Monte Antico 2006 Toscana

This red blend from the hills of Italy was an enjoyable red blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet, & 5% Merlot. Give it at least 30 minutes to breathe. It is much better as a dinner wine versus sipping without food. Very light and sweet with acidic overtones. The sweetness subsides a bit after it opens up, but is replaced with a bitterness on the finish. Wine Spectator gave this 90 points and put it as #61 on their top wines of 2009.

This Super Tuscan bottle was $10 at Costco. While decent, I wouldn't get it again despite Wine Spectator's admiration of the vintage. 4.5/10 rating from this wine spectator.

Falset-Marca 2006 Etim Seleccion

Spain brings it with this inexpensive bottle from the Montsant region. Very complex wine for under $10, with dark berry and a lingering dry-oak finish. A bit minerally as well. Oak on the nose and enough tannins to give a medium bite. Hold it in your mouth for an extra second and you'll taste the blueberries.

This wine was a bit much to pair with the Turkey dish we had with it, but after diner (and the following day) it really came out well. The Etim is 60% Grenache, 30% Carigane, and 10% Syrah.

I will certainly be picking up additional bottles to keep on hand when I visit Costco next - viva la Spain! 7.5/10 rating.

Oak Leaf Pinot Grigio Chenin Blanc

My second Walmart wine installment, although this one is not quite as positive. When a recipe calls for "a white cooking wine", you've found the purpose of this bottle. Worked well with my Thanksgiving turkey...and by with it, I mean as a part of the recipe, not in the glass.

Very lemony, very weak and quite watery. It's like lemon gatorade, including the thick sugary consistency. It's drinkable, but only if out of necessity. With a meal, it's OK...just not for sipping solo. 3/10 rating, $2.99 at Walmart.

2006 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot

This is the second time I'm enjoyed this highly rated $50 gem. Red cherry is the dominant flavor. Full and creamy with a nice spice on the finish. A sweet oak on the nose. Great for sipping - doesn't require a meal.

After drinking so many sub-$15 wines, it's truely refreshing to have a good bottle every once and a while. 6.5/10 rating - 'twas excellent, but think there are better at this price range.