Château Roland La Garde
Tradition Blaye Red Bordeaux Blend 2010
Terrific value that spans the best of both modern and traditional winemaking styles. Big, rich and jammy, this Bordeaux offers a lot for the money. — 10 years ago
Saracco
Piemonte Pinot Nero 2010
This 2010 is gorgeous, more Burgundian than new world, but distinctly Italian all the same. The fruit component is dried cherry with hints of fresh herbs and tea leaf. Good value. — 10 years ago
Domaine Gaston & Pierre Ravaut
Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Decent little Burgundian, made in a more modern style. Won't fool anyone into thinking it is a Grand Vin, but quite reasonably priced. — 10 years ago
Hedgeline Vineyards
Washington Chardonnay
Another vile, off-putting "product" from the Winery Exchange, Kroger's in-house refinery of mediocrity. I've smelt better paint thinner, and anyone who reviews this plonk favorably is either a corporate schill or an ignoramus. This "wine" represents all that is wrong in the wine industry. — 10 years ago
Bota Box Vineyards
California Pinot Grigio 2013
This is some of the most flavorful water I have ever tasted! Lean, thin, off-dry. Insipid. — 10 years ago
Helioterra
Pinot Noir Rosé 2013
As rosé season draws to a close, it is a goid reminder that some pink wines show beautifully as summer fades and fall colors emerge. The Helioterra 2013 is drinking beautifully in October. Buy up what is left for a delightful Turkeyday wine that will delight grandma and your hipster cousins. — 10 years ago
Arrowood
Saralee's Vineyard Syrah 2006
Just faintly hot in the nose, and then I look at the alcohol and whoa! 15.5%! Hints of anis and camphor, somewhat one-dimensional fruit and very soft tannins. Enjoyable, especially since I only paid about $4.50 a bottle for it!! Only suckers pay retail! — 10 years ago
Domaine la Roubine
Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet 2011
Classical, old-world Côtes du Rhône. Deep ruby colored, fleshy with firm tannins. Not as stripping as the '12, shows how beneficial a year in the cellar can be for a solid table wine. Needs food to balance the dry, tannic finish. — 10 years ago
Domaines Schlumberger
Les Princes Abbés Alsace Pinot Blanc 2012
Terrific value from Alsace. Ripe and round with subtle floral scents. Good minerality, a versatile dry white to enjoy with food or on its own. — 10 years ago
August West
Five plus years after the 2009 Oregon harvest, and this low end offering from Lenne is showing its age. Not gone, or far over the hill, but if I had a case in my cellar I'd be using a fair amount of it to marinate some ribs. — 10 years ago