3 Blind Moose $4 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon California CVS

It's got a tight nose, some slightly perceptible fruitiness and green bell pepper come through but that's about it. It tastes very earthy, with subtle black cherry. It's definitely missing the fruitiness that I usually enjoy in a Cab. It's got a long finish of aforementioned earthiness and it really tastes a bit past it's prime. I wouldn't bother getting a bottle, and if you have one on hand, drink it or use it pronto. This is another bomb by 3 Blind Moose, see my review of their Merlot.

I give this a 3 out 5 stars.

Redwood Creek $5 2008 Pinot Noir California CVS

It has a tight nose (not smelling a lot a going on in the glass.) Picking up some cola, prunes as well as some unexpected tropical fruit notes. The first sip yields some minerality and green bell pepper. It mellows out a bit after the first few sips, but then it gets very watery. It lacks flavor and complexity. I am not thrilled with this at all.

I give this wine a 2 out of 5 stars

$2.50 Oak Creek Chenin Blanc/Pinot Grigio California CVS

I bought 2 bottles of this, one says Pinot Grigio in dark letters and Chenin Blanc in light letters. The other says Chenin Blanc in dark and Pinot Grigio in light. Go figure. I have no idea what that means, if anything. Could just be a change in labeling. But with that labeling weirdness and the lack of year... I'm a little worried. Okay, so onto the wine. The nose is sweet and fruity with a crispness to it as well. It's an average straw tone, not to light, not to dark. I picked up on some honeydew aromas with some lemon notes. I was intrigued. Unfortunately, it smells way better than it tastes. Not much going on in this glass of boredom. I can hardly detect any fruit in it at all. This might make a good wine for sangria (trying to stay positive here.) This wine says "blah-blah-blah" to me. I would not get it again, nor recommend it. As Gary V. would say- "poor effort."

I give this wine a 2 out of 5 stars.

$4 Sutter Home Pinot Grigio 2008 California Stater Brothers

I guess this warm weather has driven me to white wine for the time being. On tonight's tasting menu is a Sutter Home Pinot Grigio from Napa Valley. The nose is light and refreshing with pears and lemons and I couldn't wait to taste it. The first sip is a bit harsh and somewhat tart and lacking in fruit. The finish is short and compact. There is not much fruitiness and it's rather bland. About half way through the glass, I began to pick up flavors of sweet melon and the finish improved slightly. But overall I'm not impressed and I don't think I will be buying another bottle of this anytime soon.

I give this one a 2 out of 5 stars