Samsara 2009 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

This elegant pinot from Chad Melville, is fresh, complex and smooth. Strawberries, floral notes and spice aromas leap from the glass. Raspberry, spice, tea leafs and orange peel flavors are vivid and velvety. A well made pinot of medium body, and very drinkable.

Tommaso Bussola 2006 Ca' del Laito Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso

The Ca' del Laito is the entry level wine of one of the best Amrone producers in Valpolicella. Aromas of black fruits, nuts, raisin, vanilla and baked fruits, are pronounced and lively. On the palate, the blackberry, cherry, spice, roasted herbs and nut flavors are big and ripe. While this wine big, bold and forward, the finish is rich and somewhat smooth. A must try with roasted meats, stews and ripe cheeses. A lot of flavor for $22.

Greg Norman 2009 Chardonnay Santa Barbara

Aromas of pineapple and mango with hints of nuts and citrus. The fruit flavors are tropical tones, with melons and citrus edges, a touch of toasty notes and a little vanilla round out the wines. The wine has nice balance and medium bodied. A good value at $13.99

Selene 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon 'Dead Fred'

Blackberry and blueberry flavors and aromas lead the way in this thick textured and intense cabernet. The bold fruit is married with an array of underlying notes of coffee, sweet spice, leather, dark chocolate and toasty oak. The tannins are firm and ripe, with a finish that lingers. A solid effort from Selene that drinks well now, but will get better with 3 to 7 years in the cellar. 91 pts. Robert Parker, Jr.

Andre Brunel 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape 'Les Cailloux'

I always like this producer, well made wines that are not overstated, and remain true to their orgins. The 2008 is dark ruby in color, and lavender and kirsch aromas. The currant, cherry and plum flavors are intermingled with cedar, spice and mineral notes and a silky smooth finish. While not as weighty as some of his other vintages, it is a very enjoyable younger Chateauneuf.

Kiralyudvar 2007 Tokaji Furmint Sec

OK, this wine is way cool, I am not the guy who sings the praises  of crazy little wine that no one outside of the winery has ever heard of, but, I will this time. Coming to us Hungary, this white wine offer notes of stone fruits, citrus, herbs, floral tones and minerals. Medium bodied, dry and with good acidity. This wine will be great with Thanksgiving dinner.

Viader 2007 Red

Tanzer describes the 2007 VIADER as: "Good deep red-ruby. Lovely violet lift to the dark cherry and licorice flavors. Suave, juicy and energetic, with terrific inner-mouth aromatic appeal to the sweet berry and floral flavors. Not an opulent style but plenty sweet for 2007. Finishes with lovely length, firm but fully ripe tannins and lingering minerality. Delia Viader told me she's really proud of this wine."
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, May/June 2010 94 pts.

Miner Vineyards 2007 Oracle

I thought that Dave Miner did a wonderful job with the 2006 Oracle, well if that is true, his 2007 is outstanding! The 2007 is rich, round and complex, from the start, the wine draws you in. Aromas and flavors range from red and black fruits, to coffee, spice, earth, smoky oak and anise. Tannins are firm, but not hard and harsh. The Oracle is one of my favorite meritages without dropping $100.

Camino De Navaherreros 2010

This Spanish Grenacha is ripe and bold, just packed with jammy rich fruit. Blackberries, cherries, plums and raisin flavors abound. There is some spicy tones and a hint of earth, but this is mostly about ripe fruit. This wine would be perfect with a pork loin in a raspberry chipotle sauce. $14

Domaine Hauts de Sanziers 2009 Saumur Rouge

This red wine from the Loire Valley is 100% Cabernet Franc. The fruit flavors of currant, cherry and plum are ripe and forward. Aged in stainless steel tanks, there is very little of those dark earthy flavors, just pure fruit, with hints of spice and minerals. Not a heavy wine, but bolder flavors than say pinot noir or shiraz. $14

Tinto Negro 2010 Malbec

Tinto Negro's 2010 Malbec is rich, ripe and complex. Flavors of blackberry, black cherry and plum are intertwined nicely with notes of spice, cedar, earthly tones. Well balanced, medium bodied, should be decanted for 30 minutes. Very good value at $10.

Domaine Saint Vincent Brut Rose'

What a completely wonderful sparkling rose', and it is less than $10. The wine is fresh and lively, strawberries bubbles leap out of the glass, and it is less than $10. Flavors and aromas are of strawberry, cherry, rose pedals, and it is less than $10. All and all this little jewel is fresh, clean, crisp and crowd pleasing, and did I say, it is less than $10. An outstanding value.

Iuvene 2009 Rioja

 This wine is made 100% from Tempranillo, and offers up lots fruit with very of the earthy tones that Rioja wines offen show. Cherry, blackberry, blueberry and plum flavors are very foward, fresh and ripe. With a little time in the glass, a nice spicy tone start to show itself. Somewhat soft tannins and medium bodied, overall a very good $12 bottle of red.