Gloria Ferrer Etesian Pinot Noir 2007

• Area: California, Sonoma
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 90 Dilettante 90 (after air)

Description: Brighter in styling than the 06, this has a cherry attack with a very raspberry follow through. Vivid notes of raspberry, cherry, violet, chocolate and toasty oak full in the mouth. The dry and lingering finale starts out with a cranberry pepper lift then.....wait for it.... wait....wait....wiat... pop! A bright raspberry burst explodes on the tongue. Decanting not required although 30 minutes worth of air time is highly recommended to tame a very flashy and vibrant nature. Given enough time to smooth mellow, this pinot can be rewarding. (86 before air)

Sterling Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2007

• Area: California, Napa
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 89 Dilettante 88 Nwjr 90

Description: Crisp and dry elements of pineapple, grapefruit, citrus and melon. Clean pear finish.

Price: $15

Rodney Strong Pinot Noir 2007

• Area: California, Sonoma
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 14.4%
• Rating: Black 86 Dilettante 85

Description: This simple food wine has notes of roses, red fruits and vanilla framed by a bright Sonoma terroir. Bitter undertones support the dry finish. Unimpressive. Decanting not required.

Price: $17

Mont St. John Madonna Estate Pinot Carneros 2006

• Area: California, Napa
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13%
• Rating: Black 85 Dilettante 85

Description: Smokey oak, red fruit and a touch of barnyard on the nose. Flavors of strawberry, cherry, oak and a touch of earth are unremarkable in the mouth. The dry finish has a tart lift that dissipates with air. We preferred this after 15 minutes in the decanter.

Price: $16 We expected more for the price.

Benovia Pinot Noir 2007

• Area: California, Sonoma Coast
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 14.3%
• Rating: Black 92 Dilettante 93

Description: Aromas of raspberry, rose petals, vanilla and a hint of leather. Full bodied and nicely balanced with a sweet attack. Flavors of mixed ripe berries and flowers drizzled with vanilla honey are lush in the mouth. The syrupy/dry finish has a nice lift of subtle cranberry. Decanting not required.

Price: $23

Beringer Montagia 2001

• Area: California, Napa Valley
• Grape: 95% Cab Sauv, 5% Cab Franc
• Alcohol: 14.4%
• Rating: Black 95 Dilettante 94

Description: European in styling and almost black in color, this wine is sublime. It has an intense nose of cigar box, mulberry, pan drippings, earth and saddle leather. Flowers on the attack with a deep richness that's smooth and mellow in the mouth. Flavors of licorice, plum and black currents with just enough brightness and bitterness for a gorgeous understated elegance. Outstanding density, balance and ripeness with a long, heady finish. Decanting not required. Mmmmmm, so so fabulous. I so wish this wasn't the last bottle in the store.

Price: $30 worth every penny and more

Crane Brothers Merlot 2004

• Area: California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll
• Grape: Merlot
• Alcohol: 15%
• Rating: Black 92 Dilettante 92 Mom 94

Description: Aromas of dark fruit, cinnamon toast, vanilla and a touch of road tar are followed by a rich and fruity attack. Silky and elegant in the mouth with lush flavors of blackberry, licorice, chocolate and tar. Feather soft tannins and a touch of black pepper make for a very long finish. This sexy little wine has great depth without being heavy. Decanting not required although some air enhances the nuances. So, so yummy.

Price: $27

Kingsford Manor Sauvignon Blanc 2008

• Area: California, Napa Valley
• Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
• Alcohol: 12.7%
• Rating: Black 89 Dilettante 89

Description: Bold, white fruit nose with a clingy mouthfeel reminiscent of a Viognier. The attack is light with tones of pear. Flavors of pink grapefruit, kiwi, and a touch of pineapple give a sweet and sour impression on a bold and dry finish. This sould be good with a variety of foods. We will buy this one again.

Price: $12

Sterling Vintner's Collection Meritage 2007

• Area: California, Sonoma
• Grape: 52% Cab Sauv, 44% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 87 Dilettante 84

Description: This wine is all nose and finish with not too much going on between. Delightful aromas of plum, black cherry and wood waft out of the glass while the finish has this great chocolate spice dryness. Despite this wine's flaws it was pleasant and easy going. Meritage light. Decant 30 minutes to soften a few rough edges.


Price: $8

Shannon Ridge Two Angles 2005

• Area: California, Oakville
• Grape: Petite Sirah
• Alcohol: 14.8%
• Rating: Black 88 Dilettante 87

Description: This wine delivers with a full frontal attack of toast, flowers, juicy blueberry, green apple and organic pasture.

Food: Nice with pork

Price: $18

Wyatt Pinot Noir 2007

• Area: California, Oakville
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 88 Dilettante 89 Nwjr 89

Description: Pleasant and friendly, this wine tastes of vanilla, spicy strawberries, grapes and a touch of earth. Creamy in the mouth, it finishes with ripe tannins and a nice brightness. Decanting not required.

Price: $15

Michael David Petite Petit 2006

Area: California, Lodi
Grape: 85% Petit Syrah, 15% Petit Verdot
Alcohol: 14.5%
Rating: Black 90 Dilettante 90

Description: Scents of eucalyptus, black raspberry, strawberry, vanilla and violets. The attack is slick and smooth with a strong California teroir and gobs of fruit. The whole experience is like digging into a bowl of black-cherry vanilla ice cream with a creamy/chalky mouth feel to match. It finishes dry with a nice strawberry lift. Gregarious and friendly, this wine is a pleaser. Decanting 15 minutes releases the florals on the nose.

Price: $16

Note: From the makers of 7 Deadly Zins

Michael David on the web

Beringer Founder's Estate Vin De Pays D'Oc Pinot Noir 2006

• Area: Grapes from France, bottled in California
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13%
• Rating: Black 84 Dilettante 81

Description: This drinkable wine has a nose too subtle for us to appreciate. On the palate there are delicate flavors of raspberry, spice and a little oak. The finish has a big acidic lift. Decanting morphs the acidity into a crushed grape seed flavor. Dilettante said, "The grapes would have been better off staying in France."

Price: $10

Estancia Pinot Noir 2007

• Area: California, Monterey County
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 88 Dilettante 88

Description: Luscious berry flavors are accented by a bright and discernible acidity. It also has notes of black cherry, raspberry, and some spice. The finish is supple and lingering. Decanting not required, although some air helps to smooth it out.

Price: $14

Stephen Vincent Pinot Noir 2006

• Area: California, Sonoma
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.6%
• Rating: Black 89 Dilettante 89

Description: The nose has aromas of wood, blackberry and a touch of leather. Fruit forward with flavors of blackberries, clove and cinnamon, this wine has rich lows and vibrant highs. Decant 20 minutes to loosen the acidity. We thought this wine was better with food than alone.

Price: $14

Note: nice with a peppery crab cake.

Gloria Ferrer Etesian 2006

• Area: California, Sonoma
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 94 Dilettante 94

Description: The intriguing nose of raspberry, coffee bean, shitake mushroom and a waft of smoke is a preview of the taste. Beautifully balanced and supple in the mouth. Complex and layered flavors of raspberry, toast, shitake mushroom, a hint of strawberry and a dash of nutmeg. The finish is lingering with delicate nuances of ripe red berries and soft tannins. We really enjoyed this wine. Decanting not required. It's as tasty as the Carneros without the heat and a smaller price tag. This is on my buy again list, for sure.

Price: $16

Gloria Ferrer Carneros Pinot Noir 2005

• Area: California, Sonoma
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 94 Dilettante 93 Nwjr 93

Description: Aromas of bing cherry, roses, pomegranate, wood spice, mocha and dried leaves caress the nose. The palate is lush and smooth with silky flavors of raspberry, mocha, bright red fruit and autumn spice. The lingering finish echoes the nose. Air a few minutes to dissipate the heat.

Price: $23

Note: This is one of my favorite pinots. One sip and I can almost feel the sunshine of that warm autumn day when we visited the winery. We sat on the verandah sipping pinot, enjoying the gorgeous view of Ferrer Vineyards. What great fun, great scenery, great company, and great wine. Ahhhh.

Ferrer on the web

Parker Station Pinot 2007

• Area: California, Santa Barbara County
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 85, Dilettante 86, Nwjr 86

Description: The light aroma has elements of earth, dried cherries and cola. Its jammy temperament has flavors of red fruits wrapped around a cola center. This is a pleasant, mellow every day wine. Decanting not required.

Price: $15

Note: With an Italian wedding soup, this wine becomes dark and spicy, earthy and rich.

Parker Station on the web

Pine Ridge 2007 Chenin Blanc-Viognier

• Area: California, Napa Valley
• Grape: 80% Chenin Blanc, 20% Viognier
• Alcohol: 12.8%
• Rating: Black; 90 Dilettante; 92 Nwjr; 92 The Z; 90

Description: The nose is fruity and floral with a hint of green olive. The attack is sweet with enough glycerin for a velvety smooth mouth-feel. On the palate there are notes of honey, peach, lychee, melon with enough citrus for nicely balanced lift. The pear finish is clean, crisp and lightly dry. This beautfully blended wine brings out the best characteristics of each grape. It sings.

Musical Pairing: Julee Cruise
Price: $10

Pine Ridge on the web

Clay Station Viognier 2006

Area: California, Lodi
Grape: Viognier
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: Black; 81 Dilettante; 81

Description: Soft and lightly fruity, this lack luster wine has subtle flavors of peach, honeysuckle and orange blossoms. Unfortunately, most of the flavor is on the finish. We didn't think it was bad; it just had no nose and not much of a taste. In a word: boring. We will not buy this one again.