fruit, plum and chocolate. Shiraz offers berries and spice, while Cabernet Sauvignon delivers power and structure. Relentless waves of strong, rich flavor resolve into a long, smooth finish.

J Opi Malbec
Deep rich purple in color with an aroma of dark bramble fruit, black currants, hints of violets and spice. Intense and full flavored with smooth tannins and lovely length.

Just Right Cabernet Sauvignon
This California Cabernet Sauvignon is well structured from start to finish. Aromas of mocha, plums, and cherry spice enter sweet on the palate, with firm tannins mid-palate and a long, balanced finish.

La Posta Red Blend
Aromas of red cherries and raspberries are infused with mocha and spice hints that give up the secret for what’s about to come. Your first sip washes broadly across your palate like a flood of sweet, fresh fruit and a vibrant and long finish. The hints of baking spice and some oak keep the fruit flavors fresh and lively.

Le Prince Côtes Du Rhône
Mid-depth scarlet in color with classic raspberry, black pepper and cherry aromas. Full-bodied, deep black berry fruits, gentle tannins and spice.

Mud House Pinot Noir
Deep ruby red in color with aromas of red cherry, dried herbs, scented oak and vibrant spice. Smooth on the palate with dark cherry and bramble flavors delivering a long finish with fine tannins and balanced acidity.

Pico Maccario Lavignone Barbera D’Asti
Ruby red color. Intense and charming, with a wide range of aromas. Among them cherry, plum and red berries. Complex, of good structure, harmonious and prolonged.

Rascal Pinot Noir
Deep ruby coloring with aromas of raspberry & dried herbs. This fruit forward wine shows focused flavors of cherry, earth, and light toast. Soft and supple texture make this a great wine for every dinner.

Raw Power Shiraz
Lifted aromatics with spice, plums and cherry. Medium bodied flavors follow through from the aromatics with plenty of “raw power”. As the wine opens-up over time in the glass, it displays riper tannins and a lip smacking savory finish.

Woop Woop Shiraz
Rich fruit of blackberry, cassis, and blueberry display gracefully on the palate of this medium-bodied shiraz. Soft tannins with bright acidity make this wine an effortless go-to for a daily drinker.

Alessandro Gallici Pinot Grigio
Very pale green straw in color with a citrus, mineral and delicate pear aroma. Very fresh orchard fruits with a stony lemony zing.

Barton & Guestier Vouvray
Pale straw with green highlights. Great nose of subtle white flowers mixed with white fruits A lovely and intense wine with floral notes, peach and pear flavors.

Bees Knees Chenin Blanc Viognier
Pale lemon yellow color with notes of apple, white flowers and honey. Ripe and racy with tropical fruit and a hint of yeast.

Ca’ Vescovo Pinot Grigio
Pale lemon yellow in color with intense, crisp, green apple and pear with a mineral hint in aroma. Zippy and refreshing with mouthwatering citrus flavors.

Corte Giona Pinot Grigio
Gently fruity with welcoming scents of pear and papaya enlivened by flourishes of lychee and rose. Very gentle acidity, with a soft, juicy mouthfeel

Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc
Water white with a hint of green and gold and lifted aromatics with white peach, passionfruit and citrus notes. White peach and tropical fruits abound. The lingering finish is underscored with mineral acidity.

The Gooseberry Bush Colombard Sauvignon Blanc
Very pale straw in color with a lovely aroma of guava and tropical fruits. Lime zest; hints of gooseberries and guava. Elegant and refreshing.

Three Wishes Chardonnay
Here’s a easy one. No tasting notes necessary.

Tikohi Sauvignon Blanc
Bright pale lemon in color with a lifted bouquet of gooseberries, freshly cut grass and tropical fruits. Intense, zesty fresh and well balanced with herbaceous citrus fruit.

Villa Sparina Gavi
A great classic obtained from the Cortese grapes, a white wine which expresses truth and territory with its unique strength and freshness. Lively, fresh and fruity, this Gavi donates harmonic flavors and a contemporary spontaneity. Bright yellow color, delicate bouquet of flowers and fruit with a scent of peach. Full and rich flavor, the complete grape-ripening gives a wine which is soft on the palate with a fine aromatic flavor at the end.

Official Rules for “The Challenge”

Participants must pick up “The Challenge” form in store. The purchase of all 28 wines must be completed between the dates of November 20th, 2016 and March 20th, 2017 in order to qualify for the blind tasting. Participants must identify wines of 111 Lex Liquors’ choosing during the blind tasting to receive $100 gift certificate. Participants will have three attempts at the blind tasting.