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 Cadaretta sbs 91 points

Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon, Columbia Valley (WA), $22



This beautiful white calls out for food; 75% Sauv Blanc, 25% Sémillon burst on to a lush palate of lime, grapefruit, passion fruit and spice. With balanced and zippy acids and perfectly layered fruit leading to a bright fruit filled finish, drink now thru 2010.

2007 Vergelegen Sauvignon Blanc 89 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape, $22



This wine is a nice balance of fruit and spice; Pink grapefruit, mango, lime and grass on the palate. Snappy acids fill out this full bodied white, drink now.

2006 Signorello Seta 94 points

Bordeaux White Blend, Napa Valley, $25

I got this Bordeaux style white blend as a gift and tried to resist, but now is the time; Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend together beautifully with lush intricacy and ripe fruit. Peach, melon, Meyer lemons and creamy key lime fill the palate effortlessly. The result is balanced, harmonious and elegant, great wine and one of my top 20 of the year.

2006 Columbia Crest 10 White Wine 89 points

Two Vines Vineyard White Blend, Washington, $8

Clean, crisp, rich, and off-dry white blend, with a great price. A powerful tropical nose and a broad floral and citrus palate, easy drinking at a great price with no oak finishes off this value white blend.

2006 L'Ecole No. 41 Sémillon 92 points

Sémillon, Seven Hills Vineyard Estate, Walla Walla (WA), $20

Delicious and ripe, one of best Sémillon I've ever tasted and with a good punch of achohol. Very clean and creamy with green apple, melon, kiwi and honeysuckle with just the right amount of oak. Barrell-fermenting helps add balance and tempers the acidity and brings out toasty vanilla on a lingering finish.

2005 Robert Mondavi 96 points

To Kalon Vineyard Reserve Fumé Blanc, Oakville, $35

One of the best Sauvignon Blancs in California, the ’05 is a amazing. An elegant wine of both power and finesse that reflects the terroir of the famed To Kalon Vineyard. It brings new levels of richness and complexity to a variety that can be simple even in the best of hands. With 15% Sémillon, the wine explodes with zesty tangerine, lemon tart, coconut pie and smoky oak flavors, with an edge of wintergreen. The finish is absolutely dry. A triumph.

2006 Brander Cuvée Nicolas 91 points

Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley, $25


Brander’s barrel-fermented, new oaky Sauvignon Blanc. You can taste the creaminess and smokiness imparted by the wood with hints of guava nectar, peach marmalade and grapefruit. With 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillon it marries nicely with the grape’s citrus and fig flavors and zippy acids, drink now only 401 cases produced

BERINGER Alluvium Blanc 93 points

Knights Valley 2006 ($16)

There's beautiful purity of fruit, with a rich and vibrant beam of tangerine, nectarine and subtle pear tingling. The finish is long and clean with a hint of sage. Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier. Drink now through 2011. 9,000 cases made.