B Clarke

Château Hauchat 2006, Ac Fronsac

Farnese Negroamaro 2009

This is my favourite el-cheapo of the moment -- well of the year. I'm not sure about the length, and there ain't a lot of complexity here, but we're talking $7.85 a bottle, right? It's medium bodied, smooth, not too fruit-forward, and, unlike Farnese's other value leader, the Sangiovese, it's not so acidic and fine either with food or on its own

Casal Thaulero Sangiovese 2009, Terre Di Chieti, Abruzzi

87? 88? Regardless, for the price this Sangiovese trumps other Italian bargain reds this year.

Tocchi Sagrantino Di Montefalco 2004, Docg

Adalia Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2006, Doc

Domaine Les Verrières Les Sept Fontaines 2009, Ap Languedoc

I liked this a lot. Restrained and softly rustic, it was never cloying or overly fruity (let alone "gushing" or "medicinal"). Will search for more, given the price.

Château Ducla 2006, Ac Bordeaux Supérieur