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 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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

NV Graham Beck Bliss Demi Sec 90 points

Champagne Blend, Robertson, $16




This semi-dry sparkler from Graham Beck is a stand out; English honey, pineapple, jasmine and yeast dance on a sweet palate. A perfect sparkler to pair with spicy Asian food. With a finish that's light and refreshing you'll want another glass...Time to toast!

2007 Snoqualmie Naked Gewürztraminer 90 points

Gewürztraminer, Columbia Valley (WA), $12


Gewürz is a great white wine to pair with ham; the palate opens with juicy flavors of Mandarin orange, guava, lemon drop and Asian spices. With snappy acidity and juicy sweet fruit, makes for a perfect x-mas dinner wine. The finish is clean and refreshing and at 12 bucks you can't beat the price.

2006 Rex Hill Chardonnay 90 points

Rex Hill 2006 Chardonnay; Oregon $18


To me, this is a unoaked Chard, clean, crisp and fruit forward. Big fruit on the full palate of pineapple, melon, guava and rich spices. With crisp acids and tightly defined fruit layers propels this to all fruit all the time. The finish is clean with a spicy long, full-bodied end, drink now thru 2011.

2007 Petaluma Hanlin Hill 90 points

Riesling, Clare Valley, $20



Tangy, tart with creamy citrus flavors; Kaffir lime, orange peel and cotton candy fill the palate with creamy goodness. Medium bodied with restrained acids and a broad palate make for a great white wine, drink now thru 2012.

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 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.

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 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 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.

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.