Meo-Camuzet 2009 Bourgogne Rouge

The 2009 is richer, more intense, and rounder in the mouth than the 2007. Notes of strawberry, raspberry, earth, cigar box, leather and chocolate, are well defined and integrated. Medium full bodied with a fairly long finish. A very solid Bourgogne Rouge.

Meo-Camuzet 2007 Bourgogne Rouge

The 2007 Bourgogne Pinot Noir is a lighter wine for Meo-Camuzet. The wine has nice strawberry and dried cherry fruit, with hints of earth, game meats, spice and tobacco. While being soft and somewhat complex, I would like to see fresher and more dense fruit flavors. Even with that said, the wine would go very nicely with grilled lamd or pork loin.

Xavier Monnot 2009 Bourgoge Chardonnay

Monnot's Les Grandes Coutures 2009 Chardonnay is made 100% from 25 year old Meursault vines. It could in fact be labeled as Meursault and sell for $50 plus, instead of the $24.99 a bottle that it currently sells for. Flavors of baked apples, pears, cream and minerals abound. Rich, ripe and round on the palate, with good acid on the finish. This is better than it's price!

Annabella 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Michael Pozzan has crafted a surprisingly rich and bold cabernet in the 2010. The wine is 100% cabernet and 100% Napa Valley fruit. Aromas and flavors range from black cherry, plum and cssis, to toasty oak, vanilla, pencil lead and black pepper. The tannins are firm and the finish longer than most $15 cabernets.

Margerum 2010 Pinot Gris Alisos

The Alisos Vineyard Pinot Gris is delightfully fresh, crisp, and dry. Medium bodied, with fresh apple, pear, and citrus notes, married with mineral, grass and floral tones. The bright acidity and fresh fruit of this wine will be a nice addition to spicy Asian food. $19.99

Mas Carlot 2010 Les Enfants Terribles - Costieres de Nimes

A blend of Mourvedre and Syrah, from south of the Rhone Valley. Big, rich and dense, with blackberry and plum flavors, followed by hints of herbs, spice, cocoa and vanilla. Grilled meats and stews would go nicely with this wine. $13.99

Ferret 2010 Cotes de Gascogne Blanc

A blend of Colombard and Ugni Blanc, this wine is brilliantly fresh. Fruit reminds of lychee, passion fruit and citrus, with hints of minerals and floral tones. This is a wonderful wine for picnics, salads, fish or poolside. $8.99

Patz & Hall 2009 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

The 2009 is deeper, richer and more vibrant than their 2008. Flavors range from green apple, pears, and minerals, to tropical fruits and creme brulee. The wine has nice weight and a sweet creamy feel, and the finish has good acidity to balance the wine's fatter middle. $31.99

Steele 2009 Merlot Lake County

The 2009 Merlot is surprisingly richer and more refined than I expect from a $17 bottle of California Merlot. Aromas and flavors of cherry, cedar, cassis, and floral notes. The has medium soft tannins and a long finish, and should drink well for 3 to 5 years. A solid bottle of Merlot and easy on the wallet.

Loring 2010 Sierra Mar Chardonnay

This is our first offering of Chardonnay from Loring Wine Co. The wine is big, rich and buttery, with nice baked apple, pear, and tropical notes. While being buttery, creamy and toasty, it still maintains good acidity, and balance. Better than many pricier wines of this style of chardonnay. $35

Happy Canyon 2009 Piocho

Winemaker Doug Margerum has crafted a classic meritage, that is rich, bold and intense. Flavors blackberry, cassis, earth, spice, toasty oak and vanilla. The tannins are firm and ripe, leading to a finish that is long and intense. A stellar effort for this $32 meritage.

Descendientes de Jose Palacios Petalos del Bierzo 2009

Yet another beautiful offering of Petalos, Alvaro Palacios has strung together vintage after vintage of really nice wines in Petalos. The wine offers flavors of black Cherry, plum, and spice, that nicely integrated with oak tones. The wine is made from 100% Mencia, which if you have never had this grape before, you owe it to yourself to try what is likely the best production of the Mencia grape. Medium bodied with soft tannins, and lively finish. $19.99 90 pts. Robert Parker, Jr.

Santa Duc Gigondas 2009

This is a big dense rich Rhone wine made from Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and Cinsault. Bold flavors of blackberries and blueberries, with underlying notes of anise, truffles and smoke. You can enjoy this wine now, but it will do well with 7-10 years in the cellar. 91-93 pts. Robert Parker, Jr.

Brewer-Clifton 2009 Mount Carmel Chardonnay

Yet another outstanding Chardonnay from Brewer - Clifton. The 2009 Mt. Carmel has a perfumed nose of orange peel and toasty notes. Exotic and tropical fruit flavors race across the palate, floral, spicy and mineral tones following on the finish. 94 pts. Wine Spectator. $49.99

Lail Vineyards 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Blueprint

Lail Blueprint is one of the finest Sauvignon Blancs made in California, the wine has depth, and charm. Nuances of flowers, lemon, pear, melon and mint, while maintaining a pretty and understate style. Fresh and lively, with grace and character. A perfect wine for lighter seafood dishes.