2005 Montpezat Palombières, Coteaux du Languedoc, France
Another from importer Robert Kacher, whose name on a bottle is a good reason for interest if not an insurance policy. This is medium purple/red color with a cherry/berry nose. Nice raspberry flavors, with a touch of coffee. Made from 80 percent Grenache and 20 percent Mourvèdre. About $13.
2005 Tapeña Tempranillo, Tierra de Castilla, Spain
This has a bright strawberry nose and a nice red color. It has vivid red fruit flavors with good balance and a soft back end. Not complicated, but enjoyable. About $7.
2005 Feudo Arancio Nero d'Avola, Sicily, Italy
Medium purple/red colors and a quiet nose. Nice round cherry and blueberry flavors with a touch of dark chocolate. Not profound, but nice. A good wine to go with pizza and pasta. About $7.
2005 Luzón Jumilla, Spain
This one has vibrant red raspberry and strawberry flavors with a touch of vanilla. It is soft, round and balanced, with a beautiful purple color and a bright fruity nose. About $7.
2005 Briccotondo Barbera, Piedmont, Italy
A vivid red fruit nose gives way to nice, round raspberry and strawberry flavors with a hint of mocha. About $8.
2006 Crios de Susana Balbo, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
Edgy and different, but tasty. This is very darkly colored with a spicy, fruity nose. There are ripe, dark berry flavors on the palate with a touch of vanilla. About $14.
2004 St. Francis Winery Red, Sonoma, California
I almost gave up on this wine, but left it sitting in the glass for more than an hour. It got enormously better, and I was rewarded with a wine that was round, soft and lovely to drink. It's a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel. The flavors are sweetish cherries and berries with hints of vanilla and coconut. About $9.