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.