J. Lohr Arroyo Vista Chardonnay 2006

Price: $15.95 @ Macy's (W. Roxbury, MA)

Recommended by: Curiosity

Comments: We don't drink a lot of Chardonnay, and when we do, we typically talk about how much we don't like it. But lately, we've been trying more and enjoying it (at least the oaky ones). This wine exhibited some of the traits we've been looking for lately. It is rich, smooth, and oaked. The nose is apple, lime, and pineapple. The flavor is dominated by apple and caramel with a little spice and a long smooth finish. If we're in the mood for an oaky chardonnay in the future, this is one we'll seriously consider (along with the Matua Judd Estate).

Rating: 7/10

Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2006

Price: $15.99 @ Vinnin Square Liquors (Swampscott, MA)
Recommended by: Wine Spectator gave this a 91
Comments: We do not usually buy a Shiraz that's over, say, $12, but this one was worth the extra couple of dollars. It is very smooth, with flavors of black cherry, plum, vanilla, and chocolate. It is a tad high in alcohol (15%), but you couldn't tell in the flavor. If you want to move past your basic Shiraz, this is a great one to consider. We think it's the best one we've had (perhaps even better than Wolf Blass Gold Label).
Rating: 8/10

Bodegas Tomas Cusine El Vilosell 2005

Price: $15.99 @ Vinnin Square Liquors (Swampscott, MA)
Recommended by: salesman at store
Comments: This is a really good Spanish blend. It is 50% Tempranillo, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9% Garnacha, and 5% Syrah aged for 9 months in new French oak. It has a nice taste of pepper, cherry, and some blueberry. The flavor is long-lasting and the wine is quite smooth. The only drawback is the price. The wine is good, but we've had a lot of good Spanish wines in the $10 range. Spanish wines are a great bargain in general. Perhaps we would get this wine again for a special occasion, but we wouldn't have it again with pizza!
Rating: 7/10

Longball SauvignYoouuk Blanc 2006

Price: $15.99
Recommended by: Red Sox fans everywhere
Comments: Perhaps Youk should have tried this wine before slapping his name on the label! (At least the $$ goes to charity.)
Rating: N/A

d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier/Marsanne 2006

Price: $15.99 @ Gary's Liquors (West Roxbury, MA)

Recommended by: Wine Spectator (90 points)

Comments: Frickin' Almond Husks. That's right. Almond husks. Who the hell knows what almond husks taste like??? I'll tell you who. A pretentious idiot whose opinion about wine you definately do not want to trust. And yet, it's the winemaker that lists among this wine's flavors . . . almond husks. Also (and not surprisingly), the winemaker finds an array of tropical fruits with quince, ginger, and lees. Speaking of which, what the hell does a lee taste like? Denim? But nevermind, we're here to review a wine. And it's a good one, although we're not sure it deserves its place in the top 100 wines of 2007 by Wine Spectator. Although we didn't note almond husk, we did enjoy its pear and grapefruit flavors. The smell is "minerally" apparently, although Rob isn't sure it doesn't have a faint scent of cat pee (but in a good way!). The finish is fairly long and buttery, and a tad bitter, but also in a good way. We would get this one again but we're not sure it's worth the price when some really fantastic Sauvignon Blancs cost less and would pair equally well with similar food (seafood, particularly shellfish).

Rating: 6.75/10

St. Supéry Sauvignon Blanc 2005

Price: $15.99
Recommended by: Food and Wine magazine?
Comments: This is a special Sauvignon Blanc. From Groth and Hess, we've learned how good Napa Sauvignon Blancs can be, but this may be our favorite so far. The wine has strong flavors of grapefruit and lime with hints of kiwi. The taste is long and delicious, and we look forward to having it again. Right now, it is our favorite Sauvignon Blanc. Its flavor reminds us a bit of Matua, and it may be better (although it also costs a few dollars more).
Rating: 7.5/10

Groth Sauvignon Blanc 2005

Price: $17.99 @ Blanchards (J.P.)
Recommended by: oenophile relatives in California
Tasting notes: This Napa wine was really refreshing on a hot, summer evening. It surprisingly competes with the great Marlborough sauvignon blancs that we've tried. It has notes of lemon, pineapple, and green apple and has a long, delicious finish. It is a bit expensive, but certainly worth it! We look forward to trying other Groth wines (the cabernet has been highly recommended to us as well).
Rating: 7.75/10

Laboure Roi Bourgogne Rouge Maximum Pinot Noir 2003

Price: $14.99 (@ The Wine Gallery)
Recommended by: The Wine Jukebox tasting carousel of happiness
Tasting notes: This is a bright, fruity smooth wine (the winemaker says "an aroma of mixed red berry fruit dominated by strawberries and black currants"). The mixed berries dominate the palate. We only drank one bottle, but we're sure that the third bottle would taste just as smooth and delicious. One of the better pinots we've had.
Rating: 7/10