Bodegas Y Vinedos Noe Tempranillo #3 2009 (about $11)

About the Wine:  I told one of the managers where I work that I was having chicken and rice and wanted something cheap to go with it.  This was his recommendation.  I have heard rumors that the Chinese are starting to take an interest in Spanish wine and that prices will soon skyrocket, but for now it remains a good region for value.

About THIS Wine:  The wine is dark red in the glass with a thin, nearly clear rim.  The nose is fairly woody, though some notes of red berries do come through.  The palate is fairly acidic and frankly not all that pleasant with a slightly sour finish.

Drinking This Wine:  Definitely not a sipping wine and too light for anything heavy.  I would describe this as Pinot Grigio drinker's red and as such it would go well with foods that go with Pinot Grigio, like chicken and rice.

Overall Impression:  The wine is unimpressive but it is cheap.  I will say it is reasonable for the price.

Veramonte Primus Malbec 2010 (about $19)

About the Wine:  Veramonte is a producer that needs no introduction, unless you don't know South American wine in which case Veramonte is a great Chilean producer.  Primus is a line of bold, forward reds that generally lack any kind of subtlety and make no apologies for it.

About THIS Wine:  It is opaque purple in the glass with a nearly opaque rim.  My first question on smelling this wine was "What's the alcohol content?"  It was 14.5% and it smells like it.  Sweet tobacco, chocolate, and forest floor are all present on the nose.  The palate is fruity with high acidity and moderately tannic finish that lingers.

Drinking This Wine:  This needs steak, pasta, or something else as hearty as the wine is.

Overall Impression:  If you are looking for something subtle and nuanced then don't look for it here.  If you want something big and bold then this wine is good for the price.

Bagordi Rioja 2011 (about $11)

About the Wine:  Spanish wine has seen some problems in recent years, like some kind of mold or bacteria got into some of the vineyards and fouled some of the grapes, leading to flawed wines.  The problem is not universal and there are still some great values coming out of the region.

About THIS Wine:  In the glass it is opaque with a dark purple rim.  Dark fruit and forest floor comprise the nose.  Dark, sour fruit makes up the bulk of the palate with gripping tannins on the finish.

Drinking This Wine:  This wine definitely needs food.  I had it with spaghetti and red sauce and it was a good pairing.

Overall Impression:  For eleven dollars I don't expect much and in this case I got what I expected.  Unfortunately, this wine is reasonable for the price.

La Vigne en Veron Chinon 2011 (about $12)

About the Wine:  Chinon is a region within the Loire Valley that is known for its Cabernet Franc, which is what this is.  To find a Chinon for under twenty dollars is quite rare so this is potentially a great find.

About THIS Wine:  The wine is crimson in the glass with a scarlet rim.  The nose, well it smells like Cab Franc.  That is to say the nose is defined by vegetal notes with hints of ash.  The palate is dry and austere with some very pleasant cherry notes on the finish.

Drinking This Wine:  This is a little on the dry side for a sipping wine and it is not big enough to stand up to something like steak.  It would be good for buttered noodles, red beans and rice, or perhaps a roast duck.

Overall Impression:  This is a good Cab Franc and it really would not be overpriced at twenty dollars a bottle.  At twelve it is a good value.

Firestone Syrah 2010 (about $18)

About the Wine:  Syrah is one of the two principle grapes in Rhone blends (the other is Grenache.)  Its cousin Shiraz has become essentially the national grape of Australia and it has also shown well in other hot climate terroirs like Israel, so it makes sense to produce it in California.

About THIS Wine:  This Syrah is very dark red in the glass with a violet rim.  The nose presents with enough earth and sour cherry that on a blind test I would have mistaken it for a Pinot Noir.  Red fruit defines a very full and rounded palate with firm tannins on the back end and a lingering dry, spicy finish.

Drinking This Wine:  This one definitely needs food.  Pepperoni pizza would be a good match for it.

Overall Impression:  I am not blown away but it is a very good wine and California Syrahs typically go for at least twice this much, so this one is reasonable for the price.

Bayten Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (about $14)

About the Wine:  South Africa is best known for its Chenin Blanc, locally known as "Steen", and second best known for the horrible sweet box wine turned out by the Robertson winery, essentially the Yellow Tail of South Africa.  The region does have a unique terroir that produces wines unlike those of the same grape varietals from anywhere else in the world, including some remarkable Sauvignon Blanc.  Will this be one of them?

About THIS Wine:  In the glass it is golden yellow, enough so that I wonder if the wine saw some oak.  The nose is acidic with the kind of sharp citrus I would associate with a New Zealand Sauv. Blanc.  That citrus is present on the palate but there are also interesting cream and caramel notes, which I suspect are the result of malolactic fermentation and which I have never experienced in a Sauv. Blanc before.  The finish is very clean with just a hint of citrus lingering.

Drinking This Wine:  This is good for a warm weather sipping wine and it would also do well with grilled chicken or whitefish.  I do not think there is enough body to stand up to shellfish.

Overall Impression:  This wine is crisp and delicious and could easily be a thirty dollar bottle.  At fourteen it is an absolute steal.