Terraza de Los Andes, Alto Malbec, 2003

From the bottle, Terrazas de Los Andes Malbec is made from grapes harvested in the Mendoza region of Argentina (3,500 ft elevation); it is 13.5 percent alcohol by volume.

Where did I find it: Cost Plus

What did I pair it with: Beef pinwheels

Appearance: An opulent purple, with flashes of crimson and light legs.

Smell: White pepper and prunes

Taste: Sweet berry spices (not sugary), light on the tannins, and a dry finish.

Price: $7.99
Quality rating: 86/100
Value rating: 49.26/60

Takeaway: The majority of the Malbecs coming out of Argentina are value wonders! An 86 quality may not turn too many heads, but when it costs $8, then it should. If you’re a fan of lighter tannin reds, you should be buying high quality Argentinean Malbecs hand over fist.

Trinchero, Family Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, 2001

From the bottle, this Trinchero cabernet is made from grapes harvested from all over California (US). By percentage, they come from 51% Lake, 17% Monterey, 15% Santa Barbara, 10% San Luis Obispo, and 7% Napa. From the best I can tell, it is pretty close to 100% cab with 13.5 percent alcohol by volume.

Where did I find it: Purchased at Fry’s Food and Drug Store.

What did I pair it with: a plate of various cheeses

Appearance: A deep garnet red color with heavy legs

Smell: Dusty blackburrant and cedar aromas.

Taste: It starts with sour cherries and smooth tannins, creating a decent mouthfeel, ending with short, dry, chalky finish.

Price: $9.79
Quality rating: 84/100
Value rating: 47.11/60

Takeaway: All in all, this wine isn’t half bad. Granted, 2001 was an incredible year for California cabs, so it is difficult to say if the quality will show through in other vintages. Is it worth $10? Sure. Are there better cabs out there for $10? Yes.

Catena, Malbec, 2002

From the bottle, Catena Malbec is grown from berries in the Mendoza region of Argentina and is 13.8% alcohol by volume.

Where did I find it: N/A

What did I pair it with: Good company and the city lights of Phoenix

Appearance: A dark purple, with heavier legs than the Los Cardos.

Smell: Very barnyard and soil notes

Taste: Sour cherry tannins, raisiny character, and a quick, almost reverse finish

Price: $20

Quality rating: 86/100

Value rating: 45.50/60

Takeaway: At the same rating as the 2002 Los Cardos Malbec, the decision on which to buy should be rather simple. Coupled with the even better quality of the 2003/2004 vintages, it becomes even more obvious. For the money, Catena doesn’t quite stack up, but if you have this wine already, drink up, you won’t be disappointed.

Los Cardos, Malbec, 2002

From the bottle, Los Cardos Malbec is grown from berries in the Mendoza region of Argentina and is 14% alcohol by volume.

Where did I find it: Purchased at Costco.

What did I pair it with: a spicy, shredded beef salad

Appearance: Medium bodied purple, with flashes of velvet.

Smell: Bright cherry, barnyard, earth

Taste: Prune, chocolate, and cherry tannins, with a quicker finish than later vintages of this wine.

Price: $6 Quality rating: 86/100

Value rating: 51.33/60

Takeaway: If you have a 2002 Los Cardos Malbec, drink it now. Why? Because it is fading. The 2003 and 2004s seem to be still holding up, with more complexity than the 2002 – for the money, this is still a pretty good deal, but I doubt you’ll find too many 2002s on the market.

Ravenswood, Old Vine Zinfandel, 2002

From the bottle, Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel is made from grapes harvested from Sonoma County, and is 14.5% alcohol by volume. Interestingly enough, it isn’t 100% Zinfandel, but instead is 95% Zin, 4% Carignane, 1% mixed blacks – the wine is aged 24 months in French oak and is supposedly cellerable for 10 years.

Where did I find it: Purchased at Costco.

What did I pair it with: a spicy, shredded beef salad

Appearance: An inky purplish red, with heavy legs.

Smell: Caustic cherries and prunes

Taste: Light sour cherry tannins and raisin notes, with a chalky finish.

Price: $11.99
Quality rating: 82/100
Value rating: 45.17/60

Takeaway: The California (less priced) designation was actually better than this higher end Zinfandel; the wine did get better after an hour opening up, but was by far the worst of the three reds tasted during the evening.

Rosemont Estate, Show Reserve Chardonnay, 2003

From the bottle, Rosemont Estate’s Show Reserve Chardonnay is made from grapes harvested from preferred blocks in Hunter Valley, Australia and aged in French and American oak barrels for 11 months; it is 13.5% alcohol by volume.

Where did I find it: Purchased at Albertson’s.

What did I pair it with: N/A

Appearance: Pale golden in color, with no legs to speak of.

Smell: Apple and pear

Taste: Crisp apple opens up the palette, followed by slightly lingering citrus notes, ending with a simple oak finish.

Price: $8
Quality rating: 84/100
Value rating: 48.18/60

Takeaway: This chardonnay is somewhat simple, but is still quite refreshing on a hot summer evening. At $8, it is of comparable quality to the previously reviewed Callaghan Ann’s Cuvee, making it a pretty good deal. Better chardonnays exist at this price-point, but not too many. Drink up.

Callaghan Vineyards, Ann's Cuvee, 2003

From the bottle, Ann's Cuvee is made from grapes harvested in Cochise County, Arizona (US). By percentage breakdown it is 34% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Gris, and 33% Malvasia. This is a red wine drinker's white wine, with plenty of character and a hefty 14.5 percent alcohol by volume.

Where did I find it: Purchased on a recent wine trip to the high deserts of Elgin, AZ

What did I pair it with: Salmon

Appearance: Light golden in color, with the long legs you'd expect with 14.5% alcohol

Smell: Pears and wisps of smoke

Taste: Smoked fruit in a bottle, this is an unusual one (in a good way). It starts with that hint of smoke from the nose, easing into the fruitier pears/mangos that I would expect from a Callaghan white, ending in a quick citrus finish.

Price: $19
Quality rating: 85/100
Value rating: 45.13/60

Takeaway: Arizona wines are getting better. This wine was actually better for us in the tasting room than it was at dinner, but that is bound to happen from time to time. A value rating of 45.13 is less than I would expect from a near $20 wine (48 or so would be closer), but I'll be sure to taste the 04's when they come out, as I'm sure the quality trend will keep on rising.