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.