- 07 Ghost Pines Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma/Napa Counties): Mr. toasty oak told Ms. Blackberry that he'd "be gentle." But he lied. $23 B- #
- 07 Ghost Pines Merlot (Sonoma/Napa Counties): Frighteningly supple crowd-pleaser. Dunno who brought the toasted nuts, but they're good $20 B #
- 09 Dancing Coyote Albarino (Clarksburg): Wow. Alive, well, fruity, peachy, lively, food-friendly & living comfortably in California! $11 B+ #
- 09 Dancing Coyote Gruner Veltliner (Clarksburg): Peppery & capable, if not a home run. They get bonus points for trying GV in CA. $11 B- #
- 08 L'Ecole No. 41 Seven Hills Vineyard "Luminesce" (Walla Walla): A bit too broad & flirting with flabbiness. Tropical nuances a plus B- $19 #
- L'Ecole No. 41 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah (Walla Walla): A triple-threat, & a damn good 1 – tasty red fruit, spice & earth. $36 A- #
- 08 Red Newt Cellars "Circle" Riesling (Finger Lakes): Refreshing, crisp & capable of converting sweet-tooth relatives onto fine wine. $12 B #
- 07 Red Guitar Old Vine Tempranillo/Garnacha (Navarra): Surprisingly & delightfully simple, like unexpectedly finding $20 in yer pocket $10 B #
- 09 Château Tanunda "Grand Barossa" Riesling (Barossa): A great buy; as spritely, acidic & spicy as any Aussie you're likely to meet. $12 B #
- 06 Elderton Tantalus Shiraz / Cabernet Sauvignon (S. Australia): Too much cola, but more than enough juicy, fruity, tasty goodness. B- $13 #
- 07 Henry Fessy Fleurie (Beaujolais): Big ol' Beauj. Don't pick those strawberries before they're ripe; this one needs a bit more time. $15 B #
- 09 Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough): Like having your nostrils seduced by a gooseberry while you're out mowing the lawn. $20 B+ #
- NV Lamberti Rose Spumante (Veneto): The flowers have a light touch, but the bubbles are heavy-handed. Charmat but not charming. $14 B- #
- 08 Heinz Eifel Eiswein (Rheinhessen): German eiswein is usually much more expensive & in this case you'll be getting what you pay for. $20 C #
- 05 Penley Chertsey (Coonawarra): Sometimes (like this Cab-blend beauty), "big & bold" and "sense of place" aren't mutually exclusive. $50 A- #
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