I have been taking pictures of wine bottles for a short period of time, and have tried to remember my notes to write here on my blog.  If you read my post on the cellar I keep, you will recall seeing a host of bottles, cases, cardboard boxes etc.  My neighbor asked me how I track my bottles, spreadsheet? Paper log? Checklist?  None of that.  I have an uncanny ability to remember what I have bought, what is left, what needs to be drunk soon and maybe how much I paid for it.  Kinda strange, I know, can’t explain it.  A few months back I met up with some of the boys and we did a tasting of some supermarket wines.  Below is the line-up.

From left to right, briefly as it was a long day and the wines were just ho-hum:

Cono Sur, Cab Sav ’08 from Chile- very easy going, not budget busting and tasty.  86 points 3 stars

Nederburg Shiraz from South Africa, ’07- Good stuff, I repeatedly buy this one as it is very good for the money.  Typical Shiraz, but not overdone, it has length and grip, some tannins lurking and a good finish.  88 points and 4 stars.

Chateau Roquecourbe form Minervois ’06-  Carignan, Syrah, Mouverdre amongst other varietals make up this Languedoc offering.  It was okay, the French need to reel in their prices and get a grip.  I would say it was decent, but better values are available.  3 stars and 85 points.

Kaiken Malbec, from Chile- a perennial go-to bottle. Decent Malbec for a decent price.  Nothing special, but consistent and I like the Andes mountain depiction on the label!  4 stars and 85 points.

Some Merlot from France-  Vin De Pays means it’s a generic appellation, from wherever, but a step above ‘table wine’.  IMHO it means they can’t really get it together and are just throwing it out there, hoping you will buy it.  At least they get the pricing somewhat closer on these wines as they know people aren’t rushing out looking for them.  2 stars and 82 points.

El Circulo Rioja-  Seeing as I love Spanish wines I have given this one several tries and am underwhelmed.  Nothing typical of Rioja here, just bland and boring.  1 star and 81 points, don’t bother unless you are already drunk and need another glass (who cares at that point).