Ravenswood Zin comes through

I had this wine at a wedding last month and was pleasantly surprised with the quality-so much so that I bought a bottle to try to see if it would be a good budget weekday red. I think it passed the test. This Ravenswood old vine 2010 Zin  isn't a blockbuster but at $ 6.99 it delivers some good flavors. I think it is better than a lot of similarly priced wines and I'll give it 6 swiggs. From Trader Joes.

Well, this used to be a reliable cheapie.

Ten years ago when I was looking for a nice under $ 6 bottle I could always depend on the Perrin Reserve 2010 Cotes du Rhone. Well, times have changed and this wine was not as good as I remembered. It is drinakble and not offending but it might not stack up well against other $ 5.99 wine.....and that's kind of sad. I'll give it 5 swiggs.......it will  do when you need a dry red for dinner and can't find something better at the price. From Trader Joes.

Amador zin

This Stonehedge Amador Zin 2010 is not typical of the wines from this region. That said, it is a pretty good drink for $9.99. There's an abundance of raspberry flavors in this rather light bodied entry from the Sierra foothills-most noted for high alcohol wines that will knock your socks off and pretty much clobber your tastebuds with goodness. This one is so light that it is in danger of being trampled by a dwarf. Still, tiny and thin though it may be, it is tasty. At Trader Joes.  6 1/2 swiggs.

Old style Napa Merlot

Remember when red wines from Napa were dry ? -I do...it was a long time ago. Some time in the early '90's the focus became extracted fruit blockbusters that were nothing like the French wines made from the same varietals. If you don't like the current style of Napa reds and are looking to have a real blast from the past try this Sean Minor 2008 Napa Valley Merlot. It is well made and terrific with food. It actually needs food like a Tuscan wine, otherwise it has the characteristic of etching at the roof of your mouth. Don't get me wrong, I really loved this wine and would buy it again. It was at Shopper's Corner for $ 14.99-it was almost hidden on a lower shelf so look carefully. 8 swiggs.

Nor Cal vintner with So Cal grapes

Carol Shelton is a Zin specialist in Sonoma but she sources grapes from other, sometimes unusual locales. The 2008 Monga Zin Lopez vineyard has fruit sourced from south of Los Angeles-the grapes were planted in 1918 and is one of the last surviving old So-Cal vineyards that were so plentiful before the area got urbanized. Grapes from this far south have a different taste that reflects the dry heat of the region.....I can't really explain it fully but the light body and ripe taste of this wine is a bit different from anything from further north. It is a real treat and a good wine to pour for folks who like Zin but are looking for something a little out of the ordinary. $ 19.95 at Shopper's Corner. 8 swiggs.

Bordeaux that is ready to drink

2008 was not too long ago and a lot of wines from Bordeaux will be sitting in cellars for years to come. Not the Sanctus Saint Emilion grand cru, though. This wine is sensational now and has no heavy tannins in the way of the pure fruit flavor. It is a dry red but not overly so,yet it isn't one of those French wines trying to appeal to Napa tastes. I highly recommend it-that is if you can find it. It is $ 44.95 but a really great drinking experience. 9 swiggs.

A taste of the Rhone

This Les Hauts Du Castellas 2007 Gigondas is just what one would hope to get from a southern Rhone wine-complexity and a sense of the area where the wine comes from. The blend is 75% Grenache 15% Strah and 10% Mourvedre , typical blend for the region. One tastes the lavender and spice that is planted all over the hills around the vineyards. There really isn't a new world version of this wine-no matter how hard the US wine makers try, there is no way to replicate the flavors that are present in this and other really great wines of the southern Rhone valley. I'll give it 8 1/2 swiggs. Imported by Fruit of the vines, inc. Long island city, N.Y.