DAILY WINE TASTING

2007 Bonterra Viognier 91 points

2009-02-16T11:27:00.002-06:00

Viognier, Mendocino-Lake, $18

With a beautiful nose of exotic fruits leads to a spicy, fruit forward palate of guava, pineapple, apricot and spicy honey. Clean, crisp and refreshing that's expertly balanced. Wildflowers and vanilla bean come out on a smooth, ripe finish.

2007 Frog's Leap Chardonnay 91 points

2009-02-17T12:46:00.002-06:00

Frog's Leap 2007 Chardonnay $22

This is a rich, focused Chardonnay with lots of pizazz; The palate is full of pineapple, melon, pear and toasty vanilla. Full-bodied with restrained acids and a ton of tropical flavors. The finish is rich and clean with beautiful vanilla and burnished oak lingering throughout.

2007 Indaba Shiraz 89 points

2009-02-19T12:30:00.002-06:00

Shiraz, Western Cape, $8

With a juicy and spicy nose that's well rounded; The lush palate of blueberry, plum, black cherry and spicy oak is broad and complex. On balance a nice Shiraz at a great price. This red is lush and ripe with a finish that denotes caramel and cedar.

2006 Villa Pillo 93 points

2009-02-20T13:08:00.002-06:00

Toscana Borgoforte 2006 $12

A beautiful red blend with heady aromatics; The palate is lush blend of black cherry, currant, blackberry and anise. Full-bodied with restrained tannins and a silky mouth-feel. With a long and beautiful finish with hints of leather and vanilla.

2007 Sterling Made with Organic Grapes 92 points

2009-02-24T13:08:00.003-06:00

Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino, $13

Another fabulous Sauv Blanc with a beautiful nose of mouth-watering tropical fruit; The palate explodes with pink grapefruit, lime, lemon and fresh cut grass. With a bone dry palate and crisp acids that dance from start to finish. Clean and refreshing with a tart finish that last long and is smooth.

De Bortoli Shiraz 88 points

2009-02-25T14:32:00.002-06:00

2007 Shiraz South Eastern Australia dB Selection $9

Nice Shiraz for a great price; With a spicy palate of blackberry, black raspberry, plum and spicy. Easy drinking and smooth that's uncomplicated and bright. The finish is light but lingering.

2006 Yellow Tail The Reserve 88 points

2009-02-27T09:25:00.002-06:00

Cabernet Sauvignon, South Eastern Australia, $11

The nose of this Cab is ripe black fruit and vanilla; With a concentrated palate of blackberry, black cherry raspberry and new french oak. For $11 bucks you get a great value with velvety tannins and cassis and spicy oak coming through on a long smooth finish.

2006 Crinella Sauvignon Blanc 92 points

2009-03-01T13:48:00.002-06:00

Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley, $22

With a nose that's spicy, creamy and refreshingly clean; The palate explodes with passion fruit, lime, lemon and gooseberry. This is a perfect food pairing wine with interesting layers of flavor. Dry, crisp and clean with a finish that pops long past you swallow.

Sterling Chardonnay 89 points

2009-03-02T13:53:00.002-06:00

2007 Chardonnay Central Coast Vintner's Collection $10

Another big production of a fruit forward easy drinking Chard; With a broad palate of pineapple, lime, melon and jasmine flowers. With a medium-body and ripe fruit that's not over oaked and easy to drink. This Chard has a clean, refreshing finish with notes of honey and vanilla.

2006 Golden Kaan Chardonnay 88 points

2009-03-04T10:55:00.002-06:00

Golden Kaan 2006 Chardonnay (Western Cape); $10

I love a clean, ripe nose of tropical fruit; The palate pops with pineapple, pear and granny smith apples. This Chard is uncomplicated and easy drinking that's fresh and lively. With a finish that brings out more tropical fruit that's long and lingering.

2008 Sebeka Chenin Blanc 89 points

2009-03-05T12:25:00.003-06:00

Sebeka 2008 Chenin Blanc (Western Cape); $10

Sebeka consistently produces great wine at great prices...Bravo! The palate opens with honeydew, melon, honey and asian spices. Lively, expressive and refreshing balance of fruit flavors. This white has a broad finish of tropical fruit and exotic spices.

2006 Terra d' Oro Home Vineyard Zinfandel 92 points

2009-03-07T13:38:00.002-06:00

Terra d' Oro 2006 Home Vineyard Zinfandel $25

Intense and spicy on the nose with a palate that leads to black plum, currant, cassis and spicy cedar. Pepper and rich mocha run throughout with a broad finish. The finish lasts long with undertones of cracked black pepper and leather.

2007 Painted Wolf Pinotage 90 points

2009-03-09T12:25:00.002-05:00

Pinotage, Coastal Region, $15

Robust and ripe flavors with a spicy nose; The palate opens with red plum, raspberry, currant and toasty vanilla. Expertly layered with amazing balance and a warm mouth-feel. The ripe fruit is upfront and complex with a creamy, cedar filled finish.

2008 Veramonte Reserva 90 points

2009-03-12T11:58:00.002-05:00

Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, $10

Bright, clean and refreshing is the motive here; The palate explodes with lime, grapefruit, melon and herb flavors. The medium body and zippy acids keeps this white in check. With a lip-smacking finish that drives home the citrus and grassy flavors.

2006 Vina Robles Jardine Petite Sirah 94 points

2009-03-15T11:58:00.002-05:00

Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, $25

Gorgeous! Beautiful inky purple color with tons on spice on the nose. The lush palate opens with black plum, currant, blueberry and spicy new oak. Full-bodied with restrained tannins and amazing balance. With chocolate, leather and white pepper coming thru a long and lush finish. If you can buy a case of this...BUY IT!

Vina Santa Ema 89 points

2009-03-18T13:22:00.002-05:00

Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley 2007 $10

The Cabs from Chile keep getting better and what a great price; The palate opens with black cherry, blackberry, raspberry and burnished oak. Medium-bodied and jam packed full of flavor with balanced tannins. The finish is light with vanilla and earthy cedar coming thru.

2007 Honker Blanc 93 points

2009-04-11T14:12:00.003-05:00

Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, $12

This Sauv Blanc is a killer...price and flavor are dynamite! The palate explodes with flavors of grapefruit, lime, passion fruit and minerals. With an undertone of spice and ripe acids balance this white with thirst-quenching flavor. With a broad finish of spearmint and fig that pops all the way. Buy this by the case if you can get it and enjoy thru the summer. Bravo!

2007 Ardenvoir Sémillon 93 points

2009-04-12T12:45:00.003-05:00

Sémillon, Columbia Valley (WA), $22

Spicy, lush and tropical with perfect balance; With a silky palate of tangerine, mandarin orange, jasmine and sweet honey. This full-bodied white has amazing balance and finesse with it's acids in check. Full-throttled citrus and tropical flavors throughout with an elegant finish. Well done, this is one my favorite whites of the year.

2008 Kim Crawford 91 points

2009-04-14T14:34:00.004-05:00

Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, $15

This Sauvignon Blanc is clean, ripe and pure; the palate pops with pink grapefruit, zesty lime, guava and stone. Medium-bodied with lots if zippy acids and clean flavor profile. It finishes off with notes of kiwi and creamy key lime, buy this one by the case.

2008 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc 90 points

2009-04-15T15:59:00.002-05:00

Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough $13

Big production but oh so tasty and focused; The palate explodes with pink grapefruit, peach, lime and fresh cut grass. Racy acids help balance the core citrus flavors. This is a big fruit Sauv Blanc from start to finish.

2007 Souverain Chardonnay 91 points

2009-04-19T13:17:00.002-05:00

2007 Chardonnay Alexander Valley $15

Beautifully complex citrus aromas delight the nose; The palate pops with Granny Smith apples, bosc pears, pineapple and toasty oak. Full-bodied, complex and richly elegant that maintains it's intense citrus flavor from start to finish. Honeysuckle and sweet caramel come thru on a long lingering finish.

2004 Columbia Crest Merlot 88 points

2009-04-20T12:50:00.002-05:00

2004 Merlot Washington Two Vines $8

Lush and velvety with a beautiful nose; the palate is broad with Bing cherries, black cherry, cedar and oak. I love Merlots with undertones of chocolate and tobacco and this one does not disappoint. The finish travels far and wide with hints of white pepper and new oak.

2005 Condado De Oriza Crianza Tempranillo 92 points

2009-04-22T16:06:00.002-05:00

2005 Condado De Oriza Crianza Tempranillo $13

Beautifully integrated fruit and a great price; With a broad palate of black raspberry, plum, black cherry and leather. Rich with chewy tannins and loaded with creamy dark fruit. Amazing balance at a fabulous price is why I love Spanish wines. The finish roars thru with more dark fruit and light oak.

2007 Montevina Chardonnay 86 points

2009-04-25T14:43:00.002-05:00

2007 Montevina Chardonnay, California $8

Finding a good Chard at a great price is always a delight; The palate opens with pineapple, guava, pear and new oak. This full-bodied white is uncomplicated and easy drinking. Allspice and caramel come thru on a lingering. long finish.

2007 Misiones de Rengo Cuvee Carmenere 92 points

2009-05-14T14:17:00.002-05:00

2007 Misiones de Rengo Cuvee Carmenere $19

The nose is intense with lush aromas of deep, spicy blackberry jam and toasted oak. With a spicy complex palate of black plum, black plum, hazelnut and dark chocolate. I love this red because of it's elegance and refinement with amazing balance. The finish is long and smooth with more toasty vanilla and roasted coffee beans. Drink now thru 2014.