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Tim Lemke

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

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 […]

Godwin Family Vineyards Merlot 2004

Occasionally here at Cheapwineratings.com we receive wines that don’t necessarily meet our criteria, meaning they’re not exactly “cheap”.   But if we believe these wines may still represent a value to our consumers who may be looking for something a little more special, we’ll certainly pass on our perspective.   So when Godwin Family Vineyards sent us […]

X Winery Pinot Noir

Continuing the theme of not-so-cheap wines this week, AND continuing our exploration of pinot noir tonight we’re revisiting a brand we love, X Winery.  I know, it doesn’t sound too impartial when I introduce them as a brand we love.  But we love them because they seem to be pretty darn consistent at producing tasty […]