2003 Vinha Palestra -- Douro, Portugal

Madison Wine Shop -- $9

This wine is made from Touriga Francesa, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Roriz grapes. It has deep color and a nice nose (a little bit floral). It's a juicy wine balanced by nice tannins.

A great value for the price!

Our rating: B-

Mark, Sasha and Jodie

2006 Korta Petite Verdot -- Lontue Valley, Chile

Madison Wine Shop -- $9

This wine is 100% Petite Verdot. The grape is one of the five Bordeaux varietals. It typically makes up 5% or less of a Bordeaux wine, because it's a risky grape for growers. It's very late ripening, and in a short growing season the whole crop could be lost. In places with longer growing seasons, like Chile, Argentina, and California, this is an up-and-coming grape.

This wine has brilliant color. The nose is jammy with a little vanilla, turning to violet as it opens up. On the palate it's a little hot, with graphite coming through. A nice dry finish.

Our rating: C+

Mark, Sasha, Mike and Rebecca

2005 San Leone -- Bardolino Superiore, Italy

Madison Wine Shop -- $13

Made from Corvina, Rondinella and Malinara grapes. Nice fruit, delicate nose and a dry finish.

Our rating: B-

Mark, Sasha and Rebecca

Two from Jumilla, Spain -- 2005 Juan Gil and 2003 Casa de la Ermita Tinto Crianza

Both bought at Madison Wine Shop. Jumilla is one of the youngest Spanish wine appellations, established only in 1996. Monastrel is the typical grape.

Juan Gil -- $16

This wine is 100% Monastrel. The nose is jammy with a little spice. At first it seemed overly peppery with a hot finish. As it breathed, it opened up and became much more balanced and complex.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the '04 vintage a 90.

Our rating for the '05: B--

Casa de la Ermita -- $15

This wine is 40% Monastrel with Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot. It is aged in new French oak, and the vanilla really comes through in the nose, as does blackberry. A dry, balanced wine with a bit of a smoky finish.

Wine Advocate named the winery one of the best of 2001.

Our rating: B

Mark, Sasha, Mike and Rebecca

2003 Pirramimma Shiraz -- McLaren Vale, Australia

CBM - Newington -- $25

The thing that really leaps out on this one is the incredible mouthfeel. The fullest bodied wine in recent memory. Lots of nice fruit and plenty of hints of vanilla and spices.

Wine Spectator: 92

Our rating: A--

Mark and Sasha

2005 Michel Torino Torrontes Don David Reserve -- Cafayate Valley, Argentina

CBM - Newington -- $16

Thanks to Val for introducing us to this one. A very nice crisp, dry white. Loaded with citrus, especially grapefruit. A good value, we'll buy it again.

Wine Spectator: 86

Our rating: B+

Mark and Sasha

2002 Vina Dona Paula Malbec Seleccion de Bodega -- Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina

CBM - Wallingford -- $30

We tasted the Vina Dona Paula premium Malbec in our horizontal tasting, and it did very well (A--). This is the super-premium, using the best hand-selected grapes from the same harvest, and the difference shows. This is probably the best wine we have tasted in the last three months or more. Very smooth and balanced, loaded with delicious fruit, lots of interesting mineral notes.

Wine Spectator: 91

Our rating: A

Mark and Sasha

2004 Clos de los Siete -- Argentina

CBM - Newington -- $15

Thanks to Jodi for introducing us to this one. It's made by Michel Rolland, probably the world's top wine consultant (many top Bordeaux houses use him). This year's blend is 50% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah. It's a high alcohol wine, but balances it well with lots of ripe berries and mellow tannins. Good finish. A great value. We bought half a case.

Wine Spectator: 88

Our rating: B-

Mark and Sasha

2004 Yangarra Estate GSM Cadenzia -- McLaren Vale, Australia

CBM Newington -- $26

This wine is 50% Grenache, 40% Shiraz and 10% Mourvedre. Great color. Lots of plum and other fruits. It packs a punch (15% alcohol), but it balances it well. A very nice bottle.

Wine Spectator: 93

Our rating: A--

Mark and Sasha

2004 Mendoza Malbec Horizontal Tasting

2004 marks the third very good year in a row for Argentine Malbecs. While it does not equal 2002, the best vintage in a generation, it seems to be on a par with 2003. We conducted a non-blind horizontal tasting of Mendoza Malbecs, all purchased from CBM Newington.

Bodega Lurton Reserva Mendoza, $10: Everyone scored this one lowest. Some slightly unpleasant vegetative aromas. Lacks balance. Rating: C

Bodega Budini Mendoza, $10: For the price, this one is a good value. Nice fruit and some vanilla notes. Rating: B-

Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Mendoza, $16: This one came near the top of most people's list. Nice color. A smooth drinking wine with lots of fruit, toasted oak, and vanilla. Rating: B+

Michel Torino Don David Reserve Cafayate, $17: Divided opinion on this one, with some giving it top honors and others unimpressed by it. Lots of black currant. Perhaps a little out of balance (hot). Rating: B-

Mauricio Lorca Opalo Vistaflores Vineyard, $17: Everyone definately had this one rated in the top half. This one is unoaked, so the Malbec character really comes through. Smooth and fruity. Some vegetative notes in the aroma. Rating: B

La Posta del Vinatero Angel Paulucci Vineyard, $16: Another one with divided opinion. Drier than some of the other offerings. Smooth with some candied fruit in the nose. Wine Spectator gave this one an 88. Rating: B

Vina Dona Paula Lujan de Cuyo, $12: The winner. Many people rated this number one, and at this price, it's a great value. Big fruit, chocolate, coffee. Wine Spectator gave it an 89. Rating: A--

Dominio del Plata BenMarco Mendoza, $25: Again, divided opinion. Good berry fruit and mineral notes. Slightly hot. For the price, we expected a little more. Wine Spectator gave it a 90. Rating: B++

2002 Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Reserva -- Mendoza, Argentina

Liquor World -- $24

Tasty! This is one of the better producers in Argentina, and 2002 was the best vintage in a generation. This one is complex, with blueberry, blackberry, minerals, and more. It's all balanced by some firm tannins, which could actually use a bit of mellowing -- so it should improve with age. We bought a case.

Wine Spectator: 92

Our rating: A--

2002 O. Fournier B Crux -- Uco Valley, Argentina

Liquor World -- $20

For us, this is one of those wines that you love as much for the memories it brings back as for the wine itself (although the wine is great!). My friend from graduate school, Gabriel Fidel, used to be the business manager of this winery. When we visited Argentina, we spent the night at the winery and got the VIP tour. The winery is one of those post-modern temples to wine like you might see in Napa (you can see pictures on their website, www.ofournier.com). It was breath-taking to wake up among the vines and see a fresh late-spring snowfall in the nearby mountains.

This wine is 60% tempranillo, 20% malbec, and 20% merlot. That's a blend that you won't see very often, and a very tasty one in our opinion. It's made to world class standards -- maceration for 25 days, malolactic fermentation in oak, and a year in French oak barrels. 2002 was the best vintage in Argentina for a generation, and this one does not disappoint. Delicious vanilla and blackberry, balanced by the mellow tannins and the alcohol (14%). Nice finish.

Wine Spectator: 88

Our rating: A-

Mark and Sasha