Borsao Garnacha (Spain) Red Wine 2010

Type: Red Wine
Year: 2010
Price: 6.29 (Marked down from 6.99 Nov 19th 2011)
Rating: 4 - Would definitely buy again
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: Lately, we've been lucking out and getting some really decent red wines. This one is from Spain and for the price, I can't complain. Actually, I'm pleasantly pleased with the tasty red wine at a great price. We will probably try it again.

Estancia Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2009
Price: 12.99 --> 10.99 (Oct. 15th 2011 - Otto's Brown Deer)
Price: 12.99 --> 9.99 (Oct 13th 2012 - Otto's Brown Deer)
Price: 12.99 --> 12.99 Sat. July 20th 2013 (Brook Falls Discount Wine & Spirits on Lisbon)
Rating: 4 - Would definitely buy again
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: This wine is one of our staples and one wine which we continue to purchase often. It has a nice smooth pleasant consistent taste and could also be rated as one of our favorites. If we buy it again and it continues to be tasty, we'll move it up a notch in our ratings.

McManis Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2009
Price: 9.99
Rating: 1 - Would not buy again
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: Maybe it was just what we ate earlier, I don't know. But, this wine had a sharp strange taste. However, this won't stop us from experimenting. This is how we sometimes discover a new favorite. Oh well, maybe next time.

Yellow Tail Shiraz Cabernet Casella Wines Australia 2009

Type: Shiraz Cabernet
Year: 2009
Price: 5.69 (Marked down from 5.99 - Oct. 15 2011)
Rating: 4 - Would definitely buy again
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: We were experimenting different types and manufacturer's of wines and decided to try a Yellow Tail. This Australian wine was very surprisingly tasty and nice. No stingy after taste, just a nice wine to complement our dinner. We will be trying more of this brand in the future. This is a good example that not all things have to be expensive to be enjoyable.

Martini & Rossi Sparkling Wine

Type: Sparkling Wine
Year: N/A
Price: 13.99
Rating: 5 - One of my favorites
Where Bought: Sendik's grocery store
Comments: After all the previous sparkling wines, this one has to be one of the best. It was recommended by the store person who helped me to locate the sparkling wines section. He stated that it was one of the most popular sparkling wines and I see why. It was very smooth and good tasting, without any harsh after taste. definitely one of my favorite sparkling wines.

Estancia Merlot Central Coast 2009

Type: Merlot
Year: 2009
Price: 9.99 (marked down to 8.99 - Sept. 17th 2011)
Rating: 4 - Would definitely buy again
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: I rated this wine "Would definitely buy again", since it was a full bodied Merlot. Generally, I haven't experienced that much body from a Merlot. Usually, this is more of a trait of a Cabernet. Also, the Estancia brand, has generally been very good, so we will probably be buying more of their Merlots and Cabernet's.

Francis Ford Coppola Shiraz 2009

Type: Shiraz
Year: 2009
Price: 7.99
Rating: 3 - Will try it again
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: Francis Ford Coppola has consistently put out nice wines. This one is no exception. This Shiraz had a nice flavor and a great dinner red wine. Also, at the price, its amazingly a rich bodied wine. I look forward to trying it again to see if it consistently delivers. I bet it will.

J Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2009
Price: 12.99
12.99 (Marked down to 11.99, Otto's Brown Deer, Aug. 6th 2011)
Rating: 5 - One of my favorites
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: This wine has always been one of my favorites. Its full bodied, yet not sharp and has a smooth after taste. I like it best straight from the cellar, not too cold. COntinues to be a very nice wine. Generally, I have reservations when they change the year. So far, it remains as one of my favorite wines.

Goats Do Roam South Africa Red 2008

Type: Red
Year: 2008
Price: 9.99 (June 11th 2011)
Rating: 3 - Will try it again
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: Actually, a surprisingly nice red wine. Interestingly enough, it also tastes better chilled. Will try again, as this was one of our experimental attempts.

Estancia Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2007
Price: 12.99 (May 14 2011)
Rating: 4 - Would definitely buy again
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: Estancia has grown on me. They have consistently produced a nice full bodied tasty wine. But, after a few purchases, and across different vintages, I have also realized they are very consistent producers across the years as well. I look forward to the next bottle.

J Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2008
Price: 12.99
Rating: 4 - Would definitely buy again
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: Ok, you might have noticed that I rated this one a 4, whereas in the past, it has always been a 5. Well, for some reason, it just didn't seem as full bodied as in the past. Maybe it's just my imagination, but, for now I'll down grade it until I try it one more time. Don't get me wrong, its still a great wine, but this is the first year I seemed to notice a difference.

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008

Type: Shiraz Cabernet
Year: 2008
Price: 7.99 (Marked down from 11.99)
Rating: 3 - Will try it again
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: Very nice red wine. Surprisingly smooth, I believe the Shiraz component softens the Cabernet's strength just right. Smooth, yet full bodied, I would try it again to verify consistency, however, a very nice surprise on a new wine we experimented upon from South Australia.

J. Lohr Los Osos, Paso Robles Merlot 2008

Type: Merlot
Year: 2008
Price: 9.99 (Discounted from 11.99)
Rating: 4 - Would definitely buy again
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: Nice tasting wine. Consistent of the J. Lohr brand a very nice wine. I believe my preference continues to be the J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon, however, this wine does well to stand up on its own merit. I would definitely try it again. I hope that it remains consistent from bottle to bottle.

Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2008
Price: 12.99 (Marked down from 13.99 March 26th 2011)
Rating: 5 - One of my favorites
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: This Cabernet remains one of my favorite wines. Its rich aroma and full bodied taste continued nicely into its new year release of 2008.

Pedroncelli Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2008
Price: 12.99 (March 26th 2011)
12.99 (Aug 06th 2011)
12.99 (Sept 17th 2011)
Rating: 5 - One of my favorites
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: The Pedroncelli Cabernet has always been one of my favorite wines. It has a full bodied taste and very rich aroma. I was concerned about the new year release 2008, but luckily it maintained its high standards.

Leese-Fitch 2009

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2009
Price: 14.99
Rating: 2 - Probably won't buy again
Where Bought: Brews Wine & Spirits - on Capitol Drive
Comments: This is a cabernet from the california sonoma valley. The initial taste is strong on the palette. Once the first sip is taken, you realize the strength of this wine. It went very well with pasta. The reason for the low rating, is primairily from the cost. Yes, it is a very good wine, and on its own merit, I would probably try it again. But, at the price, I have had better wines that I would rather have based on past history. If this wine was to go on sale, I may try it again. But, for now, it was a nice, one time experience.

7 Deadly Zins 2008 - Red Zinfandel

Type: Red Zinfandel
Year: 2008
Price: 11.99
Rating: 4 - Would definitely buy again
Where Bought: Brews Wine & Spirits - on Capitol Drive
Comments: This wine was pleasantly smooth and easy to enjoy. Not the strongest red wine I have ever had, however, very enjoyable, which allows me to provide a higher than average rating.

Conquista Malbec Argentina 2010

Type: Malbec
Year: 2010
Price: 7.99
Rating: 3 - Will try it again
Where Bought: Brews Wine & Spirits - on Capitol Drive
Comments: A very nice wine, pleasantly surprised. I say surprised, since in the past, I had found that Malbec's in general, seemed on the weak side. Perhaps, I just wasn't trying the right Malbec's. This went very well with dinner, even though they say you should have red wines with red meat, I find they are fine with whatever you like to eat. I had pork chops at this time, and was very happy with the results. Overall, a nice wine that I would like to try again.

Blackstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2009
Price: 8.99 (Marked Down from 9.99)
Rating: 3 - Will try it again
Where Bought: Pick N' Save
Comments: This wine was one of my least favorite wines that I bought recently. It shocked me, since the previous Blackstone's were quite good. I attribute it to either the new year of grapes, its a 2009, or the fact that the store didn't properly store it. Either way, I won't give up on a past decently good wine. Even though I cannot give it glowing remarks, I will say that it tasted better chilled.

Wente Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2008
Price: 11.99 (Marked down from 13.99)
Rating: 3 - Will try it again
Where Bought: Pick N' Save
Comments: A surprisingly nice Cabernet. It was smooth and enjoyable with a creamy pasta dinner. Being that this was the first time we tried this wine, I will reserve judgement and just give it a rating of 3, where I will try it again. A nice smooth enjoyable wine.

Robert Mondavi Merlot 2008

Type: Merlot
Year: 2008
Price: 8.99
Rating: 3 - Will try it again
Where Bought: Pick N' Save
Comments: A nice simple merlot, a very good wine with dinner. I need to try it again to provide additional comments. You can't go wrong with the price.

Clos du Bois Merlot 2007

Type: Merlot
Year: 2007
Price: 13.99
          (13.99 - Otto's Brown Deer, Dec 15th 2012) 
Rating: 3 - Will try it again
Where Bought: Pick N' Save
Comments: Clos du Bois has been a consistant staple merlot for me in the past. I was always satisfied with their flavor, texture and full bodied taste. The reason I gave this one a rating of only 3, is because for the first time, it didn't live up to my expectations. It seemed a little on the lighter side, but definitely still a good taste. Perhaps I have been enjoying Cabernet's lately and caused this Merlot to be lighter on the palette ? To see how this 2007 Merlot compares to its own predessessor's, see my posts on the Clos du Bois Merlot 2003 and the Clos du Bois Merlot 2005. Either way, I still like it and would like to continue giving it another try. I won't give up on this great tasting wine that easily !

Gionelli Asti - Italy

Type: Sparkling Wine
Year: 2010
Price: 8.99
Rating: 3 - Will try it again
Where Bought: Sendik's Brookfield
Comments: Very nice sparkling wine to ring in the new year. Asti's have a nice taste, on the sweeter side, but not too sweet. Just enough for taste.

Ballatore Gran Spumante - California

Type: Sparkling Wine
Year: 2009
Price: ?
Rating: 3 - Will try it again
Where Bought: ?
Comments: Nice sparkling wine to ring in the new year. I don't remember much about this one, since we originally purchased it for New Year's 2009. Tried it for 2010, and it still tasted very good.