Bergstrom Winery, Cumberland Reserve, Pinot Noir, 2006 (Oregon) - A friend brought this in for an after work treat and it sure was.  This is a nice, smooth, elegant pinot noir with subtle raspberry and a hint of vanillan from oak.  Yet despite it's subtleties it's not boring or too mild and you can enjoy this either by itself or with many foods.  A class act.  The bottle says it would benefit from 10+ years of cellaring, which I'm sure we'll never do.   For now I'll give it a 7 out of 10 because it's undoubtedly above average.  I'd be tempted to add another point but I'd need to have the cellared sample experience to compare it to.

Mas de Gourgonnier, les Baux de Provence, 2005 (Provence, France) - This was a happy surprise because I half expected to fall for a gimmick.  This wine comes in a funky bottle, almost shaped more like a hard liquor bottle, with an etra long skinny neck and then an extra wide shouldered bottle.  It reminds me a little of Maker's Mark liquor's shape and even has a read neck sleeve.  Well, I've seen this in several stores and always shied away from it but one day I was buying an extra respectable wine and thought throwing this in as a second bottle would have no shame.  Anyway, I'm quite glad I tried it.  Priced in the $10 to $15 range it's pretty affordable for a French (non vin de pays) brand.  The taste seems to be predominately a Syrah but not an over the top punch of Syrah and still with substantial tannins (which I consider a good thing).  The back of the bottle says it's farmed without chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides, only lightly filtered, and basically an all natural traditionally made wine.  Well bravo.  It truly is a quality product at the price they're asking.  And although it's not my favorite wine I'll happily give this a 6 out of 10 for upper average.

Fat Bastard, Merlot, 2006 (Vin de Pays D'Oc, France) - I'd previously reviewed their Cabernet Sauvignon and discussed their brand name.  Well, as to be expected this is a decent Merlot, it drinks fine at $12, I can't say it blows me away but Merlot seldom does anyway.  I appreciated trying it because a co-worker relatively new to wine appreciation brought it in for one of our tastings.  I'll give it 5 out of 10 which basically means average.