Sagelands Vineyard
Critics Platinum 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Four Corners Columbia Valley $10.00 Wet stone, dark fruit, slightly heavy, but polished. Big wine, not overdone or hot. Supple tannins. Deep cassis-like fruit. Quite long. Even better with air as lush minerality comes out. – Michael Apstein
Saint Helena Road Vineyards
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Roy J. Maier Sonoma County $49.00 The juicy black cherry scents are accented by a mild cedar topnote. Flavors are very deep and tannic, with a pleasinlgy mild bitterness, but powerful wine, well structured, deep and long. – Patrick Comiskey
San Antonio
Critics Silver 2005 Cask 520, Estate Select Paso Robles $28.00 Ripe but not overly so, smooth, supple and juicy, with just enough structure and acidty to carry the fruit. It’s a popular style, for those who love their red wines rich and opulent. – Linda Murphy
San Saba
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay, Estate Monterey $21.00 Aromas of freshly-baked bread with a touch of melting butter combine with ripe pear notes in this lush white – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Estate Monterey $15.00 Distinctly herbal in the bouquet, but fruit-filled on the palate. A nice wine in a distinctive style that some people love but others dislike. – Paul Lukacs
San Simeon
Critics Gold 2004 Merlot Paso Robles $20.00 Vanilla and berries and a powerful sweep of tannins – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2004 Syrah Paso Robles $25.00 There’s lots of oak here and very firm tannins, yet the blackberry fruit is nicely ripened and complexity comes from the chocolate, vanilla and peppery notes. There is some alcoholic heat on the finish, though it’s not too obtrusive. Overall, a balanced wine. . – Linda Murphy
Sandeman
Critics Platinum NV Tawny Porto, Twenty Years Old Douro Valley $59.99 Vibrant and balanced with citrus zest, honey, nutty and caramel richness this wine will convert anyone to the sweet side. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Gold NV Porto, Founders Reserve Douro Valley $18.99 Bright fruit flavors really shine through the port’s rich sweetness resulting in a seductive ruby. – Nick Passmore
Critics Silver 2000 Vau Vintage Douro Valley $59.99 Very rich and sweet and – Michael Franz
Santa Ana
Critics Silver 2005 Malbec, Reserve Mendoza $9.99 Dense and concentrated, but soft and openly fruity, this is a very satisfying wine that keeps the focus on fruit rather than oak. – Michael Franz
Saucelito Canyon Vineyard
Critics Gold 2006 Zinfandel, 1880, Old Vine Arroyo Grande Valley $68.00 A classy, stylish Zinfandel that is powerful but still elegant. Pour it for pre-dinner cocktails but it’s also at home alongside steak with grilled onions, cassoulet, and even after-dinner chocolates – Leslie Sbrocco
Scheid Vineyards
Critics Silver 2005 Claret, Reserve Monterey County $55.00 Robust cocoa and blackberry, with dry wood and a bright mineral countenance. Bit rigid. – Jon Bonne
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot, Estate Grown Monterey $18.00 Youthful scents of green herba and dark plum. It still needs time, but will evolve into a stylish Bordelais style red. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2005 Pinot Noir, Reserve Monterey County $40.00 Balanced well made Pinot, silky and soft – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Monterey County $25.00 Dry loam, smoky black fruit, with a buoyancy and zesty kick, though the fruit tapers. – Jon Bonne
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonnay, Estate Grown Monterey $18.00 Lovely long finish, great depth of flavor – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Platinum 2006 Chardonnay, Reserve, Estate Grown Monterey $45.00 If a wine can have poise, this is it. Graceful, willowy, beautifully balanced and full of character. – Marguerite Thomas
Schrader Vineyards
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $35.00 Combines ripe red fruity character with substance of tannin; enjoyable and versatile – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery
Critics Silver 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County $18.00 With grip and structure anchoring the wine, it still delivers loads of pleasurable fruit – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast $18.00 Ripe and full black cherry, smoky aromas and flavors. Rich and lush with fluid tannins. – Rebecca Murphy
Sebeka
Critics Silver 2006 Shiraz Western Cape $10.00 Intersting hickory smoke aroma that persists through the black plum flavors. To pour for the barbecue. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape $10.00 Balance of creaminess and bite. A little simple, but with a good grapefruit finish – Michael Apstein
Segura Viudas
Critics Gold 2005 Creu de Lavit Penedes $15.00 Lemony at the outset, with a bright saline edge. The palate is vibrant and racy, apple flavors giving way to a high toned, rather salty texture. – Patrick Comiskey
Serego Alighieri
Critics Gold 2005 Bello Ovile, Rosso di Toscana Italy $18.00 Intoxicating, earthy nose, with scents of wet leaves and forest floor to go along with plum. Flavors are plum-fruit and a hint of iron, with a deep earthy savor the the finish. Lovely!’ – Patrick Comiskey
Sextant Wines
Critics Gold 2006 Night Watch Paso Robles $49.00 Full, fleshy, briery, bursting with fresh fruit – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2006 Zinfandel, Holystone Paso Robles $27.00 A Zin-lover’s Zin — with sweet, ripe berry fruit, lots of spice, and a long finish. A wine to kick back and enjoy. – Paul Lukacs
Shady Lane Cellars
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Leelanau Peninsula $16.00 Perfumed, Burgundian in style, elegant tannin. – Elin McCoy
Critics Silver 2006 Riesling, Semi-Dry Leelanau Peninsula $15.00 Floral, peachy aromas and flavors with citrusy acidity keeping the sweetness at bay. – Rebecca Murphy
Sheffield Cellars
Critics Platinum NV Marsala, Silver Lane California $6.99 Very well-balanced, with sweet raisin flavors, superior length, and most impressively, nary a hint of excessive heat. Very well done! – Paul Lukacs
Critics Gold NV Cream Sherry California $6.99 Nutty and rich, it’s like drinking fruitcake. – Paul Lukacs
Sierra Madre Vineyard
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley $30.00 Ripe tropical fruits, notes of vanilla and spice, and a buttery note that many will find appealing. – Robert Whitley
Sierra Vista Winery
Critics Gold 2006 Fleur de Montagne El Dorado $23.00 Savory, with a hint of leather to go with black raspberry. Flavors are of a generous black raspberry, with a hint of chocolatey oak. – Patrick Comiskey
Silver Palm
Critics Gold 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast $30.00 Thick and ripe, with chocolatey nuances. Fine tannins, good structure. – Michael Apstein
Smith Woodhouse
Critics Gold NV Tawny Port, 20 Years Douro Valley $55.00 A sweet, lush style of Tawny that will make you want to share it with someone very special. – Leslie Sbrocco
Snoqualmie Vineyards
Critics Silver 2007 Riesling, Winemaker’s Select Columbia Valley $8.00 Pleasant grapey sweetness, a bit of mineral. Straightforward. – Jon Bonne
Sonoma Trail
Critics Gold 2006 Pinot Noir Sonoma County $14.99 Simply pretty. Delicate floral and tea leaf aromas tease you then follow up with flavors of cherry and rapsberry. What Pinot is all about. – Leslie Sbrocco
Sonoma Vineyards
Critics Silver 2004 Merlot Sonoma County $14.99 A spicy dry oak note leads off, with black tea, red cherry and vanilla woven in. A bit halting on the finish. – Jon Bonne
Source Napa
Critics Silver 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Gamble Vineyards Napa Valley $28.00 Spicy and slightly exotic, yet stays to the Sauvignon Blanc model with tart grapefruit and tangerine flavors, a hint of herbaceousness and a juicy finish. – Linda Murphy
South Coast Winery
Critics Silver 2004 Meritage, Wild Horse Peak Mountain Vineyards South Coast $32.00 Earthy nose, dense red/black fruit, ripe, slighty dusty tannins. Lovely nose. Ripe, but not jammy; well balanced – Michael Apstein
Critics Gold 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, 4-Block Blend, Wild Horse Mountain Vineyards South Coast $28.00 Dark, dense and firmly structured, but with enough blackberry fruit to counterbalance the tannin and wood and ensure years of positive development. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2006 Grenache, Carter Estate Vineyard Temecula Valley $18.00 A bit sweet, as well as soft and easy to like, with berry notes and herbal nuances – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Critics Silver 2006 Zinfandel Cucamonga Valley $24.00 Complex aromas of 5 spice, salted plum, and pepper. A big wine on the palate with juicy plum flavors marked by massive spicy tannin. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Silver NV Brut Temecula Valley $18.00 Young, fruity, – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver NV Extra Dry Sparkling Wine Temecula Valley $18.00 Very nicely balanced and integrated, with fruity sweetness that isn’t offset by acidity so much as intertwined with it, producing a seamlessly delicious experience. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver NV Ruby Cuvee Sparkling Syrah Temecula Valley $24.00 Full of juicy flavors, this nevertheless shows just enough restraint to avoid coming off as grapey or obvious. Most sparkling reds come off as heavy or incongruous, but this is an exemplary rendition. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2007 Chardonnay Sans Chene Temecula Valley $15.00 Grapefruit aromas leap from the glass with soft citrusy flavors in the mouth. Simple, but very pleasant, drinkable wine. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Gold 2007 Gewürztraminer, Carter Estate Vineyard Temecula Valley $14.00 Attractive melon and floral aromas are fleshed out with balanced sweetness and a lusty texture in this mouth-watering white. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Gold 2007 Roussanne Temecula Valley $18.00 Scents of herb and sour apple, flavors that start bitter and finish with a firm texture and vibrant, bright acidity. Stylish roussanne – Patrick Comiskey
St. Hallett
Critics Silver 2007 Poacher’s Blend Barossa Valley $12.00 The whisper of sweetness in this wine with its crisp finish adds up to plenty of pleasure. – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2005 Shiraz, Blackwell Barossa Valley $34.99 Lighter style, leading with cedar and pine frond scents. Love the savory herbal component, fruit hinting at blueberry, good acidity – Patrick Comiskey
St. James Winery
Critics Silver NV Country Red American $6.99 Very nicely balanced. Great for sipping before or after supper. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Gold NV Velvet White American $6.99 Nice spice pear. Excellent acid. Bright, clean. Lovely delicacy. – Michael Apstein
Critics Gold 2005 Chambourcin American $6.99 This is a real crowd-pleaser, juicy in its plum, blueberry and wild berry fruit and touch of licorice, yet with enough tannic firmness to carry its frutiness . Gulpable. – Linda Murphy
Critics Silver NV Pink Catawba American $6.99 Impresive because of its balance, with nothing cloying or heavy. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2006 Concord Dessert Wine American $12.99 Fantastic in th nose, with real complexity, but the wine finishes a bit too hot and heavy. The aromatics, though, merit a medal. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2006 Chardonel, Reserve Ozark Mountain $9.99 Generously flavored and balanced in its sweetness, this is a delicious sipping wine that can also work well with lightly spiced foods. – Michael Franz
Critics Silver 2005 Chardonel Ozark Mountain $6.99 Well done; some complexity – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2007 Vignoles, Vintner’s Select Missouri $8.99 Has terrific acidity for a sweet wine. Crisp, clean and medium-sweet, with a very refreshing finish. – Linda Murphy
Critics Gold 2005 Chardonel, Late Harvest Missouri $9.99 Gold. Smoky botrytis aromas, peaches, honey – voluptuous. Vey rich, peach, caramel, balanced by good though not exceptional acidity, so a touch heavy and syrupy. But hedonistic and long. – Stephen Brook
St. Julian
Critics Silver NV Red Heron Michigan $7.99 Who can say watermelon? If you can and you love the summer fruit, you’ll enjoy this light red, sweet wine. Get the ice ready to chill it down, grab a glass and head poolside – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver NV Blue Heron Michigan $7.99 Pretty and delicate, with floral aromas and moderately sweet, refreshing palate. – Linda Murphy
Best of Show Fortified NV Solera Cream Sherry, Michigan Light Michigan $15.99 With a finish that lasts literally for minutes, this is a complex, compelling wine, with layers of nut and dried fruit flavors, plenty of acidity or balance, and, again, unbelievable length. Wow! – Paul Lukacs
Critics Silver 2007 Riesling, St. J Michigan $9.99 Lanolin nose, linseed oil (unknown aroma except to cricket players). Fresh, deft, crisp and clean, little complexity but an appealing and refreshing mouhthful of fruit. – Stephen Brook
St. Supery Vineyards & Winery
Critics Gold 2004 Elu Napa Valley $65.00 Beatiful balancing act between fruit, oak, tannins – Marguerite Thomas
Critics Silver 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $37.00 Like a woman with laugh lines, this wine has character. Full and fleshy, it’s a pleasure to drink. – Leslie Sbrocco
Critics Silver 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dollarhide Napa Valley $80.00 A delicious but slighltly sweet Cab. The sweetness may appeal to others more than to me, but there’s no doubt that the wine is very tasty. – Paul Lukacs
Critics Gold 2007 Muscato California $22.00 Good acidity; well-done – Ed McCarthy
Critics Gold 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Estate Napa Valley $23.00 Gently herbaceous and deeply fruity, with tropical and citrus flavors and a vegetal note that is quite pleasant . Very lively and fresh-tasting. – Linda Murphy
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Dollarhide Napa Valley $35.00 Gently herbaceous. Balanced! Pungent edge but suave texture and good length, polished. Uplifting acid. Lovely balance and finish. – Michael Apstein
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot Napa Valley $42.00 Herbal spice note in aroma. Flavors are all about a lean and creamy plum, with a clean pure fruit flavor. – Patrick Comiskey
Critics Gold 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley $26.00 Beautifully balanced, with perfectly riipe citrus, apple and slightly tropical fruit. Smooth and supple — a richer style with fine texture and good acidity. – Linda Murphy
Starborough
Critics Gold 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough $12.99 Gentle aromas of pear and fig. Bright entry, slightly creamy middle, and then the finish comes on with vibrant grapefruit, mandarine and racy acidity. Lovely texture. – Linda Murphy
Stone Hill Winery
Critics Silver 2005 Norton Hermann $18.99 Tight and tannic now, it should mellow with bottle age. Black plum, black cherry and loam notes, with a firm, completely dry finish. – Linda Murphy
Critics Silver 2005 Norton, Cross J Vineyard Hermann $24.99 Toasty nose is followed by succulent black cherry fruit, very supple tannins and a moderately tannic close with an interesting citrus note. – Linda Murphy
Stonehedge Winery
Critics Silver 2006 Malbec, Terroir Select Mendocino $18.00 Rustic; tobacco flavors – Ed McCarthy
Stoneleigh
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Marlborough $15.99 An amiable wine with light cherry fruit, nicely balanced with zesty acidity and sleek tannins. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Silver 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough $15.99 In an herba style, with attractive vegetal flavors typical of the variety, and rich texture – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Stoney Mesa Winery
Critics Gold 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Colorado $15.99 Cedar; Cab flavors; quite proper varietal – Ed McCarthy
Stonier
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Mornington Peninsula $24.99 Light and elegant with subtle cherry fruit nicely balanced with savory acidity and silky tannins. – Rebecca Murphy
Storyteller
Critics Silver 2006 Chenin Blanc, Naka the Horn Western Cape $8.99 A big, powerful, flavorful wine that is subliminally balanced by high acidity – Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Summerland Winery
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir Monterey County $22.00 Spicy, cherry aromas and juicy cherry flavors well balanced with acidity and smooth tannins. – Rebecca Murphy
Critics Silver 2006 Pinot Noir, Soloman Hills Vineyard Santa Maria Valley $42.00 Light bodied with black cherry flavors with a touch of toastiness. – Rebecca Murphy
Sunce Winery
Critics Silver 2005 Les Trois Amis, Reserve Sonoma County $65.00 A pleasing, fruity and easy-drinking sangiovese. – Nick Passmore
Critics Silver 2006 Barbera, St. Olof Vineyard Clear Lake $25.00 Good acidity – Ed McCarthy
Critics Silver 2006 Zinfandel, Young Buck, Buck Hill Vineyard Sonoma County $28.00 Sweet red berry fruit flavors are wrapped in a plush texture in this easy-drinking Zin – Leslie Sbrocco
Sunstone Vineyards & Winery
Critics Silver 2005 Merlot, Estate Santa Ynez Valley $38.00 A complex and enigmatic wine that will take time to show its charms. – Nick Passmore
Surfrider
Critics Platinum 2004 Red Wine Malibu-Newton Canyon $29.00 Fine black pepper, gravelly mineral, lifted plum and currant. Complex and fresh, with dried herb and refined tannin to finish. – Jon Bonne
Critics Gold 2006 Chardonnay Central Coast $20.00 Nicely balanced classic Chardoonay – Marguerite Thomas