1) Altas Cumbres, Viognier, 2006 (Mendoza, Argentina) - The latest sampled at work and a far better specimen than the last viognier (Echelon) I reviewed.  Unlike the melon rind in the last this  had nice apricots, nectarines, and exotic fruits, a good bouquet, and drank easily.  Nothing bitter in this one.  It has 15% alcohol and it was pointed out to me that out of all the white wine grapes this one tends to have higher alcohol.  All in all it was a step above the average white so I'm going 7 out of 10 for above average.

2) Julian Chivite, Gran Feudo, Crianza, 2002 (Navarra, Spain) - 70% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacha, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.  This was store recommended as a great value (a crianza around $10).  I just thought it was OK, a nice balanced taste and enjoyable to the end of the bottle.  Nothing wrong with it, just didn't blow me away.  I'll give it 6 out of 10 for upper average, which is pretty respectable.

3) Le Mas des Collines, Regis de Taxis, Vacqueyras, 2003 (Gigondas, France) - Now this was an interesting wine.  First I paid around $30 for it in a nice store, mainly because I hadn't seen the Vacqueyras appellation before, but I saw the same thing elsewhere for $15 and thought I got ripped off.  Well the $15 is the 2004 so I don't know if something dramatically different turned out between 2003 and 2004.  2003 is very interesting.  When you pop it there is quite an amazing and unique aroma.  I read in someone else's review that grenache is a major player in this wine and I think that's what I smell.  I love grenache.  But unlike the other grenaches or garnachas I've written about this has a balance and understatement to it which really bumps up the class.  The taste is equally unique, both with exotic grenache and red fruits and with what I can only describe as "freshness".  This wine tastes very "fresh" to me - very eye opening and refreshing.   The tannins are there but kept subdued.  Really this comes across as a classy French version of what others make overblown.  A great wine.  I'll give it an 8 out of 10 for very good.  And I suspect if it had aged more it could go up to a 9.