Goose Ridge Vineyards
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley

Smooth and polished, delivering a lovely burst of red berry and savory herb flavors that find a harmonious balance and keep shining against fine tannins on the long, elegant finish. Drink now through 2014. Only 1,300 cases made

Domaine De Nizas
2005 Coteaux du Languedoc
Languedoc-Roussillon

A refined red from the south of France, with a core of concentrated raspberry, red plum and kirschlike flavors. There's plenty of fresh acidity as well, with a bright finish of pepper and spice. Should open up with time in the cellar. Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache. Drink now through 2015. Only 4,000 cases made.

Handley Cellars
2007 Gewurztraminer
Anderson Valley

So pure and refined, this Gewurtz shows how great Anderson Valley can ripen the variety. Throw in Handley's deft hand and you get an immensely flavorful, spicy white wine of tremendous balance and finesse.

Domaine Andezon
2007 Cotes du Rhone Villages la Grancha
Southern Rhone Valley

A brilliant 100% Grenache cuvee from old vines, the 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages La Granacha Signargues comes from an organically farmed parcel, and is bottled unfined and unfiltered with no SO2 additions. Deep ruby to the rim, with beautiful aromas of kirsch liqueur, melted licorice, ground pepper, and garrigue, it is a superb, full-bodied effort with terrific precision, definition, and concentration. This beauty should drink well for 5-6 years.

Domiane Manciat-Poncet
2007 Macon-Charnay
Macon Region

Though still young and tight, this is also bold and concentrated, with potent acidity that adds spice and a green floral tone to the fruit. The flavors of green apple, lime pith and ginger last with youthful compression. Give it three or four years in the cellar for the complexity to evolve.

Ferrari-Carano
2008 Fume Blanc
Sonoma County

Refreshingly crisp, with lemon-lime, ripe peach, green apple and subtle herb notes. There's good intensity and focus, with terrific acidity. Drink now. 

Benton-Lane
2008 Pinot Gris
Willamette Valley

This racy gris tastes like biting into a crisp apple. It leads with scents of camellia blossoms, elegant and cool. Its green apple flavors show impressive energy and drive, with a talc-like texture and a fine, dusty stone finish that lasts. Ideal with roast pork and herbed potatoes. 

La Bastide Saint Dominique
2007 Cotes du Rhone Villages
Southern Rhone Valley

The amazing 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages tastes like a first rate Chateauneuf du Pape. Abundant aromas of kirsch liqueur, raspberries, licorice, and garrigue emerge from this fruit-driven, medium to full-bodied, luscious, pure red. Consume it over the next 5-6 years.

Sierra Cantabria
2003 Cuvee Especial
Rioja Spain

Dark red. Highly expressive, exotic bouquet of fresh red berries, vanillin oak spice and yellow rose. A silky, fine-grained midweight with impressively bright red fruit flavors and round tannins. Nothing hot-year about this. Finishes firm, dry and very persistent.

Creta Roble
2006 Tempranillo
Ribera del Duero

The 2006 Roble is sourced from a single vineyard at 850 meters of elevation, the highest vineyard in Ribera del Duero. The wine was aged for 4 to 5 months in French and American oak. Purple/black in color, the nose reveals cedar, mineral, damp earth, and assorted black fruits. Powerful on the palate, this tannic, structured effort has superb depth and grip and should evolve for 3-4 years. Drink it from 2011 to 2020.

Peirano Estate Vineyards
2006 Red Shorts Red
Lodi

The color of this wine is a vibrant deep burgundy. The aromas of blackberries and plums are complimented by spice, toasty oak and cedar notes. The flavors are distinct sweet black cherries, blackberry and smoky boysenberry with a long seductive finish. The wine is ready to drink, but will continue to age over the next 5 to 8 years. Winery notes.

Catena Alamos
2007 Seleccion Malbec
Mendoza Argentina

Round and fleshy, with enticing spice, blueberry, fig and boysenberry flavors backed by hints of fruitcake and melted licorice. Stays fresh and vivid on the finish, with a lingering mocha hint. Drink now through 2009.

Cantina Terlano
2008 Terlaner Classico
Alto Adige

A pleasant young white, with sliced pear and apple character and clean mineral notes. Medium-bodied, balanced and fruity, with a tangy finish. Stylish. Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Sauvignon. Drink now.

Ciacci Piccolomini
2006 Rosso di Montalcino
Tuscany

The 2006 Rosso di Montalcino is a knock-out effort bursting with dark red fruit, spices and earthiness. It flows onto the palate with remarkable density and plushness, with silky tannins that are beautifully integrated into the wine. Ciacci’s 2006 Rosso is a gem, and is not to be missed. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2011.

Mollydooker
2008 The Boxer Shiraz
South Australia

Bright and jazzy, offering an effusive mouthful of cherry, pomegranate and spice flavors that are as aromatic as they are long and vivid. This has density without great weight, and the finish keeps on going. Drink now through 2015.

Joseph Phelps
2007 Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley

Vivid, ripe and tropical, offering pineapple, dried mango, peach and apricot flavors, with mineral grace notes that gain momentum on the finish. Offers refreshing acidity and a light body. Drink now. Only 4,000 cases made.

Chateau Les Grands Chenes
2006 Bordeaux Blend
Medoc

A blend of 55% merlot, 40% cabernet sauvignon and 5% cabernet franc) Bright ruby-red. Complex aromas of musky currant, dark raspberry, tobacco and nutty oak. Lush and smooth but with lift and vinosity to the currant and tobacco flavors. A sweet, suave midweight with considerable immediate appeal.

Chateau Pesquie
2007 Cuvee des Terrasses
Cotes du Ventoux

A dense ruby/purple color is followed by aromas of cassis, kirsch, lavender, pepper, and spice. The sweetness of the tannins, abundant glycerin, razor sharp focus, and wonderful depth make for a wine that transcends its humble price and bucolic appellation.

Mollydooker
2007 The Maitre d' Cabernet
South Australia

The 2007 The Maitre D’ Cabernet Sauvignon is opaque purple-colored with legs that slowly ooze down the glass. It received the same elevage as The Scooter. It reveals an enticing nose of spice box, scorched earth, smoke, black currant, and blackberry followed by a velvety-textured, layered, savory Cabernet with excellent depth and balance. This lengthy effort will evolve for 1-2 years and provide pleasure through 2017.

Ulithorne
2003 Shiraz Frux Frugis
McLaren Vale Australia

This big, blockbuster Shiraz (100 cases produced) was aged in a combination of new and old French and American oak. Its deep purple color is accompanied by aromas of graphite, blackberries, cherry liqueur, cola, smoke, and damp earth. Full-bodied and chewy, with abundant glycerin, moderately sweet tannin, and an impressively long, packed finish, it can be drunk now, but will be even better in 2-3 years. It should last for a decade or more.

Gordon Brothers
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley

Distinctly spicy, with cardamom and coriander seed notes prominent in the mix, riding over a supple core of black cherry and blackberry fruit, finishing with polish and real presence. Drink now through 2016. Only 3,000 cases made.

Betts & Scholl
2004 The Chronique Grenache
Barossa Valley

Not as dark as some, yet the aromas and flavors burst from the glass. This is a plush, generous, enveloping Grenache, with harmonious flavors of raspberry, cherry and blueberry. Hints at rhubarb as the finish rolls on and on. Drink now through 2012. 300 cases imported.

Brancott B
2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough New Zealand

Dramatic, aromatic and elegantly proportioned, with vivid grapefruit, green apple, passion fruit and vaguely piney aromas and flavors competing for attention on a sleek frame that lets the finish reverberate nicely. Drink now. Only 500 cases imported.

Columbia Crest
2007 H3 Merlot
Columbia Valley

Dark, supple and generous with its blackberry and black currant flavors, playing against superfine tannins on an open-textured finish. Floral, savory overtones add depth. Best from 2011 through 2017.

Ironstone Reserve
2007 Old Vines Zinfandel
Lodi

Lusty and ripe, this big, exuberant Zinfandel brims with black currant, red cherry, plum, chocolate, anise and cedar flavors, leading to a long, spicy finish. It's an easy wine to drink, but also shows some real complexity.

Errazuriz
2007 Chardonnay
Casablanca Valley Chile

Green-tinged yellow. Strikingly complex aromas of spiced pear, apple, floral honey and smoky lees. Fleshy orchard fruit and orange flavors are given spine by tangy minerals and gain an intriguing herbal quality on the back end. The mineral note lingers on the long, juicy finish.

d'Arenberg
2004 The Derelict Vineyard Grenache
McLaren Vale Australia

A brilliant effort, the 2004 Grenache The Derelict Vineyard represents a Grenache on steroids. Its deep ruby/purple-tinged color is accompanied by a sweet kiss of kirsch liqueur intermixed with licorice, pepper, and a touch of lavender. Full-bodied with superb concentration, a beautiful, multilayered texture, sweet tannin, low acidity, and a long, supple finish, it should provide plenty of pleasure over the next 7-8 years.

Hugo
2004 Reserve Shiraz
McLaren Vale

Powerful and dramatic, but not a heavy wine by any means, offering sharply focused plum, blackberry, nutmeg and cedary oak gathering steam to zip through the fine-grained finish. Tempting now, but cellaring should add depth. Best from 2008 through 2016. Only 400 cases imported.

Bodegas Emilio Moro
2007 Finca Resalso
Ribera del Duero

The 2007 Finca Resalso was sourced from younger vines and aged in French oak for four months. Dark ruby-colored, it emits an enticing perfume of mineral, violets, black cherry, and blackberry. On the palate it reveals an elegant personality, savory, spicy flavors, good depth, and a fruit-filled finish. Drink this tasty effort over the next four years

Tikal
2007 Patriota Bonarda/Malbec
Mendoza Argentina

The 2007 Patriota is a blend of 60% Bonarda and 40% Malbec aged in 70% French oak (40% new) and 30% second use American oak. Purple-colored, it offers an alluring bouquet of spice box, black cherry, and blueberry. Supple and flavorful on the palate, additional notes of raspberry and chocolate emerge, accompanied by a complex, rich wine with good structure and length. It way over-delivers for its modest price.

I  Greppi
2007 Greppicante
Bolgheri Italy

Deliver currant, toasty oak and coffee aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a lot of rich fruit. Very polished and attractive. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best after 2012. Only 5,265 cases made.

Durigutti
2007 Malbec Classico
Mendoza Argentina

Quite ripe and toasty, with a hefty dose of mocha and coffee laid over the fleshy dark plum, currant and blackberry fruit. Stays toasty through the finish, but this is well-integrated, with the fruit an equal match. Drink now through 2010.

BenMarco
2007 Malbec
Mendoza Argentina

At the suggested price, it is a steal. The 2007 Malbec contains 10% Bonarda. It received the same oak regimen as the Cabernet. Dark ruby/purple-colored, it exhibits a kinky perfume of black cherry, wild black raspberry, earth notes, and leather. On the palate there is plenty of jammy fruit, bright acidity, excellent balance, and a lengthy finish. While it may well evolve for 1-2 years, it can be enjoyed now. It too is a great value.

Cavia Reserve
2007 Chardonnay
Mendoza Argentina

Yellow-gold hue with a tinge of green. Grilled pineapple aromas with notes of butterscotch and toasted oak. Fresh peach and apricot flavors with a ripe banana-like consistency. The acids freshen-up in the finish balancing the lingering sweetness.

Sbragia Family Vineyards
2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Home Ranch Dry Creek Valley

Yellow-amber hue. Exotic scents of kumquat and elderberry. Crisp acidity and juicy flavors of Meyer lemon and white grapefruit. Lemon notes resonate in the lingering close.

Michel Dutour
2007 Pouilly Fuisse La Roche
Maconnais

Very light in weight and color. Clean, round and smooth on the palate with pear and citrus undertones. An excellent food wine. The perfect light, summer, Chardonnay sipper.

Kaesler
2006 Stonehorse GSM
Barossa Valley

Smooth and velvety, with dusky tobacco nuances to the ripe blackberry and spice flavors, gliding nicely on a sleek frame. Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2016.

Volver
2007 Tempranillo
La Mancha Spain

The 2007 Volver is sourced from a single 72 acre vineyard that was planted in 1967 with head pruned Tempranillo. The wine was barrel-fermented and aged for 14 months in new French oak. Purple-colored, it offers up an alluring aromatic array of pain grille, smoke, violets, black cherry, and blackberry that jumps from the glass. On the palate it is medium- to full-bodied with gobs of ripe fruit, succulent flavors, soft tannins, and excellent balance. This lengthy effort over-delivers big-time and is a superb value.

M. Chapoutier
2005 Crozes-Hermitage Petite Ruche
Northern Rhone Valley

Focused and pure, with a racy beam of black cherry, mineral, floral and sanguine flavors. The nice tangy finish shows a touch of grip. Exhibits the vintage's purity and backbone. Drink now through 2008. 

Le Crema
2007 Chardonnay
Monterey County

A beautiful Chardonnay, with achalky minerality that anchors and braces ripe fruit flavors of Bosc pears and pineapples, subtlely accented with new smoky oak. Bone dry, this polished wine shows lots of finesse and complexity.

Chocolate Box
2007 Dark Chocolate Shiraz
Barossa Valley

Impressive for its balance of soft, creamy richness with bright, juicy raspberries. Notes of brown sugar, cinnamon and espresso add a layer of decadence surprising at this price. EDITORS' CHOICE AWARD.

De Lisio
2005 Quarterback Red
McLaren Vale Australia

An intriguing blend of Shiraz, Grenache, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon aged in mostly old French wood, the deep ruby/purple-tinged 2005 Quarterback reveals notions of new saddle leather, black currants, licorice, and spice box. Full-bodied as well as elegant, restrained, and Eurocentric in character, it should be consumed over the following 6-10 years.

Delas
2007 Cotes du Rhone St. Esprit
Southern Rhone Valley

The amazing 2007 Cotes du Rhone St.-Esprit (75% Syrah and 25% Grenache) reveals a northern Rhone orientation, but it is loaded with spice and black fruits, and displays a beautiful opulent texture as well as a gorgeous finish with impressive purity. Chateauneuf du Pape has also benefitted from the new attention to detail and upgraded quality. The good news is that there are about 1,500 cases of this cuvee.

Hugel
2007 Riesling
Alsace

A quaffable white, with lip-smacking acidity and flavors of lemon peel, apricot and white pepper. Clean, briny finish. Drink now through 2012. Only 2,500 cases imported.

Domaine Nicolas Maillet
2007 Macon Verze
Burgundy

Light yellow-gold. Precise, high-pitched nose offers lemon, lime, fresh ginger and salty minerals. Incisive and pure, with finely etched citrus and green apple flavors and vivid minerality. Reminds me of a top-drawer Chablis for its energy, citrus expression and tanginess. Lucid and quite long on the aftertaste.

Miner Family Vineyards
2007 Viognier
Simpson Vineyard California

Sweetly spiced peaches merge with touches of honey, anise and kiwi in the deep, impressively filled aromas of this well-focused youngster, and the equally rich flavors that follow show lots of fruity substance and no let-up in depth. Full-bodied and quite well-balanced with Chardonnay-like richness and weight, it is a wine of considerable potential and should grow into better with a year or two of quiet time in your cellar.

Bremerton
2006 Shiraz "Selkirk"
Langhorne Creek South Australia

The 2006 Selkirk Shiraz was produced entirely from estate-grown fruit. It was aged for 18 months in 30% new American oak barriques. Purple in color, it has an attractive nose of cedar, spice box, pepper, blueberry, and blackberry. This leads to a savory Shiraz which exhibits some elegance, good grip, and a lengthy, pure finish. Give it 2-3 years of additional cellaring and drink it from 2010 to 2018.

Landmark Vineyards
2007 Steel Plow Syrah
Sonoma Valley

Saturated ruby. Extremely primary nose displays dark berry and cherry skin scents, along with cracked pepper and black olive. Deep and sweet on the palate, with chewy dark fruit compote flavors, youthfully firm tannins and a late note of candied violet. Gains energy with air and finishes with impressive lift and cut.

Licia
2007 Albarino
Rias Biaxas Spain

The fresh flavors of this wine fall between nuts and fruit, hinting at loquat or kumquat. Its mouthwatering acidity has the briny character of sea spray. Harmonious in the middle, quiet and lasting in the end, this is a luscious white for Dover sole.

Havens
2005 Reserve Merlot
Carneros

A selection of the best lots of merlot, a majority from Hyde Vineyard. Bright ruby-red. Riper, wilder aromas of black raspberry, meat, dark chocolate and spices. Distinctly sweeter and silkier than the basic merlot, with well-integrated acidity contributing to an impression of energy. This spreads out nicely to coat the palate and finishes with sweeter tannins and greater length than the basic bottling.

Bodegas Arrocal
2006 Tempranillo
Ribera del Duero

Opaque ruby. Potent mulberry and blueberry aromas expand seductively, picking up baking spice and floral qualities. Suave, silky and impressively pure, with vibrant dark berry flavors saved from the brink of jamminess by bright acidity and fine-grained tannins. Impressively juicy and persistent, with excellent palate saturation and clarity.

the Black Chook
2005 Shiraz-Viognier
Langhorne Creek Australia

Deep violet. Powerful, ripe aromas of blackberry, candied licorice, tar, oak spice and fresh flower are precise and hugely seductive. Offers great intensity of raspberry and blackberry liqueur flavor, with sexy baking spice notes. For all this flavor, the wine is surprisingly elegant, with silky tannins and gently acids giving lift and freshness.

St. Supery
2006 Virtu White Meritage
Napa Valley

52% Sauvignon Blanc; 48% Semillon. This complex blending of ripe fig, honeyed melons, toasty oak and background grassy and stony notes is as outgoing in its round, slightly viscous flavors as it is in its first nose. A delight from front to back, and one of the most successful blends of these two varieties seen in California, Virtu is a wine that can as easily accompany a piece of grilled sea bass as a savory chicken dish.

Domiane de la Noblaie
2006 Chinon "Les Chiens-Chiens"
Loire Valley

This shows dense flavors of black fig, black cherry and cassis, yet its fresh acidity gives the wine a vibrant, energetic feel. It's delicious now, and should gain further harmony and complexity with time

Bodegas Mano a Mano
2005 Venta La Ossa
La Mancha Spain

Opaque violet. Sexy, oak-spiced cherry and cassis aromas offer an array of Asian spices, vanilla and mocha. Suave dark fruit liqueur flavors are velvety and seemingly tannin-free. Gains focus on the sappy, sweet finish. Oaky, yes, but also packed with concentrated fruit.

Vina Godeval
2008 Godeval
Valdeorras Spain

Green-tinged gold. Pungent, expressive bouquet evokes peach pit, almond, tarragon and white pepper. Deep, chewy pit and orchard fruit flavors are complemented by hints of spice and dried flowers, with the tarragon note repeating on the finish. This wine could stand up to strongly flavored foods.

Vietti
2007 Roero Arneis
Piedmont Italy

Pale straw color with a lovely, light aroma of white flowers. Soft and elegant on the palate with flavors of fig and pear given added dimension by a thread of light citrus. Excellent texture; shows fine structure with mineral notes emerging on the long finish.

Decoy
2007 Red Blend
Napa Valley

Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this is a dry, full-bodied wine that shows considerable sophistication and elegance. Fruit aficionados will find a wealth of blackberries, cherries and cocoa, while structuralists will like the firm tannins and acids. Quite good now and for a few years.

Allegrini
2004 Palazzo della Torre
Veneto Italy

Allegrini's Palazzo della Torre (70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, 5% Sangiovese) has long been one of my favorite ripasso-style wines and the 2004 is another winner. It reveals a plump, juicy personality loaded with perfumed, jammy fruit, roasted coffee beans and new leather. Although it is absolutely irresistible today, a few additional months of bottle age should help soften the wine further. It is a gorgeous effort at this level and a terrific value.

Alkoomi
2004 Shiraz Viognier
Frankland River

Dark violet. Exuberant and high-pitched on the nose, with scents of blackberry, blueberry, candied cherry, vanilla and floral oils, along with an exotic hint of apricot. Fine-grained, silky red and dark berry flavors are complicated by floral and oak spice notes, with subtle supporting tannic structure. A sexy wine, with a suave, velvety finish emphasizing sweet berry fruit.

Vina Cobos
2006 LaGarto Merlot
Mendoza Argentina

The 2006 La Garto Merlot spent 9 months in French and American oak, 21% new. It is dark ruby-colored with an expressive perfume of red and black currants. This is followed by a ripe, flavorful Merlot with a smooth texture, good concentration, and some elegance. This lengthy, pure wine is an excellent value.

Llopart
2006 Brut Rose
Cava Spain

The 2006 Llopart Brut Rose was produced by the traditional Champagne method and is composed of 60% Monastrell, 20% Garnacha, and 20% Pinot Noir. Salmon pink-colored, it has a lovely perfume of strawberry, rhubarb, and biscuit. Crisp on the palate with a persistent stream of small bubbles, this tasty Cava would be the ideal match for Spain’s legendary Joselito jamon when Dom Perignon Rose is unavailable.

Melville
2008 Viognier Estate
Santa Rita Hills

One of the freshest, most mineral-laced California Viogniers is Melville’s 2008 Viognier Verna’s Vineyard. Exotic, floral, peach, apricot, honeysuckle, crushed rock, and spring flower aromas jump from the glass of this medium-bodied, exuberantly fruity, delicious white wine. It is best consumed during its first 1-2 years of life.

La Spinetta
2008 Moscato d'Asti
Piedmont Italy

This Moscato d'Asti offers beautiful aromatic intensity to match its luminous golden color. The wine is fresh and zippy in the mouth but then that natural sweetness takes over and caresses the palate. This is an excellent example of Piedmont's favorite sparkling dessert wine.

Brancott Vineyards Reserve
2006 Pinot Noir
Marlborough New Zealand

Garnet red in color, this wine exhibits ripe cherry and spice accentuated with rich plum and savory highlights. It has a rich, sweet approach displaying ripe dark berry fruits, subtle oak spice, velvety tannins and a long, concentrated finish. This wine's structure and concentration make it an ideal match for a wide range of foods. It will match well with field mushroom pasta or risotto. It also lends itself to rare, grilled red meats or a variety of slow cookedcasseroles including game meats, such as rabbit or fowl.

Torbreck
2008 Juveniles
Barossa Valey

Supple and silky, this distinctive for and herbal edge to its dark cherry and chocolate flavors, lingering beautifully. Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro. Drink now through 2015.

Cristina Ascheri
2007 Langhe Arneis
Piedmont Italy

This wine has a beautiful bouquet of fresh, spring flowers. On the palate, it's a tiny bit spicy and the fruit flavors (green apple, citrus and lemon) area absolutely delightful. Crisp, fresh with a slight hint of nuttiness. A pure value in Arneis.

Peachy Canyon Winery
2006 Zinfandel
Old School House Paso Robles

This very well-constructed, medium-full-bodied Zin features fully ripened blackberry aromas that steer to fruity side of the varietal spectrum, and that mannerly approach continues in flavors that demonstrate plenty of depth to go along with both good, but not intrusive, tannic structure and firming latter-palate acidity. Drinkable now with savory pork roasts and pastas in red sauces, it can age a bit as well.

Villa Mt. Eden
2006 Chardonnay Grand Reserve
Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley

Shows a welcome return to form, with lush oak-inspired flavors of grilled pineapples, apricots and mulled green apple cider. This is a very good price for a Chardonnay of this quality.

Onix
2007 Vinicola del Priorat
Priorat Spain

The 2007 Onix is a blend of Garnacha old-vines and Carinena. It is medium ruby-colored with a bouquet of mineral, earth notes, leather, blueberry, and cherry. Elegant on the palate, it reveals a smooth-texture, excellent depth, and a pure close. Drink it over the next eight years.

Lamadrid
2006 Malbec Reserva
Mendoza Argentina

The dark ruby-colored 2006 Malbec Reserva offers a spicy, black cherry-scented perfume leading to a chunky wine with good depth, savory flavors, excellent balance, and a pure finish. Drink this excellent value over the next three years.

Broglia
2008 Gavi La Meirana
Piedmont Italy

Broglia's 2008 Gavi di Gavi La Meirana is wonderfully fresh and perfumed in its peaches, apricots, spices and flowers. This is an especially ripe style of Gavi with an almost-tropical expression of fruit wrapped into a medium-bodied frame. The wine's balance is simply impeccable. As is often the case, Broglia makes some of the finest wines in the Gavi appellation.

Crios by Susana Balbo
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Mendoza Argentina

The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon spent 9 months in one-year-old French and American oak and was bottled without fining or filtration. Purple-colored, it reveals an expressive perfume of cedar, spice box, black currant and black raspberry. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied wine with lots of savory black fruit, enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years, excellent balance, and a long, fruit-filled finish. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.

Castello di Bossi
2004 Chianti Classico
Tuscany

Subtle aromas of rose and cherry bring a graceful aspect to this muscular sangiovese. The tannins feel flashy at first, the result of nearly a year spent in new French oak but recede to a supporting role after a day of air, the wine drawing power from the earthy, cool  middle. Higher-toned cherry and wild strawberry flavors fora a refreshing contrast to the wine's massive structure.

Robert Hall
2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Paso Robles

The tall, green-tinged bottle is Hall's way of signaling that the wine is dry, and indeed it is. Really nice and crisp, it shows lime, pear, green apple, lemongrass and spice flavors, made clean with rich acidity. Sommeliers, scoop this one up.

Cantina del Taburno
2008 Aglianico Rosato Albarosa
Campania Italy

Cantine del Taburno's 2008 Aglianico del Taburno Rosato Albarosa is gorgeous in its layers of soft, perfumed fruit, all of which come together with superb harmony. There is plenty of Aglianico character in the glass, not to mention tons of personality. Simply put, the 2008 Albarossa is not to be missed. 

Bodegas Ramirez de la Piscina Crianza
2001 Tempranillo
Rioja

Medium-deep red. Musky aromas of plum, currant, tobacco and earth, complicated by smoky oak and a flinty nuance. Dense, ripe and sappy, with slightly peppery flavors of currant and chocolate. Finishes with good length and sap. This bodega is now using higher-quality fresher oak barrels.

Cleto Chiarli
nv Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro
Villa Cialdini 

Shimmery purple hue. Perfumed scents of black cherry skin and cedar shavings. Perfectly cleansing flavors of wild berries and black pepper. Supple close begs for a bolognese sauce.

Domaine Cristia
2007 Vacqueyras
Southern Rhone Valley

Reds from the Southern Rhone basically come a few different styles all of which have their place and when they're made well can be enjoyed for what they are. However, one of my favorite styles is this one: Big, rich, gamey and highly extracted and for all that going on the tannins are smooth and well behaved. This is what you can do with a Vacqueyras in a great vintage. It's as good as many Chateauneufs at a 1/3 the price.

Saint Clair Vicar's ChoiceTerrunyo
2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough New Zealand

Initially tight, with a reductive scent of scallions, this opens with air, as it will with six months in bottle. The flavors are clean and rainwater-fresh, with the fruit richness of nectarine and litchi. The acidity is finely integrated, providing the kind of crisp finish that suits briny oysters.

Terra RosaTerrunyo
2005 Old Vines Malbec
Argentina

Good deep red. Redcurrant, plum, cherry, licorice, tobacco and smoke on the nose, complicated by a hint of minerality. Suave and sweet, with a chocolate truffle flavor lifted by spices and herbs. A fairly dense and serious wine, especially for the price. Finishes with sweet tannins and good length.

Damilano
2007 Barbera d'Alba
Piedmont Italy

A straightforward, chewy Barbera, this charms with its soft, primary flavors. It feels young and fresh, with lasting scents of blueberry and plum. A match for sausage pizza.

True Grit
2004 Petite Sirah
Mendocino

Paul Dolan and the Thornhill family joined forces to buy Parducci in 2004, converting this old Mendocino winery into a thoroughly modern one. This petite takes Parducci into a new league. It's a vibrant wine, saturated in it color and it s purple-black fruit, pure Mendocino petite in the redwood-frond character of the tannin and delicious for it. There's a bluesy tension right in the middle of the wine where acidity drive all the dark tones into a brighter riff. Check this out.

Marcel Lapierre 
2007 Morgon
Morgon Region

Bottled unfiltered, this shows extravagant fruit, very rich, black cherry in character, with tannins that veer between serious structured concentration and balanced with the fruit. The texture is sweet, the fruit deliciously ripe, showing good concentration as well as an exuberant play between acidity and fruit.

Domaine Lafage 
2008 Cote d'Est
Languedoc Roussillon

The wine is aged in tank on its fine lees and the result is not only irresistibly delicious but truly complex. Orange and lime zest, white pepper, narcissus, fennel, and mint in the nose lead to a juicy, bright palate with musky floral perfume and a shimmering interchange of citrus with wet stone, salt, iodine, and other ineffable mineral elements.

Alois Lageder
2007 Chardonnay
Alto Adige

Brilliant, light yellowish colour with green tints. The aroma is delicate with a pronounced notes of ripe subtropical fruit. Quite intense flavor and a good, medium-bodied structure, coupled with lively acidity. Winery notes.

Gigondas la Cave
2003 Gigondas Signature
Southern Rhone Valle

A deeply colored Gigondas that's medium to full in body. The aromas are driven by black cherry and herbs. Opens up in the glass and takes on some real nice plum and fig notes. Very well made and highly enjoyable at a great price! 

Finca Luzon
2005 Altos de Luzon
Jumilla Spain

50% monastrell and 25% each of cabernet sauvignon and tempranillo) Dark red. Suave, oak-spiced cherry and cassis on the nose, with a gentle vanilla undertone. Sweet dark fruit flavors are round and supple, with soft tannins building on the back. Picks up a spicy quality on the long, juicy finish. The fruit and oak work very well together.

Sale Price: $16.99

ST - 90

Bodegas Artazu
2007 Artazuri Tinto
Navarra

(100% garnacha from vines reportedly over 60 years of age) Vivid ruby-red. Bright, sharply focused nose offers spicy strawberry and raspberry aromas, with a tangy white pepper overtone. Deeper cherry and blackberry flavors stain the palate and gain sweetness with air, picking up dusty tannins. More ample than past vintages of this wine, with excellent finishing sweetness and energy. Terrific value.

Sale Price: $12.99

ST - 90

Bodegas Hijos de Juan Gil
2007 Monastrell
Jumilla

100% monastrell. Opaque purple. Blueberry, boysenberry and smoky Indian spices on the nose, with a sexy floral quality coming on with air. Juicy, sweet dark berry flavors are framed by velvety tannins and enlivened by zesty minerality. Gains depth and fleshiness with air, finishing on a strong boysenberry note, with excellent sappy persistence. This is delicious right now.

Sebastiani
2007 Chardonnay Unoaked
Russian River Valley

Here is happy proof that unoaked Chardonnay need not be thin and devoid of varietal character, for while not the most complex wine to be found, it is rounded and fruity and easy to drink. It will never be better than it is in its youth, and its bias to softness makes it a fine foil for simple chicken dishes.

Jermann
2008 Chardonnay
Venezia Italy

Its color is brilliant straw-yellow with greenish highlights, its aroma is intense and fruity (banana when young, golden delicious apple when mature), lightly aromatic and with excellent persistence.The wine noticeably exalts the natural aromas of the grape variety. Winery notes.

Torres
2006 Celeste
Ribera del Duero

Built on a solid base of black currant and cherry flavors, this 100 percent tinto fino slowly expands its flavor profile to a spicier tone, while the tannins remain firm. For roast baby lamb.

Chateau La Baume
2007 Red Blend
Costieres De Nimes

25% Syrah, 25% Grenache & 50% Carignan. Incredibly, deep purple in color...almost inky! The wine oozes with fruit. Flavors include; cassis, herbs, blackberry, dark chocolate and ripe cherry. This full-bodied wine drinks well now but could last at least 10 years.

The Black Chook
2007 Shiraz Viognier
South Australia

Highly perfumed nose offers an energetic bouquet of peppery dark berries, fresh violet and smoked meat. On the palate, this displays a real northern Rhonelike personality, with an array of dark berry and candied floral fl avors. Picks up vanilla and cola on the seductively sweet and very persistent fi nish. Leaves tangy minerality behind, along with a lively note of cracked pepper.

Layer Cake
2008 Malbec
Mendoza Argentina

Dense purple-colored with notes of blackberry, earth, roasted meats, and a hint of barbecue spice, this wine exhibits great fruit, delicious, full-bodied texture, silky tannins, and a long finish. It does taste more like a $30-50 bottle of Malbec than one that can be purchased for $15. It should drink nicely for at least 2-3 years.

Stanley Lambert
2008 Chardonnay
Barossa Valley

Distinctively clean and unadulterated, this refreshing unoaked Chardonnay displays soft fruit characters of apples, pears and soft ripe melon. A great wine for the afternoon or with chicken, seafood or any herb and citrus dish. Winery notes.

Matanzas Creek
2007 Sauvignon Blanc
Sonoma County

This hits the pure passionfruit flavor of finely ripened sauvignon. It's mouthwatering and firmly structured, with umami flavors of oyster mushrooms and marrow to balance the fruit. A portion of the blend is sauvignon musque (13%) and a portion is fermented and aged in French oak barrels (21%). The result is delicious with roast fish.

Perez Cruz
2008 Carmenere Reserva Limited Edition
Maipo Valley Chile

Let this onet get some air for about 2 hours, after that it opens up beautifully. It offers up aromas of blueberry and cigar box. It's mouth-filling flavors coat the palate and the tannins are long and silky.

Neyers
2006 Zinfandel
Pato Ranch Contra Costa

As for the 2006 Zinfandel Pato Vineyard, this wine has a dark ruby color as well, with hints of bay leaf, tobacco, loamy soil notes, and some sweet cherry and strawberry notes. The wine is medium-bodied and spicy.

Joseph Drouhin
2007 Chablis
Burgundy

A ripe but completely classic green fruit nose that is exceptionally fresh leads to pure and relatively elegant middle weight flavors that culminate in a racy mineral suffused finish that is quite dry. This is not especially complex though it is certainly of solid overall quality.

Bodegas Caro
2008 Amancaya
Mendoza Argentina

(50/50 blend) Bright red-ruby. Subtle, fresh and wonderfully aromatic nose offers complex scents of redcurrant, blueberry, strawberry, tobacco, mocha, graphite, leather and cedar. Penetrating and claret-like, with superb delineation to the redcurrant and tobacco flavors. Perfectly integrated acidity and an intriguing herbal nuance give this wine a light touch. Finishes with tactile, dusty tannins and lovely lift and persistence. Offers compelling complexity and class for the price.

Villa de Ontur
2006 Monastrell
Jumilla

Enticing aromas of raspberry jam arouse your sense of smell. It has juicy flavors of red berries and dark fruits with a hint of mineral. There's simply no tannins here to get in the way. Finishes clean and fresh.

Marques de Caceres
2004 Reserva Tempranillo
Rioja Spain

This reflects the vintage in its beefy richness, while it follows Cáceres's modern style in the polish and elegance of its tannin. The fruit develops definition with air, tasting of tiny cherries and red currants. For the cellar, or give it time in a decanter for lamb chops off the grill.

Eroica
2007 Riesling
ColumbiaValley

Bright and juicy, with bracing acidity against lightly sweet, expressive pear, apricot and quince aromas and flavors, remaining vibrant as the finish persists. A slate character hovers in the background. Drink now through 2017.

Ridge Vineyards
2007 Zinfandel Three Valleys
Dry Creek Valley

8% Petite Sirah; 7% Syrah; 6% Grenache; 3% Carignane. When measured against its far riper cousins, this very well-balanced wine may seem a bit light on muscle, but what is really missing is fat, and, instead, it turns out to be both deep and quite long on bona fide fruity substance. Its careful composition and keen, claret-like structure mark it indelibly as an eminently food-worthy Zin for now and the next few years.

Roederer Estate
non Vintage Sparkling Brut
Anderson Valley

Fully ready to drink now, this dry brut shows the classy elegance of a fine Champagne. The Chardonnay contributes white peaches and apples, while Pinot adds a subtle note of cherries with spicy, yeasty nuances.

Chateau Coufran
2003 Bordeaux Blend
Haut Medoc

This primarily Merlot-based wine represents an excellent effort from this property. This deep plum/ruby/purple-tinged hussy boasts plenty of jammy black cherry fruit interwoven with notions of smoke, vanilla, and white chocolate. It is a sexy, up-front, fleshy effort with low acidity as well as abundant fruit, glycerin, and texture. Consume it over the next 7-8 years.

De Martino
2006 Syrah Legado Reserva
Choapa Chile

This is alluring, with shaved vanilla and cocoa powder notes followed by a ripe beam of focused black cherry and currant fruit. The long, fine-grained finish stretches out nicely. Drink now through 2010. Only 6,000 cases made.

Z-52
2005 Zinfandel
Agnes Vineyard Lodi

Medium crimson hue. Pretty aromas of raisin, plum and redwood. Rich texture on entry with chewy cherry, rhubarb and sweet vanilla-laced tannins. Sweet/sour red fruit on the finish with a smooth integration of subtle oaky notes.

Domaines des Chanssaud
2007 Cotes du Rhone Blanc
Southern Rhone Valley

This Estate bottled Rhone Blanc is absolutely delicious.Very fresh and exciting with beautiful floral notes. Easy going flavors of honeysuckle, melon, peach and bit of orange blossom. Highly enjoyable.

E. Guigal
2007 Cotes du Rhone Blanc
Southern Rhone Valley

This starts out quietly, then builds with marzipan and quince flavors into an impressive Cotes du Rhone. An herbal note joins the acidity to cut through the richness, leaving a long, fresh finish.

Rancho Zabaco
2004 Zinfandel
Russian River Valley

The 2004 Zinfandel Russian River (1,500 cases) is stunning. Coming from a vineyard near Porter Creek, this wine has a dense ruby/purple color, a big nose of black tea, underbrush, sweet cherry jam, raspberry, and earth. Full-bodied, dense, chewy, and opulent, this is a stunner to drink over the next 3-4 years.

Lost Angel
2006 Petite Sirah
Central Coast

Raspberries, blackberries and cherries balanced by rose petals and lilacs. The palate is greeted by the bright fruit of raspberries and dark cherries similar to the nose rounded out with the subtle floral aromas filling in the edges. The darker characters of blueberry with hints of baker's chocolate and velvet travel across the mid-palate. Winemaker's notes.

Casar de Burbia
2006 Tebaida
Bierzo Castilla Leon Spain

Saturated violet color. Sexy dark berry preserve and candied plum aromas are brightened by Asian spices and floral scents. Pliant and concentrated, with lively black raspberry and cassis flavors, velvety tannins and a late jolt of vanilla and cola. Manages to be deep and succulent while maintaining energy and clarity, and finishes with noteworthy sweetness and length. A very seductive wine that is delicious now but built to age.

Domiane Ostertag
2007 Sylvaner
Alsace

Pale, green-tinged color. Pretty aromas and flavors of pear, lime, mint and flowers. Brisk and energetic, with good cut and precision. Very pure on the aftertaste.

Helfrich
2007 Gewurztraminer
Alsace

Pretty, tropical aromas of candied lychee, mango and hazelnut. Lovely mouth-feel frames ample, oily flavors of kiwi and honeysuckle. Floral close.

Vinos Sin Ley
2006 G5 Garnacha
Madrid Spain

The 2006 G5 from the D.O. of Madrid is purple-colored with a slightly roasted character featuring black cherry and black raspberry aromas and flavors. Plush and layered with a bit of underlying structure, this tasty Garnacha has 2-3 years of aging potential but will be hard to resist early on. This is an excellent value to drink over the next three years.

Petra
2006 Zingari
Tuscany

The entry-level 2006 Zingari (Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese) is a simple, easygoing wine with pretty aromatics and an attractive core of dark red fruit, smoke, tar and licorice. This tasty red captures the essence of the 2006 vintage and is a great value.

Norman Vineyards
2006 Petite Sirah
Paso Robles

Ripe and jammy with cherry and blackcherry aromas, it has complex, spicy notes of pepper, licorice and molasses. The ultra-full body is voluptuous with berry and mocha flavors, finishing with silky tannins. Winery notes.

Feudi di San Gregorio
2007 Primitivo Ognissole Estate
Puglia Italy

Medium-dark ruby. Bright, intensely vinous aromas of red berries, red cherry and flowers show an immensely appealing red fruit cocktail quality. Red cherry and redcurrant flavors put on weight in the glass, picking up a mineral tang and a seductive floral quality on the long, clean finish. This offers excellent energy and verve, and strikes me as the best-ever primitivo made by Feudi from their Ognissole estate in Puglia.

Peachy Canyon Winery
2007 Zinfandel Incredible Red
Paso Robles

We often look back with a real sense of nostalgia to the days when Zinfandel was a fruity, food-friendly quaff without peer in value, and this noteworthy offering is very much a link to that past. A fairly deep yet altogether easy-to-taste wine with a keen fix on berry-like fruit and sweetening accents of neatly placed oak, it eschews brawn and high ripeness in favor of table-wine balance, and it is an out-and-out steal in today's market.

Chateau Saint Roch
2007 Chimeres
Cotes du Roussillon

I want to re-emphasize its amazing quality (not even to mention for the price!) A blend of Grenache with a bit of Carignan from Maury’s schist and chalk with Syrah from high-altitude granite slopes in Saint Paul de Fenouillet, it was fermented and raised in 500-liter barrels and bottled at the very end of last year. Fresh and jam-like layers of black raspberry, rhubarb, and fresh cherry in the nose and mouth are tinged with resinous sage, rosemary, and lavender, while striking top notes of gentian and violet waft from the glass.

Sierra Cantabria
2005 Tempranillo Crianza
Rioja Spain

Saturated ruby. More powerful than the '04 on the nose, offering deep cherry preserve and plum scents. Displays zestier red fruits on the palate, which is firmed by fine-grained tannins. A suave mineral quality arrives with air, adding energy to the dark fruit qualities. The nicely focused finish is spicy and long.

Thorne Clarke
2006 Shotfire Shiraz
Barossa Valley

Aims for refinement and achieves a supple balance of ripe plum and currant fruit against a range of sweet spices and fine tannins. Lingers gently and expressively. A Smart Buys Designation.

Mason Cellars
2006 Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley

Always one of California’s better Sauvignon Blancs, Mason’s medium-bodied 2006 possesses exuberant tropical fruit, honeyed melon, and spice characteristics. Drink it over the next 1-2 years.

Crios by Susana Balbo
2008 Torrontes
Mendoza Argentina

This brilliant portfolio begins with the medium straw-colored 2008 Torrontes. It offers up an alluring perfume of spring flowers, peach, apricot, and a hint of citrus. On the palate the wine is dry, smooth textured, layered, and succulent while retaining a sense of elegance. This nicely balanced wine features a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. Drink it over the next 1-2 years.

Morgenhof Estate
2004 Brut Reserve
Stellenbosch South Africa

Not to mention getting four stars in John Platter Wine Guide 2007.
This Methode Cap Classique has a nose that is a combination of biscuits, granny smith apples, peaches and orange blossom flavors. The palate has a good acidity which adds to a lot of freshness with undertones of peaches and citrus, quite full-bodied in style with a long finish. Winery notes. 

Hanna
2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Russian River Valley

Grown at estate vineyards throughout Russian River Valley, this smooth, smoky sauvignon has citrus scents of orange blossom and orange zest, along with an almond-like nuttiness. For fish baked in salt.

Domaine Rosier
2007 Brut
Blanquette de Limoux

Made in the traditional Champage Methode, this Brut is the perfect sparkler to have around the house to share with family and friends. Let's call it the perfect aperitif. The nose is very floral and it's full of flavor in the mouth with a fine mousse. There's absolutely nothing not to like about this party sparkler. Enjoy!

Domaine Des Cadastres
2008 Picpoul de Pinet
Languedoc

Comprised of 100% Picpoul. This delightful white from the Languedoc region is very lively and refreshing. The acid/fruit balance is perfect for shellfish. The quality is in the bottle and Highly Enjoyable.

Gary Farrell 
2006 Chardonnay
Russian River

A fine Chardonnay, marked by crisp, citrusy acidity that cleanses the mouth and makes the wine so refreshing. Flavorwise, it's a powerhouse, with pear, green apple, lemon meringue, buttered toast and smoky, vanilla flavors that finish in a swirl of cloves and pepper.

Bodegas Atteca
2007 Atteca
Calatayud Spain

100% garnacha, from vines reportedly 80 to 120 years of age) Inky purple. Ripe boysenberry and blueberry on the nose, with licorice and graphite adding complexity. Juicy dark berry preserve flavors show palate-saturating depth and impressive clarity, picking up smoky minerals with air. Energetic finishing notes of blackberry skin and candied licorice linger with impressive tenacity. According to the importer, the yield for this wine, made from vines reportedly 80 to 120 years of age, was less than one ton per hectare.

D'Arenberg
2007 The Hermit Crab Marsanne & Viognier
McLaren Vale

The 2007 The Hermit Crab is a blend of 58% Viognier and 42% Marsanne. It received a dollop of oak for a rounder texture. The alluring aromatics offer floral notes, candle wax, and pit fruits. Smooth-textured and ripe, the wine also has excellent depth and length. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years.

Four Vines
2005 Zinfandel Maverick
Sierra Foothills Amador County

A powerful Zinfandel with laserlike focus, this has wild berry and spice aromas and ripe, intense blackberry, fresh earth and bay leaf notes that finish with tightly wound tannins. Drink now through 2012.

Lamadrid
2007 Single Vineyard Bonarda Reserva
Argentina

Very ripe, with almost gushing layers of plum sauce, dark licorice, fig paste and mulled boysenberry fruit. Sweet fruit pumps through on the broad, toasty finish. For fans of the style. Drink now. Only 500 cases made.

Andre Michel Bregeon
2007 Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie
Loire Valley

This is an excellent value in Muscadet from Kermit Lynch. Very floral in the nose. Bright and zesty along with refreshing minerality. Drinks well.

Heartland 
2007 Stickleback Red 
South Australia

Bright and jazzy, with a peppery note adding a nice accent to the cherry, cranberry and spice flavors, lingering on the polished finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Dolcetto and Grenache. Drink now through 2011.

Fairview 
2007 La Beryl Blanc Paarl
Coastal Region South Africa

A round and forward style, with richly textured papaya, pineapple and creamed peach flavors that linger on the lush, sweet finish. For the hedonist crowd. Drink now through 2010. Only 200 cases made. (500 ml)

Wagtail
2007 Shiraz
Barossa Valley

Deep red/purple. An enticing bouquet of berries, plum, spice, hints of chocolate and toasty oak. Ripe, dark cherry and plum on the palate, a mouth-filling wine with excellent length. Winery notes

Dominio de Eguren  
2006 Codice
Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

100% tempranillo. Bright ruby. Smoky cherry and black raspberry on the nose. Clean and brisk, with fresh red and dark berry flavors, no obvious tannins and good back-end minerality. Extremely easy to drink, offering impressive depth and purity of fruit for the money, as usual for this bottling.

Feudo di San Nicola  
2008 Nerosso
Puglia

Fleshy and rich. Appealing for its upfront Cherry, plum and black fruit flavors. Attractive and accessible with long, smooth tannins.

Gordon Brothers
2007 Chardonnay
Columbia Valley

This Chardonnay rocks! Golden delicious apples and a hint of melon are the impression left on the nose. A rich satin mouth-feel with pleasant acids lingers on the palate. Can you say Crème Brulee’? The flavors of vanilla, burnt caramel and hazelnut make this wine almost seem like dessert in a glass. Pair this wine with cream-based pasta sauces, pork tenderloin and fowl.

Unique
2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Loire Valley

This is classic Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc with the quality of Sancerre at a New Zealand price tag. Quaffable, sprightly, and bright, this wine jumps around your tongue like a fiddler's bow on strings. Importer's notes.

De Martino  
2008 Cabernet-Malbec
Maipo Valley Chile

Starts off with an enticing bouquet of black cherry and other spicy black fruit. A very nice texture on the palate with a smooth, lengthy finish. Highly enjoyable. Made with certified organic grapes too.

Allan Scott Family Winery  
2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough New Zealand

A fragrant mix of pineapple and passionfruit, tropical aromas with underlying ripe citrus character adding complexity to the nose. On the palate, again a flavorsome array of pineapples and passionfruit, with a zesty citrus essence of orange and lime. Texture from the fruit concentration gives this wine great mouthfeel with a mouthwatering acid backbone creating an enduring, structured and well balanced finish. Winery notes.

Cantina Del Taburno  
2008 Amineo Coda Di Volpe
Campania

The color is straw yellow, delicate aroma, complex and fruity. The taste is full and balanced and has a lingering finish of ripe tropical fruit. Winery notes.

Bodegas Lan  
2005 Crianza
Rioja Spain

Light scents of crushed rose petals and frisky cherry tomato flavors give this a bright, zesty tone. The tannins are also light, with a gravelly feel. This is a versatile red for olives and jamon Serrano, or more substantial meats such as duck.

Thomas Henry  
2007 Meritage
Sonoma County

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Sourced from the famed Chalk Hill, and Alexander Valley Appellations in Sonoma County, bringing longer grape maturity period, and therefore packs richer  dark berry flavors. A Bordeaux style wine, with plenty of dark  fruit and savory flavors. Aromatics of Casis, plum, and cherry. Wonderful  with grilled meats, and vegetables. Winery notes.

Charles Cimicky 
2007 Trumps Shiraz
Barossa Valley

Offers terrific presence. Supple in texture, this vibrates with black cherry, raspberry, red plum and subtle spice flavors, hinting at white pepper as the finish sails on and on. Drink now through 2017.

Jinks Creek Winery  
2005 Shiraz
Longford Gippsland Victoria Australia

Deep, glass-staining ruby. Hugely aromatic nose displays suave red and dark berries, Asian spices, tapenade and smoky bacon; this could pass for a northern Rhone wine. Energetic black raspberry and blueberry flavors deliver solid punch but are surprisingly lithe, carrying no fat or excess ripeness. Turns brighter on the finish, leaving behind tangy strawberry and graphite flavors. Graceful and vibrant wine.

Macrostie  
2007 Chardonnay
Carneros

Here is a deep and very nicely balanced Chardonnay that hits all the right varietal and winemaking markers without resorting to runaway ripeness, overdone oak or any enological tricks. Its very rich and well-composed flavors feature lots of energetic apple-like fruit juxtaposed with complementary touches of vanilla and spice, and its overall impression of depth and structural firmness argue for better to come if allowed a few years of cellar time.

Viticcio  
2006 Chianti Classico
Tuscany

Exhibits lots of blackberry and vanilla character on the nose, with hints of flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a long, crisp finish. A beautiful wine. Best after 2011. A Smart Buys Designation.

Armador  
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Maipo Valley Chile

A top-notch value Cabernet with no flaws. The fruit on the nose is pretty and stylish but doesn't force the issue, while the palate is juicy and fresh with flavors of cola, cassis and wild Berry. Not a complicated wine, but one that pushes all the right buttons. Ripe and friendly to the last drop. A lot of wine for the money. 

Chateau Ste. Michelle
2007 Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley

The Indian Wells Cabernet is our warm climate ripe, jammy New World style of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine really typifies the Wahluke Slope region with up front, dark fruit aromas and flavors with hints of vanilla. Vineyards in the area are more than a decade old now and showing character and complexity. Bob Bertheau, Winemaker. 

Peirano Estate
2007 "Six Clones" Merlot
Lodi

Aromas of rich ripe cherries, blackberries with hints of toast, and vanilla coalesce into a single sensation of olfactory bliss. The mouth is filled with an array of flavors, including cherry, plum, cranapple, sweet raspberries and strawberries with lingering hints of cocoa and cinnamon, while supple tannins leave a pleasing finish. Each juicy sip is more comforting than the last always leaving the palate to want more. Winery notes.