Chateau La Baume Costieres de Nimes, France. $9/1-2 stars

France is getting a bad rap here. Violet, then mellows out. Musty. Thin. From Tarragona.

Domaine de Ferrairaolles Fleu de Ciste Fitou 2003, France. $10 /1 star.

This one is again, alas, French. Plum & pie cherry pit/tart and crisp. . .and reedy. Tarragona.

Domaine De L'Auster Mosaique Faugeres 2004, France. $10/1-2 stars

Light in color, full flavor, musty but in a good way. It's the thin reedy elusive french wine thing that earns the one star. Not my style. Tarragona.

Charles Shaw Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, California. $2.99/2 stars

Cheap yet good in bathtub spodie. Worse wines will cost you more ($3). Trader Joe's Standard.

Jest Red California Red Table Wine, Year? $9/2 stars

Raisin and walnut in a kind of medium-thin sauce, nice finish. If this description doesn't sell you, just read what the winemaker has to say. QFC.

Snoqualmie Syrah 2003, Washington. $7, 2-3 stars

Medium bodied with the trad. spicy start.

Trader Joes Chariot Gypsy 2003, $7.99, 1 star

This is some TJ's commissioned blend. It is fruity, like grape juice, with no complexity. It is sweet and easy to drink, but really nothing special. Should have known with a name like Chariot/Gypsy.

Carlos Basso, Vendimia Tardiva 2005, Argentina, $13, 2 stars

Sweet but not cloying desert wine with distinct ricola (?) finish. Tarragona.

Tabali, Carmenere Reserva 2004, Chile. $10, 1 star

Really interesting. Dark tarry/tobacco flavors. A stark contrast to "normal" wine flavors. Not bad, but not my style. At the Tarragona tasting Friday.

Duval-Leroy Brut

Hey- If you want to spend $55 ($30 on sale at QFC), your girlfriend will say you're sweeter than the champagne. 2-3 stars.

Durigutti, Malbec 2004, Argentina. $10 2-3 stars

Yummy and drinkable like most Malbecs. Tasted it at Tarragona where they sell it for$10.
88 points, Wine News, "Warm aromas of mulberry and cedar box. Tart flavors of just-picked strawberry and crushed rose petals. Tries to sweeten up a bit in the finish" - 2004 Vintage

Carlos Basso, Sauvignon Blanc 2005, Argentina. $10/3 stars

Wow! A green, musky, fresh and full white wine worth drinking again!

Wine tasting at Tarragona. Salentein Syrah, 2003 Argentina. $17, 3 stars

Tried this one at the wine shop down the street. Friday tastings are free: www.tarragonawine.com. Full and bold, not peppery but satisfying dried fruit aroma, "well balanced" according to Audrey. Really liked it. 3 stars.

Wine wheel for the kids.

Need some adjectives? Australian wine wheel.

Reverendo Tinto 2004, Spain (2 stars)

Winey, red, thin and crisp but still tastes good. The finish is acidic, then goes smooth.

somebody else tried the pine and post merlot

http://www.mercurystate.com/2006/04/pine-and-post-2004-merlot.htm

Pine and Post Merlot 2004 (2-3 stars)

On sale at QFC for $5. Wine flavored, red, light merlot not syrupy.