Cline 2008 Cashmere

Mouvedre 47%, Grenache and Syrah blend. Nicely toned nose with a good balance with fruit and acid- leaning toward acidity. Aged in used oak- imparts a slight woody character. I think this wine would be great with fatty roasts, egg noodles and carbonara.

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.

Clos Saron Heart of Stone 2004

If you're looking for a 'cult' wine, you have found it, in Clos Saron. In the Sierra Nevada foothills, winemaker Gideon Beinstock, imparts a European sensibility to his wines. Named by their style, not their grape varietal, the blends change with each vintage. All the wines are biodynamic and are aged in old oak. His vines are old (pre-pyhlloxera) unharmed rootstock. They are very complex wines. The Heart of Stone is 96% Syrah and 4% viognier. The nose comes off like port with tarragon and violets and has a HUGE presence. Cherry, raisin and creme brulee -an odd mix- unfold to form a match that is super-delicious. It's opulent and velvety rich. Big, but restrained at the end and very compelling. Unfined, unfiltered, it should have sediment and a slightly cloudy appearance (the one we tasted did). Only 2064 bottles made.

This vineyard is free of: herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers.

Chateau L’Ermitage Rouge 2007

50% syrah 30% mouvedre, 20% grenache. Toasty fruited nose from rocky soils and sees about 4 months in used oaks casks. Comes off light and dry has a rich black cherry finish. Very nice.

Homegrown Family Harvest Red 2007

Petite Sirah, syrah and barbera blend (equal parts), deep dark color and galoshes on the label make for a trendy- restaurant table wine. Taste: starts off drier and then has a big, juicy finish that says: CHUG ME! I think I can sell buckets of this wine, as it is a palate-friendly pizza and lasagna loving wine that would also be just as good on the couch on a cool autumnal Sunday afternoon. It will be in store on 9/5, come-n-get-it!

Domaine Houchart Côtes de Provence 2008

Another fine wine from Famille Quiot, this rose is a grenache, syrah, cinsault, cabernet sauvignon, mouvedre blend (with 5% 'other' grapes). At only $9.99, this wine is fairly dry with a light finish. A summer sipper that has been flying off the shelves! This rosé would be great in a sangria. $9.99