2006 Bodegas Osborne Solaz

One complaint on this well-price wine, the finish coats your entire mouth and doesn't leave. It's the kind of gummy coating that is typical for a wine in this range (so i've learned). The end result is you'll continue to drink to avoid that coat and end up killing the bottle in no time. I'm drinking alone (for the next 9+ months as the wife is expecting) so hope I don't finish this bottle tonight.

On to the good. It's $6 at Costco and a good cheap wine. 5.5/10 rating, so above average and you can't beat the price. Don't let my rant above deter you...just serve with food and you'll be fine. Very bold & spicy with some nice oak undertones. 80% tempranillo, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon makes for a good strong mix. Worth trying...interested in your opinions...

2004 Skyhawk Red Talon

Smooth & smokey. Tanins and floral on the nose and a bit on the palate. The dry finish with a touch of vanilla rounds out this red wine nicely. While marked "Red Wine" with no mention of the grapes used, cabernet jumps out while it took a bit of internet research to turn up the sangiovese and syrah as the final components to this red blend. Of the others partaking in the wine, many positive comments and ratings in the 8-9/10 range. One suggestion is that the Skyhawk would be best with a strong cheese rather than with food.

This wine was purchased from Sam's Wine in Chicago back in the late winter and was on their Top 100 Wines of 2008 list. Since movers don't move alcohol, it made the drive from Chicago to Charlotte in the Great Move of 2009. Just yesterday, this wine once again boarded the SUV for a road trip to the Wrightsville Beach, where we are enjoying it after a long day in the water avoiding the 94 degree heat. $15, 8.5/10 rating.

2006 Liberty School Chardonnay

Hailing from the brown hills of the Central Coast (Paso Robles), CA, this grocery store purchase left me with a smile. $9.99 at the Harris Teeter; a quick pick up from an end cap display. Surprisingly a high 7/10 rating - an excellent purchase of an inexpensive chardonnay.

Bright and apple-y. Some pear and possibly pinnapple. Very close to the Sauvignon Blanc family with it's tropical, fruit forward flavors, but the finish is sweet and vibrant (not dry). A bit of oak on the finish as well. A great summer wine, espeically for the Memorial Day or 4th of July weekend with a name like Liberty.

2007 Snap Dragon Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, I expected worse. $6.99 endcap at the local grocery (Harris Teeter) screamed 'buy me without thinking much about it'. Well, I looked at the bright colors, cool picture, and sweet name and did just that. While I can't say this was amazing, it wasn't bad. 4.5/10 rating. I'd put this in the class with three buck chuck - a decent week night wine for cheap.

It's a bit jammy with slight oak and tannins typical for a cab. Not enough 'goodness' to make me want a second glass. My wife commented it has a very strong scent as she caught the whif from across the couch.