- 09 Ludwig "Hammerklavier" Pinot Noir/Dornfelder (Santa Lucia Highlands): Has more character than any primetime police drama out there. $28 B #
- 08 V. Sattui Glisson Vineyard Zinfandel (Russian River Valley): Big, jammy, spicy & quite damn happy about it ThankYouVeryMuch! $36 B #
- 10 Folonari Moscato (Piave): Kinda like the neighbors’ dog – affable, sweet but a after a while too in-your-face for extended company. $8 C+ #
- 10 Innocent Bystander Moscato (Victoria): The whole fruit cup’s here, along w/ a little spritz, very little booze & a whole lot of fun $35 B #
- 08 Sanford "Sanford & Benedict vineyard" Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills): She’s a beauty, but it’s gonna be a long (4+ years) courtship. $60 B+ #
- 08 Sanford Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills): Oaky & >14% abv? Yeah, but it’s fruity, tangy & herbal enough to stand up tall to all of that $40 B #
- 08 Sanford Chardonnay (Santa Barbara County): Yeah, come to think of it I *will* take a side of roasted nuts with that tropical fruit. $21 B #
- 07 Flowers "Andreen-Gale" Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast): Like the Jedi Anakin Skywalker, it kicks ass (& has a hint of a Dark Side). $50 A- #
- 07 Krutz "Stagecoach Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): The coach is smokin’ up a boozy – but downright spicy – fire! $69 B+ #
- 05 D’Argenzio Randy Rhoads Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County): Almost as much prune & plum as Randy had amazing metal licks. *Almost*. $53 B #
- 08 Three Sticks Durell Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast): The fruit is Hefty Hefty Hefty! The balance is Wimpy Wimpy Wimpy! $55 B #
- 09 Markus Huber Obere Steigen Gruner Veltliner (Niederösterreich): The kind of wine a hefty CA-style salad dreams about when it sleeps $18 B #
- 07 Draconis Petite Sirah "Classic" (Lodi): Unbeatable PS, with no BS. A spicier, meat-friendlier Lodi red probably doesn’t exist. $28 B+ #
- 09 Susana Balbo Late Harvest Torrontes (Mendoza): Crowd-pleasing lychee/flower bomb to cap off dinner, & just about any dinner will do $24 B #
- 08 Château d’Esclans "Garrus" (Côtes de Provence): World’s best Rosé? Maybe. One of the most profound, demanding & complex? For sure. $90 A- #
- 09 Château d’Esclans "Whispering Angel" Rosé (Côtes de Provence): Those angels are basically whispering "Drink Me… NOW…!" $17 B- #
