• 07 Olsen Ogden Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast): Go big or go home. In this case, VERY big. And smoky. And vanilla-y. U get the idea. $32 B #
• 07 Sean Minor Four Bears Pinot Noir (Napa Valley / Carneros): A lot of cherry & spice, but it's hidden behind the smoke screen. $17 C+ #
• 07 Jaboulet Muscat de Beaumes de Venise "Le Chant des Griolles" (Rhone): 1 of THE best Muscats I've EVER had. Asian pear fans rejoice. $25 A #
• 07 Leitz "Eins Zwei Dry" Riesling (Rheingau): Superior to the `08 – steely, crisp with *commanding* acidity. An awesome bargain for $18 B+ #
• 08 Stellar Organics No Added Sulfites Merlot (S. Africa): Makes a very strong argument for the addition of at least *some* sulfites. $12 C- #
• 07 Heron Hill Old Vines Riesling Reserve (Finger Lakes): For those who like their citrus with pith intact & rinsed in mineral water. $25 B- #
• 07 Bargetto Old Vine Zinfandel (Lodi): So much sweet incense spiciness, it's like being at the spa, but soaking in blackberry booze. $18 B+ #
• 08 Stellar Organics No Added Sulfites Chenin Blanc / Sauvignon Blanc (S. Africa): Environment-friendly, but not taste-friendly. $12 C- #
• 09 Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough): A concentrated shot of passion- & pink grapefruit-juice. Maybe *too* concentrated. $15 B- #
• 08 Jules Taylor Pinot Noir (Marlborough): Slightly awkward but promising juggling act of bright cherry, sweet oak & lively acidity. $22 B- #
• 06 Ch. Tanunda Noble Baron Shiraz (Barossa): She's too smooth & sultry. You'll go to bed w/ her but probably won't call her tomorrow. $50 B+ #
• 08 Fred Loimer "Lois" Gruner Veltliner (Kamptal): GruVe it is, but with that light body, simple aroma & short finish, groovy it isn't. $15 C #
• 08 Stadt Krems Grüner Veltliner (Kremstal): All sultana & citrus, & almost all very good. Pass the Asian salad with nuts & mandarins! $14 B- #
• 06 Revolver Wine Co. 'The Fury' Cabernet Franc (Napa Valley): A fist full o' flowers. And jammy blue & black fruits. And some booze. $45 B #

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• 05 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Wild berry party spoiled by too much green, too little body, & too high a price tag $100 B #
• 05 Freiherr Langwerth von Simmern Rauenthaler Baiken Riesling Spatlese (Rheingau): Stately, clean & just a *tiny* bit cloying. $40 A- #
• 05 Wolffer Estate Claletto (Long Island): Fab Amarone-style Cab from stellar year. Focused black fruits = Awesome. VA = not-awesome $85 B+ #
• 06 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir (Walker Bay): Would be lovely, if not for the prominent & nasty burnt tire & band-aid aromas. $37 D #
• NV Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs Brut (Champagne): Red apples & baked bread launched at tasty velocity towards your taste buds. $42 A #
• 02 Domaine Des Baumard Savennieres (Loire): Touch of honey & a lot of awesome. W/ that acid, this CB ain’t goin anywhere anytime soon. $30 A #
• 08 Deerfield Ranch Los Chamizal Chardonnay (Sonoma Valley): Give it time & peach & apple will appear. So will the midpalate heat, tho $28 B- #
• 06 Deerfield Ranch Red Rex (Sonoma County): Capable kitchen-sink red blend, but you’d better like black raspberry before attempting! $28 B- #
• 09 Grey’s Peak Sauvignon Blanc (Waipara): Like a barrel full of monkeys. Monkeys made of lemongrass, limes, gooseberries & firm acids. $18 A #

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• 08 Lamoreaux Landing Red Oak vineyard Riesling (Finger Lakes): As refreshing as a grapefruit & crisp green apple cocktail. $20 B #
• 05 Swanson Vineyards Merlot (Oakville): Aiming for Right Bank Bord'x. Not a direct hit, but a killer black licorice effort anyway. $36 A- #
• NV Alice White Lexia (SE Australia): Imagine a mango sorbet, but served at a cheap restaurant with tacky decor & annoying servers. $7 C+ #
• 06 Sherwin Family Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Like barnyard? This sucker is a downright state fair pony ride. $90 B #
• 05 Cain "Five" (Napa Valley): A little fun-kay! Deep & black, with a ton of tar and a commandingly strong finish. Brace yourself! $109 B+ #
• 07 Olson Ogden Syrah (Sonoma + Napa Counties): VERY tasty tune (& a song for NOW) but they're not quite singing in perfect harmony $28 B #
• 08 Elderton Unoaked Chardonnay (Barossa): "G'day, mate," said the Minerals, "We'd sure fancy bein' noticed. Good on' ya!" $13 B- #
• 06 Elderton Shiraz (Barossa): Gotta love that spicy aroma, but a mouthful is way too unctious (in just about every sense of the word) $23 C+ #
• 08 Grey's Peak Pinot Noir (Waipara): Unpronounceable region. Pronounced spices & wild berry flavors. These kiwis got it goin' on. $22 B #
• NV Trapiche Extra Brut (Mendoza): A fizzy w/ a splash of Malbec? Damn right! So much tasty toast, it could pass for a dinner roll. $13 B- #

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• 95 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Rarely, words are inadequate to convey a wine's sublime & heavenly balancing act. $350 A+ #
• 81 Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Spice & barnyard suggest its previous potential, now thoroughly dead. (Price N/A) C #
• 07 William Hill Chardonnay (Napa Valley): A deftly balanced take on the Napa Chard. And, therefore, a stone fruity bargain at $25. B #
• 07 William Hill Bench Blend Chardonnay (Napa Valley): A spoonful of minerals helps the butterscotch (and Mediterranean food) go down $35 B+ #
• 06 William Hill Estate Meritage (Napa Valley): PV is holding court under layers & layers of black fruit, but comes off a little 2 soft $85 B #
• 06 William Hill Estate Cabernet Franc (Napa Valley): Francy goes to Napa, gets fat, but keeps his spice to show he's still a badass $40 B- #

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• 04 Wellington 100 Yr Old Vines Estate Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley): The concentrated blackberry crack cocaine of Zins. Rich & balanced. $50 A- #
• 07 Folie a Deux Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): A nice whiff of dark red fruit & toffee, but only sweet-tooth palates need apply. $28 B- #
• 06 Waters Crest Cabernet Sauvignon (Long Island): That smoky, spicy cherry on the nose is magic. The slightly thin palate, less so. $40 B- #
• 06 Ravines Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes): The apple & wet rock smell enticing, but you’d better have some food handy for this acid shot $17 B- #
• 06 Brothers Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley): A Jim Kelly kung-fu black fruit, chocolate & licorice smackdown. Needs 7 yrs $75 A- #
• NV Graham’s Six Grapes Reserve Port: The Port world’s Fig Newtons, only more complex, luscious, tastier & more of a total bargain. $13.50 B+ #
• NV Casalnova Prosecco (Conegliano, Veneto): Suprisingly rich & downright refined. A honeysuckle lass with sass and some class. $18 B #
• 02 Blackjack Ranch ‘harmonie’ Red (Santa Barbara): Proof that dried prunes, cassis, & dark root veggies can live together peacefully. $60 A- #
• 07 Weingut Paulinshof Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese trocken (Mosel): A monster. Honey & lemon curd rock the hizzy. A- #

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• 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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