Wines in the category:
(1) 2/5-star rated wines
Lurton Hacienda Araucano 2006 Pinot Noir
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This Chilean wine was decent, though a bit over-priced for what was in the bottle. An earthy Pinot Noir, there were notes of earth, barnyard, cedar, and a bit of red fruit. With light-medium body, light tannins, and food-friendly acid, this wine would pair well with chicken. However, for what you get, I’d pass it over for something a little cheaper. ($13) |
This wine is listed in these categories: (1) 2/5-star rated wines • (2) Red wines • (3) Earthy red wines • (4) Wines made from Pinot Noir • (5) Wines from Chile • (6) Wines that cost $10-20. Click a link to see other wines in that category. The full category list is on the far-right.
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JP Azeitao NV Vinho Tinto
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This is my favorite wine that I can get for $7 in multiple places around town. Made with 85% Castelao, 7.5% Tempranillo, and 7.5% Syrah, it is a great table and food wine with enough acid to pair with many types of dishes. Red fruit prevails in the nose and mouth. This wine is simple, but pleasant and drinkable, especially for the money. ($7-8) |
This wine is listed in these categories: (1) 2/5-star rated wines • (2) Red wines • (3) Smooth red wines • (4) Wines made from Syrah/Shiraz • (4) Wines made from Tempranillo • (5) Wines from Portugal • (6) Wines that cost under $10. Click a link to see other wines in that category. The full category list is on the far-right.
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Felton Road Central 2007 Otago Riesling
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I like the wines from Felton Road. Their 2007 Riesling is a light drink with only 10% alcohol. Fresh out of the bottle, the nose showed a little cheese that faded with air time. Once the wine had opened up, the nose offered green apple, kiwi fruit, and a little honeyed spice. In the mouth, the slightly off-dry wine showed honey and green apple, with a long finish. ($10-15) |
This wine is listed in these categories: (1) 2/5-star rated wines • (2) White wines • (3) Crisp white wines • (4) Wines made from Riesling • (5) Wines from New Zealand • (6) Wines that cost $10-20. Click a link to see other wines in that category. The full category list is on the far-right.
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Laroche 2006 Pinot Noir
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Our first fruity and earthy wine, you can tell this wine from the south of France was made for the American market, because it lists the varietal on the label. You can also tell by the taste profile. This Pinot is about as fruit-forward as a French winemaker can go. The unripe red fruit struggle against a little eggplant in the nose, but this passes with a little air time. Unripe red fruit, supported by soft tannins, give the ’06 a nice and drinkable character. The wine has plenty of acid to pair with red meat or pork. ($11-13) |
This wine is listed in these categories: (1) 2/5-star rated wines • (2) Red wines • (3) Earthy red wines • (3) Fruity red wines • (4) Wines made from Pinot Noir • (5) Wines from France • (6) Wines that cost $10-20. Click a link to see other wines in that category. The full category list is on the far-right.
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Grayson Cellars 2006 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
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This Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon is 89% Cab and 11% Merlot. Aged in French rather than American oak, this wine makes a nice choice for a cheap California Cabernet if you’re not that into oak. On the nose, there is plum and red fruit, mostly cherries, which follows through to the mouth. Pleasantly tannic with a bit of acid, this wine can be enjoyed alone or with a hearty dish. ($10) |
This wine is listed in these categories: (1) 2/5-star rated wines • (2) Red wines • (3) Smooth red wines • (4) Wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon • (4) Wines made from Merlot • (5) Wines from the U.S. • (6) Wines that cost $10-20 • (6) Wines that cost under $10. Click a link to see other wines in that category. The full category list is on the far-right.
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De Forville 2006 Dolcetto d’Alba
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I like Dolcettos, and they are best when they are from d’Alba. This ’06 was imported by Neal Rosenthal and has a nose of plum, vanilla, red berry, and cherry. The wine has plenty of dry fine tannins that support the cherry and plum flavors. There is good acid, and like lots of Italian wines, it wants to be paired with a fine meal. ($18-21) |
This wine is listed in these categories: (1) 2/5-star rated wines • (2) Red wines • (3) Smooth red wines • (4) Wines made from Dolcetto • (5) Wines from Italy • (6) Wines that cost $10-20 • (6) Wines that cost $20-30. Click a link to see other wines in that category. The full category list is on the far-right.
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Domaine de Mourchon Cotes du Rhone Village Seguret Loubie 2007 Rosé
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This village selection is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah (CGS) produced from 40 year old vines. Like many of the ’07 CGS blends, this one was a fine nose of peaches and strawberries. In the mouth, this rosé is not as elegant as some of the others, but it does provide nice red fruit with a round feel. ($18-22) |
This wine is listed in these categories: (1) 2/5-star rated wines • (2) Rose wines • (3) Sleek white wines • (4) Wines made from Cinsault • (4) Wines made from Grenache • (4) Wines made from Syrah/Shiraz • (5) Wines from France • (6) Wines that cost $10-20 • (6) Wines that cost $20-30. Click a link to see other wines in that category. The full category list is on the far-right.
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Mas Des Bressades 2006 Syrah-Grenache
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Robert Kacher is one of my favorite importers. He finds wines that exhibit character and sells them at reasonable prices. His 2006 is one of our house wines. It is dark ruby/purple in color. The nose offers up dark fruit, barnyard, earth and burnt paper. With flavors of plums and sweet fruit, this wine paired well with smothered pork chops and the first round of the NCAA Championship. ($9-12) |
This wine is listed in these categories: (1) 2/5-star rated wines • (2) Red wines • (3) Earthy red wines • (4) Wines made from Grenache • (4) Wines made from Syrah/Shiraz • (5) Wines from France • (6) Wines that cost $10-20 • (6) Wines that cost under $10. Click a link to see other wines in that category. The full category list is on the far-right.
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Layer Cake 2006 Shiraz
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Barossa valley is famous for Shiraz, and Americans are developing a taste for these very drinkable wines from Australia. The 2006 Layer Cake is made with sweet, new oak, and it is a dark, extracted drink with lots ripe. And true to its name, the wine delivers plenty of mocha and chocolate. ($15-17) |
This wine is listed in these categories: (1) 2/5-star rated wines • (2) Red wines • (3) Bold red wines • (4) Wines made from Syrah/Shiraz • (5) Wines from Australia • (6) Wines that cost $10-20. Click a link to see other wines in that category. The full category list is on the far-right.
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Lioco 2006 Sonoma County Chardonnay
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Un-oaked Chardonnays have been in the press for the last couple of years, as some have pushed back on all the oak used to make most New World Chardonnays. This 2006 offering from Lioco is a good example. With crisp citrus flavors and a clean finish, the wine is food friendly and would work well with spicy dishes or grilled fish. ($18-20) |
This wine is listed in these categories: (1) 2/5-star rated wines • (2) White wines • (3) Sleek white wines • (4) Wines made from Chardonnay • (5) Wines from the U.S. • (6) Wines that cost $10-20. Click a link to see other wines in that category. The full category list is on the far-right.
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