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Tim Lemke

Tim is the founder and chief reviewer at Cheap Wine Ratings since 2007.

Reginato Sparkling Rosé of Malbec

A few weeks ago I reviewed the Reginato Sparkling Torrontés Chardonnay, which was just outstanding.  So I was excited to check out another sparkler from them, the Reginato Sparkling Rosé of Malbec. Like much of the malbec you see on the shelves these days, this one is from Mendoza, Argentina.  But it’s a lot lighter in […]

3 Spells Blend GHK Red Wine

We’re going slightly over our typical price limit today, but I have a good excuse.  We’re checking out a new wine from Spelletich Family Wine Company, one of my favorite small producers.  I’ve just come across them this year and previously reviewed their SPELLwine Sangiovese, Severed Head Red, Spelonu Red and SPELLwine Syrah, all of […]

Cruzeiro and Terras de Felgueiras Vinho Verde

It may be September and Summer is winding down, but it’s still hot outside and it’s still a good time to enjoy some light, crisp white wines like Vinho Verde from Portugal.  If you like really, really light white wines this may be a style for you to check out.  We took advantage of the […]

Vasari Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from Fratelli Barba

If you took a peek into my wine cellar you’d quickly figure out that I have a thing for Italian red wine.  Yes, I like plenty of wines from other regions too but the red wines that have the balance and style that I prefer are often Italian.  The bad part of that, however, is […]

Crios Cabernet Sauvignon

I’ve been told that today is National Cabernet Day.  I’ve also been told that today is Cabernet Day, International Cabernet Day and World Cabernet Day.  Regardless of what you call it, it’s a phony, made-up holiday created by some marketing/PR schmuck in order to get people talking about cabernet sauvignon.  And I’m the sucker who […]

Apaltagua Envero Gran Reserva Carménère

Some folks say that vintage makes no difference when it comes to cheap wine, but I say poo poo to that!  It does make a difference and I like to revisit new vintages of wines that we’ve tasted in the past. Today I’m tasting the 2009 Apaltagua Envero Gran Reserva Carménère from the Colchagua Valley in […]

Banfi Centine Bianco

Banfi is a pretty big name in Italian wine and one that you’re likely to come across in many wine shops.  And while I’ve found their wines to be generally good, I typically don’t go for them as I’ve often found them to be priced above what I think they should be.  Of course, that’s […]

Reginato Sparkling Torrontés Chardonnay

Typically, I work a little bit ahead on my wine reviews.  I’ll photograph a wine, taste it and take my notes and then a couple weeks later it will get published to the website.  But sometimes I taste a wine that I’m so excited about that I just can’t wait to get the review published. […]

Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc

Good news for those of you who are ready for a change, we’re moving on from riesling tonight and reviewing a sauvignon blanc. New Zealand has a great reputation for creating exciting sauvignon blanc, full of tropical fruit flavors and vibrant acidity.  And Marlborough, where this wine is from, has a particularly strong reputation. The […]

Meli Riesling

Riesling, riesling, more riesling.  We’ve been doing so many riesling reviews lately that we’re at risk of needing to rename the website to Cheap Riesling Reviews.  And here’s yet another one… but wait, there’s something different about this riesling. Yep, this one comes from Chile—a different country in a different continent versus the other riesling […]