2010 Quintay Clava Cabernet Sauvignon

Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $15

The newest addition to the Quintay label, they Cabernet is as pleasing as I found their Chardonnay to be.  From Chile's cool climate region - earthy, balck cherry, spice and nicely balanced.  I found it better on day 2.

2008 Palazzone Orvieto Terre Vineate

Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $13

I'm just not sure how to describe this wine and find myself going back and forth between a 3 and 4 rating.  It's zippy, citrusy and overall pleasant, but also very forgetable.  Perhaps that's the Old World wine quality coming through - probably better with the right food.  Would consider buying again.

2008 Girasole Vineyards Pinot Noir

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $15

A rare find - a Pinot Noir that is reasonably priced and doesn't fall flat on the palate! From Mendocino, a juicy mouthful of fresh raspberries and cherries and a silky finish. There just might be something to this organic grape production - Snoqualme, Girasole...yummy!

2009 Sean Minor 4 Bears Sauvignon Blanc

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $12

Normally, the Sauvignon Blancs are a bit too herbaceous or too biting on the citrus end, but this is like lightly sugared pink grapefruit with a long, wonderful finish! Rich and complex - described by the winemaker as combined flavors of pear, fig and melon balanced perfectly to form a crisp, mouthwatering texture and a lingering finish.

2008 Hangtime Pinot Noir

Taste: 3/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $16

This Pinot actually got better on days 2 and 3 after opening. The cherry came through better with time. The name Hangtime was selected to reflect the amount of time grapes spend on the vine, the more concentrated the fruit character, resulting in wines of distinctive, delicious varietal expression. This Pinot is sourced from select CA vineyards that allow grapes to ripen slowly, producing lovely delicate, intriguing fruit character.

2007 Wild Z Zerba Cellars Red Wine

Taste: 4/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $20

Wild Z is a blend of 37% Melot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Syrah and 4% Cab Franc. Reminiscent of cedar, dark plum and white pepper that lead up to blackberry and dark cherry with hints of earth and olive. This wine was a little bold for me the first day - would definitely benefited from decanting. Not sure I would pay this price point for it again as there are enough wines priced less that I enjoy at least as much.

2008 Firestone Discoveries Chardonnnay

Taste: 4/5

Value: 5/5
Price: $13

The both the bouquet palate struck me instantly of tropical fruits - pineapple and banana, then unfolded to crisp apple with a hint of pear. True to the grape without being masked by oak. Both the taste and price point make this a great everyday wine, and one I would buy again. Day 2 and 3, my impression was more lemon and bright - still very good!

Discoveries goal is to produce bright, fresh and fruit forward wines. Based on this selection, I would be interested in trying other varietals from their portfolio.

UPDATE: tasted the Firestone Cabernet at a wine tasting, I'll stick with the Chardonnay on this one - not impressed by the Cab - there was a whole lot going on on the palate, but not all that pleasing.