• 07Atwater Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes): Highway robbery at the price; the kind where U make out like a spice- and limes-loving bandit. $18 B+ #
• 07 Pina Buckeye Viny'd Howell Mtn Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): As spicey & herbal as it gets from the Mtn. Superb but not cheap! $85 A #
• 08 Sutter Home White Zinfandel (CA): For this price, it's a bargain. A 1-dimmensional (strawberry) bargain, but a bargain nonetheless. $4 C #
• 08 FishEye Chardonnay (CA): In the eye of this beholder, it's not a beauty. More like a shot in the eye of acid & vanilla extract. $6 C- #
• 08 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough): Nose is screamin' limes & gooseberry, but the palate is screamin' a bit too much acid. $23 B- #
• 07 Ch. Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz (Barossa): Crowds will luv the approachable red berry / pepper action but you'd best like cola too $19 B #
• 05 Trimbach Gewurztraminer (Alsace): The lychee & orange zest are textbook, but it's so refined that it somehow sneaks up on you. $15 B+ #
• 07 Frei Bros. Merlot Reserve (Dry Creek Valley): Dark berry & ahint of herbaceousness, pretty much the whole early-drinking package. $20 B+ #
• 06 Frei Bros. Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (Alexander Valley): As CA as they come but the finish has too much sizzle for under 14% abv. $24 B- #
• 07 Frei Bros. Chardonnay Reserve (Russian River Valley): Peaches & cream, but those peaches are balanced, toasty & downright crispy. $20 B #
• 08 Frei Bros. Sauvignon Blanc Reserve (Russian River Valley): The lemongrass is way high, but fortunately the flabiness is way low. $20 B #
• 07 Stanton St. Helena Petite Sirah (Napa Valley): The Stones' "Paint It Black" comes to mind, except with a spicer, happier ending. $45 A- #
• NV Chartogne-Taillet Cuvee Ste Anne (Champagne): A little bread, a lot of green apple & pear, and smidgen of astringent boozy heat. $35 B #
• 08 Aveleda Vinho Verde Fonte (Portugal): Refreshing as expected, but the creamy mouthfeel & tropical fruits are a pleasant surprise. $8 B+ #
• 07 Monte Bernardi Chianti Classico Retromarcia: This is sleek modern Italia black-fruit style for the trendy Milano high-fashion set. $18 B- #
• 07 Robert Sinskey Pinot Noir (Carneros): Those who don't like tangy (cranberry, raspberry) had better stay far away from this puppy. $30 B #
• 04 Markham Petite Sirah (Napa Valley): Nothing small about it. Opulent, peppery, dried-fruit bomb. Velvety texture will make friends. $25 B+ #
• 06 Selbach-Oster Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese (Mosel): Romancing the stone (as in stone fruits, wet rocks, sweet talk…). $44 A #

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