2008 Ecco Domani Merlot

Taste: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $9

Rich with ripe, dark berry fruitiness and subtle tannins, this wine had a softness that was a pleasant surprise. I'd all but given up on Merlot, as there are several other varietals I prefer, but this is one I would buy again and have on hand, especially for pairing with italian food. Check out eccodomani.com for some tasty sounding recipes like this one:

Farfalle Pasta with Chicken

Ingredients
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 jar (12 oz.) roasted red peppers, drained, finely chopped
6 oz. grilled chicken breast strips
8 oz. farfalle (small bow tie pasta)
2 package (4 oz. each) crumbled Feta Cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Preperation
Cook and stir garlic in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil on medium heat 3 minutes. Add roasted red peppers, grilled chicken breast strips and remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
Cook farfalle pasta as directed on package, drain.
Toss vegetable mixture with hot pasta and feta cheese. Sprinkle with parsley.

2006 Layer Cake Cotes Du Rhone

Taste: 3/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $17

I've liked all other Layer Cake wines that I've tried to date, but was not overly impressed by this Syrah. While it had a nice spice to it, overall I found it flat and with a chalky mouth feel that I didn't care for - French soil maybe? Good level of tannin but not very fruity.

2008 Toasted Head Chardonnay

Taste: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $10

So, if you don't like big, oaky Chardonnay's, you're not going to like this wine, but I was in the mood for such and found this quite pleasing. A crisp citrusy forward, reminiscent of lemon zest, with nice acidity and buttery rich, yet soft finish. Perhaps not a go-to Chardonnay, but when in the mood for big, I'd buy and drink this one again.

2007 Ravens Wood Vintners Blend Zinfandel

Taste: 3/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $9

I've read for quite some time that Ravenswood is known for their Zins. It must be for their higher priced Zins because this was not it for me. I found it more bold, even brazen, compared to the Zins I love. In general, it was the spiciness that came through at the sacrifice of the jammy fruit I crave in a Zin.

Teusner 2006 Joshua - Barossa Valley Red Wine

Taste: 3/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $20

This Barossa Valley red wine is an unoaked blend of 65% Grenache, 25% Mataro and 10% Shiraz. Description: "This wine shows a fruit intensity and warmth that speaks of a warmer growing region but without the jamminess, or baked fruit notions that can belie fruit from such an area. Here the fruit is Barossa sourced and its generosity is evident, but the difference is the pitch and higher toned brightness that gives it such an engaging lift and purity. Loaded with delicious black cherry, black raspberry and blackberry flavors that are layered throughout the palate, this has intensity and scale, but more importantly, the vibrancy and freshness that gives it so much personality." I couldn't resist the purchase with a description like that, but upon drinking, I just didn't find that description to hold true. There are plenty of other wines I like better for under $15, I won't likely buy this wine again.

NV LeLapin Ingenuity White

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $8

LeLapin is the newest line of wine from Rabbit Ridge Winery, Sonoma CA, which opened in 1981, with a commitment to producing high quality wines at affordable prices. Made with grapes grown exclusively in Paso Robles, LeLapin wines are non-vintage, meaning they may be comprised of two or more vintages, which allows for the blending of a newer wine for freshness with an older vintage for complexity. Ingenuity is a blend of Chenin blanc, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc, and is crisp and light without being too citrusy. An all around great summer white!