Roogle Shiraz 2006

R: Boring. Not peppery at all, flat in the mouth, weak finish. 4/10.

Goats In Villages Shiraz Pinotage 2006

R: That is a tiny picture. Ah well. This is a pleasant Shiraz/Pinotage blend. The intensity is all on the sides of the tongue, tannic and fruity. Long, dry aftertaste, but not much character in it. I don't know how to describe the way it tails off, but it's kind of 'thin'. Certainly doesn't engage the whole mouth. 6.5/10

Lano Barbera D'Alba 2005

R: It's been months since I actually drank this, but I saved the bottle, and it's been staring at me ever since. I don't recall anything about it except that I liked it. I'll update if I can track down another bottle.

Drylands, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc, 2007

L: Yum, yum, yum, yum, YUM! This is the nectar that I imagine Hera and Zeus drink up on Mount Olympus. Unbelievably delicious. Daily Wine Tasting describes this wine as "intense, multi-layered nose of tropical fruit. Pink grapefruit, mango, lime, and, passion fruit blasts on the palate with intensity and restraint. Clean and crisp with a bone dry finish" All of that sound about right. It's also fairly inexpensive at around $15. I would give it a 10 but then there is nowhere else to go. 9.5!

Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

L: Uh oh. This wine is dangerous. It is mellow and drinkable enough to make me want to gulp rather than sip and it is interesting and tasty enough to make me want to go back for more. Just what I want in a wine in the $12-$15 range. The internet says that "On the nose black cherry, dutch chocolate and currant complement the spicy, peppery notes and hints of toasted sweet oak. The wine greets the palate with opulent dark fruit, soft velvety tannins, ending with a long, rich finish." And, most of that description fits pretty well. It isn't terribly fascinating, but it tastes yummy. A former alcoholic at my work today told me that her former "drug of choice" was wine. This sobering statement just may keep me from overdoing it tonight on Estancia. 7 out of 10

Lopez Panach Tempranillo 2006

R: It has berry flavors, and it's a bit spicy.

It's also thin and irritating. I couldn't even finish one glass of it, and smelling it later made me wince.

2/10

L: Um... I'm inclined to agree.

Barberani Orviéto Classico Superiore Castagnolo

R: I used up the majority of this bottle making a poached pear dessert, but the two glasses that remained in the end made me regret consuming so much in the cooking. Light, sharp, and fragrant. I'm generally not a fan of white wine, but this was pleasant. 7/10

L: Boo Ryan. Those pears were gosh darn tasty, but I wanted to drink my wine! Oh well, I'll just buy more. :-) 8/10