Domaine des Hauts Chassis Crozes Hermitage 2007

Smoked meat and roses this 100% syrah this is not as earthy as some Crozes Hermitages can be. Very pretty perfumey style with a distinct gameyness. Medium-bodied with a nice finish that is redolent of field flowers with a dash of fennel.

Twenty Rows Napa Valley Merlot 2007

Deeply-hued with a plum-jammy scent with saturated vanilla and black cherry syrup. A big merlot that has an enormous presence. Big and willful - wine that you don't forget.

Shea Vineyards Pinot Noir 2007

Willamette Valley Oregon, this fruit is from the preeminent wine maker Dick Shea. Considered some of the best fruit in Willamette. Very clear pale garnet color its seductively scented with briar, cherry, a hint of anise, bark and vanilla. Oak aged. Very nice.

Cline Small Berry Mouvedre Contra Costa County 2007

Small-vineyard production this wine is also deeply garnet hued with a cherry tinge. Predominant scents are barnyard, leather, black cherry, vanilla. Sees nearly 100% new oak and has a generous flavor of raisin, maple syrup, fresh cherry, vanilla and has a nice elegant finish. Also 15%.

Cline Ancient Vines Mouvedre Contra Costa County 2007

Grape-skin scent with nice deep garnet hue and high in alcohol 15%. Even toned with a hint of rum-raisin and a black cherry finish. This wine is a little heavily scented on the alcohol size.

Anton Bauer Riesling 2007

Berg Vineyard, Wagram appellation. Palest yellow with lychee and chalk dust. A hint of ginger leads to green apple and refined peach on the finish. Unlike German rieslings, this one is subtle, not sweet and delicious.

Guenoc California Selections Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Deep garnet color with sweet cherry pie scent. Medium bodied and fine. A decent everyday wine for $10.

Ceretto Arneis Blange 2007

From the Peidmont 100% Arneis, this wine is straw colored and has a citrusy scent with mineral and a light body. Has nice fresh flavor and a lime peel finish.

Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2007

California 14.5% alcohol. Medium to big and jammy ripe fruits with cedary flavor and a mouthful of berries. Very drinkable, pair with salty foods and nuts.

Cline Syrah Sonoma County 2007

A mouth full of blackberry and a nice back flavors of pepper, cassis with a dry finish.

Andre Brunel Côtes du Rhône 2007

75% grenache 15% cinsault 10% syrah: fresh cinnamon buns and cherry tobacco on the nose. Medium-bodied with jammy mouth feel and a silky finish. Very good.

Les Sarments Vin de Pays 2007

40% Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, with 20% Tannat. 100% stainless steel. Meant to be a fresh wine with the color a violet-hued black. The wine is from southwest France and is a Vin de Pays Comte de Tolosan. Smells juicy and full-bodied. The style is very Spanish to me because of a forward tar and leather nose and plummy, dry fruit in the mouth. The finish has juicy black cherry style and nice backbone.

Domaine Doudet Bourgogne 2007 Le Petit Chemin

Also with dried cranberry on the nose and has a beautiful, long finish and a wide array of flavors including cherry, tar, cassis, clove and lavender. Light bodied and fine. Very enjoyable.

Doudet Naudin Vicomtee Bourgogne 2007

Fragrant dried cranberry and cherry on the nose. There isn't enough presence in the mid-palate and finish to be remarkable. I love their other (higher priced) Nuits St. George, though.

Goyette Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

The winemaker from Stephen Vincent, Robert Goyette and formerly of La Crema. This nearly opaque red. Nice blackberry and cassis or currant. Not as powerful in the palate as it is to the nose. Perdominant flavors are: cherry, plum jam and cigar box at the end. Slightly juicy and has a lingering mouthwatering finish.

Backhouse Chardonnay 2007

Light colored with a straw hue. Unoaked. Tart with decent acidity. Nutty with white peach and light body; a fine chardonnay for only $9

Tamas Estates 2007 Double Decker Red

Owned by Wente, from Monterey. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, petite sirah and barbera. Black-cherry flesh color with lighter edges. Smells warm like red raspberry pie with a floral note like narcissus. A soft, medium bodied wine with a good deal of sweetness. It feels overripe to me- without enough body or tannins to hold it all together. Nah.

Strong Arms Shiraz 2007

Deep black cherry color. Medium bodied, with mint, black cherry, tobacco and pepper. A good ‘table wine’ that is very affordable.

Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2007

Pale, clear ruby color. Cassis, acorn and cherry on the nose a hint of cola and slight mint. A light-handed California pinot that is reminiscent of French wine without the terroir.

Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2007

Northernmost part of Sonoma, hillside vineyards. Traditional Burgundian style with fine silky texture and forward fruit that smells of cantelope, honeydew and ash. Very good.