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Pine & Post 2004 Chardonnay Washington



Pine & Post is taken pillar to post with this review. Not a sipping wine to be sure, but better with a dinner more that anything else. May I suggest perhaps Chicken Saltimbocca? Better wine choices for the price: Fisheye 2004 or Crane Lake 2004. Both wines are $6 or less.

Raspberry Apple Wine Pleasant Lake Winery North Dakota



Have you been drinking Arbor Mist and its ilk of late? Looking for a wine that really uses raspberry and apple wines to make something tastier? And doesn’t happen to also have a nutrition label? You might want to try this one. Try to look past the fact that it’s from a place probably not known for wine but rather wheat!

Excelsior 2007 Chardonnay South Africa



Overall, this wine is not really a sipping wine. It’s best suited to a dinner requiring it’s acidity to bring something to the party. Otherwise you might want to look elsewhere.

Raz 2003 Shiraz France



Can be drunk with the guys, but they'll groan and call you names when you go find a tree to relieve yourself. The fairer sex will bitch too much, to even try to pass this off as yesterday's fare. If the food is strong or spicy, you could safely use this to deglaze a pan.

Yellow Tail 2006 Cabernet Merlot Australia



Tastes like crap. But, after the first half glass it becomes pretty tasty. Just remember to not eat or drink anything else when drinking it or you'll have to choke down a half glass again to dull the senses. But hey, it's cheap.

Arbor Mist Peach Chardonnay New York



This wine is one of many choices from this “winery.” Popular? Sure. Drinkable? I guess so. But do you really want a wine that has a nutrition label on it? If you are looking for a sweet wine to drink, why not consider Bogle Chenin Blanc, or a Ste Genevieve or DeLoach white zinfandel. You deserve better!

Bohemian Highway 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon California



It shouldn't be drunk by itself. Alone it's tart and bitter, but combined with roasted chicken, blue cheese, and avocado, it's surprisingly good. Which is generally the key with cheap wine, find a complement to overcome its swill shortcomings.

CollePino 2005 Sangiovese & Merlot Italy



Bob is off having his tail chased, or was that chasing tail? Either way, he won't be joining us tonight for this review. So, work with me here and in my best Bacchus voice:

Yes, this has very little leggings. With a very nice deep ruby colour. I do smell some soft berry notes, but can't identify which ones. After tasting, I'm unable to taste the berries, so I still can't identify what berry it might have been. It is harsh, a bit bitter, and if I didn't usually just swill wines I might be able to tell you if it was tannins or turpentine for a finish. Frankly I thought the Italians did better than this. Okay, enough of trying to do Bacchus' job, I don't think I have the pallet.

Georges Dubceuf 2007 Beaujolais Nouveau France



To misquote Clara Peller (from those “Where’s the beef” commercials, “Where’s the wine?” I had always heard about people eagerly waiting the fall Beaujolais Nouveau. After drinking this one I’m not sure why. If you aren’t a devotee of something like this, perhaps you can spend your money elsewhere.

Excelsior 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon South Africa



At best this is a marginal wine from South Africa more from there than other places, except maybe Chile. Another year might help, but I tend to doubt it. Look further afield.

Vampire 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon California



Just in time for All Hallows Eve, (a.k.a. Halloween). There are several varieties under this label, the cab being one of them. I’m feeling I’ve should have chosen one of the others. NOTE: uses a plastic cork, if that makes a difference to you.

Magnus 2004 Riesling Clare Valley Australia



It’s an unusual Riesling from Australia, much more like a Chardonnay instead of a typical Riesling. Much better for a dinner instead of sipping, thanks to all that citrus taste. Be forewarned, it has a screw top cap. Its better not really well chilled (57 degrees).

Rosemount Estates 2004 Hills of Gold Chardonnay Australia



Not quite as “golden” as it’s name might imply. For the price, you could probably do better. This particular bottle had cork problems. Hopefully, it’s not indicative of problems overall.

Avia 2005 Pinot Noir Vardar Valley Macedonia



Avia? How about “Ave Maria” as far as taste is concerned. The Chardonnay was better but only slightly. And Macedonia? Who knew they made wine. And more importantly, did anyone tell them?

Cavit 2006 Pinot Noir Italy



Frankly, not the best Pinot Noir I’ve tasted, but a typical effort for Cavit. Try a Lorval or Tortoise Creek Pinot from 2005. They are both better, IMHO.

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