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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2005 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs 92 points

Sparkling Blend, Napa-Mendocino-Sonoma-Marin, $25

Year after year Schramsberg has made consistently great sparkling wine; With a tangy palate of Meyer lemons, white peach, ripe apples and smokey vanilla. Crisp and expertly layered it's perfect alone or with food. This beautiful sparkler finishes off with bright acidity that's long and lively.

2006 Penley Estate Phoenix 92 points

Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, $20


Beautiful with a bold fruit forward flavor profile; Blackberry, cassis, vanilla bean and cedar oak are velvety on the palate. This full bodied red has tight tannins and a lush texture that's properly balanced. The finish is smooth and long with hints of leather and caramel, drink now thru 2016.

2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Merlot 92 points

Chateau Ste-Michelle 2005 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot, $22



Another hit from Chateau Ste-Michelle; these guy's make great wine's at all price points. This lush and beautifully layered Merlot with palate pleasing blueberry jam,
licorice, mocha and cedar. The tannins are smoothed out to find a proper balance. With a sassy and interesting finish of black tea and toasty oak that's long and delicious, drink now thru 2012.

2007 Penfolds Bin 51 92 points

Riesling, Eden Valley, $20





Another fantastic wine from Penfolds; This racy Riesling coats the palate with passion fruit, tangerine, lime and zesty lemon. Expertly layered fruit with restrained acids balance this gorgeous white wine. With a lip-smacking finish that's long and lively this Riesling can't be beat.

2007 Spindrift Cellars Pinot Blanc 92 points

Spindrift Cellars 2007 Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley $16


Wow, what a great bottle of wine, lively, refreshing and full of zip; Big tropical fruit flavors of guava, tangerine, lime and pineapple dance on the palate. Beautifully integrated asian spice flavors with lively acidity finishes off this great white at a great price, drink now.

2006 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Shiraz 92 points

Yangarra Estate Vineyard 2006 Single Vineyard Shiraz $25



Complex, pure and ripe, another great Shiraz from Yangarra; Blueberry cheese cake, cherry, tobacco and peppery spice lushly coat the palate. This Shiraz is beautifully layered with an intense creamy vanilla bean and leather spice finish, drink now thru 2015.

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.

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.

2006 Chateau St. Jean La Petite Etoile 92 points

Fumé Blanc, Russian River Valley, $20


This wine is complex and pure with lots of style; With a zippy palate of passion fruit, melon, lime and lemongrass are perfectly layered. Smokey oak comes out mid-palate with a bone dry peppery finish, drink now thru 2012.

2006 Longboard DaKine Vineyard 92 points

Merlot, Russian River Valley, $19



Another great Merlot from a much maligned grape; fresh blueberry, black plum, chocolate and leather dance on the palate with structure and elegance. Multi-layered and balanced with licorice and spice coming through a long, lush finish, drink now thru 2014.