2005 Kynsi Pinot Noir 91 points

Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, $28


Complex, silky-light texture with a full palate of bing cherries, blackberry, anisette, and allspice. The mouth-feel is beautiful and bone dry with a finish of cedar and vanilla, drink now.

Bonny Doon Framboise NV 93 points

Red Blend, California, $11


This is “an infusion” of beautiful ripe raspberry's that runs at 17% alcohol; It explodes on the palate with fresh raspberry, dried raspberry and chocolate. This desert wine is so dense and focused that would be a gorgeous finish to any great meal.

2007 Hunter's Sauvignon Blanc 90 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, $13


A tasty, value priced Sauvignon Blanc...you can't beat that. Zippy and crisp on the palate with notes of pink grapefruit, lime, guava and fresh cut grass. Super clean and focused with a bright, slightly acidic finish, drink now.

2006 Chakana Malbec 91 points

Malbec, Mendoza, $14


This value-packed Malbec is a home run; With blackberry, licorice, cassis and charred oak filling the palate of this interesting wine. Restrained tannins make this an easy drinking wine. With undertones of mocha and caramel on a long smooth finish, drink now thru 2010.

2006 Chateau St. Jean La Petite Etoile 92 points

Fumé Blanc, Russian River Valley, $20


This wine is complex and pure with lots of style; With a zippy palate of passion fruit, melon, lime and lemongrass are perfectly layered. Smokey oak comes out mid-palate with a bone dry peppery finish, drink now thru 2012.

2006 Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Apalta Vineyard 90 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley, $19

I love a big, powerful Cab, but this one needs time to mellow out; Ripe raspberry, licorice, mocha and vanilla eek out on a narrow palate. Because this cab is so big a paring with hearty meats would be ideal, best to drink after 2010.

2007 Pedro Escudero Fuente Elivra 90 points

Verdejo, Rueda, $14


Another great white from Spain; White peach, mango, pomegranate and almonds fill the palate with bold flavors. Complex, yet easy to drink with blasts of ripe citrus fruit on a smooth finish.

2005 Lynx Shiraz 91 point

Shiraz, Franschhoek, $20


Rich and finely tuned Shiraz with silky tannins; Juicy flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cedar and white pepper wash across the palate effortlessly. With a mix of American and French oak adding vanilla and spice to a long, silky finish.

2007 Vina Robles Jardine 91 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles, $15


Big fruit with lots of zip; Meyer lemons, lime, honey and fig explode on the palate of this Sauvignon Blanc. With bright acids and a big citrus finish makes for a perfect end of summer white wine.

2006 Alma Rosa Chardonnay 95 points

Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, $20


Wow, this is an amazing Chard, one of the best I've every had; With a beautiful nose of honeysuckle, smoke and vanilla. The palate opens with elegant mango, pineapple sorbet, vanilla, buttered toast and smokey oak that are integrated perfectly. The big fruit dance across the palate from start to finish for a delicious Chardonnay, bravo!

2006 Longboard DaKine Vineyard 92 points

Merlot, Russian River Valley, $19



Another great Merlot from a much maligned grape; fresh blueberry, black plum, chocolate and leather dance on the palate with structure and elegance. Multi-layered and balanced with licorice and spice coming through a long, lush finish, drink now thru 2014.

2007 Robert Hall 90 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles, $15

Another great Sauv Blanc, big fruit, spice and dry; The citrus and spice meld well on the palate with flavors of honeydew, granny smith apples, melon and dried nuts. The acids are restrained by the rich creaminess with a dry lip smacking finish, drink now.

2006 Spot-On Bells Echo Vineyard 91 points

Syrah, Mendocino, $22

Powerful, lush and peppery, but still elegant and very approachable. The palate opens with blueberry liqueur, black cherry, earth and soy sauce. The mid-palate brings black pepper and cedar with a bone dry, long finish, drink now thru 2012. This Syrah is another reason why I love this noble grape.

2006 Greg Norman California Estates 88 points

Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, $14

Clean and lush on the palate with a big fruit forward profile; Pineapple, mango, vanilla and light spice flood the palate. By mid-palate the creamy vanilla and spice come through leading to a clean, bright finish.

2005 Paul Dolan Zinfandel 91 points

Zinfandel, Mendocino-Amador, $18

This is big, mouthfilling Zin. The palate is broad with Bing cherries, black raspberries, cocoa and leather. Perfectly balanced tannins with a finish of fresh tobacco, pepper and smokey vanilla, drink now thru 2010.

2006 Dow's Vale do Bomfim 89 points

Portuguese Red, Douro, $12

The sweet fruit is wrapped around by undertones of wood; blackberry, blueberry, plum and vanilla are layered very well. Restrained tannins with bright acids and hints of vanilla lead to a smooth uncomplicated finish.

2007 Bellingham The Steppe Buzzard 90 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Coastal Region, $15

A beautiful confluence of tropical fruit, crisp acidity and very drinkable; Pink grapefruit, zesty lime, lemon and gooseberry. Great for a hot summer day, with a finish of kafir lime and bright acids.

2007 Calina Reserva Carmenère 89 points

Carmenère, Maule Valley, $9

This red has a wow factor because of the $9 price tag; Smooth mouth-feel with ripe flavors of dark berry's, cocoa, dried herbs and earth. Amazing complexity for this price with touches of charred oak on a smooth finish.

2006 St. Francis Chardonnay 90 points

Chardonnay, Sonoma County, $15

This Chard achieves a good balance between fruit and wood; Big tropical fruit notes of pear, melon, lime and oak on the palate. With a clean, crisp and dry finish adding elegance and oak adding balance.

2007 Santa Julia Organica 87 points

Malbec, Mendoza, $10

Uncomplicated and easy to drink with a bit of an edge; Fresh blueberry jam, plum, fudge and some oak. This wine shows bulk around the edges but is leaner and more acidic in it's center. Still, for 10 bucks you can't beat this Malbec.

2006 Vina Robles Red Huerhuero 90 points

Red Blend, Paso Robles, $14

This intriguing red is all about pepper and spice; Red cherries, cassis, blueberry and spice on a dry palate. pepper and licorice with hints of oak come thru a long dry finish, drink now thru 2012.

2007 Brampton Unoaked Chardonnay 89 points

Chardonnay, Coastal Region, $11

Clean, crisp and elegant; The palate explodes with pineapple, apple, tangerines and spice. Refreshing, balanced acids and full-bodied with a clean off-dry finish, drink now.

2005 Miraflores Syrah 93 points

Syrah, El Dorado, $30

I had another great party last night and someone brought this beauty. Gorgeous inky purple color with a rich nose of dark berry's and earth. With a silky broad palate of pure sweet, black currant, black cherry, licorice and spice. Generous pepper and oak on a round out this supple Syrah, great job!

2007 Northfield Riesling 90 points

Northfield 2007 Riesling (Waipara Valley); $20

Very fragrant, with white pepper and fuzzy peach aromas. With a ripe palate of lemon, lime and peach leading to a finish of juicy gooseberry.

2006 Luis Felipe Edwards Family Selection 89 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley, $14

This red is not the typical big bodied Cab and that's why I like it. With a full palate of black currant, cassis, black cherry and chocolate. Balanced from start to finish with notes of vanilla and dark plum on a solid long finish, drink now thru 2010.

2006 Claiborne & Churchill Pinot Gris 89 points

Claiborne & Churchill 2006 Pinot Gris (Central Coast); $18

Wow, what a lip smacker! Bone dry on the palate with white peach, grapefruit, guava and a light dusting of spice. Mid-palate balances the racy acids with a touch of sweetness on a long dry finish, drink this beauty now!

2007 The Yellow Cellar Chenin Blanc 87 points

The Yellow Cellar 2007 Cape White Chenin Blanc (Coastal Region); $10

This wide bodied white is clean and juicy, with undertones of spice. On the palate the floral elegance along with juicy melon, tangerines and sweet pear come through. The finish is clean with the typical honey and spice, drink now.

2005 Gainey Merlot 91 points

Merlot, Santa Ynez Valley, $20

A mouthful of rich, ripe fruit surrounded by toasty oak; I love a tasty Merlot, blackberry, black cherry, brown sugar and vanilla fill the palate of this dry red wine. Restrained tannins and lots of oak lead to a luscious finish.

2004 Penfolds Bin 128 91 points

Shiraz, Coonawarra, $19


Silky smooth and very drinkable; Blueberry jam, plum, cassis and mocha glide across the palate with ease. With oak and spice coming through on the mid-palate and strong balanced tannins on a smooth finish, drink now thru 2014.