2005 Robert Karl Claret Red Wine 91 points

Red Blend, Horse Heaven Hills, $20

A balanced and young red, it includes all the right grapes to make it a true Claret.
With beautiful supple flavors of pretty dark berry's, cherry's, earth and spice on the palate. Leading to a precise finish of mocha and caramel for another great red by Robert Karl.

2006 Jenke Shiraz 92 points

Shiraz, Barossa, $20

This Shiraz is very tasty, ripe and spicy; Rich jammy berry and dark plum doused with smokey vanilla. Similar caramel-vanilla notes ring true on the nose. With a big finish of caramel and black plum that's long and massive...Bravo! Drink now thru 2014.

2006 Gordon Brothers 91 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley (WA), $13

Sharp acids and big tropical fruit define this Sauvignon Blanc; Zesty lime, pineapple, melon and grass are layered perfectly on the palate. With light spice and mild sweetness to finish off this wonderful white...great job!

2007 Sauvignon Republic 89 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch, $15

Lively and refreshing with big tropical fruit; zesty lime, grapefruit, pineapple and stone. With a clean mouth feel and balanced layering of the fruit makes for a good white wine.

2006 Ruca Malen Yauquén 88 points

Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, $9

The nose is big dark fruit and light spice; With a full palate of raspberry, currants, spice and oak. Medium-bodied and pure mid-palate with a earthy, light oak finish. Drink the value red blend now.

2006 Signorello Seta 94 points

Bordeaux White Blend, Napa Valley, $25

I got this Bordeaux style white blend as a gift and tried to resist, but now is the time; Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend together beautifully with lush intricacy and ripe fruit. Peach, melon, Meyer lemons and creamy key lime fill the palate effortlessly. The result is balanced, harmonious and elegant, great wine and one of my top 20 of the year.

2005 Artesa Reserve Pinot Noir 94 points

Pinot Noir, Carneros, $25


Beautiful and elegant and one of my top 20 wines of the year. With a silky mouth-feel of Bing-cherries, rich cola, cinnamon and spice. At the core, there's solid extract and beautifully expressive. The finish is long and spicy and this fabulous Pinot Noir will be drinkable until 2014.

2007 Golan Heights Kosher 89 points

Moscato, Galilee, $10

This very light sparkler is tasty and lightly sweet; Bright green apples, tangerines and light spice dance across the palate with ease. The finish of this dessert wine has subtle undertones of peppermint and rose petals, drink now.

2006 Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir 93 points

Pinot Noir, Monterey County, $21


This wine rocks! Opens with a pure, clean, high-toned aroma, powerful and delicate, and a velvety palate of cherries, cola, coffee, spices and smokey oak. The earthiness and cinnamon flows through the mid-palate to the finish and adds balance and depth. A beautiful effort at Pinot Noir...Bravo!

2007 Fetzer Valley Oaks 86 points

Pinot Grigio, California, $9

Refreshing and light that's all the delight, another good summer sipper. Bright honey due, tart green apples and zippy lime glide across the palate with ease. A crisp, light finish with a hint of vanilla makes for a good summer white by the pool, drink now.

2007 El Coto Rosado 88 points

Rosé Blend, Rioja, $12

This Rosé blend is different from the typical style, crisp, light and refreshing. With zesty Mandarin orange peel, white peach and cantaloupe flood the palate for nice summer drinking. The finish is light and to the point, drink now.

2005 Numanthia-Termes 93 points

Tinta de Toro, Toro, $28


Another home run from Numanthia! Usually they only produce 300 cases so get this fabulous red while you can. Velvet on the palate with blackberry, plum, chocolate and light chard smokey oak. Smooth and balanced on a long, lingering finish with notes of leather and spice, drink now thru 2012.

2007 Casa Nuestra Riesling 91 points

Riesling, Napa Valley, $22

I love the label and I also embrace peace and I enjoyed this Riesling. Spicy and tropical on the nose with zesty lime, tangerine, pineapple and cut grass on a bright palate. A bone dry finish with balanced acidity makes for a beautiful Riesling.

2005 MontGras Quatro Reserva 92 points

Red Blend, Colchagua Valley, $16

This red blend of Cabernet, Malbec, Merlot and Carmenère is a full-throttled, big with edgy ripe fruit. A full mouth-feel of black cherry, blueberry, earth and spice. The finish is a blend of chocolate and fresh ground coffee that's warm and long.

2006 Casa Lapostolle Estate Bottled 89 points

Merlot, Rapel Valley, $13

Easy to drink and easy on the wallet makes for a great value; When this Merlot opens up it displays black plum, blackberry, espresso and chocolate on the palate. The finish is full of tannins and coffee-like flavors, with time this will settle down to make good red wine.

2005 Robert Mondavi 91 points

Chardonnay, Napa Valley, $17

I tasted this Chardonnay at a party recently, year after year a consistently good wine. With a nose of butter creme and oak leeding to a palate of peach, pear, and creme brulee flavors work in perfect harmony. It's full but not heavy, with a creamy chard oak finish, drink now.

2006 Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red 90 points

Red Blend, Columbia Valley (WA), $20

Tamarack Cellars produces some great wine and this red blend has always been one of my favorites. Multi-layered ripe red fruit with notes of black cherry, red currants, cocoa and caramel on a full-bodied palate. Earth and oak glide through the mid-palate and a long lingering finish.

2007 Gunn Estate Skippers Pool 92 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, $19

I have been tasting a lot of Sauvignon Blanc's recently and this is another fabulous white; guava, lime, passion fruit and pineapple dance on the palate effortlessly. This bone dry lip smacker is a stand out with sharp acidity and a creamy, rich finish, drink now.

2005 Punto Final Reserva Malbec 92 points

2006 Malbec, Perdriel, $18

Another outstanding Malbec from Punto Final; A nose of dark berry's and spice. Rich and dense on the palate with blackcherry, raspberry and chocolate. The oak wraps around fudge undertones for a long full-mouth finish, drink now thru 2011.

2006 Matanzas Creek 92 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, $19

Big new world style Sauvignon Blanc with big fruit of the tropics. Pink grapefruit, zesty lime, honeydew and fresh cut grass explode on to the palate with ease and balance. A slight creaminess arrives mid-palate with a dry, crisp and clean finish, drink now.

2005 Wakefield Estate 92 points

Shiraz, Clare Valley, $17

Bacon and Shiraz? I think they merry well, when you have a wine that's multi-layered and meaty. The palate opens with blueberry liqueur, plum, crushed spices, cedar and a velvety mouth-feel. Soft tannins are fleshed out with leather and vanilla on a balanced long finish, drink now thru 2012.

2006 Ricardo Santos 92 points

2006 Ricardo Santos La Madras Vineyard Malbec, Mendoza, $18

I can't get enough of this gorgeous Malbec, big dark fruit and lots of earth. Blackberry, black cherry, currant and spiced earth on the palate with a soft mouth-feel. With a hint of cocoa and vanilla and a weighty finish makes this a beautiful Malbec, bravo! Drink now thru 2010.

2007 Green Point Rosé 88 points

Pinot Noir, Victoria, $18


Another great lip smacking Rosé for the summer time. This easy-drinking Rose floods the palate with cherry's, strawberry's and watermelon. Hints of fresh raspberry and a touch of vanilla finishes off this crisp, clean wine, drink now.

2006 Schloss Vollrads Kabinett 90 points

Riesling, Rheingau, $20

Vintage after vintage this producer never disappoints...a home run Riesling! A fresh nose of crisp tropical fruit, with a sweet palate of Granny Smith apples, grapefruit and stone. With a refreshing finish and zippy acids makes this best buy a fabulous Riesling.

2006 Owen Roe Sinister Hand Red Wine 91 points

Red Blend, Columbia Valley (WA), $19


I love the name and label of this red blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Ripe with firm tannins and a warm mouth-feel. The palate opens with big raspberry, blackberry, currant and earth that are layered very well. Fruity on the palate with spice and toast leeding to a long balanced finish.

2007 Beach Head Chardonnay 90 points

Chardonnay, Margaret River, $18

Another great Chard from Australia with a full body and rich tropical fruit. White peach, mango, tangerine and lean notes of caramel fill the palate nicely. The lush tropical fruit power's through to a sweet, creamy finish, drink now.

2006 Banrock Station Shiraz 87 points

Banrock Station 2006 Shiraz (South Eastern Australia); $5

Big production juice at a great price creates an excellent value. Aromas of plum and light spice waft out of the glass leading to a palate of black cherry, plum and spicy oak. This uncomplicated Shiraz is a great value at 5 bucks that can't be beat.