1) Frei Brothers Reserve Dry Creek Valley Merlot, 2005 (Northern Sonoma, California) - I have a co-worker who commented they've never really had a good merlot, and generally I agree, so I thought I'd try a few to see if I could spot a really good sample of one.  This was promising, cost $15 to $20 depending on store, had a label talking about cherries and berries.  Really I did think it was very nice though it didn't blow me away.  It's balanced and flavorful.  Clearly it's a step above average.  6 out of 10 for upper average.  Yet, it's still not quite the shining example I'd hoped to find so the quest will continue.

2) Rosenblum Cellars, Vintner's Cuvee XXIX, Zinfandel, year? (California) - I've seen this brand in magazines listing it as a good value, and when I was at the Boston Wine Festival Opening Reception this was one of the wines offered for sampling although I didn't get the chance.  So in my mind I really expected this to take zinfandel up a knotch to something better than I've previously experienced.  And at $20 on sale I expected to be impressed.  Well, the first glass was totally boring.  Luckily the 2nd glass and then on had been decanted for a full day and that really opened it up.  So in the end I scored this a 6 out of 10 for upper average.  Truth is though I'd be even happier with one of the cheaper and bolder zinfandels.

3) Kedem, Tokay Wine, year? (New York State) - This is a cheap kosher wine which we tried as part of our effort to give the furmint (Tokaji) grape a second try.  Really there's not a lot to say about this except it is what it is: an inexpensive sweet wine which is enjoyable but nothing remarkable.  Still that earns it a 5 out of 10 for lower average.

4) Oremus, Tokaji Aszu, 3 Puttonyos, 2000 (Hungary) - This was the 2nd try for this award winning winery (1st attempt was a dry furmint wine).  Once again there is an usual odor, almost like sweat socks, which we detected in the dry version too.  I didn't particular like that aspect but the sweetness was nice as well as the other flavors.  Although an interesting and decent wine this still doesn't hold a candle to the Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos sample I reviewed some time ago as a 10 out of 10.  This Oremus sweet tokaji is really more of a 6 - upper average, no lower because it's still interesting, no higher because it really didn't stand out in any way.