2006 Bitch

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price $11

I never would have bought this wine if not for the urging of my sister, who made her husband go on a pilgrimage to find it on a trip to OH last year. Now that I live here, I can get it whenever I want, and I will (I just wish it had a different name). From R Wines, this wine is 100% grenache from Australia. 90 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Bitch Grenache is sourced from 40- to 60-year-old vines from the Ebenezer sub-region of the Barossa. With the price of Cotes du Rhone soaring due to the weak dollar, I am hard pressed to think of a better value in full-flavored Grenache. The 2006 Bitch Grenache received no oak treatment. Medium ruby-colored, it presents an alluring bouquet of earth, smoke, rhubarb, cherry, and strawberry. Supple, sweet, and tasty, this wine totally over-delivers for its humble price and is an exceptional value. Hear, Hear, Robert!

2006 Clos Du Bois Merlot

Taste: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $13.99

I had this at a wine tasting with my sister, served with a chopped mushroom brie and was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. The black cherry and plum notes were nicely complemented by cocoa, toast and a touch of cigar. Velvety mouthfeel and just enough tannin to give good structure.

Top 10 Wines Tasted in 2009

10) 2005 Souverain Merlot

9) 2007 Villa San Juliette Petite Sirah

8) 2006 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau (I also had the 2007, which wasn't as good so my recommendation would be to buy when it comes out at Thanksgiving and save it until next year).

7) Mark West Pinot Noir

6) 2006 PETs Petite Sirah

5) 2006 Layer Cake Zinfandel

4) 2006 St George Coastal Chardonnay

3) 2005 GV Cellars Syrah

2) 2008 Chamarre Nouveau Merlot Syrah

1) 2004 Inzinerator (I've read the 2006 is sweeter, so we'll see if I like it as well)

2007 Exclamation Point Sangiovese

Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $12
Produced by Umani Ronchi of Italy, this wine is 100% Sangiovese. The nose is rich dirt and berries and the finish is nice and spicey.

2006 Kenwood Red Table Wine

Taste: 2/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $8

"A blend of 33% Merlot, 29% Petite Sirah, 20% Syrah, 15% Zinfandel, 2% Sangiovese and 1% Barbera" - seriously, what's not to love about a combination like that? Perhaps the fact that the winemaker left out the fact that it tastes like rubbing alcohol, even after aeration! While it did taste moderately better after being open a day, and with food, this is not a bottle I will buy again.

2008 Escape Sweet Shiraz

Taste: 2/5
Value: 4/5
Price $13

I'm just not sure about this one. I don't really like the fact that it was recommended to me based on the other wines I was purchasing at the time, as that would suggest I like sweet red wines. I even asked the wine seller, is it really sweet? He said no. He lied. This is a very sweet red wine, reminiscent of Manichewitz, but a little less cloying. Produced by Mulderbach in South Africa, which is a winery known for their white wine production. With the right food pairing, it could be out of sight, I suppose, but I don't think I'm going to give it another chance.

2005 Charles Krug Merlot

Taste:3/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $24 (although I got for $15 on managers special at Kroger)

This is a Merlot that drinks more like a cab with it's tannic, highly structured finish, likely due to the 4% Cabernet Franc that tightens it up a bit. The Charles Krug website describes "Our Peter Mondavi Family Napa Valley Merlot is balanced, rich and polished with ripe currant and black cherry flavors. This fine wine offers a supple tannin structure and a medley of vanilla, chocolate and spice notes in its lingering finish." Also described as "wild berry and blueberry aromas, with a touch of roasted pecans." At $24, I'd be unlikely to buy again, but if I can find it again for $15 I'd definitely pick up a bottle.