Napa Cellars
Critics Silver 2005 Zinfandel Napa Valley $22.00 Soft and sensual – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay Napa Valley $24.00 A big forceful mouthful of Chardonnay – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Platinum 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley $18.00 Very full-flavored and rich, yet it has bracing acidity and hints of fresh herbs and grapefruit for great interest. Has a very long, grapefruity finish. – Linda Murphy
Napa Family Vineyards
Critics Silver 2005 Chardonnay, Reserve Napa Valley $9.99 Reticent nose, with a light toastiness and candied lemon aromas. Broad and lush though a touch heavy. But attractive and fleshy for drinking soon. – Stephen Brook
Napa Ridge Winery
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $12.99 A slightly woodsy scent with a touch of vanilla and red cherry. Plainly red fruited on the palate, with bright acidity and a clean detailed mouthfeel. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2005 Chardonnay Napa Valley $12.99 With floral notes and refreshing citrus flavors, this Chardonnay is one to chill down and sip poolside – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley $12.99 rich style with powerful fruit – Elin McCoy
Navarro Vineyards
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir, Methode Ancienne Anderson Valley $28.00 Very pretty strawberry note on the entry. – Robert Whitley
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Mendocino $19.00 Big, powerful style of pinot with lots of tannin; give it time – Elin McCoy
Critics Gold 2007 Rose Mendocino $16.50 Delicate dented strawberry nose, bright orange blossom and peach. A finesse all through, with a lingering sweet note. – Jon Bonne
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Premiere Reserve Anderson Valley $24.00 Delicate lime nose, has charm. Sleek and silky, not a lot of weight but pretty and forward. No evident structure, so drink soon. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2006 Gewürztraminer Anderson Valley $19.00 Mouthwatering peach and minty flavors. Bright and refreshing. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Silver 2006 White Riesling Anderson Valley $18.00 Classic riesling nose, with nice mineralality, good length. It’s floral and delicate. – Michael Apstein
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino $17.00 Clean and crisp, with a surprisingly supple texture. – Paul Lukacs
Nobilo
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir, Icon Marlborough $20.00 Sweet spice, ripe fresh black cherry and a tamarind hint. Chewy tannins, broad structure, with a breathy finish. – Jon Bonne
Critics Silver 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Icon Marlborough $20.00 Firm and steely, with minerals, gentle herbs and bright citrus, Understated and elegant – Linda Murphy
Critics Gold 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Regional Collection Marlborough $13.00 Pleasantly pungent with herbal notes; creamy elements, nice texture; long and polished. – Michael Apstein
Northstar
Critics Gold 2004 Merlot Columbia Valley $41.00 Lots of cedary oak and black plum aromas. Fairly sweet attack but a good fresh, chewy red with lots of flavor. – Patrick Comiskey
Now & Zen
Critics Silver 2007 Wasabi White Alsace $11.99 Spicy notes leap forward with a punch, if a short one. – Jon Bonne
Oak Grove
Critics Gold 2006 Merlot, Reserve California $7.99 Juicy fruit charcyer and good depth – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Reserve California $7.99 Showy and full with ripe fruit aromas and a creamy, lush texture – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2007 Viognier, Reserve California $7.99 White peach scents; a generous flavor of peach and apricot on the palate, with good length. – Patrick Comiskey
Oak Summit
Critics Silver 2005 Pinot Noir, Estate Bottled Hudson River Region $49.00 Pinot that delivers pure fruit pleasure – Leslie Sbrocco
Off The Leash
Critics Silver 2006 Finn, No Oak White Adelaide Hills $20.00 Simple but nevertheless very tasty, with fruit notes recalling pears and white melons. – Michael Franz
Critics Gold 2006 Max, Shiraz Viognier Adelaide Hills $20.00 A big wine, leading with dark black fig scents and black pepper accents. Flavors are fine, dark, well-composed; shows surprising restraint for such a big wine. – Patrick Comiskey
Ogio
Critics Silver 2006 Primitivo Puglia $3.99 Verygenerous but not over-ripe or over-wrought, this offers lots of juicy, ripe berry flavor with sufficient structure to stay focused. – Michael Franz
Oops
Critics Gold 2006 Rose Carmenere, Cheeky Little Pink Valle Central $10.99 Tangy chive, peach cream, sweet strawberry compote and a delicate, almost pillow-like countenance. – Jon Bonne
Critics Gold 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Cheeky Little White Valle Central $10.99 V. smiliar to 077. A true Sauvignon blanc nose, with attractive bite; subtle and long. Great finesse. – Michael Apstein
Orfila Vineyards
Critics Platinum 2005 Merlot, Ambassador’s Reserve San Diego County $28.00 Restrained black berry aromas with a sprinkling of herbs. In the mouth the wine is layered, complex and tightly structured. Needs time to develop, so open well before serving or give it a couple of years in the bottle. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Silver 2005 Sangiovese, Estate, Di Collina San Pasqual Valley $22.00 Rich oaky nose, bright cherry fruit. Rich, very ripe, concentrated, high alcohol, a bit coarse but has vibrancy and personality. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2005 Syrah, Estate, Val De La Mer San Pasqual Valley $25.00 A leaner style, but still ripe. Slightly meaty character. Black cherry flavor with good acidity. – Michael Apstein
Critics Silver 2006 White Riesling Monterey County $15.00 Rich apricot and apple nose. Rich, plump, gently sweet, silky and stylish though not complex. Fairly long. – Stephen Brook
Origin
Critics Platinum 2003 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Collection Series Bordeaux $38.99 Tight and closed at the moment, it has huge potential to develop into a massive wine. – Nick Passmore
Critics Gold 2003 Santenay, Collection Series Burgundy $37.99 Appealingly ripe without seeming overtly candied or sweet, this shows enough tannin in the finish to provide definition and grip, but not so much as to dry the last impressions. – Michael Franz
Osborne
Critics Silver 2000 LBV Port Portugal $19.00 Simple straightforward black plum and caramel flavors lots of simple fruit and lightly tanninized – Patrick Comiskey
Oveja Negra
Critics Silver 2007 Rose Valle Central $7.99 Gravelly cherry and pepper. Gets a bit leaden in the middle, but the weight and tannins give it a seriousness. – Jon Bonne
P.B. Hein Vineyards
Critics Silver 2005 Syrah, Trailblazer, Vernasco Vineyard North Coast $25.00 Very toasty and graham-cracker-y on the nose, with a warm, earthy palate.that I find interesting, yet others reject. Ideally ripe (but not over-ripe) blackberry fruit, hint of leather and pepper, with a plush mouthfeel. – Linda Murphy
Pacific Rim Winemakers
Critics Platinum 2007 Vin de Glaciere Riesling Columbia Valley $18.00 Super-fresh-tasting for all of its sweetness, thanks to brisk acidity. Hints of mandarine orange, crËme brulee and apricot. Delicious and crisp. – Linda Murphy
Critics Silver NV Gewürztraminer Columbia Valley $12.00 Lively, rich, with wintergreen nose and unctuous texture and depth – Elin McCoy
Critics Gold NV Dry Riesling American $12.00 Inviting mineral nose and wet stone on palate. Succulent fruit, steely, firm texture. Cellarworthy.. – Linda Murphy
Paco & Lola
Critics Gold 2007 Albarino Rias Baixas $22.00 Complex; complete; well-balanced – Ed McCarthy
Pahrump Valley Winery
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast $13.95 Scents of violets and eucalypt lead. Palate is more about fruit, plum and black cherry. A light cab for easy drinking. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2005 Merlot Monterey County $12.95 Black cherry aromas with an herbal note, layered black fruit flavors that linger on the palate. Full bodied with husky tannins. – Rebecca Murphy
Paraiso Vineyards
Critics Silver 2005 Chardonnay, Eagles Perch Santa Lucia Highlands $30.00 Pretty but reticent stone fruits nose. Ripe and creamy but not overblown. Nicely balanced and fresh. – Stephen Brook
Parducci Wine Cellars
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir California $11.99 Some beetroot aromas. Fresh, silky, clean, brisk, no depth of flavour but has immediate appeal and some grip on the finish. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2005 Petite Sirah Mendocino County $9.99 Softly seductive with berry fruit – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay Mendocino County $9.99 Crisp apple aroma dominates in a tight, well balanced package. – Robert Whitley
Parkers Estate
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Old Vine Street, Private Reserve Sonoma County $14.99 Soft and slightly sweet for a Cabernet, but endearingly so, with enough tannin to firm up the finish. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot, North Peyton Block, Private Reserve Sonoma County $14.99 Succulent fruitiness is wrapped in an ultra-smooth texture in this Merlot. – Leslie Sbrocco
Paul Delane
Critics Gold 2006 Pouilly-Fuisse Burgundy $17.99 Well-ripened apple/pear fruit, supple texture and really crisp acidity — mouthwatering, juicy and with beautiful balance. – Linda Murphy
Paul Dolan
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Organically Grown Mendocino County $24.99 Smoky, dark berry notes and a juicy finish combine to make this sippable Cabernet one to drink with pizza, pasta or other casual fare – Leslie Sbrocco
Pedroncelli Winery
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley $18.00 Perfumed raspberry nose, beguiling. Light, silky, quite concentrated and tannic, has some grip and structure, but stands out because of its length of flavour – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2006 Zinfandel, Mother Clone Dry Creek Valley $15.00 Pretty Zinfandel may seem like an oxymoron, but this lovely wine is bright, fresh and floral – Leslie Sbrocco
Peller Estates
Critics Gold 2006 Ice Wine, Cabernet Franc Niagara On The Lake $74.00 Reminiscent of strawberry jam with a savory twist, this unique wine is one to serve with cheeses from roquefort to stilton and surprise your guests – Leslie Sbrocco
Perrier-Jouet
Critics Gold 1999 Fleur de Champagne Epernay $139.99 Firmly structured, elegant and fine, with notes of citrus and toast – Robert Whitley
Best of Show Sparkling 2000 Fleur de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Epernay $399.00 Rich, powerful and complex, showing aromas of brioche, lemon curd and vanilla. – Robert Whitley
Critics Platinum 2002 Fleur de Champagne Rose Epernay $299.99 Shows pretty red fruit aromas, a hint of earthy forest floor, finishing with sensuous length. – Robert Whitley
Petaluma
Critics Gold 2007 Riesling, Hanlin Hill Clare Valley $19.99 Generous and fruity, yet balanced by tart acidity and a pleasant grapefruit pith bitterness. Hint of minerality, mouthwatering finish. – Linda Murphy
Peter Lehmann
Critics Gold 2005 Shiraz Barossa Valley $15.00 Leads with scents of ink and black pepper. The flavors are all about sweeet black cherry, no flab, with that touch of pepper interceding a bit on generous oak. – Patrick Comiskey
Pindar Vineyards
Critics Silver NV Pythagoras North Fork of Long Island $13.00 Clearly an older wine, has held up well, still has fruity and complexity – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2001 Mythology North Fork of Long Island $30.00 Pleasing soft Merlot-like notes amid the mahogany. But why so old — a re-release? – Jon Bonne
Critics Silver 2003 Cabernet Port North Fork of Long Island $27.00 Very pleasant; tawny? – Ed McCarthy
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay, Reserve North Fork of Long Island $13.00 It’s what Chard should be–complex flavors plus palate-caressing texture. – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Platinum 2006 Chardonnay Late Harvest North Fork of Long Island $19.00 Rich, honeyed, fig aromas with a trace of herbs, voluptuous and layered honey, fig flavors are supported by citrusy acidity, levaing the palate clean and refreshed., – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Silver 2007 Johannisberg Riesling North Fork of Long Island $17.00 Mango nose, exotic fruit. Very sweet, silky and lush, not much acidity but I’s ripe and succulent. – Stephen Brook
Pinot Evil
Critics Silver NV Pinot Noir Vin De Pays D’Oc $18.00 Light and easy going, with fresh red fruit flavorss – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Piper Sonoma
Critics Silver NV Blanc de Blanc, Select Cuvee Sonoma County $17.00 Round, soft and easy to like – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Gold NV Brut, Select Cuvee Sonoma County $17.00 Complex; rich – Ed McCarthy
Prairie Berry Winery
Critics Silver 2007 Frontenac, Lewis & Clark Vineyard South Dakota $16.00 Imagine biting into a ripe cherry and that’s the sensation when you sip this wine. Lightly sweet and packed with juicy fruit flavors, it’s a wine to chill down, grab a rib slathered in BBQ sauce and enjoy – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Gold 2006 La Crescent South Dakota $16.00 A rich, sumptuous wine, full of fruit and spice. Shows that well-made hybrid varietals can hold their own with top vinifera. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2007 Brianna, Lewis & Clark Vineyard South Dakota $16.00 Heady peachy nose. Broad, creamy, has some acidity to balance the rather heavy fruit, with a sweet-and-sour finish. – Stephen Brook
Prats & Symington
Critics Gold 2004 Chryseia Douro DOC $70.00 The aromas are subdued, a bit smoky, but the fruit is concentrated and genererous on the palate. Tannins are smooth and integrated. – Rebecca Murphy
Prima Mano
Best of Show Red 2003 Brunello di Montalcino Brunello Di Montalcino $49.99 Meaty and substantial, but with impressive intricacy and restrained ripeness. True to its grape and place of origin, this is complex and very satisfying, with excellent balance between fruit, acidity, tannin and wood. Excellent material that was deftly crafted. – Michael Franz
Critics Gold 2007 Fiano-Greco Puglia $15.99 A very interesting wine that shows lots of little aromatic complexities and an intriguing minerality to augment an attractive core of rope fruit. There’s enough acidity to keep this fresh until the end of 2008, but this is definitely a soft, fruity wine meant for immediate consumption. – Michael Franz
Principe Corsini
Critics Gold 2005 Don Tommaso Chianti Classico $50.00 Subtle, but nevertheless complex and quite expressive, this shows lovely integration of fruit notes and accents of herbs, fresh meat, and damp earth. Dried cherry fruit notes show nice ripeness without being overt or overdone, and the overall balance and integration of the wine will help it partner very effectively with a wide range of foods. – Michael Franz