Hahn Estates
Critics Gold 2006 Meritage Central Coast $20.00: Engaging nose; ripe succulent fruit, but not overdone. Moderate, fine tannins, but the fruit is predominant. Earthy minerality in the finish. – Michael Apstein
Critics Gold 2006 Merlot Monterey $14.00: Elegant oaky nose, nicely poised between blackberry fruit and wood. Medium-bodied, reasonably fresh, quite oaky, marked acidity, not yet harmonious but it has complexity and promise. Admirable length. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Monterey $20.00: Not at all elegant, but solid, satisfying for the price. – Elin McCoy
Halter Ranch
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles $28.00: Big and oaky, this wine leads with good dusty oak scents, which complement the plum flavors. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2005 Syrah Paso Robles $28.00: Very tannic, yet there is plenty of juicy black fruit to keep up. Secondary notes of tar, licorice and underbrush add complexity. Powerful and potent, yet it manages to stay balanced. For those who love big, intense Syrah. – Linda Murphy
Handley Cellars
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley $30.00 Sweet, sexy fruit. (That’s it, but that’s nice.) – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Mendocino County $25.00: A graceful, almost gentile rendition of the varietal. Marked by finesse, not power. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Gold 2005 Syrah Dry Creek Valley $25.00: A wine of real substance and depth, with fruit showing both red and black berry notes. The fruit component shows admirable dimension and power, yet remains agreeably soft in feel. The ripeness is moderate for the flavor impact of the wine, and likewise the wood is well measured, lending a bit of support without being distractingly prominent. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Estate Vineyard Anderson Valley $22.00: Perfumed nose, pears. Medium-bodied and silky, moderately concentrated but has some elegance and length. – Stephen Brook
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay Dry Creek Valley $20.00: Lifted nose, pears and lime — plenty of charm and refinement here. Fresh and sleek, with a bite of acidity to keep it lively on the palate. Not a big wine, but an attractive one. Good length. – Stephen Brook
Critics Gold 2007 Gewürztraminer Anderson Valley $18.00: Lovely rose petal, lychee aromas, ripe fruit of peach and lychee on the palate balanced with vibrant acidity. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Silver 2007 Pinot Gris Anderson Valley $18.00: Pretty honeysuckle aroma and well-ripened pear and apple palate with brisk acidity. Has a touch of bitterness on the finish. – Linda Murphy
Critics Gold 2006 White Riesling Mendocino County $18.00: Rich, juicy and racy. Vibrant, firm structure, really fresth tasting. Long finish; very rewarding. – Linda Murphy
Critics Silver 2007 Viognier Dry Creek Valley $20.00: Ripe pear flavors with a touch of peach and a fruitskin-style grip. – Patrick Comiskey
Hawk Crest
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon California $14.00: Medium weight, medium flavor intensity, and fresh fruit character – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Hawkstone Vineyards
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Connoisseur Series, Limited Release Oakville $34.99: Very nice balance of fruity sweetness with meaty, herbal notes and a bit of spicy oak in the finish. – Michael Franz
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay, Barney’s Heritage Cuvee, Limited Release Napa Valley $17.99: Vanilla, ripe apple and citrus flavors are layered and intense and well integrated with vibrant acidity and generous alcohol. – Rebecca Murphy
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyard
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Franc Finger Lakes $17.99: With a lovely combination of silkiness and structure, this is a wine to drink now with veal chops, grilled portobello mushrooms or duck breast, but it will also age well. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay Finger Lakes $9.99: Seamless, nicely rendered oak – Elin McCoy
Critics Silver 2007 Riesling, Homestead Reserve Finger Lakes $17.99: Lots of flavor here, apricot and citrus, yet with plenty of acidity and structure. Hint of minerals and peach pit. Fresh finish.. – Linda Murphy
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Finger Lakes $12.99: More balanced than most, with savory, sappy finish – Elin McCoy
Henriot
Critics Gold NV Champagne Henriot, Blanc Souverain, Brut Reims $65.00: Generous without being obvious, this is a fine Blanc de Blancs that succeeds on the strength of expressive, fruity aromas and flavors that gain focus in the finish from fresh acidity. – Michael Franz
Henry Estate Winery
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir Oregon $18.00: Rich, round and smooth with cherry flavors and burnished tannins. Lucious. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Silver 2004 Pinot Noir, Barrel Select Umpqua Valley $30.00 Sweet sleek raspbery nose, quite oaky. Medium-bodied, graceful, silky, has an immediate appeal but also has some stuffing and complexity. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2005 Chardonnay Umpqua Valley $18.00: Pleasantly fruity, with a lingering but delicate finish. – Robert Whitley
Herding Cats
Critics Gold 2007 Chenin Blanc Western Cape $7.99: Has the characteristic dynamic of rich texture and high acid of this variety; good concentration of pear flavors – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard
Critics Silver 2006 Gewürztraminer Dry Finger Lakes $20.00: With just a hint of sweetness, this off-dry white is aromatic and vibrant. Try with spicy Pacific Rim fare. – Leslie Sbrocco
Hess Collection
Critics Silver 2005 19 Block Cuvee, Estate Grown Mount Veeder $35.00: A very rich, ripe wine that will certainly find fans. Deep black cherry, tar and chocolate notes, and very tannic. Serve with a rib-eye steak. – Linda Murphy
Critics Gold 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown Mount Veeder $50.00: Cabernet Sauvignon can be overly tannic or bold, but this wine shows why it can also have a softer side. Yes, there are tannins but they’re integrated and supple. The fruit finds its place with notes of cocoa and brown spices. It’s a compelling Cabernet – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Allomi Vineyard Napa Valley $25.00: Supple and seductive, marked by sweet, juicy fruit. – Paul Lukacs
Hilltown
Critics Platinum 2006 Chardonnay Monterey County $6.99: Charming nose with a good balance of lightly toasty oak and appley fruit. Rich, full-bodied, weighty without being heavy-handed. Impressive weight of fruit and a long finish – Stephen Brook
Hogue Cellars
Critics Gold 2005 Merlot, Genesis Columbia Valley $16.00: Scents of sour red cherries and sweet, warm oak. Flavors are generous chocolatey black cherries. Obvious, but delicious. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay Columbia Valley $9.00: Hot nose, but leesy presence and density. – Jon Bonne
Critics Gold 2007 Pinot Grigio Columbia Valley $9.00: Opulent aromas of mango and peach. Rich and rounded, with an appealing juiciness, concentrated, with plenty of drive, good acidity, and fine length of flavour. – Stephen Brook
Critics Silver 2006 Riesling, Genesis Columbia Valley $16.00: Full-bodied and richly textured with ripe peach and apricot flavor. – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Gold 2007 Late Harvest White Riesling Columbia Valley $9.00: Heady peach and mango nose. Distinctly sweet, fleshy, mango and pineapple, a touch candied but the finish is juicy and long. – Stephen Brook
Horse Play
Critics Silver 2005 Rollicking Red California $12.99: Firmly tannic, yet rewarding in its black cherry, currant, licorice and tar aromas and flavors. Fine complexity. – Linda Murphy
HRM Rex Goliath
Critics Silver NV Shiraz California $8.99: An inky scent to go along with a leesy top-note. Flavors are much more about sappy black raspberry fruit. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay California $8.99: Soft and silky – Marguerite Thomas
Hunt Cellars
Critics Silver 2004 Maestro, Destiny Vineyards Paso Robles $48.00: Bring on the steak- — nthis huge wine needs food – Marguerite Thomas
Huntington Wine Cellars
Critics Silver 2005 Petite Sirah California $14.00: Coriander and pinched blue fruit. Tapers to a sweet finish, albeit with grain to the texture. – Jon Bonne
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay California $15.00: Well balanced with impressive length. An elegant example. – Paul Lukacs
Husch Vineyards
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, La Ribera Vineyard Mendocino $21.00: Solid blackcurrant and black cherry fruit shows good depth and dimension, and is nicely framed by toasty oak. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2005 Pinot Noir, Knoll Anderson Valley $38.00: If you like the earthy, tart cherry notes of ‘Old World’ Pinot, this will appeal to you. It’s elegant and structured, making it ideal for food. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2005 Syrah, La Ribera Vineyard Mendocino $28.00: Very juicy and overt, but the fruit flavors show such lovely black raspberry flavor that this is an undeniably winning wine. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2007 Chenin Blanc, La Ribera Vineyard Mendocino $11.00: Soft fruit and light, pretty flavors. – Elin McCoy
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay Mendocino $15.00: Mineral aromas and light apple, citrus flavors are animated by zesty acidity. A lighter style with graceful balance and a lingering finish. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Platinum 2007 Gewürztraminer Anderson Valley $14.00: Smells dry; scents of dried lichi, orange oil, rose petal. Correct and very lean on the palate — gathers power and lingers, with a long persistent finish – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, La Ribera Vineyard Mendocino $13.50: Complex aromas of fuji apple and lemon chiffon pie entice you in this medium-bodied, succulent white. – Leslie Sbrocco
Ikal 1150
Critics Gold 2007 Malbec, Tupungato Vineyard Mendoza $19.99: Dark and dense, but charmingly open and soft in flavor and texture, with very ripe, fine-grained tannin. – Michael Franz
Irony
Critics Silver 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $15.99: Ripe; rich – Ed McCarthy