Swanson Vineyards-Merlot-Oakville-Napa Valley-California-2007-$22.99-A nose of black cherry and spice, dark garnet in color.  A medium to full bodied Merlot, with black cherry, raspberry, currants and licorice, has a bit of heat, good but not as great as the 2005 vintage, WE was a bit off on rating .                   RP-87                WS-87                WE-94                 CR-88                Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Bodegas Ondarre-Reserva-Tempranillo-Rioja-Spain-2004-$10.96-A nose of dark cherry and spice, dark garnet in color.     A medium to full bodied red, with black cherry, plum, licorice and smoky spice, good but a bit past it’s peak.                WS-91               WE-88                  CR-87                    Good with meats, chicken, pasta.