Q Collection
Critics Silver 2007 Zinfandel, Lot #12 Howell Mountain $25.99 Earthiness, plus raspberries, red plums and other red fruits. – Marguerite Thomas
Quady Winery
Critics Platinum NV Palomino Fino California $30.00 Robust tangy oxidative nose, bracing, amontillado style. Very rich, dense, spicy, concentrated, long. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver NV Vya Vermouth Aperitif, Sweet California $20.00 Caramel and medicinal aromatics; sweet entry, touch of bitterness; pleasant finish. Pleasant but lacks complexity of an Italian Sweet Vermouth. – Gerald D. Boyd
R & B Cellars
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, Bingham Ranch Napa Valley $65.00 Ripe plums and red cherry dominate this bright, fruit-driven cab. – Nick Passmore
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot, Towne Ranch Napa County $18.00 Ripe cherry and raspberry nose. Bright, fresh, simple, no depth of flavour but lively and brisk. Fine with a chicken salad. – Stephen Brook
Critics Gold 2007 Zydeco Zinfandel, Bingham Ranch Napa Valley $28.00 Complexity and concentration combine with vibrant red fruit notes to make a stylish Zin that shines. – Leslie Sbrocco
Rancho Arroyo Grande
Critics Platinum 2007 Mourvedre, Dry-Farmed Arroyo Grande Valley $45.00 Lovely classic nose of earth, a bit of tar and pepper, and brilliant red raspberry. Firm, focused, fresh, gorgeous forward raspberry fruit, firm texture, and a bit of chewy, mildly bitter tannins. Completely balanced and true to form. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2007 Zinfandel, Dry-Farmed San Luis Obispo County $45.00 Spicy-berry nose; dense, good tannin/fruit balance; big finish. – Gerald D. Boyd
Rare Earth
Critics Gold 2007 Chardonnay, Organic Grapes Mendocino County $12.99 Good fruit, mineral and spicy oak. Medium finish. – Gerald D. Boyd
Ravenswood Winery
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County $15.00 Subtle oak and berry aromas; tart acidity, medium fruit; dry medium finish. – Gerald D. Boyd
Critics Platinum 2007 Petite Sirah, Vintners Blend California $10.99 Really well-balanced, velvety texture, dry, complex flavors; fine wine – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2006 Zinfandel, Old Vine Lodi $12.00 Silky on the palate, soft tannins on the finish. – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2006 Zinfandel, Old Vine Sonoma County $12.00 Brambly berry fruit that is well balanced, with good acidity and a persistence of flavor through a very long finish. – Robert Whitley
Ray’s Station
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast $15.99 A dense and intense cab brimming with blackberries, black cherries and cedar highlights. – Nick Passmore
Re del Castello
Critics Gold 2007 Chianti Classico Chianti Classico $8.99 Dry, complex flavors. Classic Chianti. – Ed McCarthy
Red Guitar
Critics Gold 2007 Rose, Old Vine Navarra $12.00 Gorgeous salmon color; delicate strawberry notes. Balanced. Fresh and refreshing. Bottled summertime! – Michael Apstein
Red Soles Winery
Critics Silver 2008 Flip Flop White Grape Wine Paso Robles $26.00 Light peachy nose. Lush, creamy, full-bodied. Doesn’t have much acidity but has an appealing exotic fruit character. – Stephen Brook
Critics Platinum 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Reserve, Miracles Ranch Paso Robles $40.00 Intense, extracted and rich, this muscular yet supple Cab has it all. – Leslie Sbrocco
Redwood Creek
Critics Silver 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon California $7.99 Tannic and woody, although there is well-ripened black fruit here, touches of vanilla and cedar, and a finishing freshness that counters the strong oak influence. – Linda Murphy
Reflexion
Critics Silver 2003 Rioja Reserva Rioja $9.99 A very nice Reserva that shows restrained oak that permits the sweet red cherry fruit to show to full advantage. Light- to medium-bodied, this is stylish in its proportionality and balance. – Michael Franz
Rene Florancy
Critics Gold NV Brut, Premier Cru Champagne $27.99 Lovely creamy texture is balanced by energetic acidity that lifts and freshens the flavor through a long finish. Flavorful but fresh, this offers a nearly optimal balance between power and stylishness. – Michael Franz
Renwood Winery
Critics Platinum 2006 Barbera Sierra Foothills $9.95 Great red wine. An excellent Barbera. – Ed McCarthy
Critics Gold 2005 Syrah Sierra Foothills $9.95 Great flavour. Easy drinking. – Ed McCarthy
Critics Gold 2006 Zinfandel, Jack Rabbit Flat Amador County $29.95 Pleasing bit of dust on the nose, with lacquered plum, dry moss, and sour cherry and a supple profile. Evocative, if still a heavy hitter. – Jon Bonne
Critics Silver 2006 Zinfandel, Sea of Grapes Amador County $19.95 Leathery, dusty cherry and a glossy rush. A spread of jammy, balanced fruit rounds it out. – Jon Bonne
Richardson Vineyards
Critics Gold 2005 Synergy Carneros $18.00 Sweet, plummy succulent fruit with attractive herbal elements. Balanced. Good finish. Elegance speaks here. – Michael Apstein
Rideau Vineyard
Critics Gold 2007 Roussanne, Iris Santa Ynez Valley $42.00 Softly driven aromas of white flowers and golden apple. Flavors are a bit neutral, as with some closed roussannes, but the wine has a terrific high firm tone and terrific balance. Great food wine I’m sure. generic nose, faint. Odd wine, almost no flavors, but lovely balance and fine even tone. – Patrick Comiskey
Robert Hall Winery
Critics Gold 2008 Rose de Robles, Hall Ranch Paso Robles $14.99 Crisp, dry and elegantly quafable. – Nick Passmore
Critics Silver 2006 Syrah Paso Robles $19.99 Pleasant, easy-drinking. – Ed McCarthy
Critics Gold 2008 Chardonnay Paso Robles $19.99 Big, ripe, and forward, this chardonnay leads with broad golden apple scents. It’s rich yet persistent on the palate, with an appealing richness and a firm, persistent finish. – Patrick Comiskey
Robert Mondavi Private Selection
Critics Silver 2007 Meritage California $11.00 Dark and admirably concentrated, this is rich and flavorful but neither hard nor dry, making it a very promising partner for moderately robust foods. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Noir California $11.00 Lots of chewy caramel oak, adorning strawberry and black cherry. A tad blunt, but people would like. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2007 Chardonnay California $11.00 Soft and seductive. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2008 Pinot Grigio California $11.00 Light ginger ale aroma. Medium fruit, crisp acidity. Good length. – Gerald D. Boyd
Robert Oatley Vineyards
Critics Gold 2007 Shiraz Mudgee $20.00 All smoke and olives at the outset, with a firm, violet-like savory note. Its flavors are intensely savory, flavors of black tea and dark inky fruit. Formidable. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2007 Chardonnay Mudgee $18.00 An enjoyable quaff with a ping of lemony freshness. Try with fish in buerre blanc sauce or a brie and chicken sandwich. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Western Australia $18.00 Smoky/flinty nose, slightly reductive (may blow off). Citrus, pink grapefruit and slight grassy notes. There is bright, attractive fruit here, though I wish for more structure and depth. – Linda Murphy
Robert Traverso
Critics Platinum 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District $49.00 Full-bodied and weighty, with ripe black fruit, vanillin and substantial tannins, yet it is all equalized by a brisk, racy and long, fresh finish. For lovers of big, bold, yet balanced cabernet sauvignon. – Linda Murphy
Critics Silver 2006 Zinfandel Russian River Valley $33.00 Oak and berry nose. Medium fruit. Dry good fruit through finish. – Gerald D. Boyd
Rocca Family Vineyards
Critics Platinum 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Napa Valley $85.00 Inviting, fresh-fruit aromas plus savory sage and gentle oak. Powerfully built, and very firm — big though with perfectly ripe fruit, shadings of licorice and vanilla, a crisp, mouthwatering finish and no obvious alcoholic heat. – Linda Murphy
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Critics Gold 2006 Symmetry Alexander Valley $60.00 Powerful but still stylish, this shows beautifully ripened fruit recalling dark berries and black cherries, along with a tastefully restrained accent from smoky oak. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve Alexander Valley $35.00 A robust and hearty cab with earthy undertones – great with steak. – Nick Passmore
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Vineyards Alexander Valley $20.00 Lean and elegant wine with a spicy zip to its long, fruity finish. – Nick Passmore
Critics Platinum 2007 Zinfandel, Estate Vineyards, Knotty Vines Sonoma County $25.00 When Zinfandel manages to showcase elegance, purity and power, it must be rewarded. This beauty balances it all. – Leslie Sbrocco
Rosemount Estate
Critics Silver 2007 Shiraz South Eastern Australia $10.00 Quite delicious. – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2007 Chardonnay South Eastern Australia $10.00 Chardonnay in a very ripe style, with scents of golden apple and a round rich palate of vanillin and apple tart. Very ripe apple, applesauce. – Patrick Comiskey
Rosenthal – The Malibu Estate
Critics Silver 2005 Meritage Malibu-Newton Canyon $75.00 Sweet black cherry fruit is very appealing, and a subtle dose of vanillin oak offers a counterpoint without distracting attention from the fruit. – Michael Franz
Rotta Winery
Critics Gold NV Black Monukka Dessert Wine California $25.00 Dark chocolate and toffee notes on the nose give way to a creme caramel and sweet brandy palate. Unique and appealing. – Nick Passmore
Round Hill
Critics Silver 2007 Chardonnay California $8.00 Tenuously balanced, but still seductively sweet and tasty. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Gold 2007 Chardonnay, Oak Free California $12.00 Impressively balanced. So refreshing as well as rich, and full of autumn fruit flavor. Very enjoyable. – Paul Lukacs
Route 128
Critics Silver 2007 Viognier, Opatz Family Vineyard Yorkville Highlands $26.00 Delicate aromas of spice and pear lead to a wine that shows structure and freshness. – Leslie Sbrocco
Roxo Port Cellars
Critics Silver 2006 Ruby Tradicional Paso Robles $44.00 Candied cherries up front but already showing hints of the delicious forest floor and cigar box flavors that will only intensify with time. – Nick Passmore
Sakonnet Vineyards
Critics Gold 2007 Vidal Blanc, Estate Southeastern New England $11.95 Wet stone on the nose, then the palate bursts with tangy apricot, yellow peach and citrus flavors. Lively and refreshing, with admirable complexity for an off-dry style. – Linda Murphy
Santa Margherita
Critics Platinum NV Prosecco, Brut Valdobbiadene $19.99 A thoroughbred. Complex, exceptional. A great value! – Ed McCarthy
Sartori
Critics Gold 2004 Amarone, Estate Collection Della Valpolicella $39.99 Rich, flavorful. Long finish. Very fine. – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie $9.00 Pleasant, easy-drinking, flavorful. – Ed McCarthy
Scheid Vineyards
Critics Gold 2007 Chardonnay, Estate Grown Monterey $22.00 Light and delicate, with hints of pear, refreshingly crisp. – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Reserve, Estate Grown Monterey $25.00 Delicate lime nose, with some oak. Medium-bodied, supple, quite silky, just enough zest to keep it lively on the palate. – Stephen Brook
Schnebly Redlands Winery
Critics Gold NV Passion Fruit Florida $17.95 It is rare to have a fruit wine that tastes legitimately like wine. This one does, and is very tasty in an off-dry style. Very impressive. – Paul Lukacs
Scott Family Estate
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir, Dijon Clone Arroyo Seco $39.00 Has a fine forest floor, redwood bark scent, a hint of leather and burnished red cherry. Flavors are rich but balanced, a creaminess to the texture, forward but not overdone. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2007 Chardonnay, Dijon Clone Arroyo Seco $25.00 Marked as much by oak as fruit, but that fruit tastes opulent. – Paul Lukacs
Sebeka
Critics Platinum 2008 Chenin Blanc, Steen Western Cape $10.00 Sharp-edged and distinct, with a classic pine profile to kick things off, plus crisp citrus edges and a distinct brightness to it. Lively and friendly. – Jon Bonne
Sequoia Grove Vineyards
Critics Platinum 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $34.00 Pleasing and accessible Cab thanks to its lovely ripe fruit made even more interesting by its subtle undertones of cedar and old leather. – Nick Passmore
Critics Gold 2005 Syrah, Stagecoach Vineyard Napa Valley $28.00 Smells like a compote of India ink and black raspberries, warm and complex at once. No doubt it’s a ripe wine, and fairly tannic, but its fine tannins and firm taut structure give the wine some elegance. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2007 Chardonnay Carneros $28.00 Full and nicely structured, with loads of vibrant fruit. – Marguerite Thomas
Sherwood House Vineyards
Critics Gold 2004 Blanc de Blanc, House of Sherwood North Fork of Long Island $37.00 Flavorful, rich. Pleasant finish. – Ed McCarthy
Sierra Madre Vineyard
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley $42.00 A big and beefy interpretation of Pinot. – Marguerite Thomas
Silver Palm
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast $35.00 Rich and lush with just enough spicy undertones to keep it interesting. – Nick Passmore
Smith & Hook Vineyards
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast $24.00 Oak and subtle berry notes. Dry, medium texture, crisp acidity; short finish. – Gerald D. Boyd
Smith-Madrone Vineyards
Critics Platinum 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District $45.00 Fantastic bouquet — rich, ripe, but also nuanced and harmonious — followed by expressive dark fruit and spicy oak flavors. Very, very pretty! – Paul Lukacs
Snoqualmie Vineyards
Critics Silver 2008 Naked Riesling, Organic Columbia Valley $10.00 Very flavorful in a Spatlese style. – Paul Lukacs
Solaire by Robert Mondavi
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast $16.99 Minty nose. Light berry back notes. Soft entry, medium fruit, tart; medium finish. Stylish. – Gerald D. Boyd
Critics Gold 2007 Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands $14.99 A subtle creamy profile, with bright orange and pear. Lean, precise, with a curious mineral tinge. – Jon Bonne
Sonoma Vineyards
Critics Silver 2007 Chardonnay Sonoma County $15.00 Ripe, tropical fruit shows off at first, but is backed up with vibrancy and a balanced kiss of oak. – Leslie Sbrocco
South Coast Winery
Critics Silver NV Black Jack Port South Coast $38.00 Swet and juicy. Fun to sip by a winter fire. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2003 Merlot, Carter Estate, Private Reserve South Coast $48.00 Plump black cherry nose. Soft, rather heavy and tannic, but has plenty of spice. Although quite extracted, it has some vigour and complexity. Effortful but a serious wine with good weight of fruit. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2006 Sangiovese, Thunderbolt Block, Wild Horse Peak South Coast $34.00 Nice balance of oak and fruit in nose. Big fruity flavors, dark plums, some heat. – Gerald D. Boyd
Critics Silver 2006 Syrah, Lone Boulder Ridge, Wild Horse Peak South Coast $44.00 Great fruit. Delicious. – Ed McCarthy
St. James Winery
Critics Silver NV Country Red American $6.99 Nice balanced red wine with an herbal topnote and juicy red cherry flavors. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold NV Friendship School White American $7.99 Complex aromas include ripe peach. Big bodied, but beautifully light on the palate. – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver NV Strawberry American $8.99 Like drinking Smuckers. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver NV Peach American $8.99 Lusciously sweet. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2005 Chambourcin Ozark Mountain $6.99 Inviting earth and red current aromas, followed by ripe, succulent berry and cherry flavors. Bright and succulent, in an easy-drinking style, yet with plenty of interest. – Linda Murphy
Critics Platinum 2005 Cynthiana Ozark Mountain $6.99 Chocolatey, with deep blackberry, black cherry and black plum fruit on a lush, juicy frame. Hints of tar, vanilla, and briar add complexity. Tannins are supple in this unabashedly fruity wine. – Linda Murphy
Critics Silver NV Velvet Red American $6.99 This ‘foxy’ dessert wine is exhibits a cherry cola flavor, typical of many Eastern varietals, but is well balanced and not cloyingly sweet. Serve well chilled with fruit-based desserts. – Robert Whitley
Critics Platinum 2005 Norton Dessert Wine Ozark Mountain $17.99 Complex elements including summer blackberries espresso, spice. Powerful in both taste and texture, with a long finish. A truly impressive dessert wine. – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2005 Catawba Dessert Wine Ozark Mountain $12.99 Nicely balance between sweet and spicy, – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2006 Concord Dessert Wine American $12.99 A soft and silky, elegantly crafted wine. – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver NV Pink Catawba American $6.99 Light distinct Catawba aroma. Pleasant sweet fruit. Good balancing acidity but a little cloying in the finish. – Gerald D. Boyd
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonel, Reserve Ozark Mountain $9.99 Distinct slightly green pungent aroma. Medium flavors, buttery notes. Crisp balanced finish. Not distinguished but pleasant. – Gerald D. Boyd
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonel Ozark Mountain $6.99 Oaky nose. Soft plate, some sweetness. Pleasant fruity finish. – Gerald D. Boyd
Critics Gold 2005 Late Harvest Chardonel Ozark Mountain $9.99 Delicious. Great balance. – Ed McCarthy
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonel Dessert Wine Ozark Mountain $12.99 Well-balanced; very flavorful. – Ed McCarthy
Critics Gold NV Riesling Columbia Valley $9.99 Turpine and lemony, deftly touched by sweetness. – Marguerite Thomas
St. Julian
Critics Silver NV White Heron Lake Michigan Shore $7.99 Sweet and rich, with a surprisingly long aftertaste – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver NV Solera Cream Sherry, Michigan Light Michigan $15.99 Light brown. The nose is entirely clean. Soft, very sweet, caramel and coffee, with plenty of spice on the finish. – Stephen Brook
St. Supery Vineyards & Winery
Critics Silver 2005 Elu Napa Valley $70.00 A nice meaty character to the fruit is effectively accented with smoky oak. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2003 Merlot Napa Valley $27.00 Lush plummy nose, with some sweet oak aromas. Soft, juicy, quite concentrated, good texture and integrated tannins. Has some spice and vigour. Drink it young. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley $23.00 Aromas of fresh-cut grass and green pepper/jalapeno. The palate is quite rewarding, and clean, with a subtle herbaceousness running through the granny apple and meyer lemon fruitiness. – Linda Murphy
Critics Gold 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Dollarhide Napa Valley $37.00 Passionfruit and lime entices the nose, and the palate delivers the same, along with white pepper, green melon, and slightly pungent grassiness. Racy and long in the finish. – Linda Murphy
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
Critics Gold 2007 Chardonnay, Karia Napa Valley $34.00 Marked by crisp apple-like fruit and a bright backbone of acidity to provide verve. – Paul Lukacs
Starborough
Critics Silver 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough $13.00 Pungent, grassy aromas. Surprisingly soft entry firms up on the mid-plate, with juicy gooseberry and passionfruit flavors. Perfectly ripened and gentle in its herbaceousness, it only lacks a crisper texture and finish. – Linda Murphy
Stone Cellars By Beringer
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon California $8.00 Soft, supple, and somewhat sweet. Very pretty, but again, sweet. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2007 Merlot California $8.00 Ripe, juicy, and slightly cooked nose. Medium-bodied, rather slight, some fresh acidity give it some crispness. A light style, but well balanced. – Stephen Brook
Stone Hill Winery
Critics Silver 2005 Norton Hermann $18.99 A lean, lighter-style of Norton that is clean and crisp, with pretty berry flavors, a gentle leafy note and fine acidity. Almost chianti-like, and meant for food. – Linda Murphy
Stoneleigh
Critics Gold 2007 Pinot Noir Marlborough $15.99 Raspberries, a little spice and a whiff of smoke. – Marguerite Thomas
Stoney Mesa Winery
Critics Silver 2007 Riesling Colorado $12.00 Aromatic and honeyed, a treat for lovers of sweet wine. – Marguerite Thomas
Stony Ridge
Critics Silver 2005 Petite Sirah Livermore Valley $26.00 Powerful stuff, full of brambly fruit and spice. Perfect for barbecue. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Gold NV Malvasia Bianca Livermore Valley $15.00 Lots of flavor; well-balanced. – Ed McCarthy
Surfrider
Critics Silver 2005 Red Wine Malibu-Newton Canyon $29.00 Plum and berry fruit notes are pure and very pleasant, with wood accents that are sufficiently restrained to lend a bit of complexity without distracting attention from the tasty core of fruit. – Michael Franz
Critics Gold 2007 Pinot Gris Santa Barbara County $19.00 Richly-fruited, but also clean and fresh — a difficult but delicious combination. – Paul Lukacs
Talus
Critics Silver 2007 White Zinfandel California $7.99 Delicate aromas and flavors with a touch of sweetness make this a crowd-pleasing sipper. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Noir Vin de Pays $7.99 Primary forward red raspberry fruit, resembling Beaujolais. Flavors are bright and simple, good quaffing red for an afternoon barbecue. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2006 Shiraz Lodi $7.99 Ripe minty nose, with a dash of oak. Medium-bodied, supple, easygoing, not a very concentrated style. Drink young – perhaps with lamb. Good value – promoted to Gold when I learnt the price (at double the price would have been a Silver). – Stephen Brook
Tangent
Critics Gold 2008 Albarino, Paragon Vineyard Edna Valley $17.00 A rich wine, with a creamy pineapple scent. Flavors are ripe and firm, flavors and especially texture more citrusy, with a mineral finish. – Patrick Comiskey
Tapena
Critics Silver 2008 Rose La Tierra De Castilla $10.00 A round and full-bodied party pleaser – Nick Passmore
Critics Silver 2007 Verdejo La Tierra De Castilla $10.00 Dry. Needs food, especially seafood, fish. – Ed McCarthy
Terra Blanca
Critics Gold 2005 Onyx, Estate Vineyard Red Mountain $45.00 Rich and impressively concentrated but neither over-ripe nor overly aggressive, this shows pleasantly sweet fruit recalling dark berries and black cherries, along with a subtle wood note and very fine-grained tannins that firm up the finish just a bit while keeping the lingering flavors of fruit quite prominent. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2003 Syrah, Block 8, Estate Reserve Red Mountain $42.00 Dense nose, Indian spices, black fruits and a touch of mint. Rich, suave, but there is a distinct greenness that hardens the wine. If you like Syrah that is tangy with some cranberry tartness, then this is for you. – Stephen Brook
Terra d’Oro
Critics Silver 2008 Rose Amador County $14.00 Bursting with ripe summer strawberries. – Nick Passmore
Critics Gold 2006 Zinfandel Amador County $18.00 A dense, layered nose, with pencil shavings and plum skin, and a rich, cocoa-tinged palate. Eloquent and heady, though with plenty of alcohol arriving on the finish. – Jon Bonne
Critics Platinum 2008 Moscato California $16.00 All ripe summer cantalopes and fall comice pears dripping honey kept interesting by a drop of citrus acidity. – Nick Passmore
The Four Graces
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Gris Dundee Hills $18.00 Light and lively. A fine summer aperitif wine. – Paul Lukacs
The Yard
Critics Gold 2008 Riesling, Whispering Hill Vineyard Mount Barker $24.00 Delicate stoniness. Vibrant without being aggressive. Great length and balance. A star! – Michael Apstein
Three Coins
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $30.00 Shy in aroma and somewhat soft on entry, this is a smooth, polished Cab with well-ripened fruit and a tannic effect that kicks in on the finish. If Cabernet Sauvignon can be pretty, this one is. Ready to drink now. – Linda Murphy
Critics Gold 2007 Chardonnay Oakville $24.00 A restrained style of Chardonnay that intrigues with the nose then fully delivers in the mouth. Layers of flavor finish with a touch of spice. – Leslie Sbrocco
Tin Roof
Critics Silver 2006 Syrah – Cabernet Sauvignon California $10.99 Relatively light in weight and notably sweet in flavor, this nevertheless proves quite winning on the strength of the purity of the berry fruit notes, which are left at center stage thanks to the subtlety of the oak. – Michael Franz
Critics Gold 2005 Merlot California $10.99 Immediate ripe fruit flavors give way to attractive subtle meaty herbal notes in this well balanced wine. – Michael Apstein
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay California $10.99 Friendly and versatile, with an overlay of tropical fruit. – Marguerite Thomas
Toasted Head
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast $13.99 Chewy and hearty. The mineral-driven nose leads to stoic dark cherry with robust tannins. – Jon Bonne
Critics Gold 2007 Viognier Dunnigan Hills $13.99 Bold and beautiful with ultra-ripe fruit, plush texture and bigger-than-life style. – Leslie Sbrocco
Trefethen Vineyards
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Oak Knoll District $50.00 Ripe yet elegant, this beautiful Cab balances smooth tannins and vibrant acidity with lush fruit. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Gold 2005 Merlot Oak Knoll District $35.00 Leather and dried woodruff, lavender and smoky red berry. A subtle, grippy palate with nuanced fruit presence and a surprising power on the end. Graceful, with perhaps a bit of extra bottle time on it. – Jon Bonne
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay Oak Knoll District $30.00 Rich and ripe but also refreshing to drink, so a very versatile Chardonnay. – Paul Lukacs
Trenza
Critics Gold 2007 Tinto San Luis Obispo County $30.00 A meaty, substantial red that never veers off into seeming overblown or chunky, this shows deep, dark berry flavors that are well balanced against the components of oak and tannin. – Michael Franz
Trinchero Family
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot, Main Street Monterey/Santa Barbara/Napa $12.00 Ripe cherry nose. Soft, suave, silky, with straightforward cherry fruit and light tannins. But it’s rather slack and lacks drive, fading on the finish. But an attractive wine that would be good with charcuterie. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2007 Riesling, Main Street Monterey County $10.00 A nice display of pear and apple fruit followed by a juicy finish. – Marguerite Thomas
Trinity Oaks
Critics Gold 2007 Pinot Noir California $8.00 Alluringly simple and fruity. An undemanding, fine little wine. – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2008 Pinot Grigio California $7.00 Well-balanced; harmonious. – Ed McCarthy
Trivento
Critics Silver 2006 Amado Sur Mendoza $15.99 Ripe juicy flavors of boysenberry and blackberry jam, buttressed b