Well, I have not been keeping up with my New Year's Resolution to post budget tasting notes, but here goes one.
Coming back from a late class, we didn't have much sitting at home to eat, so I stopped at the store and picked up a couple strip steaks (late class, i deserve it!) and Giant Eagle has the Arrowood Grand Archer Merlot on sale for $12.99. i think the Archer is their cheaper wine, but that's okay.
Plummy and raspberry jam right up front. Blueberry flavors on the finish. In this way, it's kind of like your average modern Sonoma Merlot. No tannins to speak of, really. Just an odd slight acidity finish with the taste of anise.
Still, a pretty good deal for $13 in Ohio, I think, and it's at the current top of my list for grocery store Merlot purchases. An even better deal than the Ravenswood Icon for $14.
K