Adam

Mezzomondo Negroamaro 2011, Salento, Puglia

I figure a wine that sells for $9 (!) but manages to get the kinds of reviews posted above is worthy of examination. I'm glad I checked it out! What this wine may lack in depth and complexity, it makes up for in balance and sheer deliciousness. Pleasant aromas of red cherry and sour berries intermingle with subtle herbal / scorched earth notes. The palate is strawberry/raspberry/cherry driven with quite decent if one-dimensional mid-palate concentration. More than anything, it has a very nice mouthfeel - smooth, balanced, juicy, with fine-grained tannins and a medium length finish. Chill is a must (30 mins in fridge).

Mas Des Bressades Cuvée Tradition Rosé 2012, Ac Costières De Nîmes

Red ruit, minerality, soft mid palate lifted by some nice acidity on the finish. Eminently enjoyable for the price.

Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir 2013, Central Valley

continued to be impressed by this impossibly priced Pinot. Fruit driven, slightly sweet but not cloying with decent acidity, silky tannins and just a bit of alcohol heat. you won't confuse this with a top shelf Pinot, but you'd never guess its non-saccharin varietal driven character cost well below the $25 mark.

Hoya De Cadenas Reserva Tempranillo 2011

Boutari Naoussa Xinomavro 2013, Naoussa

Stunning value for fans of lean, rustic mouthwatering wines. A great super-cheap stand-in for far more expensive old world chianti, burgundy etc.

Wolf Blass Red Label Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, South Eastern Australia

Las Rocas Garnacha 2006, Do Calatayud

A nice, inexpensive, dusty spanish red. There is nothing here to make you say "wow!" but for the price the balanced and easy structure along with soft fruit make it a nice choice for a casual BBQ or sunday roast beef.

7 Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel 2007, Lodi

We all know that dark chocolate with a high cocoa content is the premium chocolate experience, but sometimes you just want a KitKat. That's 7 Deadly Zins. Zinfully unpretentious and unabashedly pumped full of full throttle mocha, clove and cinnamon flavours. It's fun in its excessiveness. Just don't over think it.

Napa Cellars Merlot 2007, Napa Valley

The wine feels flat, no structure to carry berry and vanila flavours.

Predator Old Vine Zinfandel 2008, Lodi Appellation

This wine tastes mulled right out of the bottle. There's a short burst of spiced vanilla ice-cream (very sweet) that quickly gives way to alcohol. Did not enjoy at all.