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.

2007 Bodegas Luzon Luzón 91 points

Red Blend, Jumilla, $9



This red blend of Monastrell-Syrah is dynamite for $9 or $19; With a smokey palate of blueberry, black cherry, tobacco and bacon. Big fruit throughout with a nice spicy edge and a beautiful mouth-feel. The finish is long and spicy with herbal undertones, drink now thru 2012.

2006 Poet's Leap Riesling 95 points

Poet’s Leap 2006 Riesling (Columbia Valley); $20.


This Riesling is gorgeous, one of the best I've ever had. I got this beauty as a gift and WOW! With a beautiful palate of pineapple, melon, bosc pear and apricot that's layered perfectly. The light honeyed residual sugar is a perfect balance to keep acids in check. If you can get a case of this...BUY IT! Drink now thru 2014.

2008 Melipal Rosé 88 points

Malbec, Mendoza, $13



Dry, crisp and refreshing with a pure palate of strawberry, raspberry, cherry and pomegranate. With a floral undertone through-out it does not disappoint. The finish is clean and dry with very faint hints of creamy vanilla and citrus, drink now.

2007 Bodegas Caro Amancaya 91 points

Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, $20


I love a red blend that's big and approachable when you open it; Big dark fruit blasts onto the palate with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola and thick vanilla. Style wise, this red blend is superior because it offers both girth and elegance. With a long and balanced finish of earth and dark fruit, drink now thru 2010.

2008 Oops Sauvignon Blanc 90 points

Oops 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (Central Valley); $12

I would not describe this fabulous Sauv Blanc as an oops; The palate pops with flavors of pink grapefruit, zesty lime, gooseberry and grass. Crisp, clean and perfectly refreshing with bracing acids. This white is consistent and delicious with a clean citrusy finish, drink now thru the end of 2009.

2006 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha 91 points

Merlot, Peumo, $19



Another fine Merlot from Concha y Toro; With a velvety palate of black plum, cassis, black pepper and supple vanilla. With firm, ripe tannins and a lush mouth-feel adds to the allure of this red. The finish is smooth with hints of nutmeg and burnished oak, drink now thru 2012.

2007 Nora Albariño 90 points

Albariño, Rías Baixas, $14



This white is fresh, clean and lively; With a bright palate of granny smith apples, pear, melon and lemon. A refreshing balance of bright acids and a full-body makes this a stand out white. With a full mouth-coating finish of citrus and spring flowers.

2007 Don Miguel Gascon Malbec 88 points

Don Miguel Gascon 2007 Malbec (Mendoza) $10



A beautiful inky purple color and the flavor to match; With a fat palate of blueberry liqueur, blackberry, black plum and fudge. This red is dense, but yet still balanced with tons of flavor. The oak is a hit on a long smooth finish, drink now thru 2012.

2007 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris 91 points

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley); $15



Bold, crisp and racy, another outstanding Pinot Gris; The palate explodes with tangerine, orange rind, pear and spice. With a full-body and racy acids this white maintains expert balance. If you can, buy a case of this white and drink it all year. With a beautiful long finish of honeysuckle and toast, bravo!

2007 Porcupine Ridge Syrah 90 points

Syrah, Western Cape, $13


This Syrah has so much going for it; With a broad, rich palate of blueberry, cherry, red plum and spicy oak. Well structured with ample, restrained tannins. The price makes this a stand-out red and a great value. The finish is long with a lingering undertone of earth and spice, drink now thru 2012.