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.