2005 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs 92 points

Sparkling Blend, Napa-Mendocino-Sonoma-Marin, $25

Year after year Schramsberg has made consistently great sparkling wine; With a tangy palate of Meyer lemons, white peach, ripe apples and smokey vanilla. Crisp and expertly layered it's perfect alone or with food. This beautiful sparkler finishes off with bright acidity that's long and lively.

2007 Ti Point Sauvignon Blanc 91 points

Kirkland Signature by Ti Point 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough); $13


I think this Sauv Blanc is only available at Costco. Fabulous and refreshingly ripe on a palate of lime, gooseberry, honey and fresh cut grass. Clean and crisp this will please any lover of Sauv Blancs. With a clean finish that's long and refreshing, drink now thru 2009.

2006 Bouvet-Ladubay Saphir Brut Vintage 91 points

Chenin Blanc-Chardonnay, Saumur, $18



Rich, crisp and clean for a fabulous price; With a refined and elegant palate of honeydew, cantaloupe, backed apples and nutmeg. This Champagne has a creamy mouth-feel and balanced acids. The finish is clean with an added layered ripe fruit and baking spices, drink now thru 2014.

NV Graham Beck Bliss Demi Sec 90 points

Champagne Blend, Robertson, $16




This semi-dry sparkler from Graham Beck is a stand out; English honey, pineapple, jasmine and yeast dance on a sweet palate. A perfect sparkler to pair with spicy Asian food. With a finish that's light and refreshing you'll want another glass...Time to toast!

2007 Red Guitar Old Vine Rosé 88 points

Garnacha, Navarra, $10




This rosé has some nice zip and slight sweetness; Fresh strawberry, raspberry, kiwi and other citrus flavors delight the palate. Lively and refreshing mouth-feel with a long finish that's slightly sweet, drink now.

2007 Snoqualmie Naked Gewürztraminer 90 points

Gewürztraminer, Columbia Valley (WA), $12


Gewürz is a great white wine to pair with ham; the palate opens with juicy flavors of Mandarin orange, guava, lemon drop and Asian spices. With snappy acidity and juicy sweet fruit, makes for a perfect x-mas dinner wine. The finish is clean and refreshing and at 12 bucks you can't beat the price.

2007 Neil Ellis The Left Bank 91 points

Red Blend, Western Cape, $15


This red blend is broad and intense; With a smokey palate of red plum, black cherry, cedar and caramel. Expertly integrated fruit that holds the tannins in check. With an interesting finish of smokey oak, leather and dried spices adds a extra level value to this red blend.

2007 Ponzi Pinot Blanc 91 points

Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley, $15


This white is juicy, clean and quite the lip-smacker; Lush flavors of green apple, lime zest, cantaloupe and honey fill the palate with flavor. With a full body and crisp acidity from start to finish. Lovely honeydew and other citrus come out on a long, lip-smacking finish, drink now.

2007 Geyser Peak Block Collection 91 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley, $20



A new world style Sauv Blanc, clean, crisp and refreshing; Zesty lime, grapefruit, passion fruit and white pepper dance on the palate. Bracing acids and bone dry profile creates a beautiful lip-smacker. With a broad finish of more lime and ground pepper that's refreshing and clean, drink now thru 2010.

2006 Chateau St. Jean Robert Young Vineyard 88 points

Chardonnay, Alexander Valley, $25



This Chard is all oak all the time; A buttery palate of tangerine, pineapple, green pear and caramel. Full-bodied and very refreshing with a long exotic finish of vanilla bean and toasty oak, drink now.

2006 Calcareous Petite Verdot 91 points

Calcareous 2006 Petite Verdot (Paso Robles); $25


Petite Verdot is one of my favorite grapes; Beautiful inky-purple color and a hearty palate of red plum, currant, espresso and dried ginger root. This red is polished with balanced tannins and a full body. With notes of mocha and Asian spices coming thru on a long, smooth finish, drink now thru 2010.

2006 Penley Estate Phoenix 92 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, $20


Beautiful with a bold fruit forward flavor profile; Blackberry, cassis, vanilla bean and cedar oak are velvety on the palate. This full bodied red has tight tannins and a lush texture that's properly balanced. The finish is smooth and long with hints of leather and caramel, drink now thru 2016.

Graham Beck NV Brut 89 points

Graham Beck NV Brut (Robertson); $15


I love the weight and balance of this sparkling wine; Rich pineapple, melon, butter creme and yeast dance on the palate with heft. Clean, crisp and refreshing that's very food friendly. With a creamy light finish that's elegant well structured, drink now.

2003 Cristalino Brut Nature Vintage 89 points

Cristalino 2003 Brut Nature (Cava); $12



It's time to break out the bubbly; This Cava has a lot of weight on a palate of granny smith apples, honeysuckle and toast With a creamy mouth-feel and low acidity adding to an interesting flavor profile to this Cava. With a long and lingering finish of spice and toast, drink now.

2007 Whitehaven 89 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, $15


Sauv Blanc's from New Zealand just can't be beat; Zesty lime, gooseberry, nectarine and fresh cut grass explode on the palate with flavor. Clean and crisp with zippy acidity and a fresh mouthwatering finish, drink now.

2006 Andeluna Winemaker's Selection 91 points

Malbec, Tupungato, $13





This Malbec is a killer red for $13 bucks; A beautiful palate of blackberry, licorice, pepper and new oak. With a great balance of fruit and wood wrapped around tight tannins. The mouth-feel is bold with a punch of oak on a long finish.

2007 Cambiata Albarino 89 points

Cambiata 2007 Albariño (Monterey); $24




This clean, crisp Albariño is very tasty; A rich palate of melon, honeysuckle, jasmine and asian spices. Fresh and clean from start to finish with zippy acidity. With a dry and broad finish of citrus and stone.

2005 Novelty Hill Columbia Valley 91 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley (WA), $19



This Bordeaux blend is balanced and ripe; with smokey flavors of dark cherry, currant, nutmeg and roasted coffee fill the palate with flavor. Balanced tannins and acidity this full-bodied red blend is a well rounded and seamless. With a finish that's ripe with smokey oak that's long and smooth.

2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurztraminer 89 points

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2007 Gewürztraminer (Columbia Valley); $10

Another Chateau Ste. Michelle, another great wine; Lively flavors of tangerine, orange blossom, guava and apricot explode on a broad palate. Tangy and spicy with zippy acids with a lovely balance of citrus and spice. With a zingy kick of sweetness to finish beautiful white, bravo!

2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Merlot 92 points

Chateau Ste-Michelle 2005 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot, $22



Another hit from Chateau Ste-Michelle; these guy's make great wine's at all price points. This lush and beautifully layered Merlot with palate pleasing blueberry jam,
licorice, mocha and cedar. The tannins are smoothed out to find a proper balance. With a sassy and interesting finish of black tea and toasty oak that's long and delicious, drink now thru 2012.

2005 Bodega Norton Reserva 91 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, Luján de Cuyo, $14




Norton has produced a fabulous Cab at a great price. The blackberry, black cherry, toasty oak and vanilla melt on the palate. Full bodied with tight tannins and a creamy mouth-feel achieves a well rounded Cab. The finish is long and smooth with notes of mocha and vanilla, drink now thru 2014.

2005 The Yellow Cellar Pinotage 87 points

The Yellow Cellar Pinotage 2005; $15 Coastal Region



I like this pinotage, but the price is to high; The palate is fresh and lively with flavors of red plum, Bing cherries, spice and smoke to back it up. The tannins smooth out the pronounced acids, with white pepper and smokey oak to finish this red off, drink now thru 2010.

2006 Rex Hill Chardonnay 90 points

Rex Hill 2006 Chardonnay; Oregon $18


To me, this is a unoaked Chard, clean, crisp and fruit forward. Big fruit on the full palate of pineapple, melon, guava and rich spices. With crisp acids and tightly defined fruit layers propels this to all fruit all the time. The finish is clean with a spicy long, full-bodied end, drink now thru 2011.

Kedar's K'orus NV Chardonnay 87 points

Kedar's K'orus NV Chardonnay (Vin de Pays d'Oc); $12


Vin de Pays area can be iffy when it comes to Chardonnay, but this one is pretty good; Pineapple, green apple and creamy vanilla are soft on the palate. Easy to drink and a good price with a soft, clean finish, drink now.

2007 High Note Elevated Malbec 89 points

Malbec, Uco Valley, $13



Power packed full of dark fruit; Black cherry, black plum, blackberry and creamy spice on a silky palate of flavor. This is a young Malbec with lot's of power to it. The finish is long and smooth with silky tannins and a creamy send off.

2007 Cadaretta sbs 91 points

Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon, Columbia Valley (WA), $22



This beautiful white calls out for food; 75% Sauv Blanc, 25% Sémillon burst on to a lush palate of lime, grapefruit, passion fruit and spice. With balanced and zippy acids and perfectly layered fruit leading to a bright fruit filled finish, drink now thru 2010.

2006 Stephen Vincent Crimson Red Blend 87 points

Stephen Vincent 2006 Crimson Red Blend; $12 California

This is a red blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon that's easy to drink; Ripe black cherry, raspberry and earthy spice lushly fill the palate with flavor. This is a easy drinking red table wine suitable for everyday. The finish is light and uncomplicated but still pretty good, drink now.

2006 Glen Carlou 91 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, Paarl, $16

Fruit and spice and everything that's nice; The palate pops with black currant, cassis, nutmeg and pepper that are layered expertly. I like this Cab because of it's balance and tightly woven tannins. With a broad finish of Asian spices, fruit and oak that's smooth and long, drink now thru 2015.

2007 Mirassou Pinot Grigio 91 points

Pinot Grigio, California, $10

What a great price for such a racy, tasty white; Pretty peach, honeydew, melon and light spice on a zesty palate. Clean and refreshing with racy acids that are intense and balanced. I can't get enough of this fabulous white at such a great price. It finishes of with note's of pineapple and citrus spice that's zesty and tart, drink now.

2007 Penfolds Bin 51 92 points

Riesling, Eden Valley, $20





Another fantastic wine from Penfolds; This racy Riesling coats the palate with passion fruit, tangerine, lime and zesty lemon. Expertly layered fruit with restrained acids balance this gorgeous white wine. With a lip-smacking finish that's long and lively this Riesling can't be beat.

2006 King Estate Pinot Noir 90 points

2006 Signature Collection Pinot Noir, Oregon, $25



This is the perfect wine for roasted turkey and should be available at your local fine wine shop. With juicy ripe flavors of black cherry, raspberry, spice and pepper flood the palate with flavor. Firm and tight tannins with well layered fruit leading to a finish of earth and cracked black pepper. Drink now thru 2024.

2007 Zardetto Zeta Dry 89 points

Prosecco, Prosecco di Conegliano, $22


This bubbly has a pronounced creamy texture; Peach, melon, orange and cotton candy lightly dance on the palate. Higher residual than typical Porsecco and that adds weight and body to this Italian bubbly. With a clean, bone dry finish that's a perfect palate cleanser before a big meal, drink now.

2006 Wakefield Estate 91 points

Shiraz, Clare Valley, $17


This Shiraz is a great balance of lush fruit and heady spice; The palate is full of bing cherry, raspberry, white pepper and toasty oak. The mouth-feel is lush and tannins are restrained and well framed by vanilla. The finish is long and smooth with notes of vanilla and spice coming through, drink now thru 2015.

2006 Montevina Terra d'Oro Barbera 88 points

Montevina 2006 Terra d'Oro Barbera



Full bodied with juicy dark berry flavors; Black cherry, black plum, blackberry and earth on a brawny palate. This red does benefit from a airing out to balance the tannins. The finish is bone dry and a little rough, but still pretty good, drink now.

Kedar's K'orus NV Cabernet Sauvignon 86 points

Kedar's K'orus NV Cabernet Sauvignon (Vin de Pays d'Oc); $12



This Cab is an excellent value wine for 12 bucks; Black plum, currant, black cherry and very light oak juice the palate with flavor. Uncomplicated with good structure and balanced acidity. The finish is juicy and long, drink now.

2006 Rex Hill Pinot Gris 91 points

Rex Hill 2006 Pinot Gris; Oregon $16


Fruit driven, with lots of layers of juicy fruit and spice; Lovely flavors of nectarine, bosc pears, guava and lime dance on the palate with ease. This is one best Pinot Gris's I've had all year! The creaminess and spice come out mid-palate with a smooth lip-smacking finish.

2007 Vina Sardasol Rosado de Lagrima 88 points

Vina Sardasol 2007 Rosado de Lagrima (Navarra) $11



Refreshingly clean with sweet berry aromas; Pretty strawberry, peach, orange rind and nectarine fill the palate with flavor. With zippy acidity and a bone dry finish this is a very good rose to drink everyday.

2007 Spindrift Cellars Pinot Blanc 92 points

Spindrift Cellars 2007 Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley $16


Wow, what a great bottle of wine, lively, refreshing and full of zip; Big tropical fruit flavors of guava, tangerine, lime and pineapple dance on the palate. Beautifully integrated asian spice flavors with lively acidity finishes off this great white at a great price, drink now.

2004 Zefina Serience Red 89 points

Red Blend, Horse Heaven Hills, $25



This is a blend of 42% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 11% Mourvèdre, 7% Cinsault and 5% Counoise. With ripe fruit flavors of black cherry, raspberry, cedar and allspice on the palate. With well integrated fruit at it's core and a bone dry profile makes for a tasty red blend, drink now.

2006 Cameron Hughes Lot 73 91 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill, $16



This is a classically styled Cab; rich fruit, balanced tannins; Black plum, black currant, pipe tobacco and chocolate fill out a rich palate of flavors. Well integrated fruit with notes of burnt vanilla and leather flesh out on a long, smooth finish, drink now thru 2014.

2006 Abeja Syrah 91 points

Syrah, Walla Walla (WA), $32



It's like eating warm blueberry pie on a cool night; Blueberry jam, black cherry, earth and spice lushly fill the palate with flavor. Beautifully layered fruit with tannins that could use some taming. The fruit is ripe from start to finish, with oak and dirt coming through on a long, full-bodied finish, drink now thru 2014.

2007 Petaluma Hanlin Hill 90 points

Riesling, Clare Valley, $20



Tangy, tart with creamy citrus flavors; Kaffir lime, orange peel and cotton candy fill the palate with creamy goodness. Medium bodied with restrained acids and a broad palate make for a great white wine, drink now thru 2012.

2006 Neil Ellis Pinotage 91 points

Pinotage, Stellenbosch, $19



Elegant, spicy and jammy, the perfect red for cool nights; Red plum, currant, leather and spice coat the palate with ease. With relaxed tannins this red opens up quickly. The finish is smooth and long with notes of bitter chocolate and spice, drink now thru 2012.

2005 Fonty's Pool Single Vineyard 91 points

Chardonnay, Pemberton, $15



I got this as a gift and boy what a gift it is; Fruit forward on the palate with pineapple, white peach, guava and toasty oak. Beautifully layered fruit with a full body and ample acidity to balance out the fruit. The finish has ample butter creme and vanilla bean to finish off this fabulous Chard, drink now thru 2010.

NV Bully Hill Ravat 51 85 points

White Blend, New York, $7




This white blend is a big fruit drivin, lush wine; Sweet flavors of pineapple, guava, apricot and honey fill the palate. Fresh fruit with balanced acids leading to a sweet, light finish, drink now.

2006 DFJ Vinhos Portada Red 86 points

DFJ Vinhos 2006 Portada Red (Estremadura); $8



Tons of juicy red fruit and flavors for at a great price; Red raspberry, currant, juicy strawberry and acacia flowers fill the palate with flavor. Uncomplicated, but still balanced with a light juicy finish.

2007 Isenhower Rosé 91 points

Rosé Blend, Horse Heaven Hills, $17



This rose is a blend 58% Counoise, 30% Mourvèdre and 12% Grenache that is dense and concentrated; Strawberry, raspberry, vanilla and spices are dense on the palate. This rosé is well balanced with restrained acids. The finish is bone dry with hints of vanilla and white pepper, drink now thru 2010.

2006 Karly Buck's Ten Point 91 points

Zinfandel, Amador County, $20



It's been awhile since I've rating a zin and this one is very tasty; Elegant flavors of black raspberry, currant, cinnamon and Asian spices lightly dance on the palate. This Zin is expertly layered with a finish that has all the spicy earthen flavors Zin's are know for.

2007 Martín Códax 91 points

Albariño, Rías Baixas, $15


With tons of clean, crisp fruit this white is very tasty; Granny smith apples, guava, pear and stone wash the palate with flavor. Snappy acidity and easy to drink makes for a good white. The finish is clean and ripe with hints of lime zest and grass, drink now.

2006 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Shiraz 92 points

Yangarra Estate Vineyard 2006 Single Vineyard Shiraz $25



Complex, pure and ripe, another great Shiraz from Yangarra; Blueberry cheese cake, cherry, tobacco and peppery spice lushly coat the palate. This Shiraz is beautifully layered with an intense creamy vanilla bean and leather spice finish, drink now thru 2015.