• 08 Jordan Chardonnay (Russian River Valley): A complicated dame w/ huge peaches; sweet as vanilla, but she has a big acid streak too. $29 B+ #
• 09 Gavalas Assyrtiko (Santorini): Distinctive blue bottle houses a not-so-distinctive but ultimately solid & mineral-driven white. $24 B- #
• 08 Gavalas Nyktiri (Santorini): Quite simply the tastiest, most balanced & nuanced Nykteri-style Assyrtiko I’ve come across. Bravo. $24 A- #
• 08 Gavalas “Xenoloo” (Santorini): Trying to decide whether it’s a red or a rose, while you’re waiting (impatiently) & at your expense. €5 C+ #
• 03 Gavalas Vinsanto (Santorini): A very fresh but decidedly less complex take on the standard Santorini caramel & dried fig goodness. $35 B+ #
• 03 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley): Everything’s just *a hair* too heavy-handed in this jammy, licorice-infused blend. $55 B+ #
• 09 SantoWines Athiri: Comes across like a really decent CA Sauv. Blanc. Alas, production is way too low for the U.S. to ever see this €11. B #
• 09 SantoWines Assyrtiko (Santorini): Offering of lemons, grapefruit, & floral perfume that’s as solid as the wet rocks in the finish. $18 B #
• 09 SantoWines Nykteri (Santorini): Equally as solid as its non-oaked Assyrtiko counterpart. Balance (praise Zeus!) rules the day here. $18 B #
• 03 SantoWines Assyrtiko (Santorini): Organic vineyards & nearly orgasmic with honey, petrol, nuts & crisp mineralty. Downright elegant. A- #

• 08 SantoWines Movotragano (Santorini): Peppery mulberry w/ tough but not totally crazy tannins. Having a leather tongue would help. €15 B- #
• 08 SantoWines “Kamenh” (Santorini): Smoky, dried black fruits & tannins so tough that it makes black Tannat wines look like apple juice. C #
• 04 SantoWines Vinsanto (Santorini): Clean raisiny fruit covered in dark caramel. An embryo of a wine that will evolve for a loooong time. B+ #
• 07 Hatzidakis Movotragano (Santorini): Earthy, funky & leathery enough to be from the S. Rhone. Tannins as tough as that leather, tho. €16 B #
• 09 Gaia “Thalassitis” (Santorini): An approachable, grapefruit-in-the-face Assyrtiko w/ mad amounts of fresh, vibrant citrus action. B+ #
• 09 Gaia “Wild Ferment” Assyrtiko (Santorini): Union of wild yeasts & steel/oak/acacia treatment gives birth to rich, astringent mouthfeel. B #
• 08 Gaia Oak Fermented “Thalassitis” (Santorini): A sulfery, butterscotchy, International-ly take on Assyrtiko. Yes, it happens even here. B #
• 06 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley): Clearly going in the right direction. Cherry, toast, tobacco leaf & kick-ass acidity $52 B+ #
• 07 L’Ecole No 41 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Merlot (Walla Walla): Luscious & so well put-together you’ll forgive its boozy advances. $37 A- #
• 06 Markham “The Philanthropist” Cabernet Sauvignon (Yountville): Jammy black fruit beast w/ tobacco & anise. Go (real) big or go home.$50 A- #
• 09 Anne Amie Cuvée Midnight Saignée Rosé (Willamette Valley): A hell of a companion for your Summer backyard BBQ watermelon salad. $15 B #
• 09 Folonari Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie (Veneto): Easily & pleasantly drinkable. Easily & pleasantly forgettable. $19 C+ #

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