$5 Black Swan Merlot 2009 California Stater Bros.

I am a huge fan of the Black Swan Cabernet Sauvignon so I am hoping the Merlot is nicely done as well. The nose is somewhat bland, very little fruit. The first sip is rather nice though... slightly fruity, with a nice grassiness about it. After a few sips I begin to pick up some nice jammy berry flavors with a touch of cinnamon and dried apricot. It certainly lived up to my expectations. I would definitely buy another bottle.

I give this Merlot a 5 out of 5 stars.

$5 Barefoot 2008 Zinfandel California CVS

Barefoot is usually a dollar or two out of my budget but sometimes it goes on sale so I like to grab a few bottles when it does. I picked this one up at a 2/$10 sale with a couple of other varietals.

It's got rich, ripe cherries and berries on the nose with a touch of anise. It's very fruity tasting without being too jammy. The tannins are nicely balanced and it has a long finish that begins on the fruity side, and ends with some light nutmeg and cinnamon notes. This is a delicious wine and I will be back for more.

I give this wine a 5 out of 5 stars

$5 Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon California Stater Bros.

I was excited to find this on sale this week for $5 (usually it's around $7... a bit pricey for my under-$5-budget.) There is no year on the label, except for a "best buy" award from Wine Enthusiast in 2008 talking about "Cabernet Blends."

The nose is fruity with a peppery (thinking green peppers here) quality. The palate is full and thick with flavors of spice and charcoal with a decently long finish. The fruit is a bit lost and not quite as "jammy" right off the bat as the label says. I aerated it with my Wine Soiree and it softened it enough to let some of fruitiness come out. I picked up some notes of blueberry and blackberry. Overall, pretty good stuff, I would buy it again.

I give this wine a 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

$4 Archeo 2007 Nero d'Avola Sicily Trader Joes

I absolutely loved the 2005 vintage of this wine, way back before I even had a wine blog. I went and bought a bunch of wine at Trader Joes a couple of weeks back and I was saving this one for last. It has a nice bottle too, so if someone did not frequent Trader Joes, then they might assume this is a more expensive bottle just by the look of it. Anyway, onto the tasting!

At first is smells of smoky, woodsy notes, more specifically, pine. But after letting it breathe after a hefty swirl, subtle cherry notes came through. The first sip is quite delicious, a bit hearty and grassy with subtle layers of eucalyptus and molasses. The finish is long with a touch of fruitiness. The more I tasted it, the more the fruitiness came out, without losing it's character.

Overall, this wine is an excellent price for the complexity and balance. I think if it was in a blind tasting, it would rival much more expensive wines.

I give this wine a 5 out of 5 stars.

$5 Black Swan 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Australia Stater Bros.

Okay, okay, so this one is usually priced at $6.99 (out of my usual $5-or-less budget) but it was on sale this week for $4.99 so I picked it up. It actually goes on sale quite often, so wait for the sale and stock up instead of buying full price. I poured a hefty two ounces and gave it a swirl. It smells of sweet dried cranberries and maraschino cherries. There is a toasty, woody note too. It has a heavy, slightly syrupy mouth feel at first and tastes of blackberries and black cherries. It has a nice contrast of tannins and sweetness with a well-rounded medium finish. I am quite impressed with the complexity of this wine for under $5. I would definitely get another bottle... and soon!

I give this wine a 5 out of 5 stars!

$3 Crane Lake Pinot Noir 2009 California Henry's Market

Oh my, does this one smell good! Super-berry aromas with plenty of cherry notes, yum. Smells like something I might taste at a fancy-schmancy winery. But did it deliver? Why yes, it did. This Pinot Noir is very nice, I am impressed. It is full of cherries, strawberries and plums with a lingering finish of dark chocolate and coffee. For a mere $3 a bottle, this one is right on the money. Drink this now, its at it's peak! Henry's better watch out, I'm going to be stocking up on this bad boy.

I give this one a 5 out of 5 stars!

$4 Zinfandel Napa River Trader Joes

The first night I opened this wine, I didn't pay that much attention to it. It sat overnight and then I poured a glass the next evening. I smell hints of blackberry, raspberry and coffee after I swirl it around for a moment. A bit of smokiness perhaps. The first sip brings some slight dark chocolate which was quickly replaced with ripened apricots and plums. The next few sips bring out some slightly grassier flavors with a hint of maple. This wine is delicious now and I think it will be even better in 3-4 years. Buy one to enjoy now and three to store in the cellar.

I give this wine 5 out of 5 stars.

$4 Shiraz Purple Moon 2004 California Trader Joes

This shiraz is fabulously fruity and dry, a great combination. It is extrememly smooth and vibrant with a lot of blackberry and raspberry flavors. There was a even a subtle buttery undertone to it that sealed the deal for me. I will definitley be buying more of this wine and highly recommend it.

I give this fabulous wine a 5 out of 5 stars.


_{Chelsie's Tastings Home Page}

$4 Shiraz Blue Reef 2004 Australia Sprouts Farmers Market

Let me start off by warning you that this is a screw-top wine. That being said, put your reservations aside because this wine is superb! After I poured a bit, I stuck my nose in and took a big whiff...the first thing that came to mind was the beach. I smelled seawater and a beachy/briney scent. (Interestingly enough it is named "Blue Reef.") I was so intrigued by the first smell, I went in for another and was greeted with the same beachy scent along with garden flowers. I couldn't wait to try it out. The first sip seemed a little metallic, and I wasn't sure where it was going. On the second and third sips I picked up on an earthy, leathery taste and it was very silky. After a few more sips, a caramel note came through that was very thick and mapley. This wine also has a nice mouth-feel which adds to it's character. Definitely a winner.

5 out of 5 stars

_{Chelsie's Tastings Home Page}

$4 Shiraz Black Swan Australia 2005 Trader Joes

I wanted to start this lovely blog on a postive note, so I am starting with this Australian Shiraz. On the first taste I was greeted by an immediate sweet grapiness that is uncharacteristic of a standard shiraz. As I drank the glass, the sweetness diminshed and a nice fermented grapiness became the top note. There were some underlying flavors of honeysuckle and chocolate... so overall, not your average shiraz. But soooo good nonetheless.

I enjoyed a second glass of this wine on May 5th and much to my suprise, it was just as delicious as the first.

I give this wine 5 out of 5 stars for it's smoothness and grapey flavors.