• 07 Olson Ogden Stagecoach Vineyard Syrah (Napa): What's not to love: the price. What's to love: everything else, esp. those silky tannins B+ #
• 09 Grey's Peak Riesling (Waipara): Quince, stone & tropical fruit, & a balanced sense of place – all for under $20. Hats off to the Kiwis. B #
• 06 Buehler Papa's KnollCabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Special delivery from kickass dark cherry & spice. Pls. don't open for 5 yrs $45 B+ #
• 08 Buehler Chardonnay Reserve (RRV): So, the tropical fruit & minerals are served with a healthy dollop of cream. You can handle it. $20 B- #
• 06 Leanne Vineyards Pinot Noir (Rogue Valley): Developed by @TheWineExpert for Seasons52. Missing some earth, but otherwise awesome. $40 B+ #
• 06 Hugel "Cuvee Les Amours" Pinot Blanc (Alsace): I am in serious Like with this citrusy, textbook expression of aromatic Alsatian PB $17 B #

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• 08 Rodney Strong Chardonnay (Sonoma): For the $ you can buy some oak bomb, or go w/ this lively & balanced crowd-pleaser. Your choice. B- #
• 08 Rodney Strong Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley): This is like magic, it makes the finish totally disappear! Spice & cherry cola help. C #
• 07 Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma): A straight shot of dried black cherry from the 1st sniff all the way thru the tart finish. C+ #
• 09 Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz (Western Cape): Q: A product can’t jump the shark as soon as it hits the market, can it? A: Actually, yes it can. C- #
• 05 Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer (Alsace): Lychee bomb wrapped in rose petals & sprinkled w/ spice. Could lose a few lbs, but still pretty. B+ #
• 07 Bressia Monteagrelo Syrah (Mendoza): Just like your overpriced, food-unfriendly New World Syrah, except fairly priced & food-friendly! A- #
• 06 Bressia Profundo (Mendoza): I don’t often get goosebumps from smelling a wine, esp a Malbec; but this black fruit masterpiece delivers. A #
• 05 Familia Langley Reserva ‘Urraca’ (Mendoza): As dark as its namesake & lovely, but I’m not convinced it’ll ever grow into its own skin. B+ #

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• 06 Jacob's Creek Steingarten Riesling (Barossa): They ride on blaaaaazing aaaaaciiiiiiiiid! And lemon zest. And then even more acid. B- #
• 06 Cruz Andina Malbec (Mendoza): More jams than a Phish concert. Decant for 2 hrs, serve w/ brisket & the higher price will seem worth it. B #
• 08 Folonari Pinot grigio (Veneto): For $9, don't expect the world. But expect its green apple flavor to play nicely with baked fish. C+ #
• 08 Ritual Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley): There's dark cherry New World Pinot in there, but you've gotta dig thru the green pepper for it. C #
• 06 Rocca Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Big & beautiful. 5 yrs will integrate the red fruits, cinnamon & vanilla, but why wait? A #
• 08 Giovanni Almondo Bricco delle Ciliegie (Arneis): Peach, citrus & screamin' minerality. Could have more aromatic bang for the buck, tho. B #
• 06 Mettler 'Epicenter' Old Vine Zinfandel (Lodi): Too bad about the heat, 'cause the dense blackberry & cracked pepper totally rock. B- #

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• 07 Rossi-Wallace Pinot Noir (Napa Valley): A dense cherry core draped w/ aromas of violets, like it’s wearing a boa made of flower petals. #
• 07 Rossi-Wallace Chardonnay (Napa Valley): Bright, steely, awesome, & about as close to Chablis as you’re ever gonna get from California. #
• 07 Swanson Pinot Grigio (Napa Valley): As grapefruity & aromatic as you'd expect out of Alsace or NZ. Still priced like Napa, though. #
• 06 Wallis Little Sister Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Luxurious dark fruit & fennel take a long (& affordable!) trip down tobacco road. #
• 04 El Coto de Rioja Coto de Imaz Reserva: Sure-footed (those are vanilla-dipped red berry feet), dependable, tasty, & a tad overpriced. #
• 07 Six Prong Chardonnay (Horse Heaven Hills): 1 prong lemon, 1 prong pear, & 4 prongs flab. Mouthfeel = letdown, even for a budget pick. #
• 06 Robert Mondavi Chardonnay (Napa Valley): *Almost* enuf harmony in the stone & peachy fruits to forgive the touch-too-much of oak & lees. #

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