Yellow Tail Shiraz Cabernet 2009 - $7

David: Medium purple in color. Nose of plum. Prominent oak aromas, vanilla. A tad much but not so bad. Fruity with a little sweetness. Classic Yellow Tail likibility and lack of complexity. Gentle tannins. As usual, a decent wine for the price.
Score: 3.8/5

Bisceglia Terra di Vulcano Aglianico del Vulture 2007 - $13

David: Medium to dark purple. Nose of violets, red currant cranberry. Some herbs and maybe a little leather. Not oaked so is mostly fruit and floral scents. Medium bodied with high acidity. Decent tannins. Fruity finish.
Score: 3.8/5

Colonia las Liebres Bonarda 2009 - $7

David: Dark purple in color. Nose is a bit subtle. Some cranberry fruit, minerals. Not much beyond that. This is unoaked so there are no oak aromas. Medium to full bodied. High acidity with blueberry fruit. Fresh and juicy. Prominent tannins and a decent finish. Overall, Ok. Certainly good for $7 but not too exciting either.

Score: 3.8/5

Ridge Zinfandel East Bench 2008 - $25

Wine #200. Whoo-hooo!

David: Magenta in color. Not too dark. Nose of briary fruits, scorched earth, typical zin-foxiness. Some minerality, big black pepper. Medium to full bodied. Some sweetness and some fruitiness but quite earthy and peppery. Big alcohol but not hot. Low acidity. Pretty good balance. Nice long finish. Overall, quite a tasty zin.
Score: 4.1/5

Domaine Grand Nicolet Rasteau Vieilles Vignes 2008 - $15

Old Vine Grenache.

David: Dark crimson in color. Nose of blackberry, pressed flowers, oak, that distinctive grenache smell. Full bodied. Luscious strawberry and cherry fruit. Weighty but silky texture. Soft tannins and a tasty finish. A pretty nice wine. Nothing jumps out at you but it is well made and enjoyable.
Score: 4.0/5

Villa Medoro Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2006 - $16

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is made from the Montepulciano grape and from Abruzzo Italy.

David: Dark plum colored. Nose is subtle not huge but shows blueberry, floral notes, maybe lilac, and polished leather. Full bodied, moderate acidity, silky smooth with delicious plum and blueberry fruit and subtle spices. Soft but powerful tannins. Nice finish.
Score: 4.0/5

Barca de Piedra 2008 - $13

David: Medium to dark purple in color. Nose of red fruit, smoke, wet stone, pastry bread. Medium bodied, medium acidity. Black cherry fruit, grape juice and berries. Mellow. Not too exciting but tasty enough. Typical Spanish red.
Score 3.8/5

Grandmaster Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2009 - $14

Got this at Whole Foods for about $14. Said it was $13 off so I took the bait.

David: Brick red, quite dark for a pinot. Nose is quite interesting. Very woody and herbal with just a little cherry fruit. Definitely sage. A little foxy. Some vanilla. The nose evolved quite a bit while the bottle was open. Full bodied with low acidity. Good red fruits, cherry and mulberry but very dry. Big tannins dry the mouth. The finish has some bitter liquorish and woodiness. High alcohol. Interesting wine but a little disjoint.
Score: 3.9/5

Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - $8

David: Light purple in color. Very interesting aromatics. At first, it was briary, with blackberry and ripe, foxy dark fruit. After a while it developed more of a currant bun nose. Both were enjoyable. Medium to light bodied with good acidity. Fruity. Not too complex. Light tannins. But quite enjoyable. A great value for $8.
Score: 4.0/5

Domaine Andezon Cotes du Rhone 2008 - $12

David: Dark purple. Nose of cranberries and garden tools. Some funky stink to it. Full bodied and tart. Quite fruity and perhaps a tad sweet. Pomongranate fruit, grape cool-aid. Mild tannins. Finish is short. Hard to get passed the nose. Not impressed especially after the first one was corked.
Score: 3.5/5

Rocky Gully Shiraz Viognier 2007 - $14

95% Shiraz. 5% Viognier.

David: Medium purple in color. Nose of plum and currant, pomegranate , toasted oak and chocolate. Full bodied, medium acidity. Tasty dark red fruits on the palate. Soft tannins. Decent structure. Pretty good finish.
Score: 3.9/5

Domaine Grands Bois Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee Philippine 2009 - $13

We have tried two wines from this Domaine before. We liked the Cairanne better than the Cuvée les Trois Soeurs . 55% Grenache - 35% Syrah - 10% Carignan

David: Medium purple in color. Nose of ripe raspberry, wet stone and a little iron. No sign of oak. Medium bodied, medium acidity. Fresh black currant and strawberry fruit is quite delicious. Soft tannins. A little peppery earthiness is well balanced with the fruit. Finishes nice. Not quite as nice as the more full bodied Cairanne but for a bucks less, it is also a good value.
Score: 4.0/5