G.H. Mumm
Critics Gold NV Mumm de Cramant Reims $59.99: An interesting wine with open, fruity aromas but a palate that remains dry and restrained. Subtle accent notes of toast and minerals lend complexity to the finish. – Michael Franz
Critics Platinum NV Cordon Rouge Reims $34.99: This shows lovely, complex aromas with toasty notes intermingled with fruit notes. The mousse is abundant but soft in texture, leaving a slightly creamy impression that is then lifted by lively acidity. – Michael Franz
Gala Rouge
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir Languedoc-Roussillon $9.99: Exotic floral note and a rich aroma of fresh raspberry. – Robert Whitley
Geyser Peak Winery
Critics Silver 2005 Meritage, Reserve Alexandre Alexander Valley $55.00: Plenty ripe but not to the point of being sweet, with supple tannins; simple, but easy to drink – Michael Apstein
Critics Gold 2005 Merlot Alexander Valley $18.00: Wheatgrass, perfume and oolong on the nose, with expressive black fruit and a juicy, grippy ending. – Jon Bonne
Critics Silver 2007 Chardonnay Alexander Valley $13.00: Love the balance between fruit, acid, alcohol and oak. – Robert Whitley
Critics Silver 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, River Road Ranch, Block Collection Russian River Valley $21.00: Nice mix of herbaceousness and citrus fruit. Lean and racy. – Linda Murphy
Glen Ellen
Critics Silver 2007 Muscato, Reserve California $10.99: Restrained fruit; well-balanced – Ed McCarthy
Glenora Wine Cellars
Critics Silver 2001 Brut, Méthode Champenoise Finger Lakes $24.99: Young; fruity – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Blanc Finger Lakes $19.99: Good acidity; well balanced – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2006 Dry Riesling, Vintner’s Select Finger Lakes $23.99: Delicious, full, riper style, softer, still good acid, fruit rather than mineral style of Riesling – Michael Apstein
Critics Silver 2007 Riesling Finger Lakes $17.99: Closed nose. Rich, supple, juicy, has concentration and some bracing earthiness and a tangy finish. – Stephen Brook
Gloria Ferrer
Critics Gold 2005 Merlot, Estate Grown Carneros $19.00: More clay-like earthiness, sweet blueberry and a sappy plum. Well constrained, fragrant and fine-grained. – Jon Bonne
Critics Silver 2005 Pinot Noir Carneros $28.00: Charming raspberry nose, has purity of fruit. Not much concentration but fresh and delicate, with some light supporting tannins and a persistent finish. – Stephen Brook
Critics Gold 2003 Pinot Noir, Rust Rock Terrace Carneros $40.00: Rich smoky raspberry nose, lush. Rich, velvety, quite full-bodied but not too extracted or heavy. Good weight of fruit and persistence. – Stephen Brook
Critics Gold 2004 Syrah Carneros $19.00: In a dry French style, with an inky cassis scent. it’s a bit terse, but a long ager, with a fine purple fruit tone and great persistence. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2004 Blanc de Blancs Carneros $24.00: A mouthful of rich, soft flavor, ripe and fruity with some nuances of age – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Silver NV Blanc de Noirs Sonoma County $20.00: Slightly sweet, but very appealing with soft red cherry flavors that are appropriately restrained. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2000 Royal Cuvee, Reserve Carneros $32.00: Complex and interesting, with nice toasty notes atop a base of ripe but fresh fruit. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 1997 Carneros Cuvee Carneros $50.00: Lovely fruit, a fine mousse, with excellent length. – Robert Whitley
Gnarly Head Cellars
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon California $11.99: Nice herbal character; well balanced – Ed McCarthy
Critics Platinum 2006 Zinfandel, Old Vine Lodi $11.99: Dark, opaque fruit, like salted plum in aromas. The fruit is driven and very pure, tinged with oak but not dominated, very pure and very satisfying. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay California $11.99: Bright apple, pear, citrus fruit in the aromas and flavors are complemented with snappy acidity in a light body with a long finish. – Rebecca Murphy
Graffigna
Critics Gold 2005 Malbec, Centenario San Juan $12.99: Soft and slightly sweet, with very deep primary fruit flavors that show just enough firming from spicy oak to gain grip and textural complexity. – Michael Franz
Critics Gold 2004 Malbec, Reserve Padernal Valley $12.99: A formidable wine that is very dense and concentrated, with firm backing from toasty oak. Despite its sheer size and depth of flavor, this retains Malbec’s characteristic softness thanks to very ripe tannin and just enough restraint on wood usage. – Michael Franz
Critics Gold 2007 Pinot Grigio, Centenario San Juan $12.99: Stylish nose, pears and lime, marzipan. Fairly rich but has some welcome acidity to give it lift, juicy and balanced, with considerable persistence. – Stephen Brook