Yep, that Marrietta is very good. Consistent quality too year to year. A couple others that are widely available and inexpensive:

Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zin
Bogle Old Vines Zin
Rosemount Shiraz - although I can't remember - either the 2002 or 2003 is not up to usual standards
D'Arendberg Stumpjump Red (Shiraz/Grenache/Movedre blend)
Artesa 2003 Napa Chardonnay

Stumpjump, now there's an excellent wine! We had a couple bottles for Thanksgiving in 2003. Cost Plus / World Market was selling it then.

Hey Chess -

Check out Salmon River pinot gris/ chard for a summer wine - so sprightly on the tongue! And Canadian to boot (to bout, if you're American). It won a blind taste test for a budget white we hosted. (And yes, we're so obsessed with blind tasting that we have been known to blind test cheese at 6 am so we don't make the wrong decision in our lunches! LOL.) I also hadn't had a Lindemans' in years, but somebody brought us their Merlot and it's lovely.

Anyone have any recommendations for a good wine with Moroccan food? Hosting a shin-dig for the ladies this weekend with spicy Moroccan soup, lamb kebabs, couscous, etc.

Any of the "reds" shown below would do for me...WELL, when I was in high school, that is!!! I'm sure the American's here will recognize these wines which might bring back some bad memories! My wine of choice was the Mad Dog, but I don't think I would care to even smell it now. Anyway, please continue on with the GOOD wines! I just thought I'd add a little humor.

If you want to try a truly unique sauvignon blanc, one that is anything but simple or boring, i suggest this offering by The Crossing.
It was showcased at the Winnipeg Wine Festival a couple of weeks back. It sells for $20 at the MLC, a bit pricier than most might buy, but the flavours are intense. Limes, passion fruit, fresh cut grass with heavy flint and mineral tones and a slight smokey finish.
Just amazing.
I may never buy another sauv.blanc again unless it is from New Zealand. They offered a premium version, which the MLC does not carry, but it was alot smoother and not as vibrant. Just a beautiful wine.

sonic, that first bottle looks like hot sauce.
Is that what BigJ would call a Texas wine?

A Christom Pinot Noir

Peter,

Stumpjump is good stuff at a good price - I am a big fan of D'Arenberg's wines at all levels. If you like the StumpJump, try their Footbolt Shiraz - it run's about $15 per bottle, and footpressing is still a part of making the wine!

But if you really liked the StumpJump, try D'Arenbergs "Ironstone Pressings", McLaren Vale. It's a similar red blend to the Stumpjump, but it is the Big, BIG Brother.

You can find it for approx. $55/ a bottle, which is expensive - I think it is definitley a special occasion bottle/gift without going into bordeaux and signature california cab price territory. It has the advantage of being softer and fruity (blueberries/blackberries/spice if I recall?) enough to drink young, but it has a firm tannic backbone to cellar for a while. Nice long finish. I highly recommend this wine.

In reply to:

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Is that what BigJ would call a Texas wine

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ugh..! NO.. i think sonic is right, that is a high school guzzler. cause no grown person would freely drink any of those rot-gut, 7/11 wines. i dont even think they can be called 'wines'. i had many a bad nights on MD 20/20. dont remember most of it, and dont want to ...

i never had cisco.. but, nighttrain and strawbery hill were on the list. and the girls used to drink this stuff called 'sambuca'. it tasted like black licorice. YUCK!!

a few of the better texas wines are:
BECKER, i had some of their Viognier that was pretty good.
DRY COMEL, there Sauvignon Blanc was awesome with sirloin wrapped stuffed jalapenos.
FALL CREEK, this is easily one of the most popular Texas hill country wines. my wife LOVES it, and she always has a bottle of it in the house.

i am obviously more of a beer drinker, but i can be a whino from time to time. i like to cook with it.

bigjohn

Heading off to BevMo right now to check on those Spanish reds, seabear. Muchos gracias.