The Little Penguin 2011 cab sauv was a great cooking wine - drinkable, cheap, flavorful. The 2010 Little Penguin merlot is a nice sipping wine as well. One reviewer (google-translated from French) cites "Powerful nose releasing dominant aromas of vanilla, red berry jam and wood. This dry red expresses good acidity and smooth tannins". As with the cab sauv, the raw alcohol nose up front is a bit distracting. Palate-wise, I was more reminded of blue or blackberry than red berry; other reviewers also suggested black cherry. It's also a touch sweeter than the cab sauv, still firmly in dry flavor country. The winery's own blurb waxes a more hyperbolic and I confess I'm having difficulty conjuring the "meandering river of black fruits and spice". At 13% ABV and $5 per 750ml, a respectable 19.5 bodine value. Would drink again.