Saturday we went to a friend's 40th bday party, at the clubhouse of their complex. A nice spread of sushi, charcuterie, dips, spreads, and more; some wines I tasted included:
2007 Las Brisas Rueda
Light and easy, quiet citrus flavors, pleasant. B-
2006 Discovery Sauvignon Blanc
Grass and gooseberry, good fruit base, a little acrid, already seeming just a tad tired. B-/C+
2006 Black Swan Cabernet Sauvignon
Ugh. Sweet, short, and sweet. Not a geeky party where you look for a dump bucket, I choose to "forget" my glass on an end table. C/C-
2005 Peter Lehmann Shiraz (Barossa)
This is also sweet, but there is a bit of structure, and the finish isn't bad for an inexpensive Shiraz. B-
We had to leave party early as I had a quick stop at office to make, when we got home we decided we needed more sustenance, and ordered a pizza. Opened the 2004 Feudo Montoni Nero d’Avola. Just a little hint of oak, ripe black cherries and a bit of tobacco. Some earth and mineral on finish. Light but firm tannins, good acidity to go with the pizza. B+/B
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.