Anakena Carmenere

Name: Anakena
Color: Red
Varietal: Carmenere
Vintage: 2010
Country/State: Chile
Region: Rapel Valley
Price: $8
Stars: 3.5 (out of 5)

Good deal for the price.  This wine was smooth and fruity, dominated by blackberry and some pepper.  I would prefer it to be a little richer and bigger in the mouth, but for the price it served its purpose as a good wine to pair with pizza.  It was also nice on its own.

Maipe Reserva Malbec

Name: Maipe Reserva
Color: Red
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2009
Country/State: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Price: $15
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

Nice Malbec with very good aromas of blueberry, blackberry, flowers, and chocolate.  Big, rich, and full-bodied mouthfeel with taste similar to nose.  Very silky and smooth.

Shenandoah Vineyards Chenin Blanc / Viognier

Name: Shenandoah Vineyards
Color: White
Varietal: Blend (Chenin Blanc/Viognier)
Vintage: 2010
Country/State: California
Region: Amador County
Price: $15
Stars: 3.5 (out of 5)

I was hoping for a little more from this wine since it was a blend of two of my favorite white varietals, Chenin Blanc and Viognier.  The wine was rich and full, but the flavors were lacking for me.  I picked up on some peach and pear, but that's about it.  It was OK, but I'd probably pass on it in the future.

Concannon Central Coast Cab

Name: Concannon
Color: Red
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2009
Country/State: California
Region: Central Coast
Price: $8.50
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

This was a really good wine and a great bargain (less than $10).  It's really balanced with dark cherries and other dark berries in the nose and mouth, as well as some chocolate in the finish.

Chateau de la Tour de L'ange

Name: Chateau de la Tour de L'ange
Color: White
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2010
Country/State: France
Region: Burgundy
Price: $14
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

We enjoyed this white Burgundy last week...The nose was a bit limited, but the flavors were great.  Mostly pears, apples, some citrus, and lemons.  It had great acidity and was quite juicy.

Sepia Reserva Pinot Noir

Name: Sepia Reserva Pinot Noir
Color: Red
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2010
Country/State: Chile
Region: Casablanca Valley
Price: $10
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

We had this wine for the first time last night with Kentucky Hot Browns...It was good with dinner, but really opened up and tasted much better a couple of hours later.  This wine definitely benefited from a little air time.  It was very rich, with berry fruits and some earth.  A nice, light bodied wine for a change of pace.  For the price, it's a very good deal.

Burgans Albarino

Name: Burgans Albarino
Color: White
Varietal: Albarino
Vintage: 2010
Country/State: Spain
Region: Rias Baixas
Price: $15
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

We had this wine last week with scallops, and it was delicious.  We've had several Spanish Albarinos before and have really enjoyed them all.  This one from Burgans was no exception.  It featured peach, lemon, and citrus flavors and was round, ripe, and coated the mouth.  We really can't go wrong with an Albarino from Spain.