Cloudline 2007 Pinot Noir

The Cloudline Pinot Noir comes from the Willamette Valley outside Portland, Oregon. Immediate strawberries on the nose and taste buds, with an acidic bite on the finish. There is a slight tartness in the finish which is possibly grapefruit.

Despite my streak of past two reviews ending up in my top inexpensive wines list, the Cloudline is coming in about average. This bottle was a leftover gift brought from a Thanksgiving guest, but looks to be found from $18-20 online. A bit acidic and sour for my tatse…4/10 rating.

Wily Jack 2007 California Zinfandel

First off, hello Marlboro Man, do you come with cigarettes? Second off, great wine website. Clearly a target audience of 21-30, there are features such as “Upload a Picture of You with Wily Jack” and the ability to fan Wily Jack on Facebook. What got me to the website was the back label; there is an odd “Chapter Three” verse which ends with a “to learn more go the site”. I bit. Good hook. There is even a contest on the website to win $5k if you write the next verse of this oddball story. Again, good marketing, Jack. My only complaint about your marketing skillz is how poorly your site is optimized for search engines (hey, it’s what I do)…at least fix your Title Tags.

And the wine…? The best sub-$10 zinfandel I’ve ever had. It came as a recommendation from a co-worker and lived up to expectations. The Wily Jack Zinfandel was $6 at the Harris Teeter grocery store. Very jammy plum flavors with a bit of pepper and tobacco on the finish. Nostrils fill with vanilla and oak. My wife felt it was a bit “grape juicy” and there is a bit of gumminess after a sip, but nothing stopping me from grabbing another bottle to verify a potential new house wine. I will warn you of the hangover…it will bite.

Welcome back, Marlboro Man.

Edna Valley Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Surprisingly strong and flavorful for a $9.99 bottle. Very dry as well - overall a strong 8/10. I found this being promoted on an end cap at the local grocery, Harris Teeter.

This wine hails from the central coast of California, where the warmer climates let Cabernet grapes florish. Blackberries, black cherries, hints of cocoa, with a lightly spiced oaky finish. Slight vanilla in the nose. Tannins are strong and compliment the dry finish nicely. No complaints here - the Edna Valley Cabernet makes the A Wine A Week top inexpensive wine list.

2008 Anakena Sauvignon Blanc

Now this pretty picture just makes me mad because I spent all day raking up those damn leaves in my back yard. At least it was hot enough to wear shorts. Happy Fall, I suppose.

The Anakena is more of a spring/summer wine, as are most Sauvignon Blancs, but this one is worth breaking the rules. Coming in at the $8 mark at Total Wine, it's a heck of a value. Sweeter notes of gooseberry, grassy tones, and light citrus. The Anakena is a bit thicker than expected as well. When it warms up, there is a slight "tinge" in the finish that is the only reminder that this is an inexpensive wine.

Great value, 7.5 out of 10 rating. Grab it if you see it.

Trivento Torrontes White Wine 2008

Tart. Citrus. Lemon. Limestone. Heartburn.

A bit "alcoholly" with a big sip and was not very good when it lost it's chill. This may be the first white I've had from the Mendoza region of Argentina which is typically known for it's Malbecs. This wine hails from the Trivento Bodegas Y Vinedos vineyard.

I'm sticking with the Argentinian reds as this was a bit acidy for me. 3.5/10 rating. $11 at Total Wine.

Francis Coppola 2007 Diamond Claret Wine

For those who know the four P's of Marketing, this wine covers 3 of the 4 well:

1. Price: $13, not too steep
2. Promotion: With the black and gold, the design is top-notch. Plus, the gold thread is unique and certainly makes it stand out.
3. Place: Costco, known to have great value on quality wines
4. Product: yeah...the wine could have been better

3 out of 4 ain't half bad ;). I'll give it 5.5/10.

"Claret" isn't some new grape, it's just a fancy way of saying it's made in the traditional Bordeaux style. A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc.

Once I opened the bottle, the aromas filled the room - very strong, especially with the oak/vanilla scents. The dryness came out on the second night, which helped it along. Coppola's Director's Cut Zinfandel blows this out of the water, spend a few extra bucks (stocked at Trader Joe's).

Step Rd Beacon Hill 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Step Rd Cabernet was a surprisingly good pick up from Total Wine for $10. I'll give it a strong 6.5 out of 10. Definitely drinks like ~$14 wine...not blowing my socks off, but beats out the normal $10 bottle of vino.

Dark berries with tannins biting nicely on the finish. Cola flavors as well with oak. Could be a bit dryer, but not complaining. A great weeknight wine.

Mark West Pinot Noir 2007 Wine

Save $7 and have a Luden's Wild Cherry cough drop instead. Excuse me Mr. West, let me be serious and just say this Pinot Noir is VERY cherry and sweet. Vanilla on the finish. It mellowed out after a few hours of being open and is much improved on the second night.

On a more positive note, I would like to thank Mr. West and this bottle for giving me the liquid patience to get through an Ikea dresser assembly that is currently going on its second night. Definitely the most intense Ikea product I've put together, I'm thankful for having booze by my side.

$7 from Costco and I would not purchase this again. 3/10 rating. Like the price but it's simply cherry sugar water.

Castano 2007 Monastrell Yecla

This Spanish red wine is light and sweet with a rocky, twang of a finish. It's $8-9 online, but I picked it up for $11 at Total Wine (apparently overpriced there). Very juicy, very plum, very sweet.

I can't say I've ever tasted the Monastrell grape, it's certainly interesting and unlike any wine I've had. Worth the novelty just to try something new (for under $10). Spain, keepin' it real cheap. 6/10 rating, avoid if you are into the dry wines.

Dona Paula Estate 2008 Malbec

About 60 minutes after opening this bottle of wine, I was blindsided by a cold that knocked me out of commission for 2 nights. On night three, I'm trying to sniffle through this slightly turned bottle of wine, but am not having much luck activating my overly Day-Quilled tastebuds.

I should have reviewed this Malbec the first night rather than stumble through this post, but c'est la vie. Although I don't remeber the tasting details, it was average at best. I'll give it a 4/10, but don't take this review as gospel due to the circumstances. $11 at Costco.