- NV Chateau Frank Célèbre Cremant (Finger Lakes): Those scoring it lower have likely not had this apple-tinged delight with food. $19 B- #
- 00 Chateau Frank Brut (Finger Lakes): CF’s 1st foray into the classic Champagne grapes is still lovely, lively, spritely & kickin’. $25 B+ #
- 08 Schloss Saarstein Pinot Blanc (Mosel): If I’d dreamt of a wine for stuffed scallops, it would taste much like this elegant offering $16 B #
- 09 Johannishof “V” Riesling Kabinett (Rheingau): A lot going on (pear candy, lemons, flowers, apricot, spice) w/out being ponderous. $24 B+ #
- 07 Spring Valey Vineyard Nina Lee Syrah (Walla Walla): Any hotter and Nina would probably have to register herself as a deadly weapon. $50 B #
- 09 Nobilo Regional Collection Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough): Too-sweet Wild tropical fruits (uh-oh) tamed by herbs & acid (hooray!). $15 B #
- 10 Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough): Finally tastes like it’s got the mark of the ‘borough (but otherwise unremarkable). $11 C+ #
- 10 Nobilo Regional Collection Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough): Crisp, almost sweet but solid as the wet rocks its aromas evoke. $14 B- #
- 10 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough): Green tinge hints @ heap of nettles on the nose. Passion fruit & mouthfeel 2 the rescue $18 B #
- 10 Drylands Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough): Overachieving to the point of being smarmy. The gooseberries & flint are esp. nice touches. $16 B #
- 10 Kim Crawford “Spitfire” Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough): Like a group of animated cartoon citrus fruits; it’s almost *too* lively. $26 B #
- 10 Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough): 14% abv?? And yet it totally works, and will rock your next shellfish meal like a star. $22 B+ #
- 09 Kim Crawford Pinot Noir (Marlborough): Loved the chewy cherry & raspberry; but the rough mid-palate, not-so-much loving that. $19 B #
- 09 Nobilo Icon Pinot Noir (Marlborough): Ok, where has this sexy, toasty, earthy, spice, vibrant red-fruited thang been all my life? $22 B+ #
- 07 Kim Crawford Pinot Noir (Central Otago): Red, dark & enticing, like a chocolate-covered strawberry, but being shoved into your face. $33 B #
- 09 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough): Herbs & tropic fruit are all textbook Marlborough (its pages treated W/ all that acid!) $17 B #
- 09 Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay (Marlborough): Balanced w/ fun aromas of apricot & buttered popcorn. Might be onto something here! $17 B #
- 07 R.A. Harrison Family Cellars Nobility (Napa-Sonoma): As it warms, this honeyed lemony treat goes from “nice” to “magic” in a hurry $75 A- #
- 09 Cornerstone Cellars Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley): Feels just a bit too big & luscious for its own impeccably crafted britches. $25 B #
- 08 Cornerstone Stepping Stone Cabernet Franc (Napa Valley): NOT Old World; but for fans of big, lush & spicy, it’s worth a good look. $30 B+ #
- 09 Innocent Bystander Pinot Gris (Victoria): Going thru a slightly awkward middle-palate period, but still pretty in pear & jasmine. $16 B #
- 06 L’Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla): Plum, spice, everything’s nice (& bigger than the sum of its multi-sourced parts) $40 B+ #
