Concannon Merlot

So I got a text from my friend Eric saying, “Just bought Concannon, Righteously Rose at Cashwise for five bucks and it is really good.” Well I haven’t had the Righteously Rose yet but the Merlot was sure yummy. It is very pleasant with no after taste. We had it with Pork Ribs and it went very well. I bought the wine for $4.99 and if you buy 12 bottles there is a rebate for $24 until 12/2010 bringing the actual price after tax down to $3.41 a bottle! Thanks Eric! I bought a variety so stay tuned for my Concannon companion.

Famenco Tempranillo: Plums and spice and everything nice

Yeah Baby! I found a $4 rock star and its name is Famenco! This is not a usual, "well it's good but I can tell it is cheap" wine, this is a cool labeled, Tempranillo, tasty wine that will make the snobs say things like, "lovey, sink me, if this isn't the best wine I have had since we were in the old country!" I love everything about it and it was fun to swirl in the cup and take small delightful sips while you fought off the urge to gulp it down. It was $4.46 at Cashwise and I feel like driving over there and leaving a little extra in the give a penny take a penny cup at the register. They should have called it Famenco Yummy!

Little Penguin Shiraz or Cabernet....hmmm how about both!

"Oooh Little Penguin," a friend said when I opened a bottle of Shiraz/Cabernet and that is what I love about this wine, It's cheap, yummy and well liked.
It is not to harsh, not over bearing, a little fruity but always smooth and I love the mixture of these two grapes usually with other wine makers and always with Little Penguin. I got this at Cashwise for $4.99 and that is swell as well. 8 out of 10 Yummies

Fair Hills Wine: Would you like a little wine with your alchohol?

This won't take long. I don't know what Fair Hill's other wines taste like but their Cabernet Sauvingon taste like red rubbing alcohol. It has no body or fruity taste it is just....blah. Luckily, I only had to part with $2.95 so at least it has that going for it.
I give it 2 out of 10 Yummies
Mostly because I like the label and the easy screw top cap.

Xplorader Merlot Magnificent

I have a new favorite Merlot, Xplorader. They say the Merlot is a “gateway wine” what I mean is when you first start drinking wines you usually aquire a taste for the sweet wines like a Zinfandel and then after a little more courage you might move on to a dry White wine like a Sauvignon blanc and then finally you may try crossing over to a red and the first stop on the red wine bus is usually Merlot because of it’s fruity and pleasurable palette appeal. Well I have been around the Merlot block a few times and haven’t crossed this $4.92 Cashwise beauty before. What makes it different and appealing is its spices. It is not just the normal Merlot mix of grapes it has some pizzazz as it journeys down your throat and makes the heart merry. We enjoyed this wine with Amy’s crockpot chicken taco’s it was very, very yummy.

Crane Lake Malbec

I know how easy it is to look at a plane labeled, cheap wine like a Crane Lake in our favorite liquor store and just pass it by knowing it won't satisfy our flavor picky wine pallet but believe you me the Crane Lake Malbec is not that kind of a wine. I love how it seems to go with any meal and it is a great night cap wine. Granted, it won't knock you down and cause a come to Louis Pasteur meeting but it is fun and usually around $3.00. 6 out of 10 on the yummy scale.

Up Jacob's Creek and you can keep the paddle!

Sometimes I can't decide what I want and that is a perfect time for a Shiraz/Cabernet blend. This $4.97 wine is so good I swear the manager at Cashwise liquor must be buying this on the black market at a reduced price. This is a medium bodied, Australian wine that went great with our homemade pizza. Jacob's Creek Shiraz/Cabernet is perfect to enjoy with friends or to enjoy by yourself on the back deck with your sweety. Yummy

7 out of 10