• 07 Virage (Napa Valley): Definitely one to watch; big, succulent & spicy Cab Franc from (mostly) Carneros coming your way in Oct 2010 $45 B+ #
• 07 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (Napa Valley): About as superb (& pricey) as it gets in the Valley. Beguiling. $265 A #
• 07 Araujo Estate Syrah Eisele Vineyard (Napa Valley): A dark fruit monster now that might welcome you with open arms in about 4 yrs. $125 A- #
• 07 Araujo Estate Sauvignon Blanc Eisele Vineyard (Napa Valley): Might just be *the* most balanced SB I’ve *ever* had from the Valley. $50 A- #
• 09 Stags’ Leap Viognier (Napa Valley): Kind of like they tried to kill a pear via drowning in grain alcohol. And they succeeded. $25 B- #
• 09 Stags’ Leap Amparo Rose (Napa Valley): A bit too ‘hot’ but the payoff is seriously fun warm strawberry compote action at the end. $20 B #
• 05 Penley Special Select “The Traveler” Shiraz (Coonawarra): Like a big-hair metal concert; over-the-top, fun & exactly what u expect $50 B+ #
• NV Adami Garbel Brut Prosecco Treviso: Like a bite of yellow apple, at once more substantial *and* fresher than your average Prosecco. $15 B #

• 08 Inama “Vin Soave” (Soave Calssico): Almonds, flowers, citrus & spice – explain to me why don’t I drink a lot more of this stuff? $15 B #
• 08 Tenutae Lageder “beta delta” Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio (Vigneti delle Dolomiti): Probably should have just stuck with the Chard. $20 B- #
• 08 Marco Felluga “Molamatta” (Collio Bianco): NW Italy is just kicking all kinds of ass right now with its whites. No exception here. $21 B+ #
• 09 Vietti Roero Arneis: Somehow manages to successfully combine tropics, spritz, nuttiness, acidity, complexity & balance. $22 B+ #
• 07 Badia a Coltibuono Chainti Classico: More average than classic, and more tart than smooth. Old World lovers will be down with that. $20 B #
• 08 Vietti “Tre Vigne” Barbera d’ Asti: Almost chewable, it’s so big, cherry, chewy, substantive & chewy. Did I mention it was chewy? $18 B+ #
• 04 Casanova di Neri “White Label” Brunello di Montalcino: May mature in time for your great-great-great-great grandkids to enjoy it. $55 A- #
• 07 Fattoria La Valentina Montepulciano d’Abbruzzo: Tabacco, licorice & that kind of mouthfeel for < $15? Was probably stolen… $14 B+ #
• 07 Tenuta Sant’ Antonio “Monti Garbi” Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso: Spicy & might be a great food wine without the Brett. $22 C+ #
• 09 Saracco Moscato d’Asti: Fortunately for the price you can by a few bottles since all your friends will drink it up like water. $16 B #
• 09 Mounier Torrontes (Salta): The lychee might fake you out, but when the citrus & tropical fruit hits you’ll know where you are. $14 B- #
• 06 Dona Silvina Malbec (Mendoza): Dressed in velvet, her body is a bit on the chubby side, but she sure carries it well. $25 B+ #
• NV Domaine Ricard “Le Vinsans Ricard” (VDT Mousseux): Used to be Gamay, now it’s Sauv Blanc. Whatever, It’s still damn good bubbly. $22 B+ #

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