The 2007 Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett pours out a pale straw in color with good clarity. On the nose aromas of pear, apple, apricot and some mineral. In the mouth there is a lovely balance between sweetness and acidity letting both shine. Flavors of honeysuckle, mineral, green apple, lemon, pear and orange. Long finish with prominent acidity right at the end. An excellent riesling for the price that I highly recommend. I paid $13.49 for a 750ml bottle.

The 2004 Ortas Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau Prestige (50% Grenache, 35% Syrah & 15% Mourvedre) pours out purple in color with some lightening on the rim. Aromas of raspberry, spice, earth, barnyard and an irony metallicity. In the mouth flavors of sour cherry, blackberry, raspberry with a hint of spice and dust. Vibrant acidity. Fairly bold tannins. Long finish that is quite dry. I'd definaitley say this is more a food wine than a wine to be drank by itself. I paid $13.49 for a 750ml bottle.

The 2005 Les Peliers Syrah (AOC Costieres de Nimes) from Michel Gassier in Caissargues, France pours out a rich ruby red in color with some lightening on the rim (hard to tell from the photo below). On the nose aromas of raspberry, black currant, cherry and violet. Very smoth in the mouth and quite silky with abundant fruit. Incredible balance with good tannic structure. A little more time in the cellar and this could possibly become a 90+ pint wine. Probably in the 87-89 point range. Excellent QPR at the $10.79 I paid for a 750ml bottle.

The 2005 Malbec from Bodega Tiza in Mendoza, Argentina pours out an inky purple in color. On the nose aromas of black cherry, blackberry, violet, vanilla and leather. Lovely, rich, dark fruit in the mouth with earthy, smokey accents and good spice (anise with a little pepper). Full bodied and very solid with a great ripe fruit sweetness to acid balance. Tannins are pretty mellow. A long finish that makes you want a noter sip. It seems hard to believe this wine is only $15.29. Buy it by the case. In the 89-90 point range.

The Courtney Benham Vin D'Eliza (52% Syrah, 46% Grenache and 2% Mourvedre sourced from Paso Robles Vineyards) from Martin Ray Winery in Santa Rosa, California pours out a deep ruby red with some light getting through. On the nose aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry, vanilla and spice. Quite acidic in the mouth with flavors of cherry, raspberry, faint blackberry and woodsy spice. Medium bodied. Moderate length finish that is quite dry. A good wine to have with dinner more so than drink by itself. I paid $10.79 for a bottle and would gladly do so again. Probably in the 84-87 point range.