Gnarly Head

Merlot
California
2009

We had a delicious barbecue dinner with this merlot, which we both thought paired really well with this wine. It's rich in flavor, full of blackberry and blueberry with a touch of vanilla.  It has a decently smooth finish with a tone of the oak it was aged in.


Colin:  I like this, it is really dry. I think the typical, fruity merlot is kind of toned down for a richer, oakier finish. It could be fruitier and stronger. I think for what it is, it stays true to the rich gnarly head and what you expect of them.
Rating:  7 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  It has a little bit of a fruity bite to it. I like this merlot, but after drinking a glass of it, it loses some of it's finesse. On first taste, you get a lot of fruit with a nice oak finish. After drinking a glass, you get more currants and oak, less fruit. For that reason, I won't rate it higher. It's still a good wine for under $10.
Rating:  6 out of 10 glasses

Aerate:  Colin - No // Rachel - No

Where can I find it?
We bought it from Ralph's, our grocery store.  You can also visit: http://www.gnarlyhead.com/


Cost:  $8.99, on sale.

Rabbit Ridge

Allure de Robles (Rhone Style red wine)
California
2009

This dark red wine is made in a "Cotes du Rhone style."  It is a medium-bodied wine that contains three different kinds of grapes:  Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre.  It has notes of raspberries, blackberries, black currant, and pepper that all work well together.  It says that it can withhold a variety of foods to be paired with - and with three different kinds of grapes, we believe it.

Colin:  I love this wine - it is really good.  It contains everything I like about red wine.  It's hardy like a meal - you could cut it with a knife.  I do think that the finish is a little sharp, but that doesn't really affect my rating of this wine.
Rating: 9 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  Upon first sip, I didn't even want to taste this wine aerated because it was so delicious.  It's bold, has a bite, and still has a very fruity flavor.  This is a great stand alone wine, but it paired well with out pasta dinner.  I would rate it higher if it was a smoother finish, instead of the finishing "kick."  But I still highly recommend it as a good, inexpensive bottle.
Rating:  8 out of 10 glasses

Aerate:  Colin - No // Rachel - No

Where can I find it?
We got it at Trader Joe's.  You can also find it on their website:
http://www.rabbitridgewinery.com/

Cost:  Trader Joe's: $6.99  Their website:  $8.00

Three Knights

Merlot
California
2007

A deep, rich purple/red wine that is bottled in Sonoma, CA.  It has a very pungent aroma, full of dark cherry and oak notes.  It is under $10 dollars, and we highly recommend giving it a try.

Colin:  I really enjoyed this Merlot and would recommend it for any occasion.  Without aeration, it has more of a kick to it, which I like.  The kick is complemented by the fruity body.  Alone, it is a bit on the strong side, but with my steak and potatoes, it was perfect.  Finally, a Merlot that doesn't make me feel cheap while drinking it!
Rating:  9 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  For such an inexpensive bottle, I wasn't expecting much.  This Merlot has a bit of a kick to it, but a very smooth finish.  It's initially sour with a fruit flavor that lingers on your taste buds.  This is one of the first Merlot's I've really enjoyed.  There's also a very subtle hint of vanilla in it - great body and flavors.
Rating:  7.5 out of 10 glasses

Aerate:  Colin - No, but aerated has less of a bite to it, so it depends on your taste // Rachel - No

Where can I find it?
Trader Joe's -- Three Knights is owned by the Bronco Wine Company.
Their website that has a "wine finder" is:  here

Cost: $6.99 -- great find for under $10

VINTJS

Pinot Noir

Oregon
2009

A very light, red wine, but not lacking in flavor.  The grapes are grown in a cool climate region.  We recommend only having this wine with food (we grilled veggies and it went beautifully with those).  It loses some of its richness when it is not paired, as it is a lighter wine.

Colin:  Upon drinking this wine without food, I found it to be too harsh.  However, with a nice flame-grilled chicken at dinner, the wine really opened up.  A good, fruity initial taste melts into a warm finish that I quite enjoyed.

Rating:  8 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:   If this wine was a better stand-alone wine, I would rate it higher.  It is nice and smooth, but alone it is a little too harsh on the palette.  You taste too much of the alcohol without food.  I think if you are doing a summertime grill dish, this would be a great wine to have.  Great for under $10.

Rating:  6.5 out of 10 glasses

Aerate:  Colin - yes // Rachel - yes

Where can I find it?
Trader Joe's, only


Cost:  $8.99

Beringer

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California
2008 

A fun fact about Beringer:  They were the only winery in Napa Valley to stay open legally during prohibition.  They were able to do this because they sold their wine for religious and medical purposes.  They have a lot of history, being the only winery operating legally during that time, and even their cheaper wine tends to have a decent, sophisticated taste.  Their 2008 Cab is typical for a cabernet; it is a deep red with some very strong, sour notes.

Colin: I think this is a very light wine for a Cabernet Sauvignon.  It has a very low acidity, and is nice on the palette.  It's not bad, but it does have a bit of an alcohol-y finish to it.  It fits well with food, being on the lighter side of a red.  It can probably pair well with almost anything.
Rating: 5 out of 10 glasses

Rachel: This Cabernet has a very bold finish, but it is a little too sour for me.  It doesn't smell like it has a nice finish, but instead you can really spell the alcohol.  It is, however, rich in flavor and is a decent wine overall.  There are some nice, fruity tones and it does have a bit of a hint of vanilla.  Definitely a wine for a red/Cabernet lover, though a casual wine drinker can still probably enjoy it.
Rating: 6 out of 10 glasses

Aerate:  Colin - yes // Rachel - yes

Where can I find it?
Vons (or your local supermarket).  Beringer is a big distributor, because they've been around so long.  We definitely recommend a tour of their vineyards if you ever get a chance to go to Napa.  All the people that work their are knowledgeable, down to earth, and enthusiastic about what they do.
Beringer's Website

Cost: $6.99 (got it on sale, was originally listed for $10.99)