2011 Flying Heart Cellars Red Wine - $5

Not sure what I was thinking when I picked up this Ed Hardy-esque labeled red blend, but it is down right awful. Overly sweet and completely unbalanced. This bottle is going back to Trader Joe's and I suggest you avoid at all costs.

thumbs down

2009 Green Barn Red Field Blend - $5

Smooth and easy drinking with a light nose of white pepper. Predominant tart cherry flavors, but good depth of flavor for a five dollar bottle. As a bonus, this is tasty and ready to drink immediately after uncorking.

thumbs up - 89

2008 Panilonco Merlot/Malbec - $3.99

It could just be the tumbler glass out of which I'm drinking, but this wine is deceptively thick in color. On the nose, heaps of blackberry jump right out. In the mouth though, the cheapness comes through. It's sloppy, disjointed and completely unexciting.

60% Merlot, 40% Malbec.

thumbs down - 70

2005 Fife Max Cuvee - $6.99

Despite being completely dead on the nose, I still enjoy this... which is not the norm for aromatically challenged wines. That said, this has a nice earthy, tannic flavor profile with some light berry components. Another great daily drinker.

It's worth noting that despite the label noting the aging in French oak, there's no oak monster here.

thumbs up - 85

2007 Coppola Rosso - $7.99

Tight on the nose. Mellow and lightly jammy on the tongue with a hint of leather. A great every day drinker that's ready as soon as the cork comes out.

thumbs up - 86

2006 Nerelo Del Bastardo - $7.99

My second bottle of this is gone and I have nothing to report. The first bottle got taken down by some friends for tacos & game night while I was out of town... their consensus: delicious. I snuck a taste of the second bottle before it disappeared, but didn't take careful note... my consensus: forgettable. Sounds like wine roulette to me. Suggestion: buy as gift, sneak a taste, buy another if you like it.

thumbs down

2007 Dr. Jebediah Drinkwell's Meritage - $6.99

Pepper, pepper, pepper. Black pepper, green pepper, roasted red pepper... all sorts of peppers. And dry. With good tannins, a healthy chunk of dark fruit and a long finish.

60% Cabernet Franc, 27% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot.

thumbs up - 89

2007 TBD Rouge - $5.99

Primarily Lodi sourced Zinfandel grapes make up delicious bargain. Peppery on the nose. Peppery and deep dark berry flavors on the tongue. This went down so fast, I didn't get as much chance to think about the taste so much as enjoy every sip.

thumbs up - 88

2007 Novella Synergy - $7.99

Another Easter weekend recommendation from the TJ's wine guy. Great inky deep purple color. Perfumey nose with hidden hints of under ripe berries - not appetizing in the least. Good tannin structure, but the flavor is all disjointed. Maybe it just needs a while longer in the bottle, but for now it's a no go.

thumbs down - 74