At its best this wine is OK. You’re probably not going to reach for another bottle after drinking the first one. You might for a 2nd bottle, however.

A pale ruby-violet color wine with some faint berry notes. There’s some low to moderate acidity, low tannins (a plus for me), an OK balance and short finish. What’s not here is a fullness of taste. It has a decidedly flaccid “watered down” berry taste that won’t make you reach for another bottle. Definitely not a sipping wine and not a really good dinner wine, unless the dinner is pretty bland. And for those interested: a synthetic cork.

Grade: C- Price: $8

3 Blind Moose; 2005; Merlot; California; Alcohol: 13.5% by Volume.