CALIFORNIA

High Valley

Two Angels
2005 Petite Sirah; $26
13.5/20 — Savory aromas of dark berry, pomegranate, tamarind and roasted game. Fruit flavors mixed with toasted oak and roasted coffee. Round mouthfeel and lingering finish.

Lodi

Mandolin
2003 Old Vines Zinfandel; $10
13/20 — Abundant cherry, blackberry and plum fruit that is offset by notes of black pepper and spice. The old vines chosen provide intensity of flavor and character.

Malibu-Newton Canyon

Saddlerock
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon; $17
13/20 — A lush, full-bodied wine with an engaging nose. Aged oak, a hint of berry and a touch of nutmeg on the nose.

Mendocino

Fetzer Vineyards
2005 Valley Oaks California Riesling; $9
13/20 — Delicate, yet full and pairs well with spicy Thai or Asian dishes as well as traditional holiday foods like baked ham or turkey. Slightly sweet with fruit-forward flavors.

Monterey

Estancia
2005 Chardonnay Pinnacles Ranches; $12
13.5/20 — A dollop of oak highlights the ripe stone fruit flavors and tropical notes, and add a soft, creamy finish. Full-bodied, elegant and mouth-filling.

Estancia
2005 Pinot Noir Pinnacles Ranches; $15
13.5/20 — Black cherry and bright raspberry aromas accented by floral notes and sweet, spicy oak. Ripe cherry flavors with rich and velvety tannins lead to a lingering finish.

Jekel Vineyards
2005 Riesling; $12
14/20 — An off-dry Riesling that stands up well to spicy foods. Flavors of fresh, sugary fruits with a rich mouthfeel and good acid balance.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards
2004 Le Mistral; $40
15/20 — This blend of mostly Syrah with a significant amount of Grenache has flavors that are concentrated and intense. It has elegant tannins and a polished finish that lingers.

Mt. Veeder

Mayacamas
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon; $65
14/20 — This wine has a pleasant constituent combination that will allow it to be enjoyed when young and also to age well for many years.

Mayacamas
2003 Chardonnay; $32
15/20 — Fresh and slightly lemony tone with a suggestion of pear, almond and wood. It will gain depth and complexity for several more years, or you can enjoy it now.

Napa Valley

Grgich Hills
2004 Chardonnay; $38
13.5/20 — Full bodied with fresh aromas of acacia and citrus flowers, honey and mineral. Bright acidity and a nice balance of oak and body.

Grgich Hills
2004 Zinfandel; $30
14.5/20 — Flavors and aromas of strawberries, raspberries, with a touch of forest floor and leather. A touch of Petite Sirah is added for more spice and body.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon; $48
No Rating — Displays ripe fruit aromas of plum and blackberry, while the integration of subtle oak flavors comes from the variety of barrels selected, yielding a hint of cinnamon and allspice.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards
2003 Insignia 30th Anniversary; $165
17.5/20 — Ultra-premium blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with rich aromas and flavors framed by mouth-coating tannins and followed by an extremely long finish.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards
2005 Sauvignon Blanc; $30
14/20 — Aromas ranging from floral and mineral notes to citrus and green melon. The expressive palate is clean and balanced with excellent richness and length.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards
2002 Syrah; $35
14.5/20 — A touch of Viognier was added for complexity and floral attributes to this Syrah. The wine is rich in ripe fruit extract and has a long, silky finish.

Mayacamas
2000 Chardonnay; $45
No Rating — Now in its prime, this wine has developed the smooth, round mouthfeel and deep, rich mineral flavor the winery strived for.

Mayacamas
2001 Merlot; $35
14/20 — Intense with a depth of character that gives it structure to develop in the bottle. Cherry, tobacco and currants come to mind in the nose and mouth.

Mayacamas
2004 Pinot Noir; $32
14/20 — Although Mayacamas generally ages their wines longer, but because of this 2004 vintage's attractive flavors they decided to release it now.

Mumm Napa
2001 Blanc de Blancs; $26
No Rating — This sparkling blend of Pinot Gris and Chardonnay enjoys extended yeast ageing in the bottle bringing out nuances of warm brioche, toasted nuts and vanilla beans.

Mumm Napa
Brut Prestige; $19
13/20 — This assemblage of mostly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay opens with layered white blossom aromas, followed by refreshing acidity and a rich, lingering finish.

Mumm Napa
Cuvée M; $19
14/20 — With a light peach rose color, this sparkler has full flavors of peach and pear that combine with a creamy caramel character that lingers into a long finish.

PlumpJack
2004 Merlot; $50
No Rating — Primary aromas of cherry, raspberry, smoke and currant with flavors of plums, cola nut and vanilla followed by a toast-laden finish.

PlumpJack
2005 Reserve Chardonnay; $45
14/20 — Robust and forward with flavors of Fuji apple, pear, lemondrop and a touch of vanilla custard. The acidity in the finish gives it a nice balance.

Paso Robles

Estancia
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Keyes Canyon Ranches; $15
13.5/20 — Effusive black cherry and Dutch chocolate complement the spicy, peppery tones. Opulent dark fruit flavors with soft, velvety tannins and a long, rich finish.

Estancia
2003 Meritage; $33
No Rating — Blend of mostly Cabernet with a touch of Merlot and Petit Verdot. Rich, intense flavors of chocolate-dipped fruit accompanied by notes of sweet oak and structured tannins.

Estancia
2004 Zinfandel Keyes Canyon Ranches; $12
13/20 — Ripe raspberry and black cherry aromas. Flavor notes of dark chocolate and cinnamon are accented with bright flavors of raspberry and cherry.

Sonoma County

Joseph Phelps Vineyards
2004 Sonoma-Napa Chardonnay; $48
14/20 — A balanced, medium-bodied wine with aromas of lemon cream, toasty brioche and hazelnut, followed by a long, crisp finish.

California

Estancia
2005 Pinot Grigio; $12
13/20 — Notes of pear and apple accented with hints of grapefruit and honeydew. Flavors of pear, peach and apple mingle together with notes of crisp citrus.

Casablanca Valley

Veramonte
2004 Merlot Reserva; $10
13.5/20 — Concentrated and full of finesse, with blackberry and cherry flavors. It features round, soft tannins that lead to a long, persistent finish.

Veramonte
2006 Sauvignon Blanc Reserva; $10
13.5/20 — Floral accents mingle with fresh stone fruit, citrus and hints of spice. Zesty flavor, with crisp notes of citrus fruit, melon and herb.

Veramonte
2004 Primus; $17
13/20 — This blend of Carmenère, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the rare Carmenère varietal with well-structured mature fruit and smooth, yet powerful tannins.

Colchagua Valley

Hacienda Araucano
2002 Alka Carménère; $65
15/20 — Made from the rare, "lost" varietal Carménère, this wine has a dark garnet-red color and reveals aromas of black cherry and vanilla. Balanced in the mouth with silky tannins.

Hacienda Araucano
2002 Gran Araucano Cabernet Sauvignon; $35
14/20 — Powerful black currant and vanilla aromas on the nose with a forward, complex character. Rich in flavors and a firm tannic structure without being harsh.

Veramonte
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva; $10
13/20 — Deep flavors of ripe dark berries highlighted with earthy tones that accent the elegant oak tones. Plush with soft, rich tannins and a lingering finish.

CÔTES DU RHÔNE

Château de Ségriès
Red 2004; $13
12.5/20 — Nose is dominated by woodland flowers, apples, pears and candied fruit. On the palate, it is full-bodied, delicately sweet and well-rounded, in harmony with the aromas.

Domain Paul Autard
Red 2004; $11
13.5/20 — A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Counoise and Muscardin. Autard's vineyard uses no pesticides or chemical anti-rot in the making of their wines.

E. Guigal
Red 2003; $11
No Rating — From vineyards that are more than 2400 years old (extra zero not a typo) this is a blend of 50 percent Syrah with 30 to 40 percent Grenache and Mourvèdre.

MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER / RHEINHESSEN

Fetzer Vineyards
2005 Valley Oaks Riesling; $8
14/20 — The two grape-growing regions lend different aromas and tastes to this balanced, crisp and refreshing Riesling. It has a sweetness that lingers in a pleasant way.

Chianti Classico

Coltibuono
2004 Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico RS; $15
13/20 — Made from Sangiovese grapes, it is a lush fruit forward wine aged in oak barriques, favoring intensely flavored meat and game dishes.

Rosso di Montalcino DOC

Poggio San Polo
2003 Rosso di Montalcino; $25
14/20 — Made from Sangiovese grapes, it is rich with varietal fruit paired with harmonious tannins.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

Avignonesi
2003 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano; $22
14/20 — Using Prugnolo Gentile, Canaiolo Nero and Mammolino grapes, this Italian red is aged in French oak for two years and has violet aromas rusting on a scrumptious acid and tannin structure.

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