From the past few weeks:

Renato Ratti, Monferrato, 'Villa Pattono', 1999
Everyone needs to drink a nice internationally-styled Italian red
every once in awhile to keep true believers on the straight-n'-narrow.
Deep black cherry red. Not very aromatic. Smoky blackberry,
blackcurrant, and cedar with a slight sour cherry finish. Low in acids
and tannic bite, this is dense and fruity but without a backbone for
aging or for structure. Obvious oak, sweetness, and a cinnamon finish.
Well made for what it is. B+ [blend of barbera, cabernet sauvignon,
and merlot]

Beaucastel, Coudoulet de Beaucastel, Cotes-du-Rhone, 1999
Pretty anisette and old cherry herring funk aromas. This baby
Chateuneuf smells and tastes older than it should, giving a feeling of
maturity to what I consider to still be a young wine. Licorice, old
plums-prunes, grenache funk, rotten floral notes and a slight raisinal
note on the finish. This well-rendered non-powerhouse style of simple
Chateuneuf is entering middle age with its secondary characteristics
taking center stage. B+ A deal for $17 on closeout.

Copain, Syrah, 'l'Hiver', Mendocino Cty., 2002
Wells Guthrie's "Saisons des Vins" line of varietals matched to a
season. This throws a light purplish red and a slight cloudiness. On
the nose are stewed plums with spices. Some light animal and game
flavors come out in the mouth along with plums, tomato sauce, and
light spices. It finishes a little short, but for $11 who can
complain? Some stewed funk and hawthorn toward the end, along with
some warmth that shows up, but is not overly distracting. B/B+

Tenuta Carretta, Barbaresco 'Cascina Bordino', 1997
I had this about a year and a half ago. Color rather dark, but not
youthful purplish as last time. Hot, raisinated aromas obscure
anything else. Raisinated alcohol with a fading fruit feeling, heading
toward oblivion. A year ago this was all young primary fruit with very
little nebbiolo character that was a pleasant enough drink. Scary how
the it has changed so much, so quickly. B-

Dom. Zind-Humbrecht, Pinot Gris, Rotenberg, 'VT', 1998
Copper-gold colored. Candied pears and peachy-apricot with caramel
apple aromas. Thick, unctuous, like drinking liquid Karo©, flavored
with ripe peaches, apricot paste, and marzipan. The finish shows
orange and honeysuckle honey, with a healthy dose of boytrytis. Rich,
and definately worth the closeout price of $17. B+/A-

Thierry Hasard, 'Les Gamines de la Marfee', Vin de Pays de l'Herault,
2000
Depending who you believe, either a Cabernet/Mourvedre blend or
straight Carignan. This is darkly red with a slight russet glint.
Smoky kirsch, dense red fruits and a whiff of licorice, this presents
thick briary flavors with dusty black licorice and blackcurrants.
Chewy tannins suggest this can age awhile yet. At the end are some
crushed rose petals and chrysanthemums, along with an expressive burst
of alcohol. Very well made wine for $11. B+/A-