Tangent
Critics Silver 2007 Ecclestone Central Coast $20.00 Fruity; nice finish; lingers on the palate – Ed McCarthy
Critics Platinum 2007 Albarino Central Coast $17.00 A complete Albarino that marries delicate perfume with impressive depth of flavor. Floral aromatics lead to flavors that are substantial but not heavy, with peach fruit notes and very energetic balancing acidity. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Gris, Paragon Vineyard Edna Valley $17.00 Lovely floral aromas — honeysuckle and orange blossom. Full-bodied and flavorful in pear and citrus fruit, the richness cut by pert acidity – Linda Murphy
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Paragon Vineyard Edna Valley $13.00 An herbal style, unoaked and fresh with crisp acidity – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Tassel Ridge Winery
Critics Silver NV Granfinale Chocolate Dessert Wine California $20.00 Light-handed and elegant, with fresh, fruity flavor, could be a delicious aperitif or after dinner with fruit or chocolate – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Tatachilla
Critics Platinum 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale $16.99 You would be hard pressed to find a sexier wine than this Cabernet. Not only does the texture feel like silk, the brightness of the fruit makes it the perfect candidate to bring to the dinner table. It’s a must-buy for lovers of elegant wines. – Leslie Sbrocco
Ten Knots Cellars
Critics Gold 2005 Atlantis Paso Robles $32.00 Aromas of mulled wine spices with very ripe black cherry. Flavors are dark and deep, with a gripping, spicy tannic finish – Patrick Comiskey
TENZ – Tom Eddy New Zealand
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough $25.00 English peas on the nose, with pasionfruit and citrus on the palate. Juicy and rich, with well-ripened fruit and a brisk close. – Linda Murphy
Terra Blanca
Critics Silver 2002 Syrah Red Mountain $20.00 Balanced, with black cherry fruit and good acid; some meaty elements; hot, but otherwise good. – Michael Apstein
Terra d’Oro
Critics Gold 2007 Rose Amador County $14.99 Scents of wild strawberries have a vinous underpinning. Pleasingly dry with good precision and acidity. – Patrick Comiskey
Terremoto Cellars
Critics Platinum 2005 Cabernet Franc, Magnitude Oakville $50.00 Velvety and plush with polished tannins, a hint of herbal complexity and ripe red berry fruit flavors, this mineral-laden red is oh so sexy to sip. Indulge yourself. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Asbill Vineyard Oak Knoll District $35.00 An expressive Cabenet. It begins with bright fruity but gains complexity through the mid-palate and into the finish, and ends seeming richer and more multi-dimensional. It probably would benefit from decanting. – Paul Lukacs
The Four Graces
Critics Platinum 2006 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley $27.00 Simply sumptuous–silky and supple, with an earthy elemnt augmenting the bright cherry fruit flavor, giving the wine genuine complexity and more than mere varietal identity. This is New World Pinot Noir at a very high level. Bravo! – Paul Lukacs
The Yard
Critics Gold 2006 Shiraz, Acacia Vineyard, Larry Cherubino Western Australia $40.00 Scents of pine and cedar bark to go with fruit aromas of black fig. It’s a bit reined in by oak and mineral,s but everything’s there; it’s clearly a wine that will evolve. – Patrick Comiskey
Thornton Winery
Critics Silver 2005 Thorny Cote Red California $16.00 Scents of very ripe fruit with smoky oak notes. Flavors show black cherry and plym, with a chewy long finish – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2005 Zinfandel, OVOC Amador County $44.00 The velvety mouthfeel and juicy fruit flavors are the reasons this Zin is so appealing. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Gold 1999 Brut Reserve Temecula Valley $35.00 Well-aged; nicely-balanced – Ed McCarthy
Three Blind Moose
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot California $9.99 It has a nice simple spice component, mildly herbal, with a creamy sweet midpalate and soft tannin. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2007 Chardonnay California $9.99 For devotees of sweet vanilla – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Grigio California $9.99 Subtle pear, leafy aromas, ripe pear fruit nicely balanced with tangy acidity, but a bit hot on the finish. – Rebecca Murphy
Tisdale
Critics Silver NV White Zinfandel California $2.99 Dark salmon pink color with delicate berry aromas. Berry fruit is sweet in the mouth, but the finish is not cloying. – Rebecca Murphy
Toasted Head
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Barrel Reserve Alexander Valley $17.99 Rich, powerful, ripe fruit package that delivers – Elin McCoy
Critics Gold 2005 Merlot California $13.99 Scents of cedar and red cherry; surprisingly concentrated on a palate with flavors of mint and cedar to complement cherry notes. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir, Barrel Reserve Sonoma Coast $17.99 Depth of flavor,, lovely aftertaste – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Gold 2006 Viognier Dunnigan Hills $13.99 Well-crafted, lifted, balanced scents of peach and mineral. A very firm palate-feel with tropical fruit flavors and a generous, seductive texture. Balanced. Very fine. – Patrick Comiskey
Tom Eddy
Critics Platinum 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $90.00 As classy as a Chanel suit. This is a wine with utmost style and grace. Cassis and cocoa notes are layered with noticable but integrated tannins in a wine destined for the cellar. If you drink it now, make sure to decant for the full beauty of the wine to be expressed. – Leslie Sbrocco
Traverso Wines
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Unfiltered Stags Leap District $47.75 With depth of color, layers of succulent fruit and dark chocolate notes, this wine wraps you in a velvety texture. It’s lush and pure pleasure in a glass. – Leslie Sbrocco
Trinchero Winery
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Main Street Vineyard St. Helena $45.00 Has a lovely silky texture and is very well-knit – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Tualatin Estate
Critics Silver 2007 Muscat Frizzante, Semi-Sparkling Wine Willamette Valley $15.00 Brimming with freshness and fun, this features lovely floral aromas that are extremely expressive but not overbearing. A bit of subtle effervesence provides lift, and a dash of welcome acidity clarifies the finish. – Michael Franz
Twisted
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Twisted Cab California $7.99 Ripe and sweet – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2006 Zinfandel, Twisted Zin, Old Vine California $7.99 Ripe fruits followed by a long, dry crisp finish. – Nick Passmore
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Twisted Chard, New Vine California $7.99 Rather heavy, peachy nose. Broad and juicy, fruit-forward – not an elegant or refreshing style but lush and hedonistic. – Stephen Brook
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Grigio, Twisted Pig California $7.99 Crisp and fruity balanced with a punchy minerality – Nick Passmore
Two Rivers Winery
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Deux Fleures Vineyards Mesa County $12.25 Fruit, spice, toned down. A more delicate, but still falvorful, style of Cabernet Sauvignon. Simple, but good. – Michael Apstein
Critics Silver 2006 Syrah, Chateau Deux Fleures Vineyards Mesa County $12.50 Meaty, earthy aromas and bright black berry/cherry fruit. It’s a very big wine, yet balanced by firm tannic structure and crisp acidity. A bit of alcoholic heat on the finish costs it a gold medal. – Linda Murphy
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay, Chateau Deux Fleures Vineyards Mesa County $13.50 Fresh, fruit-driven Chardonnay that captures the essence of the variety without overdoing it. Buy this one by the case for your house white. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2007 Riesling, Chateau Deux Fleures Vineyards Columbia Valley $12.00 Light sweet appley nose. Fresh and crisp, plenty of acidity to keep it lively on the palate. No complexity but appealing direct fruitiness. – Stephen Brook
V. Sattui Winery
Critics Silver 2006 Sattui Family Red California $15.00 Big and gutsy with good grip on finish – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Platinum 2007 Marsangnier Sierra Foothills $19.00 Generous aromas of peach and white flowers. Attack is rich, the peach flavors very assertive but remaining high-toned and fine. Finish long, explosively juicy. Tour de Force. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Vittorio’s Vineyard Napa Valley $42.00 Very youthful and tightly tannic now, it holds great promise for future enjoyment. Ideally ripe blackberry and black plum fruit, mouthcoating vanillin and a hint of cedar add interest; the tannins and pert acidity should preserve the fruit as the wine softens and sees its sharp corners rounded out. – Linda Murphy
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Carneros $36.00 Nicely balanced though slightly tannic, with aromas of strawberry and raspberry. – Robert Whitley
Critics Silver 2006 Petite Sirah North Coast $27.00 A dark beauty, black fruits–berries, cherries–and that bracing tannic finish PS lovers love – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2007 Rosato Sierra Foothills $14.00 Aromas of saddle leather and sweet strawberries. Palate is rich and appealing – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2007 White Zinfandel California $13.00 Pale pink color with very light berry aromas. Slightly sweet berry fruit is invigorated with zesty acidity – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Silver 2006 Zinfandel, Old Vine, Quaglia Vineyard Napa Valley $33.00 All black cherry and chocolate, in the nose and on the palate. Straight on and simple for barbecue. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Platinum 2006 Zinfandel, Ramazzotti Vineyard Dry Creek Valley $33.00 Polished and pure, this wine seamlessly blends ripe fruit notes with supple tannins and moderate levels of alcohol. It’s a beauty. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2006 Zinfandel, Black-Sears Vineyard Howell Mountain $38.00 A fun spicy, briary character, with plenty of oomph and power (but also excessive heat in the finish). – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2006 Zinfandel, Pilgrim Vineyard Lodi $27.00 Wild berry and licorice aromas make this earthy, rustic Zin a pleasure to sip – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2006 Zinfandel, Old Vine, Crow Ridge Ranch Russian River Valley $33.00 Soft and supple with balanced alchohol and richness, this dark-berry scented Zin is one to enjoy with barbequed ribs – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay Los Carneros $28.00 A balanced beauty. Just a touch of spiciness and fruit richness layered with bright acicity. Delicious. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Sattui Family Napa Valley $17.00 Very lushly textured, silky and smooth. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Carsi Vineyard Napa Valley $28.00 A big, opulent Chardonnay, full of fruit, spice, and smoky oak. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay Napa Valley $26.00 Superbly balanced, especially for such a big, forward wine. Delciously long, abd full of evolving, layered flavors. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2007 Muscat, Dry California $17.00 Nice balance of richness and acidity – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2006 Muscat California $18.00 Well-baLANCED – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2007 Riesling, Dry California $18.00 Delicate pear nose. Juicy, bright style. Generous fruit, a bit bitter on the finsh (citrus pith), yet well done. – Linda Murphy
Critics Silver 2007 Riesling, Off-Dry California $18.00 Light appley nose. Fine attack, lightly sweet but not sugary, deft and delicate. Charming aperitif wine. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Vittorio’s Vineyard Napa Valley $24.00 Slightly tart, almost bracing at first, but nicely balanced so ultimately refreshing and pleasing. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley $18.00 Ripe pineapple flavors are in display in this showy yet integrated Sauvignon Blanc – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2007 Semillon Napa Valley $18.00 Viscous; refreshing – Ed McCarthy
Valdubon
Critics Silver 2005 Cosecha Ribera Del Duero $14.00 Deep, succulent black fruit with notes of tar and ripe red cherry. Generous and fruity, with a clean, refreshing finish. – Linda Murphy
Valley Of The Moon Winery
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County $20.00 Soft and sweet in its ripeness, but not without sufficient structure, thanks to ripe tannins and a well-measured dose of smoky oak. – Michael Franz
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir Carneros $20.00 Structured, with moderate tannins and bright acid, this is a Pinot lovers’ Pinot. It’s layered, lively, and a joy to sip. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2007 Rosato di Sangiovese Sonoma County $16.00 Fresh, light, fruity and unpretentiously pleasing. – Nick Passmore
Critics Silver 2005 Sangiovese Sonoma County $16.00 Spicy red cherry aromas and flavors wrapped in a medium bodied wine with chewy tannins. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Gold 2005 Syrah Sonoma County $16.00 A very solid wine with fruit that is ripe but not obvious. Notes of black raspberry and blackberry are rich and generous, with a bit of an accent note recalling roasted game lending an important counterpoint. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay Sonoma County $16.00 Butterscotch and apples are entertwined in this richly flavored wine and lifted with tangy acidity. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Gold 2007 Pinot Blanc Sonoma County $16.00 An excellent Pinot Blanc that shows some expressiveness along with the subtlety that is the hallmark of this potentially excellent variety. Lovely peach and pear fruit notes are the lead attractions, supported by a very subtle floral scent and fine balancing acidity. – Michael Franz
Ventana Vineyards
Critics Gold 2006 Rubystone Arroyo Seco $18.00 Good lean red. Wild strawberry and hint of herb. Cotes du RhÃne style with a brisk texture and a delicious red fruit flavor. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2005 Due Amici Arroyo Seco $28.00 Scents of eucaluptus and green pepper lead. There’s some generous cherry flavor, marked by a peppery finish. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Arroyo Seco $18.00 Nicely balanced, a teeny bit too ripe – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Arroyo Seco $28.00 Impressive because of the balance and harmony–no rough edges. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Gold 2005 Syrah Arroyo Seco $18.00 Juicy and ripe, but not a one-dimensional fruit bomb, this features vivid blackberry and black raspberry fruit notes that are thankfully unencumbered by excessive oak. An edge of bright acidity freshens and focuses the finish. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2005 Tempranillo, La Danza Arroyo Seco $28.00 Black berry fruit with a trace of lemon oil, bright black berry, cherry flavors are wrapped in a medium weight body, finishing with grainy tannins. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Gold 2007 Gewürztraminer Arroyo Seco $18.00 The problem with Gewurztraminer is that so many wines are out of balance and seem cloying on the palate. This wine impresses because it is beautifully balanced, and finishes on a refrshing rather han a fat or flabby note. The only thing preventing it from an even higher medal is its somewhat muted bouquet–and with this varietal, bouquet makes a huge difference. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Platinum 2006 Riesling Arroyo Seco $16.00 Intense resinous aromas, sweet, floral fruit with crisp acidity. Beguiling. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Gold 2007 Riesling Arroyo Seco $18.00 Light floral aromas, juicy peach, floral flavors, citrusy acidity and long finish. – Rebecca Murphy
Vietti
Critics Platinum 2006 Dolcetto D’Alba, Tre Vigne Italy $20.00 Excellent; great fruit; delicious – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2007 Roero Arneis Piedmont $21.00 Clean, Fruity, long finish – Ed McCarthy
Vina del Frade
Critics Gold 2005 Ribera del Duero Spain $6.99 Rather shy on the nose, yet really opens on the palate to juicy red cherry, tar and licorice flavors. Firmly tannic, yet accessible and delicious now. – Linda Murphy
Vina Robles
Critics Silver 2007 Roseum, Huerhuero Paso Robles $13.00 A touch of earth to go along with light red cherry flavors. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Jardine Paso Robles $14.00 A sweet, citrus-like bouquet, with a tangy finish. – Paul Lukacs
Vionta
Critics Silver 2006 Albarino, Limited Release Rias Baixas $18.00 A soft, generous Albarino that features ripe fruit, delicate aromas and nice balancing acidity. – Michael Franz
Wakefield
Critics Platinum 2005 Riesling, Promised Land South Australia $12.99 Vibrant petrolly nose. Fresh, lightly sweet, juicy, packed with fruit, apricots, minerally and very long. Delicious. – Stephen Brook
Whitehaven
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough $22.00 Smells of fresh-mown hay and ctirus; the palate is juicy and full, with good richness and a crisp, grassy finish. – Linda Murphy
Willamette Valley Vineyards
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley $25.00 Real pinot character, sappy, savory, good drinking now – Elin McCoy
William Fevre
Critics Silver 2004 Fourchaume, Premier Cru Chablis $65.00 Ripe, slightly oaky; earthy, with good acid. – Michael Apstein
Windsor Oaks
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir, Estate Reserve Russian River Valley $45.00 Fresh, delicate and elegant. – Robert Whitley
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir, Estate Russian River Valley $35.00 Finely made, with elegant bright fruit, probably Russian River? This is my style pinot, juicy and lovely. , – Elin McCoy
Wine Cube
Critics Silver 2006 Merlot California $15.99 Well-knit with some tannin and fairly powerful for a value wine – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Winter’s Hill Vineyard
Critics Gold 2005 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills $29.00 Earthiness balanced by a hint of fruit, but is refreshingly free of the excess candy qualtity of so many contemporary Pinots. – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Platinum 2004 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills $35.00 Woodsy, pine cone and eucalyptus, damp loam, a somewhat lighter profile rubyish red cherry, slight toast, with subtle grip and a ripe tannic structure through the finish. – Jon Bonne
Best of Show Rose 2007 Dry Rose Pinot Noir Dundee Hills $18.00 Loamy raspberry, fresh herb and orange rind. Vibrant, focused, with fine-grained grip on a pleasingly tapered finish. – Jon Bonne
Critics Silver 2007 Early Muscat Willamette Valley $15.00 Beautiful orange blossom aromas and flavors. Could use a bit more acidity to balance the sweetness, but overall a lovely wine. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Blanc Dundee Hills $18.00 A fine Pinot Blanc that offers soft, subtle aromas and flavors but never seems faint or innocuous. Nicely ripened pear is the fruit note, with adequate acidity to focus and firm the finish. – Michael Franz
Witch Creek Winery
Critics Silver 2006 Tre Amici Guadalupe Valley $20.00 A bit of cherry and spice in the aromas with smooth cherry fruit in the mouth and integrated tannins. Fairly lean and light bodied. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Silver 2006 Aglianico Guadalupe Valley $20.00 Well-balanced – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2006 Grenache Guadalupe Valley $17.00 Soft and easy-going with pronounced flavors of warm, ripe berries – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Wither Hills
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay Marlborough $20.00 Elegance, depth, has long life ahead. – Elin McCoy
Wollersheim Winery
Critics Silver NV Dry Riesling American $9.00 Tart and tangy and delicate. Fine balance, minerality and acidity. – Linda Murphy
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Dirt Ridge Vineyard Lodi $11.99 Some herbal notes mark this medium-bodied, elegant, food-friendly Cab – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Gold 2007 Pinot Grigio California $7.99 Herbal, pear aromas, crisp and lean fruit flavors and bright acidity. Quite pleasing and refreshing. – Rebecca Murphy
Wyndham Estate
Critics Gold 2003 Shiraz, Black Cluster Hunter Valley $34.99 Ripe and powerful; more black cherry rather than black plum. Good support from tannins in the finish. – Michael Apstein
Critics Silver NV Sparkling Shiraz, Bin 555 South Eastern Australia $17.99 Some depth – Ed McCarthy
Ysios
Critics Silver 2001 Reserva Rioja $29.99 Ripe fruit notes show just a little drying from oak, but there’s enough sweet fruitiness to keep this in agreeable balance. – Michael Franz
Zaca Mesa Winery
Critics Platinum 2004 Syrah Santa Ynez Valley $20.00 Gutsy and full of flavor without any distracting oakiness, this is a model Syrah that features intense, muscular fruit with a relatively soft texture and a finish that is admirably free of astringency. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2006 Roussanne Santa Ynez Valley $25.00 White flowers with a generous dollop of oak. Good freshness with an impressive weight. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Platinum 2007 Viognier Santa Ynez Valley $18.00 Like a Condrieu in its golden flower scents and rich palate weight, but never seems heavy. Very stylish and fine-boned, with tremendous length and depth. – Patrick Comiskey