2005 Director's Cut Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

This was about $25 at Trader Joe's – I bought on a bit of a whim, figuring it was a pricier Coppola bottle perhaps it would be somewhere between the standard, somewhat mediocre line, and the Niebaum labels which are a bit out of our price range.

Vanilla, raspberry, and a bit of asphalt on the nose.

Rather smooth – soft tannins, cherry, vanilla, and some smooth oak – just a bit of cola as well, quite interesting.

Some spice comes through and more of that cola essence lingers as well.

This is definitely a solid bottle, certainly a step up from the standard Coppola line (even though the Ivory label Cabernet was well received here), and one really is ideal if you're looking for a gift for a movie and wine lover. I'm not sure I'll be rushing out to get this again – it's not kick you in the pants amazing, but it's a good bottle overall.

N/V Bouvet-Ladubay Signature Brut

We were into the Bouvet Brut Rose well enough that when I saw this on sale for $10 I figured I'd snag a bottle.

Apple and lemon on the nose.

Brut? I think not. I've had bottles of Demi-Sec that were sweeter. This is far sweeter than I generally tolerate in sparkling wine and therefore I am a bit biased against this one. A bit of honey and some suggestions of apple pie – spiced, sweetened apples with some crust like hints – on the palate.

A bit of yeast and apple on the finish.

I can't in good faith recommend this if you are a fan of Brut sparkling wines – if you like a bit of of sweetness I suppose it's worth a shot but to me, it loses tremendous points for the inaccurate label description.

N/V Galena Cellars American Cabernet Sauvignon

So my sister calls me at work and says “hey, we're at Galena Cellars, do you want something?” I figured I'd try their a cab, that's apparently non-vintage.

Very light cherry and spice on the nose.

I'd call it “soft” - a little bit of oak, but mostly cherry vanilla ice cream of sorts. There are no flaws here, it's just fairly simple – a very easy quaff.

A gently tannic, soft and fuzzy finish with linger cherry.

I can't help but cringe at the $20 pricetag here – it's not a bad bottle of wine at all, but it's also not terribly interesting. Considering it's an Illinois wine from a small, family owned winery I can't criticize this too much - I look forward to revisiting their tasting room and trying an assortment.

2007 Fat Bastard Rose

I'd like to say I'm at a point where cute animals on wine labels don't grab me anymore but when I saw this hippo I couldn't say no even though I'm hesitant.

A bit of spice on the nose, maybe some cinnamon.

Shocking...almost bone dry yet still fruity – this is just about exactly what a rosé should be....dry, fruity, well rounded, and an enjoyable quaff. Red berries are just about it – cherry and strawberry with some stone fruit creeping in mid-palate.

The stone fruit comes through a bit more strongly on the finish.

Simply put, this is my kind of rose and for a mere seven dollars I give it eleven thumbs up. Well done.