2006 Colomé Estate Malbec 91 points

Malbec, Calchaqui Valley, $25



Intense, bold with big ripe dark fruit; With a velvety palate of Blueberry liqueur, cassis, cinnamon and french oak. With 14.9% alcohol it's warm but balanced, the earth and ground coffee flavors coming out on a long, warm finish, drink now thru 2014.

2007 Grove Mill 91 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, $17




Big tropical fruit and stone flavors dominate this Sauv Blanc; Pink grapefruit, lime, pineapple and fresh cut grass dance on the palate with ease. Clean, crisp and dry with stone and mineral flavors coming out on a long, refreshing finish.

2006 Amavi Cellars Syrah 92 points

Syrah, Walla Walla (WA), $25



Beautiful inky purple color that's lush and meaty; After it opens up the palate is full of raspberry, black cherry, currant and spice. With a lush mouth-feel and a hint of tartness the smokey and cedar flavors comes out on a long, smooth finish, drink now thru 2012.

2007 Bodegas Faustino Faustino V Rosado 89 points

Rosé Blend, Rioja, $13



This not your typical cherry/strawberry flavored rosé; Big citrus notes on the palate of mandarin orange, pink grapefruit, tangerine and spice meld well together. This rose has balanced acidity and is bone dry with a zip of fresh fruit on the finish.

2005 The Yellow Cellar Cape Red 86 points

Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz, Coastal Region, $10



Big red blend with lot's of ripe fruit; Cassis, blackberry, leather and oak are lush on this broad palate. This uncomplicated red is very tasty for the price. With restrained tannins and a good balance of fruit with a oakey and spicy finish.

2006 Las Colinas Del Ebro Syrah-Garnacha 90 points

Red Blend, Terra Alta, $14



This blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Garnacha is spicy, earthy and full of ripe red fruit; Black plum, currant, blackberry and spice dominate the palate with intensity. While the spicy oak and earth come out on a long smooth finish, drink now thru 2012.

2007 Chasing Venus 89 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, $16



This new world Sauv Blanc is all fruit and acidity; Zesty lime, pink grapefruit, gooseberry and stone fill the palate with flavor. Bone dry with zippy acids round out this nice white wine, drink now.

2007 Ca' del Solo Vineyard Muscat 90 points

Muscat, Monterey County, $17



Wow, what a refreshing, crisp and flavorful white wine; Melon, nectarine, tangerine and spice are layered on a beautiful palate. This is slightly sweet and a perfect food parring wine. Bracing acidity and a hint of sweetness on a long smooth finish.

2007 Wildhurst Reserve 89 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County, $12



Refreshing, crisp with big citrus fruit upfront; Lovely grapefruit, lime, passion fruit and white pepper fill the palate. With bright acids and a clean lip-smacking finish for a great price this Sauv Blanc can't be beat.

2006 Foppiano Estate 91 points

Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, $22



A good Pinot is hard to find, and I've find one; Elegant, with a soft palate of black plum, cherry, cola and rhubarb pie. This bone dry red has rich tannins and crisp acids with notes of pepper and nutmeg on a long, balanced finish.

2006 Chapel Hill 91 points

Shiraz-Grenache, McLaren Vale, $18



This blend of 10% Grenache and 90% Shiraz is beautiful; With a lush palate of blueberry jam, black cherry, spice and oak. Complex and easy to drink this red will get better over the next few years. The earth and spice really come out on a long finish.

2007 Vergelegen Sauvignon Blanc 89 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape, $22



This wine is a nice balance of fruit and spice; Pink grapefruit, mango, lime and grass on the palate. Snappy acids fill out this full bodied white, drink now.

2004 Maddalena Merlot 87 points

Merlot, Paso Robles, $15



With a profile that's soft and full of ripe dark fruit; Black cherry, black raspberry, oak and pepper are lush on the palate. Soft tannins and a balanced finish with notes of leather and cedar, drink now.

2007 La Vieille Ferme Rosé 88 points

Rosé Blend, Côtes-du-Ventoux, $9


Dry, crisp and clean that fill the mouth with flavor; Strawberry, cherry and a unusual undertone of mocha fill the palate with flavor. With a great price this rose can't be beat. The finish is full of citrus that carries the flavor a long way.

2007 Clos du Bois Pinot Grigio 89 points

Pinot Grigio, California, $14


A great end of summer white wine. This lip-smacker is clean and vibrant on the palate with flavors of melon, lime, lemon and honeysuckle. Amazing complexity for this price with a clean, crisp finish.

2006 Spicerack Punchdown 92 points

Syrah, Sonoma Coast, $19



Yes, It's spicy, juicy and meaty; Bold and elegant flavors of black cherry, blackberry, spice and oak are thick on the palate. Dry and complex with supple tannins and a lush mouth-feel and yes it has a long spicy finish, drink now thru 2014.

2007 Kenwood Pinot Noir Rosé 88 points

Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, $13



Light and refreshing with a slightly creamy side to it; strawberry, cherry cream, cloves and allspice dance on the palate. Bone dry with balanced acidity and a crisp, clean finish.

2006 Villa Vignamaggio Suhaili 87 points

Syrah, Salento, $11



Uncomplicated and easy to drink; black cherry, black raspberry, oak and spice on the palate. With a soft mouth-feel that's slightly tannic and a finish of oak and vanilla, drink now.

2007 Condesa de Leganza Rosado 88 points

Tempranillo, La Mancha, $12



This rose is different than most...off-dry, light sweetness. The palate is awash with cherry, strawberry, ripe raspberry and a hint of spice. Balanced acids and vibrant fruit meld well for a long smooth finish, drink now.

NV Hidalgo Morenita Cream 91 points

Sherry, Jerez, $13



I have to say this is one of the best Sherry's I've had in a long time. With a full palate of espresso, tar, caramel and almonds. Sweet and balanced that has a thick finish of chocolate and asian spices. Great price, great value makes for a great bottle of Sherry.

2005 Cakebread Chardonnay 93 points

Cakebread 2005 Chardonnay (Anderson Valley); $38



This is a fabulous a Chardonnay, elegant and refined; Big tropical fruit flavors of pineapple, mango, pear and sweet butter creme. Full-bodied with a precise layering of fruit and oak. With a finish of butter and caramel to round out this beautiful Chard, bravo! well done!

2006 El Arte de Vivir 90 points

Tempranillo Blend, Ribera del Duero, $14


Layering three vintages to create a ripe, meaty wine; Blackberry, blueberry, anise and vanilla wash the palate with flavor. Structured, with bright tannins and a interesting finish of spice and citrus peel, drink now thru 2012.

2006 Wine Guerrilla Coffaro Vineyards Old Vine 90 points

Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, $25



This is one big, juicy, tannic Zin; Black raspberry, blueberry, currant and spice fill the palate of this dry red wine. With a bracing finish of leather, vanilla and white pepper, drink now only 98 cases produced.

2007 Foursight Sauvignon Blanc 91 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Anderson Valley, $20


Racy, crisp, clean and tasty with big up-front tropical fruit; Pink grapefruit, tangy lime, lemon-drop and white pepper explode on the palate. With racy acidity and a bone dry finish creates a fabulous Sauv Blanc.

2006 MontGras Quatro 91 points

Red Blend, Central Valley, $16


Cabernet, Malbec, Carmenère and Syrah together are well integrated and very tasty; blueberry, blackberry, sloe berry and vanilla float across the palate with ease. This full-bodied red blend has a long finish with notes of chocolate and burnished wood.

Paul Cheneau NV Lady of Spain Brut 89 points

Paul Cheneau NV Lady of Spain Brut (Cava); $14



This Cava is crisp, lively and easy to drink; This sparkler dances on the palate with notes of watermelon, pineapple, tangerine and mango. With a lip smacking dry finish that's clean and uncomplicated, drink now.