Just say [yellow tail][R].(wine)(Product/service evaluation)

Yellow Tail, an Australian brand, has hopped ahead of most other brands. It has become the No. 1 import in the U.S. by dollar sales. To see whether the wines are still as good as our taste tests have indicated over the years, we asked our experts to try 10 of the company's varietals and blends in a blind tasting Each wine has a suggested retail price of about $8 and is 2006 vintage. Except as noted, each can be enjoyed now or held for up to two years with little or no change.

CR's take. If you want a high-quality, inexpensive wine, grab a bottle of Yellow Tail. Eight of its varietals were very good; two were good.

 
Ratings 
 
Within quality groups, in alphabetical order. 
 
Wine              Description 
 
VERY GOOD Well-balanced, with appropriate aromas 
and flavors for the varietals. 
 
White 
 
Chardonnay       Rich, buttery, vanilla, and butterscotch flavors; 
                 hints of citrus, apple, pear. Dry. Medium-bodied. 
 
Pinot grigio     Tropical fruit, citrus, apple, pear; hints of herb. 
                 Crisp and light-bodied. Drink within a year. 
 
Red 
 
Cabernet         Lots of rich, ripe fruit; hints of wood, licorice, 
sauvignon        herb, vanilla. Slightly astringent. Full-bodied. 
 
Cabernet-        Rich, complex, ripe red and black fruit; hints of herb, 
merlot blend     spice, vanilla, brown sugar. Medium- to full-bodied. 
 
Merlot           Ripe black and red berry; hints of herb and spice. 
                 Less dry. Medium- to full-bodied. 
 
Pinot noir       Full-flavored, complex. Red berry; hints of black 
                 fruit, spice, vanilla. Dry. Medium-bodied. 
  ...