Rating System:  Periodically I review my simple rating system  - so here we go.  It's a scale of 1 to 10, 1 lowest and 10 highest.  Since 5 and 6 are exactly in the middle I call those average and the majority of reviews I give are naturally 5 for lower average or 6 for upper average because, let's face it, most wine is pretty average.  If my score is above or below that then it's something worth note.

Toad Hollow, Erik's the Red, year? (Paso Robles, California) - The sign at the store said this was made from over 18 types of grapes and that usually is a hint you're going to get junk because they literally threw everything they had together, but I bought it anyway because I wanted to compare with another bottle reviewed.  At around $12 it was pretty cheap, and I'll admit the title is fun as well as the toad viking on the label.  And actually, this was pretty good wine.  It was fresh and tasty, lots of fruit, yet not overdone.  It's fun and worth a repeat.  In fact I'll score it 7 out of 10 for above average.

Toad Hollow, Cacophony, Zinfandel, 2006 (Paso Robles, California) - I love Zin with it's big bold jammy flavors and have had quite a variety of it.  This sample didn't disappoint, it just didn't blow me away either.  It's nice and rich with bold fruit AND it wasn't overdone.  So a quality product at around $12.  But as far as Zin goes I'd still call this average, so I'm giving it a 6 out of 10.

H. Sichel Sohne, Blue Nun, Winemaker's Passion, Riesling, 2006 (Germany) - I smurk a little as I write this because I know to the reader this is generally a low class wine choice.  I've seen Blue Nun advertised since I was a child, it's clearly a mass marketed and cheap end of the Riesling market.  BUT, Nancy has been drinking more white wine lately and I was looking for some cheap samples at the little liquor store near home and I had already given the similar Black Tower label a try, so here we go with Blue Nun.  And you know what?  It wasn't bad at all.  It's a typical riesling, slightly sweet, and it didn't really taste as cheap as it's price.  I was genuinely surprised.  Not that I plan on drinking Blue Nun often, but I'll be fair and give it a 6 out of 10 for upper average.