Here’s a round-up of some recent wines we were sent for review:

2009 Amancaya Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon – Mendoza, Argentina ($14.99 online)
A garnet-colored wine, this red blend has a rich nose with some dark cherry and slight currants. I opened it and used an aerator and it was great to drink right away. On taste, I caught some spice with a little clove. It was full of cherries, with a dry, smooth finish. It’s a nice, young wine for the value, and I’d be glad to have it again.

From Dry:

2008 Domaine Barons de Rothschild Los Vascos Reserve Cabernet – Colchagua Valley, Chile ($23 online)
This wine has a deep ruby color and a fresh, fruity nose with aromas of black cherry, currant, cranberry and raspberry. I also got secondary aromas of raw tobacco, bitter espresso, cinnamon and unsweetened chocolate. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with well-integrated tannins and a nice acidity. It’s an elegant and smooth wine that I think is nicely done.

2009 Bodegas Osborne Tempra Tantrum Tempranillo/Shiraz – Vino de la tierra de Castilla, Spain ($12 online)
This wine has a bright magenta color and a nose full of candied fruit. It was some cross between a fruit rollup and a Jolly Rancher, with aromas of cherry, raspberry, plum, toasted nuts and a hint of minerality. It’s a fresh, light-bodied wine that’s a very easy drinker. It’s simple, fruity and slightly sweet. It would probably be a good party wine when everyone is more interested in having a good time than drinking a complex and unique wine; 60 percent Tempranillo, 40 percent Shiraz.

2009 Domaine Barons de Rothschild Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc – Casablanca Valley, Chile ($10 online)
Another from the Lafite Rothschild’s Chilean operation, but this time a crisp but fruity sauvignon blanc. This wine has a pale straw color and a nose of ripe, sweet citrus like pink grapefruit as well as fresh green apple and a hint of cut grass. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with a zesty acidity. The wine is crisp and clean without being overly tart. I found it simple but good, a great refreshment on a hot day.

2009 King Estate Signature Collection Pinot Noir – Oregon ($26.99 at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, $22.99 at Total Wine)
This wine is a light ruby color. The nose was a bit hot at first, but smoothed out as the wine opened up. It has a nose of cherry, raspberry, cranberry, light earth, cola and cinnamon. What I liked the most about this wine is its silky mouthfeel. It has a light/medium body and tasted like smooth raspberry silk with soft tannins and a long finish.

2008 Mastroberardino Greco di Tufo – southern Italy ($25.95 at Crown Wine & Spirits)
This wine from southern Italy is made from 100 percent greco grapes, an Italian grape that may be of Greek origin. In the glass, it’s a gold color with aromas of lemon and green apple and hints of white flowers and fresh herbs. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and dry, crisp and clean but with a nice weight in the mouth.

2007 Feudi Della Medusa Albithia – Vermentia di Sardegna, Italy ($17 online)
Unlike the other wines on this list, this one wasn’t a sample. I picked it up from Chill Wine Merchant’s “going out of business” sale. But never fear, it’s also available online. The wine has a harvest straw kind of color that reminded me of Sting’s “Fields of Gold”. The nose is very minerally nose with hints of flowers, a bit of orange rind, peach and apple. On the palate, the wine maintained a focused minerally flavor with a touch of sweet fruit. It’s medium-bodied with a very dry finish. It’s a really nice wine that I enjoyed thoroughly.