Despite the fact I've been battling a cold that's slightly impaired my sense of smell, Mrs. Bali Hai and I decided to attend a wine-tasting party last night (we'd already purchased the tickets, so we couldn't really take a powder). We walked away with a very nice selection of vino that we'll be enjoying over the next several weeks. Here are my mini-reviews of each, in order of how much I liked them, for your oeneophilic edification. Please note that my command of Vinbonics is not sufficiently advanced to fully describe the tasting experience to those of you who may be serious wine snobs. So cut me some slack, 'kay?

8) Ca' De' Medici Lambrusco: Until I went to Milan back in 2003, I hadn't taken a sip of Italian Coca Cola since my college days, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Ca' De' Medici isn't quite as good as the Lambrusco I drank in Pavia, but it isn't too sweet, and has a very smooth finish. Definitely a good little table wine that I'll be serving with my next family-style Italian dinner.

7) Bonnie Doon Framboise: I was a bit disappointed that this was the only dessert wine on offer last night, and although it's very good, the sweetness and almost overwhelming taste of raspberries will probably be off-putting to a lot of people. Still, I think that it'll complement my next dark, flourless chocolate cake very nicely.

6) Villaroya Sierra la Garnacha 2004: inexpensive Spanish grenaches seem to be everywhere nowadays, and this wine from the Calatayud area, is a very good value. Medium-bodied, with a spicy nose, there are lots of the intense, raisiny notes that I want from a garnacha, with just a hint of oak to the finish.

5) Layer Cake Shiraz 2005: this dark, purple, and full-bodied wine was the only Australian vintage that really knocked my socks off last night. Very fruity bouquet and smooth, with a long finish.

4) Crios Malbec 2004: we'd just discovered this wonderful Argentinean varietal at a local restaurant, and love the many layers of flavors it has; notes of cherries, oak, and a hint of jam. Full-bodied, with a very long, smooth finish.

3) Bois de Boursan Châteauneuf du Pape 2003: a classic, rustic brick-red from the Rhone Valley with lots of fruit on the nose. A bit peppery on the palate, with lots of tannins, and a long, oaky finish, but not too dry.

2) Schloss Vollrads Spatlese Rheingau Riesling 2004: the only white that we walked away with, and the only one we needed. Wow. A hint of wildflowers and melon on the nose. Slightly sweet and fully rounded on the palate, then a subtle note of honey on the finish. This will make an absolutely perfect pairing with our next big Indian or Ethiopian feast.

1) Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon 2004: one of the biggest classic Cabs I've ever tasted, almost overwhelming. The huge oaky nose cut through my stuffy head like a hot knife through butter. Full of soft, well-rounded tannins, with a looooonnnng, smoky finish. If this is just their regular vintage, I can hardly imagine how good their reserve must be.

General note: maybe it was the cold, but for some reason, every Pinot I tried last night tasted like ass.