Overall impressions: a tasting of under-$20 wines, with many under $10 as well. Lots of surprising bargains here, including a very nice Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa, a Veltliner, and a few Roses. The Samantha Starr Chardonnay was quite nice as well.

Aside from the rather poor Pavillion Merlot, everything here is definitely quaffable -- if not downright enjoyable. The Summerland Chardonnay was corked, and I didn't retaste it.

2003 Thelema Sauvignon Blanc - Stellenbosch, South Africa. $13.99. Light yellow color. Seemingly pricy for an SB from SA, but this is definitely a tasty offering from South Africa. Plenty of gooseberry, with a touch of alfalfa. Great balance.
Aroma score: B+ Taste score: B+ Overall score: B+

2002 Josef Emhoser Gruner Veltliner - Hohenberg, Austria. $12.99. Very Chenin-like in its light sweetness, with a nice citrusy taste, excellent balance, and smooth long finish.
Aroma score: B+ Taste score: B+ Overall score: B+

2003 D'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Marsanne/Viognier - McLaren Vale, Australia. $11.99. Delicious on the palate, with light stone fruits, yet also mouthfilling, with a somewhat meaty and smoky aroma to the nose, and fascinating toasted bread finish.
Aroma score: B+ Taste score: B+ Overall score: B+

2003 Domaine Le Peu de las Moriette Vouvray - France. $8.99. Lightly sweet on the palate, not particularly complex in flavor or texture, which might increase with some time - but why wait?
Aroma score: B Taste score: B Overall score: B

2002 Samantha Starr Chardonnay - Monterey County . $8.99.
Unusual petrol and smoky aromas in the nose, compliment the touch of sweet clover and hay. Nice balance on the palate, and not overly committed to oak. An interesting wine.
Aroma score: B+ Taste score: B+ Overall score: B+

2002 Summerland Chardonnay - Santa Barbara County. $9.99. The open bottle was corked and ultimately replaced, but I didn't return for an additional taste.

2003 Boncaillou Le Rose - France. $9.99. Nice fleshy and fruity nose. Decent mouthfeel, but the flavors start out bitter, turning to tart by the finish.
Aroma score: B Taste score: B Overall score: B

2003 Chateau du Donjon Rose - Minervois, France. $8.99. Lovely nose - full of perfume, floral and fruit aromas. Rich mouthfeel, almost chewy and meaty, plenty of fruit and a touch of melon, yet very well balanced. Very nice!
Aroma score: B+ Taste score: B+ Overall score: B+

2003 Hess Rose of Syrah Small Block Series - California. $10.99.
Very light in aroma, with a medium mouthfeel and slightly meaty aftertaste.
Aroma score: B Taste score: B Overall score: B

2002 Duboeuf Brouilly Chateau de Nevers - Beaujolais. $6.99.
Odd feral background scent to the nose. Tart and bitter mouthfeel. Nothing to recommend here.
Aroma score: C+ Taste score: C+ Overall score: C+

2003 Franck Cinquin Regnie Domaine Les Braves - Beaujolais. $10.99. Nose says very buttered toast, with a slice of melon on the side. Mouth says keep the toast, and add a bit of Prosciutto to that melon.
Aroma score: B Taste score: B Overall score: B

2003 Elisabetta Gepetti Micante - Italy. $9.99.
Nose of ripe dried cherries and spice. Ripeness comes through on the palate, along with a moderate amount of slightly sweet fruit, tannins, and a nicely integrated finish.
Aroma score: B Taste score: B Overall score: B

2003 Coto de Hayas Garnacha Centeraria Campo de Borja - Spain. $9.99. Nice f loral and raspberry notes with just a touch of green stem in the nose. A bit primary on the palate, with lots of young fruit, good balance and long finish.
Aroma score: B Taste score: B Overall score: B

2001 Brampton Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot - South Africa. $10.99.
Nose of ripe cassis and chocolate, with a touch of smoke, herb and green olive in the background. Fairly rough on the palate, with green tannins, good balance and long finish.
Aroma score: B Taste score: B- Overall score: B

1994 Duque de Medina Carina Gran Reserva - Spain. $11.99.
Very ripe and burnished in the nose, with lots of bottle bouquet and a little funk. Smooth texture, nicely aged fruit, good balance, medium-long finish
Aroma score: B Taste score: B Overall score: B

2002 Pavilion Merlot - Napa Valley. $9.99.
Probably the biggest surprise of the tasting, and not in a good way. Unfortunately, the band-aid, vinyl, and dirty diaper obscured any semblance of fruit in the nose. The mouthfeel seemed decent, but the flavors were all 2nd pick Merlot and underfilled. Having had a surprisingly good rendition of their Cabernet not too long ago, I certainly expected better than this.
Aroma score: C- Taste score: C Overall score: C

2001 Waterstone Merlot - Napa Valley. $14.99.
Decent nose of dark fruit and bit of herb. Nice initial mouthfeel, but the flavors seem a bit light or watery. Finishes a bit hot.
Aroma score: B Taste score: B Overall score: B

2001 Swanson Merlot - Oakville. $16.99.
Kind of a claret style of Merlot, with nice plummy nose, a bit fleshy and bright. Very nice mouthfeel, lots of fruit, full body and persistent flavors.
Aroma score: B Taste score: B Overall score: B

2001 Christopher Cameron Merlot - Dry Creek Valley. $19.99.
nice vanilla-laced cassis and dark plum nose. Medium-full body, very good balance and nice finish. Similar to the Swanson, just a little richer a nd tastier in mouthfeel.
Aroma score: B Taste score: B+ Overall score: B

2002 Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt Kabinett - Piesporter Goldtropfchen. $15.99.
Lovely nose of spice and light fruits, along with some nice floral notes. Slightly sweet mouthfeel, leaning a bit to the Spatlese side of things.
Aroma score: B+ Taste score: B+ Overall score: B+

NV Dutchke Tawny Port Old Codger - Australia. $15.99.
Lots of caramel, raisin and pecan aromas in the nose. Smooth and sweet in mouthfeel, delicious flavors, long finish.
Aroma score: B+ Taste score: B+ Overall score: B+