Cupcake Vineyards

Chardonnay
California
2009

Made in California's central Coast.  This is a dryer chardonnay with some hints of vanilla and citrus.  Is not as buttery or sweet as other chardonnays.

Colin:  I was surprised.  I didn't think I would like this wine.  It was dryer and has a great finish - very light and airy.  IT is not a bold Chardonnay.  Recommend by itself.
Rating:  7 out of 10 glasses.

Rachel:  I like this chardonnay better after it's been chilled and open in the fridge for one night ("sealed").  It is a dryer, less sweet chardonnay, but still tastes good.  No bad notes in the wine, but nothing to really make it stand out.  I like it - I just don't love it.  This would be good with fresh bread and cheese.
Rating:  5 out of 10 glasses.

Where can I find it?
Was gifted to us - but I've seen it at Bev-Mo and I think you can find it at other supermarkets.

Cost: $9.99 at Bev-Mo

Gnarly Head

Old Vine Zin; 
Lodi Zinfandel
California
2008

A dark, deep red.  This wine is very bold in flavor, just like the color would indicate.  We recommend paired with hearty Italian food.

Colin:  After being introduced to this wine at a local Italian Restaurant, I have fallen in love.  It's a meaty, full-bodied red that you want to "drink" with a knife and fork.  Where a red can fail you is the finish, and the this finishes magnificently.  Might have something to do with their 80 year old vines.
Rating: 9 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  This wine has a bite to it, in a good way.  It kicks your taste buds into gear and opens your senses.  It has such a smooth finish that you almost forget you've been drinking wine.  I don't know how they manage that bite to smooth - but this is definitely one of the best bottles under $10.
Rating:  7 out of 10 glasses

Where can I find it?
They sell it at Ralphs, Vons, supermarkets, Bev-Mo.  Chances are, it will be an easy find, especially if you live in California.

Cost:  $7.00-$9.00 (you can find it on sale sometimes too!)

Castillo di Amorosa

Chardonnay
Napa Valley, California
2008

A delightful golden, wheat huge - this is a very buttery and caramel-flavored chardonnay. Very rich and sweet, and to make it even more delectable - it is exclusive to only the Castillo. You can order it online, but you won't find this in stores.

Colin: This wine is a good balance between sweet and crisp, unlike most whites - that tend to be too sweet for my taste. I would enjoy this more if it was paired with food, because without, it is very buttery. Presented well for a white wine, but I would not indulge without a pairing - recommended with swordfish.
Rating: 6 out of 10 glasses

Rachel: It may be a little on the sweet side for some, but this is right up my alley. It has a full bodied, tangy flavor when rolled around your tongue. The long, buttery finish slowly fades into a very smooth aftertaste. I definitely recommend this paired with a dessert, or a stand-alone wine for those with a sweet tooth.
Rating: 7 out of 10 glasses

Where can I buy it?
Castello di Amorosa - it is online purchases only and a six bottle minimum. We will be reviewing more Castillo wines as we drink them - including reds and roses. We both think that their wine is all around excellent - it is a little pricey, but if you have the money to spare, it's nice to know you are getting an "exclusive" bottle of wine. Not distributed to stores at all. (And don't worry, we will be reviewing less pricey bottles of wine once our Napa collection runs out).
Cost: $28.00

Rutherford Hill

Malbec
Napa Valley, California
2007

A deep, dark, and rich red - this wine is beautiful in more ways than one. It has the initial smoothness of a merlot, but a nice bite to the finish. Less on the fruity side, but still really great for people that like a nice, rich red.

Colin: Hadn't heard of this wine grape until we visited Napa. It's hardy where it counts and pairs really well with garlic heavy meals. However, it is juicy enough to drink by itself. I only wish that the initial taste of the wine be a little less fruity, for me to give it a higher score.
Rating: 8 out of 10 glasses

Rachel: I love this wine. It was the first red we tried in Napa, and probably one of the best ones we had. I love how smooth it is, but still containing the rich, bold flavors of a red. It doesn't have a long finish, but I think that's part of the charm of this wine. All the brilliant flavors and none of the aftertaste.
Rating: 9 out of 10 glasses

Where can I find it?
Rutherford Hill Malbec - Unfortunately, it is exclusive to their winery - though, they do distribute some of their other wines. You can't really go wrong with Rutherford Hill.

Cost: $36.00

Smoking Loon

Pinot Noir
California
2009

We reviewed this wine after having it in our fridge, opened but "sealed" for two days. A note for this wine: if you are going to drink it, drink it all at once. We remember it being significantly better the first night, but it does not hold well for a second night.

Colin: It lacked the robust flavor of most pinot noirs. There was also not a long, or good, finish. I liked the initial taste, but not the finish.

Rating: 3 out of 10 glasses.

Rachel: It was definitely smoother the first day, but it still has a bit of a tangy, alcoholy after taste. After two days, it was too harsh. Recommend paired with spicey foods, and to consume all in one night.
Rating: 4 out of 10 glasses.

Where can I buy it?
Don and Sons Website This was a gift, but we believe they distribute to grocery stores.
Cost: $9.00 - rough estimate based on online prices (again, it was a gift)