TOASTED HEAD - CHARDONNAY

Vintage: 2007
Price Range: $15
Producer: Toasted Head Winery
Region & Country: Woodbridge, California, USA
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: Dominick's Grocery, Chicago, IL - 1/10/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 3/31/2009

Appearance: Brilliant; pale gold & full body
Nose: Soft floral and herb scent & grass
Taste: Undertone of lemon; smooth, soft and sweet; crisp flavor
Finish: Smooth and buttery; not very acidic
Overall Impression: Another great Chardonnay! I really have never had any problems with Toasted Head. They make great wines. This wine is great with food, but I find it can stand alone with no problem. I think this would be a perfect summer wine. It was crisp and delicious.

Overall Rating: 90/100
Overall Value: ***.5 / 5 Stars

MERLOT OVER AND PLAY DEAD - MERLOT

Vintage: 2005
Price Range: $15
Producer: Mutt Lynch Winery
Region & Country: Healdsburg, California
Grape Variety: Merlot
Recommended By: Wine Club

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 2/2/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 3/24/2009
Dinner: Spiced chicken breast and stuffed past in a vodka sauce

Appearance: Medium bodied; Garnet red
Nose: Blackberry and jam scent
Taste: A little hot, even after airing; spicy and jammy
Finish: Acidic, tart and lingers
Overall Impression: "Woof bark bark ruff woof," which translates to "I've had a better Merlot for about the same price or better." It was much better after allowing to breathe, but still there was something about it that was lacking. I don't think it was actually worth the price... woof!

Overall Rating: 85/100
Overall Value: **.5 / 5 Stars

LINE 39 - SAUVIGNON BLANC

Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $17
Producer: Cecchetti Wine Company
Region & Country: Graton, California
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 2/7/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 3/18/2009

Appearance: Light gold; brilliant-clear
Nose: Clean, fruity scent; soft floral and creamy
Taste: Sweet and herb; slightly tart
Finish: Slightly dry and lingers
Overall Impression: I had a bit of a strawberry when drinking this and it was great. It's a decent Sauvignon Blanc. It's a clean white, but the price is way too steep. I have had better for a much better price.

Overall Rating: 86/100
Overall Value: **/ 5 Stars

MARYHILL - GEWURTRAMINER

Vintage: 2007
Price Range: $12
Producer: Maryhill Winery
Region & Country: Goldendale, Washington, USA
Grape Variety: Gewurtraminer
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: In Fine Spirits, Chicago, IL - 3/5/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 3/5/2009

Appearance: Brilliantly clean & almost colorless; medium-bodied
Nose: Apples, sweet and clean
Taste: Green apples, buttery with a good tart flavor
Finish: Lingers smoothly; buttery and creamy
Overall Impression: This would be the perfect dessert wine. It has a great smoothness so it's no over-bearing and not sour at all.

Overall Rating: 96/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars

DEXHEIMER DOKTOR - SPATLESE

Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $11
Producer: Josef Drathen
Region & Country: Rheinhessen, Germany
Grape Variety: Spatlese
Recommended By: N/A

Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 12/5/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 3/2/2009

Appearance: Yellowish-green; brilliant and full-bodied
Nose: Clean and sweet scent; herbs and a hint of green apple
Taste: Syrup-esk taste; plain with some pear
Finish: Lingers thick on the tongue, but not harsh
Overall Impression: First of all, you get enticed by this beautiful blue bottle. When you pour the wine, it glows and it's a gorgeous color. It looks clean and crisp. The scent is just as wonderful. It lures you in with a clean herb and fruit aroma. Then you taste it and it's nothing like what you expected. It's thick and like syrup. The taste is the complete opposite of the scent.

Overall Rating: 80/100
Overall Value: **.5 / 5 Stars