La Cereza
Critics Silver 2005 Tempranillo, Gallery Collection Guadalupe Valley $29.95: Succulent cherry aromas. Fresh and well balanced, with ample acidity and tannin to keep the fruit going to a long finish. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Grigio Temecula Valley $21.95: Aromas of ripe golden apples suggest a ripe wine, but it’s much more refined and lean on the palate, with a zippy acidity. – Patrick Comiskey
La Rusticana d’Orsa
Critics Silver 2005 La Rusticana d’Orsa Cinque Santa Cruz Mountains $45.00: Finely polished. Vivid black cherry/cassis, with great complexity in the forest floor, cedar and vanillin oak notes. Supple tannins and fine integration. – Linda Murphy
Lake Sonoma Winery
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley $24.00: Good fruit; quite tasty – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2005 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley $17.00: Plum and unsweetened chocolate. Flavors are of an oak-inflected black cherry. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2005 Zinfandel, Old Vine, Saini Farms Dry Creek Valley $22.00: Hints of sassafras and black pepper with spicy plum. Flavors are more fruit driven, more about black cherry. Bright, simple straight-ahead red. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay Russian River Valley $18.00: Ripe citrus nose, quite toasty too. Silky and beguiling, with considerable freshness, and a fine balance of oak and citrus fruit. Quite persistent. – Stephen Brook
Lakewood Vineyards
Critics Silver 2006 Gewürztraminer Finger Lakes $16.99: Unusually dry and bracing for a gewurz. – Nick Passmore
Critics Gold 2007 Dry Riesling Finger Lakes $12.99: Floral, fruity, finishes dry, nicely balanced; fresh, lively, pure fruit, citrus rather than earth or minerals. – Michael Apstein
Critics Silver 2006 Riesling Finger Lakes $12.99: Dusty nose, hint of dried fruits. Lean, tight, plenty of acidity, quite an assertive style with sweetness scarcely apparent, long tangy finish. – Stephen Brook
Laurier Vineyards
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley $14.99: Very vinous and concentrated, aromas of black cherry and tanbark. Black cherry fruit on the palate, a big chewy thing with plenty of tannic power. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Los Carneros $14.99: Savory style, with long appealing finish that makes me want to spend some time with it. – Elin McCoy
Critics Silver 2004 Chardonnay Los Carneros $14.99: Soft and supple. Yet still in balance. – Paul Lukacs
Leaping Lizard
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot Napa Valley $11.99: Ripeness expesses itself in a slight sweetnes in a full bodied, soft Merlot – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Leonesse Cellars
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Temecula Valley $38.00: Quite understated wine. Scents of tobacco and cedar lead, with a mildly oaky attack to complement sweet black cherry fruit. Texture is fine and lifted, old school, no flab. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2005 Zinfandel California $34.00: A sweet, sumptuous Zin, full of fruit and chocolate and vanilla and more. Makes you want to light up the grill and get out the barbecue sauce. – Paul Lukacs
Les Deux Rhones
Critics Platinum 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone Valley $20.99: Delightfully light and elegant, it shows surprising dusty, earthy elements on the nose followed by finely integrated fruit and malleable tannins. – Nick Passmore
Little Black Dress
Critics Silver 2006 Merlot California $9.99: Great depth and juiciness – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Silver 2006 Rose California $9.99: Nice cherry scent. Palate is gripping and ripe with a chewy, red cherry flavor and a hint of tannin to close – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2007 Pinot Grigio California $9.99: Packed with an abundance of lush fruit flavors finely balanced by a finely honed mineral structure – Nick Passmore
Lockwood Vineyard
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir, Block 7, Estate Grown Monterey $19.99: Light-bodied but with an appealing note of spice. – Robert Whitley
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Estate Grown Monterey $13.99: Delicate nose, pears. Light but fresh and nimble, delicate and tangy. Not the fruitiest of styles, nor that concentrated, but has an immediate appeal. More-ish. – Stephen Brook
Loredona
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Grigio Monterey $11.99: Very tropical style, with scents of white peach and apricot – viognier like. The palate has the feel of a rich wine but remains tight and balanced. – Patrick Comiskey
Louis Jadot
Critics Gold 2007 Rose Beaujolais $14.00: Nice juicy appetizing rose, zingy and lively – Marguerite Thomas
Louis M. Martini
Critics Silver 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve Napa Valley $25.00: Charry oak character on a full-bodied Cab with not too much tannin – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve Alexander Valley $35.00: Spicy, peppery flavors and concentration of fruit character. Great for grilled foods. – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Lucas Vineyards
Critics Silver 2007 Vignoles Finger Lakes $10.99: Delicate peach aromas with a mineral note followed by sweet peachy flavors and cleansing acidity. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Platinum 2007 Dry Riesling Finger Lakes $12.99: Exciting stuff. Very aromatic (lime blossom, slate) and flavorful (pink grapefruit, nectarine) with steely structure and fabulous acidity. So energetic and nervy! The finish lasts forever. – Linda Murphy
Luis Canas
Critics Gold 2002 Reserva Rioja $25.00: Meaty and almost dramatic in its expressiveness for a relatively light wine, this is an exemplary Rioja that balances ripe fruit with interesting secondary notes and judiciously measured wood. – Michael Franz
Lynfred Winery
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay American $17.00: Fetching pear, apple, citrus flavors are brightened with piquant acidity. Light and refreshing. – Rebecca Murphy
MacRostie Winery & Vineyards
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Carneros $30.00: Firm tannins are very much at the forefront, but with age the ample richness of fruit should take center stage. – Robert Whitley
Critics Gold 2005 Pinot Noir, Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Sonoma Coast $45.00: Outstanding richness and complexity, and beautifully balanced to boot. – Robert Whitley
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay Carneros $23.00: Smooth, supple and juicy, this Chardonnay is a crowd pleaser – Leslie Sbrocco
Magistrate
Critics Silver 2004 Merlot Napa Valley $9.99: Hints of tobacco and mint allude to the subtle nature of this merlot. Not a big blockbuster, it impresses with elegance. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Platinum 2006 Chardonnay, Limited Production Napa Valley $9.99: This is a deceptive wine. The beginning is subtle with citrus mineral aromas, then opens on the palate with round apple, citrus flavors. The finale with racy acidity keeps the flavors going on the palate long after the wine is gone. – Rebecca Murphy
Mahoney Vineyards
Critics Silver 2005 Pinot Noir, Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros $36.00: Sweet ripe red-fruits nose, quite oaky. Soft, rounded, fleshy, quite concentrated, with light acidity to lift the finish. – Stephen Brook
Critics Gold 2005 Pinot Noir, Mahoney Ranch Vineyard Carneros $36.00: Graceful with ripe cherry flavors and hints of spice integrated with vivid acidity and burnished tannins. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Gold 2007 Vermentino, Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros $16.00: Lovely fruit recalling white melon is very pure and fresh, with subtle minerality in the finish, as well as crisp acidity that provides lift and focus. – Michael Franz
Mankas Hills Vineyards
Critics Platinum 2005 Amelie Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Suisun Valley $14.50: Earthy, leafy (not just fruit). This is a toned down, serious effort; the fruit and non-fruit elements are balanced and play off nicely against one another. Lovely captivating nose, delicate finish. – Michael Apstein
Manzoni Estate Vineyard
Critics Silver 2005 Chardonnay, Lucia Highland Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands $28.00: Candied lemon aromas. Fairly light but brisk, no heavyweight but lively on the palate. Has immediate appeal but drink soon. – Stephen Brook
Mariah Vineyards
Critics Gold 2004 Zinfandel Mendocino County $24.00: Full bodied with hints of leather and blackberry, pepper and underbrush, this hearty red let’s you take a walk on the wild side – Leslie Sbrocco
Martin Ranch Winery
Critics Gold 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, J.D. Hurley Santa Clara Valley $24.95: Delicious in its ripeness, with black cherry and cassis notes that are supple and sweet but not grapey or over-ripe. Wood notes are thankfully quite subtle, permitting the pure fruit notes to retain the spotlight. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Terese Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains $49.95: Substantial and impressive in its depth and dimension, with very expressive fruit notes and admirably restrained wood. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot, J.D. Hurley Santa Clara Valley $19.95: A hint of green herbs and sage adds interest and gives the wine complexity — especially in the bouquet. – Paul Lukacs
Martin’s Rake
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Noir Marlborough $17.99: Some wine lovers shy away from Pinot due to its light, lean nature. Not this one. It’s full of fruit, flesh and juiciness. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough $13.99: Varietally true, with lots of citrus fruit flavors — crisp and refreshing. – Paul Lukacs
Martini & Rossi
Critics Silver NV Vermouth, Extra Dry Italy $5.99: Mild mannered, with delicate herbal and floral notes – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Silver NV Prosecco Italy $12.99: Floral aromas and soft, sweet flavors make this fun and very appealing if not overly serious. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver NV Asti Sparkling Wine, DOCG Italy $10.99: Delicious – Ed McCarthy
Mary Michelle Winery
Critics Silver NV Mad Squirrel Greene County $6.00: Admirably subtle, with nice fruit recalling ripe peaches but very modest sweetness. – Michael Franz
Masi
Critics Gold 2005 Campofiorin Veronese $18.00: Spicy, well-knit, with good concentration of red fruits, and very good depth. Will be a pleasure with food – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Silver 2007 Masianco, Pinot Grigio & Verduzzo Delle Venezie $15.00: Fresh and lithe, with subtle fruit and nice acidity that lends focus to the finish. – Michael Franz
McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon South Eastern Australia $12.00: Strong stuff, with ripe black cherry and blackberry fruit that shows enough firm tannin and wood to come off as defined and serious. – Michael Franz
Critics Platinum 2006 Merlot South Eastern Australia $12.00: Beautifully balanced, challenging and eminently food friendly wine. – Nick Passmore
Critics Silver 2006 Shiraz South Eastern Australia $12.00: An aroma like black cherries dipped in ink. Flavors are lighter and more red in spectrum, texture remains light and fresh. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay South Eastern Australia $12.00: Bright peach and underripe pear, a woody nose but the fruit pushes through on the palate. – Jon Bonne
Meridian Vineyards
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon California $10.00: Beuatiful structure! You just want to sip and savor it. A lovely, fruit-filled Cab. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County $10.00: Bit blowsy & woody at first; recovers with bright, creamy tree fruit. – Jon Bonne
Mettler Family Vineyards
Critics Silver 2005 Petite Sirah Lodi $24.99: Dusty cocoa-rolled plums. A sweet core of fruit, with well-managed tannin. – Jon Bonne
Michel Picard
Critics Silver 2006 Cotes du Rhone Rhone Valley $9.99: Nice meaty Mourvedre-like scent. Chewy flavors of black plum and plenty of tannin. A food wine, for braised meats. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone Valley $39.99: Smoked meat scent, and there’s a black plum flavor and plenty of grip. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2006 Beaujolais-Villages Beaujolais $9.99: Savory, more than just basic fruit. – Elin McCoy
Critics Gold 2005 Pinot Noir, Bourgogne Burgundy $14.99: Excellent depth and richness; a huge mouthful of Pinot for the price. – Robert Whitley
Critics Platinum 2006 Macon-Villages, Chardonnay Burgundy $11.99: Lovely mineral nose, ripe yet restrained fruit. Long, lip smacking acidity, hints of melon-like ripeness and minerality. Perhaps a ripe ’05 Chablis? Great balance and length, with smoky, flinty nuances – Michael Apstein
Midnight Cellars
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Franc, Moonlight Paso Robles $26.00: A beautiful, elegant red that captures the essence of Cabernet Franc. Rose petal aromas mix it up with bright berry flavors in this age-worthy wine. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2005 Malbec, Solstice Paso Robles $26.00: Dark, dense blackberry and black cherry fruit is framed by a hefty but balanced dose of smoky oak. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2005 Petit Verdot, Synnove Paso Robles $28.00: Youthful, almost savory fruit. Surprisingly bright color. – Jon Bonne
Milbrandt Vineyard
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Legacy Washington $24.99: Solid blackcurrant and black cherry fruit, with subtle oak and soft, ripe tannins. – Michael Franz
Critics Platinum 2005 Merlot, Legacy Washington $24.99: Chocolate, cocoa, mocha, vanilla — all sorts of sweet, succulent flavors enhance the bright fruit in this absolutely delicious and varietally true Merlot. A simply sumptuous red that cries out for grilled meat (think rib-eye steak) to show its absolute best. Yum! – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2005 Syrah, Legacy Washington $24.99: A muscular, masculine wine that is very ripe and concentrated, this is nevertheless quite drinkable and versatile thanks to a restrained winemaking hand where oak is concerned. A rare wine that could be enjoyed on its own or paired with foods as demanding as grilled lamb chops. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2006 Riesling, Traditions Washington $12.99: Subtle, peachy, floral aromas and flavors brighted by crisp acidity. – Rebecca Murphy
Monkey Bay
Critics Silver 2006 Rose New Zealand $11.00: Sweaty nose, a hint of fur; palate has bright sweet red cherry fruit flavors, mouthfilling and ripe. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough $11.00: Very aromatic and with mouth-wateringly acid, brassy citrus notes, a touch of grassiness and lingering finish. Very refreshing. – Linda Murphy
Montecillo
Critics Gold 2002 Reserva Rioja $20.00: A classic Rioja that still shows modern elements, this is well furnished with spicy, toasty oak notes, but there’s still plenty of ripe primary fruit that lends sweetness to the mid-palate and finish. Balanced and versatile, this is a very solid wine. – Michael Franz
Critics Gold 2001 Gran Reserva Rioja $27.00: Very complex and interesting, this is probably close to its optimal point of maturity, and yet it still shows fresh primary fruit under an elaborate canopy of toasty, spicy, leafy, meaty accents. Very well made, this shows the complexity and completeness of traditional Rioja wines, but without seeming overly tired or dried by time in wood. – Michael Franz
Mumm Napa Valley
Critics Gold 2003 Blanc de Blancs Napa Valley $26.00: Great acidity; complex flavors – Ed McCarthy
Critics Gold NV Blanc de Noirs Napa Valley $19.00: Combines frothy texture and fruity red-fruit flavors with firmness and character – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Platinum NV Brut Prestige Napa Valley $19.00: Dry, complex; excellent; well balanced – Ed McCarthy
Critics Gold NV Reserve Brut Napa Valley $26.00: Lovely; complete; – Ed McCarthy
Critics Gold 2001 Grande Annee Napa Valley $30.00: Refined and elegant, showing a firm structure and excellent length – Robert Whitley
Critics Silver NV Demi-Sec Napa Valley $30.00: Lusciously soft and rounded in texture, with nice fruity sweetness and a creamy mouthfeel – Michael Franz
Critics Platinum 2000 DVX Napa Valley $55.00: Bright citrus, firmly structured, with a long, creamy finish. – Robert Whitley