Patch Block Chardonnay 2009

This white, a product of the Georges Duboeuf combine, is grown in Southwestern France. It's a relatively restrained Chardonnay, with white fruit flavors tempered by some acidity. A decent wine at $7.99.

Care Syrah/Tempranillo 2008

This red from the Carinena district in Northeastern Spain comes on strongly with plum and almond flavors and lots of tannins, but stops just short of being actually bitter. Not a sipping wine, but goes well with red meats. $9.99, a tad on the high side.

A. Mano Primitivo 2007

I was afraid this might be a case of nomen est omen, but in fact this red from Apulia in Southeastern Italy, made from a grape derrived from Zinfandel,is a very pleasant wine. There are pronounced black berry flavors, moderated by soft tannins, and a finish of soft licorice. Nicely priced at $7.99.

Nissley Naughty Marietta 2008

This Pennsylvania red, with an admixture of white grapes, bills itself as semi-dry but is just plain sweet, with no tannins or acidity to balance the very strong red fruit flavors. Of interest only to those with an overwhelming sweet tooth. $11.49.

Clover Hill Vignoles

A dinner guest brought this Pennsylvania desert wine. Not ever having thought of our state as a premium wine producing region I was somewhat skeptical but it turned out I need not have worried. This straw colored hybrid is nicely sweet, without going overboard like so many German wines, with nice elements of peach and melon, and the relatively low alcohol content makes it ideal fo finishing a meal. No vintage designation, so evidently a blend. $10.99.

Funky Llama Pinot Grigio 2009

Unfortunately this Argentine white drops off in the direction of sweetness, which is a no no for a Pinot Grigio. If you don't mind this, you might try it, although it's puzzling to me why, unlike all the other varietals from this winery, it's promotional price is a dollar higher at $4.99.

Santa Ana Eco Malbec 2009

This Argentine red is one notch below the Reserva from this vineyard previously reviewed here and, while still drinkable, isn't nearly as good. There are just barely discernible Malbec characteristics and the the finnish is all tannins, quite bitter. $7.99.

Funky Llama Malbec 2009

Unlike the whites from this mass production label previously reviewed here, this red from Argentina will not pass muster. It's thin, too fruity in taste, with barely a hint of the chocolate/caramel element typical of the grape. Even at the ridiculously low promotional price of $3.99 it's not worth the money.

Seresin Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2008

This New Zealand Marlborough Valley has all the characteristics of the breed, the new grass, the tropical fruit, the tang. Only a very slight but detectable sweetness put it just behind the Giesen in my estimation. Favorably priced at $12.99.

Dragani Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 2009

This red from the mountainous spine of the Italian peninsula is so rough and offputting that even after two hours of breathing it wasn't fit to drink. Don't waste your $6.99.

Colores del Sol Malbec 2009

This young Argentine is a deep red color, almost black. It has more body than would at first have suspected, with blackberry, dark cherry and caramel notes and a slightly acidic finish. A nice little wine, but at $9.99 badly overpriced as is so often the case in PA.

The Seeker Sauvignpn Blanc 2009

This New Zeeland white produced by an international combine that also produces wine in France is a blend of grapes grown in three different regions, the Marlborough valley being one of these. It is entirely lacking in the grassy element so common in the wines from there, tastes rather fruity, with notes of peach and pineapple. Fairly pleasant, but overpriced at $10.99.

Senorio del Cid Crianza 2003

This Spanish Ribera del Duero red is probably nearing the end of its useful life, but very decidedly, it's not yet over the hill. It displays a deep ruby red color, tastes of dark berries and quite a lot of oak, and has a deep structure to it. In short, a lovely wine, to be savored with red meats. And, I never thought that I'd ever be able to say this, an absolutely incredible bargain at $8.99. Do buy it, but drink it this year.

Paul Jaboulet Aine Parallele 45

Alright, so the 45th parallel N. is, generally, a good place to grow wine. This Cotes du Rhone red certainly doesn't belie that axiom. A mix of grenache and syrah, it has a nice plum flavor attenuated by a pleasant spiciness, but with no trace of the licorice that is characteristic of the region. Nicely priced at $8.99.

Marques de Riscal White 2008

This Spanish white from Rueda is light, fragrant, withjust a touch of new mown grass about it, reminiscent of the New Zealands. A good summer drink, not badly priced at $7.99.

Funky Llama Sauvignon Blanc 2008

This week we are honoring the still wretched economy by trying out cheap wines. This mass produced white from Argentina, while perhaps a little too fruity, does have at least a hint of the flintyness that is typical of the variety and is, overall, inoffensive. If you're just looking for something to wash down the food this is a tremendous bargain at the present sale price of $3.99.

Tempra Tantrum Tempranillo Merlot 2008

On first tasting this Castillian red my CDC observed, "this is plonk". But ever so gently, I had to disagree. While it's rougher than the Temp/Shiraz I reviewed previously, it still has recognizable cherry and blacberry elements, tempered by a good deal of acidity. It's hardly outstanding, but drinkable. $6.99.