don't hate on it because it's French

May I start by saying wow?! The 2005 Domaine De La Citadelle Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the best under $20 cabs I have had recently. The package on this wine could use some pep, but the wine inside is alright by me. Just a hint of cedar on the nose with a subtle hint of the black fruits to come. On your palate, you get black cherry and cassis and the end just lingers with an ever-so-smokey, fall-off-the-bone finish. A Wine Guy Favorite.

Piemontese table wine for cheap dollars

Renowned producer Paolo Scavino has a 2007 Rosso Vino da Tavolo (red table wine) that you can afford to share with people you somewhat like. The wine is a blend of Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The clean lines on this wine remind you of a sports car: really good to look at, but much more fun to drive. Medium in body, fresh, and bright, this wine has something for everyone. A Wine Guy Value.

Not a fan of the hills

Tried some of the Penfold's Koonunga Hills wines one more time. The last time I do that! First up was the 2007 Chardonnay. The citrus flavors fight with the oak, and the wine has no balance. Number two, and this would be an apt description of this wine, was the 2006 Cabernet/Merlot blend. This wine is bitter and thin. Last and I mean least was the 2006 Shiraz: light on the berries, with a surprisingly sharp finish. NEVER AGAIN!