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!

Terrazas Malbec 2007 (Argentina)

This wine is on my Top 10 under $10, but I've never reviewed it individually since I've started this blog. This is a classic yummy Malbec - fruity and fun with a hint of spicy on the aftertaste. And, at $9.99, it's a wine you can have every day!

Riccardo Battistotti Nosiola 2007 (Italy)

Not all Italian whites are a dry pinot grigio. This fruity, honey peach wine is very similar to an American Sav Blanc or Pinot Gris. I had this at a wine restaurant for $10 a glass - probably retails around $30.

Four Graces Pinot Gris 2007

I'm done - I've found the perfect wine (for me). This is a great combo of the honey tastes of a Chardonnay and the crispness of a Sav Blanc. I had it at a wine bar called Volo and it was $8 a glass, so it probably retails around $15 a bottles. I hope Santa reads wine blogs!

Lechtaler Pinot Nero DOC 2006 (Italy)

MMM! This is my find of wine. Smooth, fruity and perfect to drink alone or with light food. I had this at Enoteca Roma (great wine, even better food) for dinner and enjoyed it a bit too much. It was only $31 at the restaurant, so it's probably pretty reasonably priced at retail. And, it's already on my Binny's shopping list!

Talia Rosso Nero d'Avola Syrah IGT 2007 (Italy)

What do you get when you blend two big flavors of wine? A big-flavored wine of course. I had this at Enoteca Roma (great wine, even better food) for dinner and it was perfect for the richer parts of the meal, but I wouldn't drink it alone or with a light food - like cheese or salad. It was only $30 at the restaurant, so it's probably pretty reasonably priced at retail.

Abrazo del Toro Reserva Carinea 2005 (Spain)

Our friends brought this over before we went out to dinner: rich, spicy - classic Old World. So, my husband loved it - me, not so much. The smell is a bit like moldy feet (husband's description who LIKED it - not mine).

Dancing Bull Savignon Blanc 2008 (USA)

It wasn't that bad. But this is a poor representation of an inexpensive wine ($$8.79). It had that sour aftertaste that people associate with "cheap" wine. Will not get again.

Mutt Lynch Fou Fou le Blanc Savignon Blanc 2008 (USA)

This $9.99 wine may make my next top 10 under $10 list! It's so yummy - and to think I only bought it because it has a white dog on the label and it says "Fou Fou". This is a non-citrus fruity and crisp white wine. So delicious - I can't wait to buy it again!

Mionetto Prosecco Brut (Italy)

Because it's a Brut, it's dryer than your typical procescco. It didn't have a ton of flavor but was very nice to drink. For $10.99, I'll probably get it again/

Mionetto Il Prosecco (Italy)

Light and fun, but not too much taste. Great for mimosas, though. I prefer Cristallino and Segura Viudas for the price ($10.99)

Toasted Head Chardonnay 2008 (USA)

This $10.99 chardonnay is the classic, buttery, oaky wine that chardonnay lovers adore. No, it doesn't have quite the same character of a Cakebread chardonnay, but at roughly a quarter of the price, I'd buy this baby all day long!

Conha Carmenere 2006

If you've never had this kind of wine before, good out and try it! It has a juicy fruity flavor with a hint of spice at the end. I had this at an Argentinean steakhouse and it cost $35 which means it retails for around $15.

Muga Rioja Reserva 2005 (Spain)

I love, love, love Spain. But I cannot say the same for their wines. I have never had a Rioja that I liked. It's too classic old world for me. Translation: earthy, like dirt, leather and tobacco. Very tannic. I prefer wines that are smoother and lighter.