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Tim Lemke

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

Kaiken Reserva Malbec

I talk every now and then about finding brands that you trust.  It’s good to find a few brands that always seem to get it right, vintage after vintage.  Brands that can be your go-to wines when you’re looking for a certain varietal or region.  Don’t get me wrong, I love to be adventurous and […]

Calcu Malbec

Argentine malbec has become so popular recently that I get the impression that a lot of consumers assume that all malbec comes from Argentina.  But not so.  Malbec is actually actually one of the six Bordeaux varietals, although its popularity in Bordeaux has faded significantly in the past 50-some years.  It is, however, very popular […]

Bodega Elena de Mendoza Malbec

Last night, we reviewed a very good, although relatively pricey, malbec from Cruz Andina.  Well, tonight, we’re checking out what a malbec for under $10 can deliver. I sometimes like to give a little background story about a wine, but with this one I don’t really have much story to share.  This brand is part […]

Cruz Andina Malbec

So… you say you like malbec?  Me too.  Who can resist it, with it’s dark, silky-purple color, dense fruit flavors and floral aromatics.  It’s no wonder this varietal has skyrocketed in popularity over the past ten years.  And Argentina is the source for most of the exciting, new world malbec.  And that’s what we’re going […]

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir

Robert Mondavi was one of the most important pioneers of Californian wine, if not the most important.  He is know for his tremendous contributions to technological advancements and marketing of California wine.  And it’s a shame that this the first time we’ve reviewed a wine bearing his name, although we have reviewed other wines from […]

Fat Cat Pinot Noir

Today we’re reviewing yet another wine from the bargain wine mega-producer, Bronco Wine Company.  This one is from their Fat Cat Cellars brand. It has a somewhat fun label, which kind of reminds me of Keyboard Cat.  Who knows? Maybe that’s what inspired the label.  I have a feeling that’s probably the case. The oak […]

Carmenet Pinot Noir

Carmenet wines are part of the Bronco Wine Company portfolio, one of the biggest producers of bargain-priced wines in the US.  The appellation noted on the bottle is California, meaning the grapes could have come from any part of the state, or multiple parts.  I don’t have a whole lot of story to tell about this […]

William Cole Pinot Noir

Today we have a double-header from William Cole, with two of their 2010 pinot noir releases.  Both of these come from the Casablanca Valley, a superb cool-climate region in Chile. 2010 William Cole Albamar Pinot Noir This wine presents some really intiguing herbal aromatics that I would describe as “stalky”.  Think dried grasses and herbs. […]

Fat Monk Pinot Noir

Fat Monk wines are produced by the Villa San-Juliette Winery in Paso Robles.  You may recall a review we did of the Villa San-Juliette Zinfandel earlier this year, when we shared the background of this winery which is owned by the producers of American Idol.  Fat Monk is their bargain brand, although the prices aren’t […]

Godwin Family Vineyards Merlot 2005

Yesterday, we reviewed the Godwin Family Vineyards 2004 Merlot and we found it to be quite impressive.  “The wine does a nice job of mimicking a Pomerol, but with a traditional California style all it’s own”, is what I said of that wine.  You can read more on the 2004, but it’s time to review […]