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.

2006 Rigatoni Red 88 points

Rigatoni 2006 Red (Puglia), $11




It's the perfect pizza, pasta red wine; With a pretty palate of black cherry, blackberry, allspice and sun dried tomato's. Well balanced and very dry on the finish and for 11 bucks this can't be beat. Buy this one by the case, but drink up within the year.