Adegaborba, Alentejo, Reserva 2004 (Portugal) - So there's a low-end liquor store I've found, the kind I usually avoid, except it has the longest row of Portuguese wines I've ever seen, and not just ports mind you, it's mostly regular wines.  I've begun picking out what's interesting from those stacks.  This sample is 75% Trincadeira, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Alicante Bouschet, so the high Trincadeira (which I've seen nowhere else so far) is why I bought it.  And it was reasonably cheap (around $12 I think).  Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised.  You get a very deep and dark red not unlike a slightly dry cabernet sauvignon, and there's hints of red pepper and chocolate, as well as a substantial long finish.  Really quite nice.  So I'll score this a 7 out of 10 for above average and I'll actually make plans to have more of it and offer it as a gift sometime.

Le Droissy, 2006 (Vouvray, France) - This was recommended by Best Cellars as a good Chenin Blanc to try and we were very happy with it.  Mildly sweet with a slight zing and light fruit it's really quite classy and friendly.  Another to repeat and offer as a gift sometime.  7 out of 10 for above average.

Beni di Batasiolo, Gavi, Granee, 2006 (Italy) - This is the Cortese grape and it comes in a funky bottle which has higher more bulbous shoulders than usual and the Batasiolo name in the glass.  An ancient variety, our tasting club at work found this to have refreshing light fruit and citrus and to likely be a good companion with seafood.  Universally liked, but I'd still only call this upper average so I'll give it 6 out of 10.

Colombelle, Vin de Pays de Cotes de Gascogne, 2006 (Southwest France) - This was an $8 sample so I didn't expect much but it's the first time I saw the Colombard grape in more than a small fraction form (this is 70% Colombard and 30% Ugni Blanc).  Well, we didn't like it and I'm not sure if it's because the sample was cheap or if this is really how the grape presents.  It's somewhat bitter and Nancy immediately rejected it.  I eventually drank most of the bottle but I had to add a good sized teaspoon of sugar to each glass to make it tolerable.  I won't be repeating this brand.  Not that it's the worst thing I ever drank, it's just clearly not up to even average, so 4 out of 10.