Concha Y Toro, Casillero del Diablo, Reserve, Carmenere, 2007 (Chile) - This is one of the largest and most famous producers in Chile and I'm surprised it took me this long to try a bottle.  Although just $10 this is "Reserve", claims to be a historic vintage, and is Carmenere which can be like a richer version of Merlot with hints of chocolate, SO I expected quite a lot from this despite the cheaper price.  Well, it was just OK.  There were nice Carmenere flavors but they were neither as rich nor as exotic as other samples I've tried.  Really I can't justify scoring this any higher than 5 out of 10 for lower average.

Alamos Malbec, 2007 (Argentina) - I've seen this in every store, it's a cheap $10 version of Malbec, it was time to give it a try.  I found it to be mild, boring, pretty much low average.  However, I'll admit as I got closer to the bottom of the bottle it did increase in density and flavor.  Just 5 out of 10 for lower average.

Robert Mondavi, Private Selection, Pinot Grigio, 2007 (California) - Despite the "Private Selection" pedigree the truth is this is from the cheaper range of Mondavi wines and those words are just marketing.  We tried their Chardonnay earlier and found it to be OK, and this is much the same although the Pinot just isn't as good of a grape.  I even thought it was a little bitter.  But it's OK, Nancy enjoyed and drank most of it, and the price range is good.  It's simply a 5 out of 10 for lower average.