A pretty classic version of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  For those looking for this, and there are many fans, this is a well priced alternative to many of the standards that have risen in price over the last decade.  Light golden in color.  The nose has gooseberries or maybe passions fruit (I need to visit a grocery store and compare the two).  Slightly oily texture.  Tart gooseberries on the palate.  A bit metallic on the finish.  This is crisp and easy.  Fresh.  It should be drunk this summer.  Probably more likely to be drunk on its own but will work with fruit salads and other lighte

This is a nice, easy drinking rose from the south of France, made from Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache.  Light salmon/burnt orange in color.  The nose has watermelons and orange citrus.  On the palate, more viscous than expected.  It is dry.  13% ABV on the label.  Strawberries with a bit of bitterness on the finish.  Some warmth as well.  Priced at $14, this is a fine wine on its own on the back deck on a summer night and will work with some lighter foods too.  Drink this year.  

Grenache Blanc doesn't get enough respect.  That may be because in Europe, it doesn't do as well and is used as a blending grape, seldom on its own.  In California, however, there are many examples of Grenache Blanc being bottled independently and some of those are quite good.  This is one of them.  Tablas Creek specializes in Rhone varietals and while this wine is not sold en masse, it is available at the winery.  Light golden in color.  The nose has nice pear notes with some anise and slight salinity.  On the palate, the pears continue along with some honeydew notes and underlying chalkin

This is a Bordeaux blend Super Tuscan wine from one of the top producers in Tuscany.  It is one of their less expensive offerings and is always an outstanding wine.  This wine is surprisingly open and drinking well already considering that 2015 is an outstanding vintage in Tuscany.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, slight tobacco and spice.  On the palate, this has a nice juiciness to it.  Black cherry fruit dominates at this point with some underlying tobacco/earth.  Light tannins.  Nice finish.  This might still improve but either way should be good

One of my favorite affordable-ish rose Champagnes.  It's too good just for celebrations.

This is an inexpensive bottle from Australia that is a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet and Grenache.  It is the kind of wine that made Australia famous in the 1990's and soon fell out of favor.  This is a very sweet wine that will be popular with people who like that style.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has confectionery sugar, raspberry fruit and red candies.  On the palate, this is candied raspberries.  A bit bitter on the palate.  It is not about depth but rather fruit and imbibing.  Drink now.  

This is an inexpensive Rose that will not be for everyone.  It is sweet and easy and drinks best cold.  Deeper salmon pink in color.  The nose is like watermelon candy.  On the palate, this is like strawberry powdered kids drink.  It is very sweet.  Slightly viscous.  Probably a difficult food match.  For your friends who like sweet pink wines this is an alternative.  Normally, vinho verde has some spritz to it but, at least this bottle, lacked that quality.  

This bottle saw about 6 hours of air prior to be served.  That helped but it was not enough.  Torrin wines are fantastic but they do take time.  They are tight and tannic and concentrated on release and proper cellaring is rewarded.  Absent that a long decant is advised.  This wine is 40% Syrah, 33% Mourvedre, and 27% Grenache.

This was a pleasant surprise.  Served from Magnum and along side some bigger California wines, this provided a nice contrast and was quite tasty.  2014 was not a particularly good vintage in the southern Rhone, but of course, good producers usually find a way to make good wines.  Ruby in color.  The nose is nice with cherries, garrique/spice, and slight floral notes.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Nice cherry fruit with some dark cherry and a bit of earthiness.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This worked quite well with some home made pizzas and in general is food friendly.  It is dr

From Magnum.  This bottle was opened and allowed to breather for six hours prior to serving.  It needed every bit of that and more.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, roasted herbs, slight earthiness and slight floral qualities.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, lot of black raspberry fruit with a bit of roasted meats and black pepper.  Though there is a lot of fruit, this is not over ripe at all.  Juicy acidity works well with the food.  This is still young and will likely improve over the next five years.  The wine has already improved since t