1) Crios de Susana Balbo, 50% Syrah, 50% Bonarda, 2005 (Mendoza, Argentina) - I'm believing you just can't go wrong buying a wine from Crios.  This is my third kind I think and they all have been tasty quality wines.  Granted, this is probably my least favorite so far, so I'm going to give it a 6 for upper average, but most anyone would enjoy this wine.  You can taste the Syrah but it's not overpowering like so many Syrahs.  And I don't think I've ever tried "Bonarda" before now.

2) Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 (Sonoma/Napa, California) - I had really high expectations for this because I know it's one of the premier California wineries, I had read about their careful attentions on their website, it's usually in the mid to high $20s but I got this on sale, and the back of the label lists unique tasting notes like cinnamin and mint.  On the plus side I definitely get the hint of mint, and I can immagine the cinnamin.  Really though, if I had this in a blind taste test I think I'd consider it just a nice average cabernet sauvignon.  So what I thought might score 8 or above I'm actually giving a 6 to for upper average.