Badiola Toscana 2010 (about $15)

About the Wine:  The recent trend in Super Tuscans and other non traditional Italian red blends has been toward Sangiovese and Merlot blends.  A particular winner in that category is a wine called PHI, which many people say is under priced at $45 a bottle and that high end stores routinely sell out of.  Is this a knock off or a quality off brand?

About THIS Wine:  The center is a deep red with a pink rim.  Raspberries are prominent on the nose with strong hints of smoke and oak.  The fruit delivers on a strikingly dry palate with a fairly nice cherry finish.

Drinking This Wine:  This is really not a sipping wine.  It is good for pasta and red sauce (a personal favorite) or a meaty pizza.

Overall Impression:  There is nothing spectacular here but the juice is good and the price is fair.  This one is reasonable for the price.

Opula Toscana 2010 (about $13)

About the Wine:  I have written before about super Tuscans, red blends by Italian makers who refuse to accept the traditions and standards of Italian wine making.  This is a super Tuscan by Da Vinci, an established Chianti brand that is distributed by Gallo which means the maker is a very mainstream rebel.

About THIS Wine:  The center is dark red with a pink rim.  Earth and herbs are prominent on the nose.  Jammy red fruit is strong and fairly sharp on the palate.  Red fruit and spice make up a pleasant finish.

Drinking This Wine:  This wine is bold but not overly dry and as such could work as a sipping wine.  It would also go well with meaty lasagna.

Overall Impression:  The wine is good and the price is reasonable.  This one is good for the price.