Falkner Winery
Critics Gold 2004 Amante Temecula Valley $39.95: Smoke and leather scents lead. Lots of meaty substance on the palate. Rich and packed. Plenty of meaty oak, but it supports a good brickish red cherry flavor. Not very Italian, but stylish nonetheless. – Patrick Comiskey
Fallbrook Winery
Critics Silver 2006 Merlot, Reserve California $16.00: Slightly too glossy, but juicy cherry and brambly blackberry rise through tea-like tannic structure to shine. – Jon Bonne
Critics Silver 2005 Syrah, Special Selection Central Coast $25.00L Very ripe and chocolatey, its blackberry flavors are lifted by a bright acidity. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Reserve California $14.00: Really bright and lively, with juicy citrus fruit and tangy acidity. Slight note of fig adds interest. – Linda Murphy
Fattoria Le Pupille
Critics Silver 2004 Saffredi, Maremma Toscana $110.00: Abundant smoky oak threatens to overwhelm this wine, and yet the sheer depth of fruit manages to counterbalance the wood notes. Toasty, smoky aromatic notes give way to a ripe palate showing dried dark cherries and a fresh blackberry note, and the primary fruit notes counterbalance a strong dose of wood tannin in the finish. – Michael Franz
Fenestra Winery
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay Livermore Valley $18.00: Well made in a big, full-bodied style. This wine has power and richness without being heavy or cloying. – Robert Whitley
Fetzer Vineyards
Critics Gold 2004 Coro Mendocino Mendocino County $35.00: The funkiness of Petite Sirah comes through to please fans of that varietal – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Grigio, Valley Oaks California $8.99: Good balance of tangy fruit and lively minerality – Nick Passmore
Critics Silver 2006 Riesling, Valley Oaks California $8.99: Broad peachy aromas. Rich, voluptuous, lightly sweet but not cloying, delicate acidity keeps it lively. Fairly long. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2006 German Riesling, Valley Oaks Germany $8.99: Delicate apricot and honey nose. Fresh, assertive, rather neutral in flavour with some earthiness on the finish. A bit austere but has personality. – Stephen Brook
Critics Gold 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Valley Oaks California $8.99: Sassy whites like this tangy, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc make your mouth water. Try it alongside grilled asparagus with shaved parmesean. – Leslie Sbrocco
Ficklin Vineyards
Critics Gold NV Tinta Port, Old Vine Madera $14.99: In an aged tawny style, with a simple appealing aroma of caramel and toffee. Nice straightforward depth with intensity, without a great deal of power, but a good drink. – Patrick Comiskey
Firefly Ridge
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast $9.99: Notes of eucalyptus and menthol to accent black plum. The flavors are mild with an herbal top-note to dark, purple-fruit flavors. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2006 Merlot Central Coast $9.99: Generous forward berry aromas with plump berry fruit in the mouth contained in a light body with smooth tannins. Easy drinking. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Gold 2005 Syrah Central Coast $9.99: There is a slight reedy aroma to this wine, yet it drifts away on the palate, overtaken by brisk blackberry and bluebery flavors. Excellent balance, full, mature tannins and with a bright, vibrant finish. – Linda Murphy
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay Central Coast $9.99: Savory, attractive, some elegance – Elin McCoy
Fish Eye
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Grigio California $17.99: Has some fresh acidity to balance its rich flavor and weight – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Five Rivers
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles $9.99: Pretty nose of vanillla and vibrant black cherry/cassis fruit. Fabulous balance of ripe (but not overly sweet) fruit, oak, secondary cedar, cigar box and gentle herbs, with pert acidity. An elegant, restrained wine. When told the price after the score was record, all I could say was ‘Wow!’ – Linda Murphy
Critics Platinum 2005 Merlot Central Coast $9.99: A wondrous harmony,. Why we like Merlot – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Central Coast $13.99: Fresh on the palate and well balanced. – Robert Whitley
Critics Gold 2007 Pinot Grigio Monterey County $9.99: Pear aromas give way to a mildly savory mineral scent. The palate is very warm and generousl, with a poached apple flavor and firm mineral finish. – Patrick Comiskey
Fleur de California
Critics Gold 2007 Vin Gris of Pinot Carneros $13.00: Savory woodruff, Bing cherry, canteloupe and herb. Almost racy and lean, with refinement. Bit hot on the finish. – Jon Bonne
Flora Springs
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot Napa Valley $24.00: Smoky and deep, with plenty of red and black fruit flavor and more than a hint of charry oak. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Gold 2006 Soliloquy Napa Valley $25.00: A full-bodied, ripe and lush style of Sauvignon Blanc that will stand up to even the richest fish dishes. Laced with lemon notes, it doesn’t sacrifice bright acidity, however. – Leslie Sbrocco
Folie A Deux Winery
Critics Silver 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $28.00: Thick and rich, nice finish, good structure – Elin McCoy
Critics Platinum 2006 Merlot Napa County $24.00: Plums and dried cherries lead. Its texture makes one think Right Bank, with a plummy dark-fruit flavor, but it’s fresh, vibrant texture leaves the palate refreshed and alive. Also seems to be refreshingly low alcohol. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2007 Menage a Trois Rose California $12.00: Light rose color with light strawberry aromas and sweet strawberry flavors. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Silver 2007 Chardonnay Napa Valley $18.00: Richness of lemon curd – Marguerite Thomas
Fontana Candida
Critics Silver NV Frascati Superiore Elite DOC Lazio $7.99: Classic; dry; good acidity – Ed McCarthy
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie $7.99: Savory and mineral, has a clean pear flavor marked by a zinc-like minerality. Zesty and bright. – Patrick Comiskey
Foodies
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot California $7.99: Like biting into a juicy summer plum — full of sweet flavor. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay California $7.99: A bright and lively wine with light vanilla, mineral aromas and citrus, apple flavors energized with tangy acidity. – Rebecca Murphy
Forest Glen
Critics Gold 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Reserve Sonoma County $19.99: Pure Cabernet Sauvignon nose of black cherry/cassis and cedar, with a touch of herbaceousness. The palate is rich and generous without being too sweet or syrupy. Firmly structured and balanced, and should improve in the cellar. – Linda Murphy
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot California $11.99: Soft, ample and what Merlot means to many people – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Silver 2007 Rose Magenta California $9.99: Dark rose color with bright strawberry aromas and sweet berry fruit flavors. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay California $11.99: No rough edges and nothing excessive. The wine succeeds because of balance, harmony and finesse — something rare these days for this varietal. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Grigio California $11.99: A savory wine with scents of beef bones and green apple. With air, there’s an almost floral tinge to the flavors. – Patrick Comiskey
Forestville Vineyards
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Reserve Sonoma County $12.99: Lovely CS nose, juicy fruit, some herbal, grilled elements lend complexity and are a foil for the ripe fruit flavors. Some grace and elegance here. – Michael Apstein
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot, Sonoma Reserve Sonoma County $12.99: Rich cherry and blackberry aromas. Rich, full-bodied, ample fruit here, a touch of sweetness but not too obtrusive. Has some swagger and character. – Stephen Brook
Critics Gold 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma Reserve Sonoma County $12.99: An extraordinary balance of richness and liveliness, with delicious fruity flavors – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Forgeron Cellars
Critics Gold 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley $30.00: Well shows Cab’s propencity for nuanced complexity; here well integrated with ripe fruits and dry tannins. – Nick Passmore
Foursight Wines
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir, Charles Vineyard Anderson Valley $46.00: Spicy notes, and the alluring aroma of fresh raspberry. – Robert Whitley
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Anderson Valley $20.00: Power and intensity; not to everyone’s taste – Elin McCoy
Frenchhouse
Critics Gold 2004 Merlot Vin De Pays D’Oc $9.99: A lovely, layered bouquet introduces soft but well-defined flavors that prove compelling and complex, without ever seeming hot, heavy or in any sense excessive. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2006 Rose Vin De Pays D’Oc $9.99: Pretty rose scented aroma yet pleasantlly dry – Marguerite Thomas