Price: $10.99 Maker: Jekel Varietal: Chardonnay Region: California

86

The 2007 Jekel Gravelstone Chardonnay is a superb wine with aromas of pear and green apple. It is a medium bodied wine with a nice balance of acidity and oak that brings a wine with flavors of apple, pears and fresh citrus. The balance of oak and acidity make this a good wine with food or on its own. -KM

Price: $13.00 Maker: Hey Mambo Varietal: Red Blends Region: California

86

A blend of Barbera, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Alicante Bouchet grapes shows a mulberry color. The nose is fruity with a touch of pepper which mirrors its taste. Once you take a sip, flavors of cherry jam, cranberry and a hint of white pepper dance across your palate.

Price: $15.99 Maker: Bonterra Vineyards Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Region: California

86

The Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon is youthful on the nose with scents of strawberry and a touch of vanilla. This is a full body wine that opens up on the palette off-dry with flavors of cherry, raspberry and a touch of black current. The tannins are balanced as it slides over the tongue with a long finish, a good pairing choice for grilled steaks.-VFE

Price: $15.00 Maker: J. Lohr Varietal: Shiraz / Syrah Region: California

86

This enjoyable wine is soft with balanced tannins, flavors of black cherry, currant and cranberry held together with medium body finish. It will pair well hearty steaks and foods with a little black pepper. -VFE

Price: $10.99 Maker: Beringer Varietal: Merlot Region: California

85

This Beringer Merlot is straight forward with flavors of blackberries and cherry. It is a medium body wine with a finish that could be longer.

Price: $23.99 Maker: Simi Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Region: California

85

This is a nice blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petite Verdot. The blending brings a nice balance to the wine with black cherry, blackberry with a little raspberry shining through. -VFE

Price: $15.00 Maker: J. Lohr Varietal: Merlot Region: California

85

The nose is dominated with aromas of dark fruits with a hint of toasted oak. This is a medium body wine with flavors of black cherry, blueberry and a vein of raspberry.

Price: $15.00 Maker: J. Lohr Varietal: Shiraz / Syrah Region: California

85

The wine is well balanced with blackberry and raspberry fruits coming through on the body with cherry undertones and a hint a vanilla on the finish.

Price: $16.00 Maker: XYZin Varietal: Zinfandel Region: California

85

The wine is a nice dark red purple color; the nose is a little surprising with hints of clove and mocha. The flavors are subtle for a CA Zinfandel; the body is medium with raspberry, pomegranate and strawberries coming through with a hint of white pepper. If you are looking for a sweet CA fruit bomb you will be disappointed.-K.M.

Price: $7.99 Maker: Barefoot Varietal: Chardonnay Region: California

85

We would pass on this wine but the price point might attract a few consumers. The wine has an overpowering lemon taste with a touch of peach. -KM