2007 Misiones de Rengo Cuvee Carmenere 92 points

2007 Misiones de Rengo Cuvee Carmenere $19


The nose is intense with lush aromas of deep, spicy blackberry jam and toasted oak. With a spicy complex palate of black plum, black plum, hazelnut and dark chocolate. I love this red because of it's elegance and refinement with amazing balance. The finish is long and smooth with more toasty vanilla and roasted coffee beans. Drink now thru 2014.

2007 Montevina Chardonnay 86 points

2007 Montevina Chardonnay, California $8


Finding a good Chard at a great price is always a delight; The palate opens with pineapple, guava, pear and new oak. This full-bodied white is uncomplicated and easy drinking. Allspice and caramel come thru on a lingering. long finish.

2005 Condado De Oriza Crianza Tempranillo 92 points

2005 Condado De Oriza Crianza Tempranillo $13



Beautifully integrated fruit and a great price; With a broad palate of black raspberry, plum, black cherry and leather. Rich with chewy tannins and loaded with creamy dark fruit. Amazing balance at a fabulous price is why I love Spanish wines. The finish roars thru with more dark fruit and light oak.

2004 Columbia Crest Merlot 88 points

2004 Merlot Washington Two Vines $8



Lush and velvety with a beautiful nose; the palate is broad with Bing cherries, black cherry, cedar and oak. I love Merlots with undertones of chocolate and tobacco and this one does not disappoint. The finish travels far and wide with hints of white pepper and new oak.

2007 Souverain Chardonnay 91 points

2007 Chardonnay Alexander Valley $15



Beautifully complex citrus aromas delight the nose; The palate pops with Granny Smith apples, bosc pears, pineapple and toasty oak. Full-bodied, complex and richly elegant that maintains it's intense citrus flavor from start to finish. Honeysuckle and sweet caramel come thru on a long lingering finish.

2008 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc 90 points

Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough $13



Big production but oh so tasty and focused; The palate explodes with pink grapefruit, peach, lime and fresh cut grass. Racy acids help balance the core citrus flavors. This is a big fruit Sauv Blanc from start to finish.

2008 Kim Crawford 91 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, $15


This Sauvignon Blanc is clean, ripe and pure; the palate pops with pink grapefruit, zesty lime, guava and stone. Medium-bodied with lots if zippy acids and clean flavor profile. It finishes off with notes of kiwi and creamy key lime, buy this one by the case.

2007 Ardenvoir Sémillon 93 points

Sémillon, Columbia Valley (WA), $22

Spicy, lush and tropical with perfect balance; With a silky palate of tangerine, mandarin orange, jasmine and sweet honey. This full-bodied white has amazing balance and finesse with it's acids in check. Full-throttled citrus and tropical flavors throughout with an elegant finish. Well done, this is one my favorite whites of the year.

2007 Honker Blanc 93 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, $12


This Sauv Blanc is a killer...price and flavor are dynamite! The palate explodes with flavors of grapefruit, lime, passion fruit and minerals. With an undertone of spice and ripe acids balance this white with thirst-quenching flavor. With a broad finish of spearmint and fig that pops all the way. Buy this by the case if you can get it and enjoy thru the summer. Bravo!

Vina Santa Ema 89 points

Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley 2007 $10



The Cabs from Chile keep getting better and what a great price; The palate opens with black cherry, blackberry, raspberry and burnished oak. Medium-bodied and jam packed full of flavor with balanced tannins. The finish is light with vanilla and earthy cedar coming thru.

2006 Vina Robles Jardine Petite Sirah 94 points

Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, $25



Gorgeous! Beautiful inky purple color with tons on spice on the nose. The lush palate opens with black plum, currant, blueberry and spicy new oak. Full-bodied with restrained tannins and amazing balance. With chocolate, leather and white pepper coming thru a long and lush finish. If you can buy a case of this...BUY IT!

2008 Veramonte Reserva 90 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, $10




Bright, clean and refreshing is the motive here; The palate explodes with lime, grapefruit, melon and herb flavors. The medium body and zippy acids keeps this white in check. With a lip-smacking finish that drives home the citrus and grassy flavors.

2007 Painted Wolf Pinotage 90 points

Pinotage, Coastal Region, $15



Robust and ripe flavors with a spicy nose; The palate opens with red plum, raspberry, currant and toasty vanilla. Expertly layered with amazing balance and a warm mouth-feel. The ripe fruit is upfront and complex with a creamy, cedar filled finish.

2006 Terra d' Oro Home Vineyard Zinfandel 92 points

Terra d' Oro 2006 Home Vineyard Zinfandel $25



Intense and spicy on the nose with a palate that leads to black plum, currant, cassis and spicy cedar. Pepper and rich mocha run throughout with a broad finish. The finish lasts long with undertones of cracked black pepper and leather.

2008 Sebeka Chenin Blanc 89 points

Sebeka 2008 Chenin Blanc (Western Cape); $10



Sebeka consistently produces great wine at great prices...Bravo! The palate opens with honeydew, melon, honey and asian spices. Lively, expressive and refreshing balance of fruit flavors. This white has a broad finish of tropical fruit and exotic spices.

2006 Golden Kaan Chardonnay 88 points

Golden Kaan 2006 Chardonnay (Western Cape); $10


I love a clean, ripe nose of tropical fruit; The palate pops with pineapple, pear and granny smith apples. This Chard is uncomplicated and easy drinking that's fresh and lively. With a finish that brings out more tropical fruit that's long and lingering.

Sterling Chardonnay 89 points

2007 Chardonnay Central Coast Vintner's Collection $10



Another big production of a fruit forward easy drinking Chard; With a broad palate of pineapple, lime, melon and jasmine flowers. With a medium-body and ripe fruit that's not over oaked and easy to drink. This Chard has a clean, refreshing finish with notes of honey and vanilla.

2006 Crinella Sauvignon Blanc 92 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley, $22



With a nose that's spicy, creamy and refreshingly clean; The palate explodes with passion fruit, lime, lemon and gooseberry. This is a perfect food pairing wine with interesting layers of flavor. Dry, crisp and clean with a finish that pops long past you swallow.

2006 Yellow Tail The Reserve 88 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, South Eastern Australia, $11



The nose of this Cab is ripe black fruit and vanilla; With a concentrated palate of blackberry, black cherry raspberry and new french oak. For $11 bucks you get a great value with velvety tannins and cassis and spicy oak coming through on a long smooth finish.

De Bortoli Shiraz 88 points

2007 Shiraz South Eastern Australia dB Selection $9

Nice Shiraz for a great price; With a spicy palate of blackberry, black raspberry, plum and spicy. Easy drinking and smooth that's uncomplicated and bright. The finish is light but lingering.

2007 Sterling Made with Organic Grapes 92 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino, $13


Another fabulous Sauv Blanc with a beautiful nose of mouth-watering tropical fruit; The palate explodes with pink grapefruit, lime, lemon and fresh cut grass. With a bone dry palate and crisp acids that dance from start to finish. Clean and refreshing with a tart finish that last long and is smooth.

2006 Villa Pillo 93 points

Toscana Borgoforte 2006 $12



A beautiful red blend with heady aromatics; The palate is lush blend of black cherry, currant, blackberry and anise. Full-bodied with restrained tannins and a silky mouth-feel. With a long and beautiful finish with hints of leather and vanilla.

2007 Indaba Shiraz 89 points

Shiraz, Western Cape, $8


With a juicy and spicy nose that's well rounded; The lush palate of blueberry, plum, black cherry and spicy oak is broad and complex. On balance a nice Shiraz at a great price. This red is lush and ripe with a finish that denotes caramel and cedar.

2007 Frog's Leap Chardonnay 91 points

Frog's Leap 2007 Chardonnay $22


This is a rich, focused Chardonnay with lots of pizazz; The palate is full of pineapple, melon, pear and toasty vanilla. Full-bodied with restrained acids and a ton of tropical flavors. The finish is rich and clean with beautiful vanilla and burnished oak lingering throughout.

2007 Bonterra Viognier 91 points

Viognier, Mendocino-Lake, $18


With a beautiful nose of exotic fruits leads to a spicy, fruit forward palate of guava, pineapple, apricot and spicy honey. Clean, crisp and refreshing that's expertly balanced. Wildflowers and vanilla bean come out on a smooth, ripe finish.

2007 Chehalem Reserve Dry 92 points

Riesling, Willamette Valley, $21



I love this Riesling; With a zippy palate of melon, pink grapefruit, lime and green apple. This white is bone dry and a yummy lip-smacker that packs a concentrated core of tropical fruit. The finish is intense and long lasting.

2007 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 88 points

Kendall-Jackson 2007 Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay Jackson Estate $16

With the aromas of a tropical summer night leading to a palate of guava, pineapple, nectarine and creamy vanilla bean. Full bodied and crisp acidity with a fruit forward profile. This Chard has a nice balance of flavors with a spicy edge coming through on a long finish.

2004 Bernardus Marinus 92 points

Bernardus 2004 Marinus Bordeaux Blend; Carmel Valley $16


This red blend will get better with age; The palate is full of blackberry, currant, cocoa powder and cigar box flavors. It's a broad and defined flavor profile with a tannic edge that will benefit from a couple of years in the cellar. The finish is dense with hints of toasty oak and blueberry pie, drink in 2011.

2007 Arcane Cellars Estate Pinot Gris 91 points

Arcane Cellars 2007 Estate Pinot Gris $16

Clean, crisp and a clearly defined Pinot Gris; The palate explodes with pear, melon, orange blossom and passion fruit. With sharp acids and beautiful citrus flavors layered perfectly. Clean, ripe and refreshing for a late winter white. The finish is bright and long lasting with crisp grapefruit and lime, drink now.

2007 Bodegas Ateca 90 points

Garnacha Calatayud de Fuego Old Vines 2007 $8



With a spicy and fruit forward nose that's lush and ripe; The palate is broad with strawberry, raspberry, anise and new oak. The creamy texture adds structure and balance. Lively flavors of vanilla bean and licorice come through on a long smooth finish.

2007 Handley Cellars Gewurztraminer 91 points

Handley 2007 Gewurztraminer $16



With a nose of Jasmin and zesty orange that's pure and refined; The palate explodes with flavors of lime, white peach, melon and narcissus. Balanced acids and refined flavor profile that creates a beautiful white wine. The finish is long with spicy citrus fruit to the end.

2006 Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir 94 points

Cambria 2006 Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir $20



This Pinot is absolutely gorgeous with a nose of sweet fruit and light spice; With a silky palate of cherry, strawberry, pomegranate and cinnamon. The profile is dry and silky with amazing complexity and balance. Each glass this Pinot gets better and better. The finish makes this red even more impressive with notes of vanilla, smokey oak and earthy spice, drink now thru 2011.

2006 Wente Reliz Creek Pinot Noir 91 points

Wente 2006 Reliz Creek Pinot Noir (Arroyo Seco); $19


With sweet aromas of Bing cherries and vanilla bean leading to a lovely palate of red currant, black cherry, cola and light spice. Light-bodied and a silky mouth-feel that is well balanced and polished. The finish is light but still jam packed full of fruit and toasty vanilla.

2006 Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay 93 points

Cambria 2006 Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay $20



This is a fabulous Chardonnay with a tropical, smokey nose; With a beautiful palate of grapefruit, orange blossom, pineapple and vanilla custard. This Chard has a big, fat, creamy mouth-feel that is layered perfectly and expertly balanced. The crisp finish is full of spice oak and creamy caramel that's long and smooth.

Eola Hills Pinot Gris 88 points

Pinot Gris Oregon 2007 $10



A lovely textured white that's clean and refreshing; With a bright palate of melon, pear, orange peel and light spice. This lip-smacker is tropical fruit from start to finish and easy drinking.

2006 Castle Rock Merlot 89 points

Merlot, Columbia Valley (WA), $10



Excellent value for a pure, centered Merlot; With a ripe palate of red currant, cherry, plum and spicy vanilla. Well balanced flavors are the core of this concentrated red. A smooth, long finish with notes of mocha and toasty oak that lasts and lasts.

2006 Rusack Syrah 91 points

Syrah, Santa Barbara County, $20


A lush nose of dark fruit and pepper brings about a fine Syrah; With a silky palate of black cherry, currant, vanilla and black pepper. The tannins are firm and well structured with ripe fruit from start to finish. With an elegant, long finish that has notes of vanilla, pepper and cedar.

Chateau St. Jean Fume Blanc 91 points

2007 Fumé Blanc Sonoma County $13


With a beautifully expressive nose of fresh citrus and smoke; The palate pops with white peach, guava, apricot and burnished wood. The body is full with a refreshingly citrus profile throughout. With a finish that's clean and crisp with undertones of smokey, toasty wood, bravo!

Zaca Mesa Syrah 92 points

Syrah Santa Ynez Valley 2005 $22


This Syrah has a beautiful nose of spice and dark fruit; With an intense palate of blackberry, blueberry liqueur, nutmeg and cedar. Full-bodied and bone dry with tightly focused tannins. The finish is long with hints of tobacco and toasty vanilla.

2007 MAN Vintners Shiraz 90 points

Shiraz, Coastal Region, $11





This Shiraz has a sexy, seductive nose of spice and fruit; The palate opens with red plum, black cherry, cocoa and earthy spice. This red is lush with restrained tannins
and nicely balanced. The finish is long and smooth with notes of tobacco and black pepper.

2006 Peter Lehmann Chardonnay 89 points

Chardonnay, Barossa, $11



With a nose of peaches and vanilla that's bright and tropical; White peaches, pineapple, lemon and vanilla that fills the palate with flavor. The body is full and lively with crisp acids and balanced fruit. The finish is clean and pure with oak throughout.

2006 Salentein Reserve Malbec 91 points

Malbec, Uco Valley, $19


Another lush, fruit forward red from Argentina; Red plum, Bing-cherries, licorice and spice lushly fill the palate with flavor. This Malbec is well balanced with the oak integrated in every layer. With a beautiful mouth-feel and a delicious long finish with hints of toasty oak and spice.

2007 Folie à Deux Chardonnay 91 points

Chardonnay, Napa Valley, $15



Nutty, ripe tropical fruit and big oak creates a beautiful flavor profile; Rich mango, lime, green apple and minerals dance on the palate. Clean, crisp and dry with beautiful oak woven throughout. With a broad finish and well integrated acid that finishes ripe and elegant.

2006 D'Arenberg The High Trellis 91 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, $15

This Cab is young but approachable; Black currant, black plum, cassis and leather fill the palate with flavor. This red is full-bodied with chewy tannins and will get better over the next 10 years. With an edgy finish of cedar and mocha that's long and balanced, drink now thru 2020.

2007 Barnard Griffin Fumé Blanc 90 points

White Blend, Columbia Valley (WA), $9



Spicy and sassy that's clean and refreshing; With a zippy palate of lime, orange peel, honey and lemon. Vibrant and ripe from start to finish with balanced acids and a clean pure finish, drink now thru 2010.

2004 Muruve Crianza 92 points

Muruve 2004 Crianza (Toro); $15

Great wine, great price equals a superior value; Black plum, black cherry, earth and cola fill the palate with flavor. This red is thick and full-bodied with big tannins and tons of flavor. Fabulous wine making leads to great wine. With a full-mouth coating finish that's long and smooth, drink now thru 2014.

2006 Pellegrini Eight Cousins Vineyard 92 points

Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, $24


A truly outstanding Zin that shows all of it's noble character; With a beautiful palate of blackberry, black cherry, mocha and spicy cedar. This red is dry and full-bodied with a tannic edge. The finish is balanced and restrained with undertones of black pepper and pipe tobacco, drink now thru 2012.

2004 Parducci True Grit Petite Sirah 94 points

Parducci 2004 True Grit Petite Sirah (Mendocino); $25


Amazingly rich and supple Petite sirah; With a lush palate of blueberry liqueur, blackberry, espresso and spicy oak. This red is expertly layered and balanced that's full of flavor. The finish is beautifully elegant with hints of peppery spice and leather that's long and smooth, drink now thru 2016.

2007 Robert Pecota L'Artiste 91 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, $16



This is a fabulous new world style Sauv Blanc; The palate pops with flavors of zesty lime, pink grapefruit, passion fruit and kiwi fruit. With zippy acids and bone dry profile that's crisp, clean and refreshing. The finish is slightly spicy and elegant that lasts long after you put your glass down.

2006 Chaman Gran Reserva Carmenere 89 points

Chaman Gran Reserva 2006 Carmenere



Big, ripe fruit right out of the bottle; With a rich palate of blackberry, black plum, cassis and earth. This red is balanced with mild tannins and undertones of charred oak throughout. with a heady finish that's smooth and long with hints of oak, drink now thru 2010.