Maipe Malbec 2009 - Argentina

Yummy Malbec, but I've had better. This one was a bit more acidic than I'm used to. It was about $10, so for the price point, there are better options.

Row Eleven Pinot Noir 2007 USA

This is it! I love it - my fave pinot noir (for a little more money). It's about $25. This is what a pinot noir is all about: juicy, flavorful and perfectly smooth!

Pinot Noir tasting

A few weeks ago, I had some friends over to taste some Pinot Noirs. All of these are around $10. They're in order of MY faves, but I included the variety of comments from my husband and friends.

Mark West '08 USA
Jos: loooove - the way a pinot noir should be - nice and smooth
Lisa: acidic, cherries, spicy, but meh
Jon: acidic, cherries, spicy, but meh

Cycles Gladiator '08 USA
Jos: love - slightly less than Mark West
TK: like it, chewy, leathery, cherry
Lisa: fun & sparkly
Jon: sugary, sweet, smooth finish, light tannin

Red Bicyclette '08 France
Jos: pretty darn good! smooth but flavorful
TK: balanced - great, pear and plum taste
Lisa: good
Halley: favorite
Jon: maybe favorite

Apaltagua - Reserva '09 Chile
Jos: liked it - had a bit of a bite
TK: more tannic than acid, moss & dirt A+
Lisa: "the one", earthy, minerally - amazing w/ goat cheese!
Jon: "the one", earthy, minerally

Echelon '07 France
Jos: a little spicy, watery, don't dislike
TK: meh - not enough flavor
Lisa: light & fruity
Halley: light, slight spice
Jon: not very complex - acidic

Robert Mondavi - Private Selection ('08) USA
Jos: meh
TK: good, not special
Lisa: meh - 2nd taste was better
Jon: fine

The Friendhouse '08 France
Jos: old world, earthy (translation - not my kind of wine)
TK: I don't taste anything other than "BORING"!
Lisa: having trouble describing but I like it!
Jon: fruity

Mirassou '08 USA
Jos: weird aftertaste - ick!
TK: weak!
Lisa: sweet but not pleasing
Jon: good, best so far

St. Supery Savignon Blanc 2007 (USA)

I usually tend to prefer US Savignon Blancs to those from NZ these days because of the grapefruit factor of the NZ ones. But, this one was too minerally for me.

Nautilus Savignon Blanc 2007 (New Zealand)

Classic grapefruity Savignon Blanc from NZ. I really didn't love it. I feel like the citrus takes away from the wine. I don't want grapefruit juice - I just want a clean, crisp white wine.

Crognolo Sette Ponti Toscana 2007 (Italy)

I'm not usually a fan of "Old World" wines (ie. Italy, Spain, France), but I had two wines over the holidays that contradicted me. This is one.

A gift from my dad - a quick google told me it was #30 on Wine Spectator's top 100 wines of 2009.

It had the fullness and rich flavor that you would expect from a classic Italian wine, but had a light uncharacteristic fruity flavor that takes the edge off the earthiness.

Zardetto Prosecco Brut NV

This is the classic prosecco you always want to have in the house. It costs around $12.99 and has alot more flavor than the cavas I love for under $10. I was calling this the hangover proof sparkling wine for a while. I bought a case for my friends bachelorette party a few years back. I'm not saying were weren't hungover after that evening, but we definitely felt better than we should have!