Blair WineLover

Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Mclaren Vale

Ripe aromatic berry fruits and rich dark chocolate are the top notes in this complex wine. Under that oak and a hint of spice.

Luca Malbec 2009, Uco Valley, Mendoza

Nice fruity flavor. Really smooth, with no flaws anywhere. Starts well, and improves with each taste. I am on my third glass now, and the chocolate taste keeps building. I started at 90, but am now bumping it up to 91, and intend to buy it again.

Finca Villacreces Pruno 2011

Look for the word PRUNO on the bottle, like in the picture. And that it what I taste, prunes. Smooth and pleasant, I think it is a decent value for the price, but not amazing.

The Old Third Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011, Prince Edward County

Absolutely wonderful. Starts smooth, stays smooth. I am glad I bought six of these.

Lealtanza Reserva 2005, Doca Rioja

Top note of fresh tobacco, the first taste is pepper followed by slightly sour cherry and hints of black current. The taste really grows, this is a wonderful wine.

Château Bizard Montagne De Raucoule 2010, Ac Grignan Les Adhemar

I tasted this straight from the bottle and found it a bit harsh. Then I followed the advice of Kathy and Jason below and gave it a few hours in the decanter. What a difference that made! The dominant taste is raspberry. Very nice. But be sure to decant it.

Pasquale Petrera Fatalone Primitivo 2006, Doc Gioia Del Colle

I have learned by now that when a a wine in the fifteen dollar range is rated a 91, it is too good to be true. It usually is not, but is worth the price, so there is not much to lose. This one has nice flavor, but a raw taste I would expect at this price.

But get it for the little tag on the bottle. The founder was called (translating from the Italian, rather than the English) the "irresistible conqueror of women," who lived to 98, having breakfast every morning with half a liter of Primitivo and half a liter of milk. Gotta love those Italians.

Monte Del Frá Bardolino 2011

David is right on. The main taste for me is cherries, and it is quite smooth with a decent finish. It starts well and grows with each glass. I can't quite give it a 90, but it is very good especially for the price. I will buy more of this one.

Rosewood Merlot Reserve 2010, Twenty Mile Bench

St. Emilion did not come to mind while tasting this wine, but it is very good. I will put the other two bottles I bought away for a few years and see if it improves.

Alvaro Castro Red 2008, Doc Dão

I am learning the keywords in the reviews to identify wines that will not work for me. Evergreen and lavender apparently refer to a taste that I expect in a cheap wine. In my opinion, this seeming bargain is barely worth it's price.