Cupcake Vineyards 2009 Cabernet Savignon

It's probably time to send out a warning (again) that if you bring a bottle of wine over to our house, it's going to be reviewed on AWineAWeek.com. Either choose wisely (don't mistake that for a need to buy something expensive) or go with beer.

So I can't even get this down...thick and sugary. You can't discern any other flavors as the sweetness is overwhelming. My wife says "it's not the worst thing I've ever had" and rates it a 2.5/10.

I've seen this bottle all over the grocery store endcaps and is typically priced around $8-9. 1.5/10 is my rating...I'm not going to finish my glass.

Now, excuse me while I go brush my teeth...I feel a cavity or three coming on.

Louis M. Martini 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

This is one of my favorite grocery store wines – certainly a go-to. Typically it’s $15-$17 at Harris Teeter, but it was on sale for $9.99. For that price, I’m giving this a 8 out of 10 and putting it in my Best Inexpensive Wines category. Red Laser can’t even find it online for that cheap. Total Wine has it for $14.

I call this a “wine drinker’s wine” because it’s very dry and complex (for a $10 wine). Cherry, blackberry, currant, and a bite to finish with hints of vanilla. It will go well with red meats or hearty meals.

Montebuena Rioja 2009

You'll want to just toss some fruit and sugar in here and stick with sangria. Typical Tempranillo grapes bring a full flavored mouthful of sweet wine. Not my style, so a 3.5/10 despite the low $8 cost at Costco.

Chateau Bel Air L'Espérance 2008 Grand Vin de Bordeaux

In my last visit to Total Wine, I took a stroll down the France aisle and a few bottles caught my eye. This particular Bordeaux is a red blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Franc. As the wife is dusting as I try to taste this wine, everything seems to taste like Pledge ;)

Seriously though, this is a good blend for the $9 price point. Light cherry on the nose. Overall, a very smooth wine and not overbearing. The granite undertones of this wine are striking – I could see some folks not enjoying that. For a lighter bodied wine, the tannins can sneak up on you. Also of note, the stubby little cork…it was only 2/3’s the length of a normal cork. Interesting first impression. 7/10 rating – I’d get this again, especially great value for the price.

Clifford Bay 2009 Pinot Noir

Ah, after a long week, this one hits the spot. This is my second good wine in as many nights - last night at Elway's Steakhouse in Denver, the Nickel & Nickel 2006 Zinfandel was a nice, dry accompaniment to my bone-in filet.

This Pinot Noir dances vibrantly on the tongue. Heavy grapefruit influences. Light in color, floral blossoms on the nose. A bit tart as it tingles on the start. It's a nice light wine and makes for good sipping. For $10 at Costco, I'll give it a 7/10 as it's pretty unique and of good quality. My only complaint is it gets jammy in the finish after a glass or two.

I'm not sure I've had a Pinot Noir wine from New Zealand, but I like this. With Spring oh so close, I plan to drain my share of Marlborough vino...but of the Sauvignon Blanc family.

Newman’s Own 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

I’ve seen Paul’s mug in a few aisles at Wal-Mart, but didn’t expect to see his grin in the wine section. Cool Hand Luke aims to please the general populous with this vino…it should appeal to the masses with it’s smooth, medium-bodied and somewhat sweet flavors. With all profits going to charity, I’ll spring the $9.50 for this one. Cherry flavors with a bit of sweetness, ending with a slight peppery bite. Medium dry finish. Aims to please. 5.5/10…slightly above average, but very even keeled.

Kirkland 2008 Alexander Valley Merlot

Thick and sweet, this bottle lays on what I like about a nice Merlot. While “sweet” it’s not “sugary” like some of it’s cheaper counterparts. The spice on the finish is nice. Black cherry and plum dominate. Thick, jammy finish with vanilla undertones.

You can pick up all Kirkland wines at Costco and this Alexander Valley Merlot was $9. Easy to enjoy, and above average for a $9 wine…6/10 rating. Again, make sure you like ‘em on the sweet side here.

Go Bears.

2009 Kirkland Ti Point Sauvignon Blanc

Another test to see if Costco's private label can roll with the big names of the wine industry. For $8, this is another winner as it easily drinks as as $12-13 sauvignon blanc.

Definitely one of the sweeter Marlborough sauvignon blancs I've tasted and would have certainly guessed this a California version in a blind taste test. My wife is a fan of the more citrus-y, so quickly dismissed the peach and honey overtones.

I'll rate it a 7/10, but with the caveat that you like the sweeter (vs. citrus sour) version of this varietal. With not many days to enjoy to enjoy this summer sippin' wine, the last of the season was a winner.

2006 El Coto Rioja Crianza

Ah, what my lawn looked like before the weeds and grubs started taking over. The chemicals would probably eat through the bottle today.

The El Coto Rioja was a good buy at $9, and did not disappoint. Thanks again Costco. I've come to realize you almost can't go wrong with about 70-80% of Costco wines...which is probably why they are the largest wine retailer in America. Speaking of popularity, El Coto is the #1 selling brand in Spain. Match made in heaven...er, America...I suppose.

This inexpensive wine is made from the tempranillo grape. It's very light, but doesn't lack spice. Bright cherry on the forefront with a tint of raspberry. Tobacco on the finish. After reading another review mentioning coconut, I do notice it slightly on the finish.

7/10 rating. $9 at Costco. Well done.

Ironberry 2008 Cab-Shiraz-Merlot Blend

Total package here: cool designs, low price & good flavors. This was a random pick up from Total Wine the other day, and a lucky find. For $6.99, it makes for a wonderful weekday wine that drinks like it's double the price, at least. Great bottle to bring to your next party or bbq without having to spend a fortune for a bottle.

Bold fruit (plum), tad of spice, and a bit of rocky tinge on the finish. Good balance of grapes: 36% cabernet sauvignon, 33% shiraz, 31% merlot. I'll be looking to pick this one up again next time I'm there. 7.5 out of 10 rating.

Southern Points Vineyards Chardonnay

Sweet apple and peach flavors in this wine with citrus highlights on the finish. I did also notice an abrupt gravel tinge at the end of the finish here that wasn't my favorite; this subsides after a few more sips. Not your typical butter/oaky chardonnay here and great for the summer time.

I was doubtful in this wine seeing that there is no year on the label, it's $7 price point, no description of anything on the back, and that fact that grapes were cobbled together from various vineyardS as noted on the front label. I'll give this a 6/10 as it exceeded my expectations. While I wouldn't purchase again (too sweet!) it did renew my faith in chardonnay wines.

Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc 2009

A very light sauvignon blanc on the start but a long, fruitful finish. The citrus isn’t overwhelming and the light, crisp nature really makes this a nice selection. Lemon is the main flavor in that lasting finish but tart apple hints keep this interesting. Much like a Corona with lime, the first 5 taste great, but after a while you need to change it up after the citrus takes over.

With a thunderstorm knocking out our power, I was happy to have this chilled and ready to help ride the storm out.

We found this wine at Costco for $9. It was rated 87 points by someone with a better palatte than I. I’ll be grabbing a few more bottles of these on my next visit. 7/10; great price.

Maipe 2009 Malbec

My mother taught me that if I didn't have anything nice to say...but there are a few zingers I can't pass up...

Let's just say this wine was so bad that I blame it for killing these flowers which only lasted about 3 days after this picture. I'm a bit dramatic because we did drink it...so I'll give it a 2.5/10 as none hit the drain.

The tannis are too strong, the sugars are too sweet, and I urge you not to waste the $8. Found this one at Costco, in an alluring bottle that didn't mention that their was garbage inside.

Trader Joe’s 2007 Reserve Syrah Wine

$10 is the most I’ve spent in TJ’s for wine – I passed up a 3 bottles of Three-buck Chuck for this quality over quantity move and certainly enjoyed the difference.

This wine is strong and dry. There is a nice coffee/mocha/chocolate finish on this that is what makes this wine shine. 6.5/10 rating – above average for sure and a nice surprise from the Trader Joe’s label. Also notible mention for the heaviest wine bottle I've ever lifted.

While you are there, make sure to grab that wonderful Tomato-Red Pepper soup and caramelized onion & feta pastry puffs. It all will work, trust me ;)

Excelsior 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Too tart for this guy...the hint of strawberry sweetness is quickly covered up by the currant tidalwave. Mostly plum, blackberry and hints of chocolate. Very juicy.

While it's 90% Cab, it also contains 8% Shiraz and 2% Petit Verdot. Here is a better review than mine. :)

Overall, not a fan. 3/10 rating despite the inexpensive price tag of $7 from Costco.

2006 Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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Originally uploaded by jeff+caroline

My wife’s vegetable lasagna brought out the best of this “Italian Dry Red Wine” from Abruzzo, Italy. Quite the surprise as I had only paid $7 for it at Costco earlier today. I believe it’s the first Montepulciano wine I’ve had, so read up on the grape, if interested.

Certainly let it open up for an hour or so before drinking as this one will grab you. In fact, I wouldn’t call this a sipping wine…save this for a hearty pasta dish and let it do it’s thang. Very dry and earthy, and somewhat bitter on the finish. Very dark, dark fruits, very full-bodied. Quite enjoyable and would recommend it with any pasta dish. With the low price point, I’ve got to move it to my ‘best cheap wine category’ with a 8.5/10.

Charles Shaw 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau

Eeek, this is a sweet one. Lightweight and sweet rivaling Kool-Aid. I'm not pouring it out though, so I'll rate it a 3/10. Heck, it's only $3 at Trader Joe's (aka "Three Buck Chuck"). The Nouveau was a limited-availability holiday blend, but don't be taken by the marketing...stick to the Cabernet or Syrah.

The story of Beaujolais Nouveau is pretty interesting as it's a late harvest wine intended to drink soon after it's bottling in late fall. It arrives with much celebration in time for the holidays.

Mirassou 2008 Pinot Grigio

This Pinot Grigio was purchased for the “1 cup of dry white wine” needed to boil some shrimp for $7.99 at Costco. It was the cheapest non-Chardonnay they had and was rated 90 points by someone who knows more about wine than I. The Mirassou was certainly better the second night as the overly-lemon bite had settled down and the peach came out more. It’s sweet and makes for a good sipping wine without food.

On the first night, I would have rated this at 4, at best, and on night two will raise it 2 points for a 6/10. Good buy for the price…just let it breathe a while. Didn’t know one needed to let whites breathe, but the proof is in the pudding…er, Pinot.

d'Arenberg 2008 Stump Jump Shiraz

This shiraz was purchased from wine.com - mainly because it was only $10 and ranked #82 in the top 100 wines of 2009 by Wine Spectator. What can I say, I'm a sucker for the cheap, ranked wine.

The cherry flavor is quite forward and stronger than expected. This paired well with pasta tonight, but is a bit too sweet and juicy for sipping without food. Earthy undertones make this an interesting wine. It's above average, but didn't knock my socks off. For $10, it's good...but as they say, good is the enemy of great. I'll rank it 6/10. $10 from Wine.com.

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.