Qupe Syrah, Central Coast 2007
Elegant, soft, spicy Syrah. Great with game.

Ansgar Clüsserath Riesling Kabinett, Trittenheimer Apotheke, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer 2005
Classically smoky nose. Ripe and fun, with a note of petrol mid-palate and ripe peach on the start and finish. Slightly sweet.

Georg Breuer “Charm” Riesling, Rheingau 2001
Breuer’s organic wines offer nuanced, subtle flavor complexities, and this 2001 (a wonderful German vintage) has aged ideally. Clean, with notes of lime and petrol.

Zind-Humbrecht Estate Pinot Gris, Alsace 2006
Wow – another show-stopper from one of our favorite wineries anywhere. Rich, with a smoked apple flavor, subtle spice, and well-integrated acidity. A great value.

Isabelle et Denis Pommier, Chablis 2005
A classic. Bottle-aged for one year for added complexity. Open, high-toned nose with fresh citrus, pear and floral notes. Perfectly balanced with a rich, round texture, giving way to a crunchy, mineral acidity.

Caillot “Les Folatières,” Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru 2000
Beautifully complex and mature white, showing a viscous texture with layered flavors of vanilla, toast and lemon meringue.  

Domaine Brusset "Les Travers," Cairanne, Côtes du Rhône Villages 2007
This rich Rhôone white is a blend of mainly Clariette, Grenache Blanc, and Roussanne from the vineyards of Cairanne. Lots of exotic tropical notes to go along with hints of apricot and vanilla.

A Coroa Godello, Valdeorras 2005
Unique and complex wine from the region of Galicia, in far northwest Spain. Lemon oil, roasted pepper and smoke on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied with notes of honey, nuts, and white pepper.

Ca'Stella Pinot Grigio, Delle Venezie 2007
Light and crispy with a bright acidity and pretty citrus elements.

Giovanni Almondo “Bricco delle Ciliegie,” Langhe 2004
Almondo’s renowned “Ciliegie” is melony, juicy and bright. The varietal is Arneis.

Terenzuola “Montesagna” Vermentino, Colli di Luni 2005
Made from Vermentino, one of Italy’s noble white varietals, this example is fleshy and herbaceous, with a note of pineapple on the finish. Tiny production.

Fattoria Laila, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2007
The Marche's most storied and ancient appelation. Light, floral nose. Effervescent acidity and apple skin midpalate with a citric finish.

Vesevo, Fiano di Avellino 2005
This treat from the southern region of Campania showcases lemon and floral notes. Crisp, summery and just a touch of food-friendly herbaceousness. This is another food-friendly Italian white imported by Evanstonian Seth Allen (along with many of the other Italian, Austrian and South American wines on our list).

Cooralook Pinot Gris, Victoria 2008
Wonderfully expressive with notes of spice, honey, and pear. Nice cooler climate version of Pinot Gris with a food-friendly acidity.

Cosentino “The Novelist,” California 2006
Bright minerality, with lemon rind and green apple notes. Good seafood wine. A blend of Sauv Blanc and Sémillon.

Teira, Sonoma County 2006
100% Sauvignon Blanc with notes of lemon, pear, and a beautifully textured acidity. A pleasant aperitif yet food-friendly.

Bink Sauvignon Blanc, "Randle Hill Vineyard," Mendocino 2008
Big citrus aromas framed in herbs. Impressively rich grapefruit and mango palate with amazingly long finish. Grown sustainably at 1,100 feet altitude and stainless steel-fermented. A true Artisan wine.

Westrey Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley 2007 Nicely balanced and bright complementing the goat cheese in our picked greens salad beautifully. Westrey has been a top Willamette Valley producer since 1993 under the husband and wife team of David and Amy Autry.

Baileyana Chardonnay "Grand Firepeak Cuvée," Edna Valley 2006
Founded by Catharine Niven twenty years ago, Baileyana was a pioneer in the Edna Valley growing scene. Still family-owned and operated, along with the assistance of French Winemaker Christian Roguenant, they turn out this excellent Chardonnay from the Firepeak Vineyard. Despite its richness, this remains light on its feet with pear, apple, and peach notes.

Grande Cassagne, Costieres de Nimes, France 2008
This small estate sits on the western edge of the Rhone and produces rich and juicy rose made by the fifth generation of the Darde family. Wonderfully fresh and an excellent alternative to white wine with seafood.

Maison Champy, Bourgogne 2008
This producer is one of teh oldest documented négociants still trading. This pinot Noir is light in style with a well-balanced acidity, berry notes and earth.

François Raquillet “Les Vasées,” Mercurey 1er Cru 2005
Deep color, with a perfumed, savory nose leading into a dry, meaty, smoky palate. Enough richness and dark fruits to pair with a variety of dishes while maintaining a clean, dry, classic Burgundian profile.

Gros Frère et Sœur, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru 2002
Powerful yet subtle. This wine is made from young-vine Echezeaux and Grands-Echezeaux, two of Burgundy’s top Grand Cru vineyards. Earthy, with hints of dark berries, vanilla, white pepper and lilac. Decanting recommended.

Domaine de Beaurenard, "Les Argiles Bleues," Côtes du Rhone Rasteau 2004
Rasteau, in the southern Rhone, is famous for its blue-clay and chalk soil. Les Argiles Bleues is dense and elegant with powerful fruit and a classic graphite finish.

Domaine de Triennes, St. Auguste 2004
Dark and smoky with robust game spices. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot.

Château Pomys, St. Estèphe Cru Bourgeois 2004
Vinified with power and grace, this wine shows a concetrated black fruit flavor with hints of game, tobacco and spice for a savory balance.

Portal del Montsant "Brunus," Monstant 2006
From the Montsant sub-region of Tarrangona, this intense and vivid wine has aromas of red and black fruit and lovely smoke tones. A fresh palate expands and returns to this fruit with light lactic notes and a sweet, woody spice.

Lopez de Heredia "Viña Cubillo Crianza," Rioja 2003 This well-balanced red is a blend of 65% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacho and the rest is Mazuelo and Graciano from their own vineyards. This wine is a clear, bright ruby color with a fresh aroma just hinting at licorice and a smooth, persistent texture. Perfect with a wide range of meat dishes.

Cellar "Finca La Planeta," Pasanau Priorat 2004
80% Cabernet and 20% old vine Garnacha. An unusual blend for Priorat. The nose is full of herbs, slate and black cherry. The palette is full-bodied and complex with spices and rich fruit.

Poggio Al Chiuso Sangiovese Chianti 2007
Medium-bodied with excellent fruit.

Elisabette Geppetti “Le Pupille,” Morellino di Scansano 2005
Concentrated blackberry on the nose, but the palate shows a dryer profile, with smoke, velvety tannin and vanilla.

Montaribaldi "Tre Stelle," Langhe 2007
This deceptively big red is one of the best values I've come across in a while, balancing good structure, acidity and abundant fruit through its blend of 34% Nebbiolo, 33% Dolcetto D'Alba.

Domenico Clerico “Arte” Nebbiolo, Langhe 2002Beautifully big and powerful with dusty tannins and balancing acidity. Notes of chocolate, blackberry, and tobacco, yet an undercurrent of herbaciousness and spices.

G.D. Vajra Barbera D'Alba 2006
G.D. Vajra approaches Barbera D'Alba fairly traditionally. This wine is austere in its structure but opens up after awhile in the glass, showcasing pretty fruit notes.

G.D. Vajra "Bricco Delle Viole," If you havent' noticed already, we really like the wines coming from G.D. Vajra, and this Barolo is divine. Complex with notes of tobacco, leather, spices, mineral and menthol. Yum! Barolo 2004

Boccadigabbia “Akronte,” Marche 2001
This is a beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon, showing rustic earth elements alongside well-developed flavors of dark fruits and balsamic. Elegant and well-balanced with age.

Bonaccorsi “Val Cerasa,” Etna Rosso 2000
A wine that makes us smile! Made from a blend of Nerello Mascalese and Carricante grapes grown in the foothills of Mount Etna, this wine is smoky and earthy on entry, then moves into a pleasant dark fruit flavor on the very clean finish. A mature wine that is drinking wonderfully right now.

Lemelson "Six Vineyards" Willamette Valley 2007
This Pinot has a great nose full of black cherry, smoke and a touch of cocoa. The palate is fleshy, but not too rich, and show off raspberry, silky tannins and a toasty finish.

Costa de Oro Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County 2008
Loaded with expressive plums and cherry with hints of leather and pungent herb. Great for fans of California-style Pinots.

Littorai, Sonoma Coast 2006
Wonderful Burgundian nose – meaty, salty and earthy – gives way to a well-balanced palate showing juicy black cherry, fresh acidity, and a nutty mid-palate.

Amavi Cellars Syrah Walla Wall, Washington 2006
Aromatic with corinader and sea salt. Effusive high acid with tangy fruits and gamey, smoked meat.

Truchard Syrah, Napa Valley 2005
From one of our favorite American winemakers, this wine represents the best qualities of old and new worlds: meaty, spicy, and plenty of earth. Bright fruit and sunny acidity.

D.A.R.A. "Gratitude" Santa Barbara County 2006
70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. Full-bodied and spectacular. Perfectly balanced.

Clock, California 2001
An interesting example of an older California Cabernet, for fans of mature wines. The wine has become light and is displaying lots of tart cherry, leather and velvety tannin.

Sacred Stone "cask #004," California NV
This is the mad scientist of red blends, containing mainly the French and Italian varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Dolcetto, and Sangiovese. Juicy and sexy with notes of cherry and plum. Food-friendly acidity makes this blend easy to pair with a variety of meats.

Hahn Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast 2006
Pretty Cabernet, with a balancing, velvety tannin. Complex and supple. Dark fruits and earth. Wonderful accompaniment to Quince's skirt steak.

Napa Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2007
This medium-bodied Cab has concentrated armoas of plum and toasty vanilla. Pleasing flavors of ripe berries and red currants are framed by sweet oak. Smooth finish, mild tannins.

Oak Ridge "Napa Valley Red" Lodi 2005
A generous amount of Merlot gives this Bordeaux blend bright red fruit. Exceptionally food-friendly acidity with in-check tannins and an impressive old-world minerality. Best bang for your buck on this page.

Enkidu Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Coast 2007
Aromas of black currant, cherries, clay, dried herbs and wet stone lead into flavors of blackberry, anise and toasty French oak. Full tannin, soft acidity. Medium body and a long finish.

White Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2005
Dark and rich with chocolate, cassis and rose hip on the nose. Full and juicy in the mouth with currants, black plums and tea. Ripe, toasty tannins. 7% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc.

*Flora Springs "Hillside Reserve," Rutherford 2000
One of Napa's underrated rock stars is Flora Springs, and the Hillside Reserve is probably its most impressive bottling. The 2002 is young and assertive; the 2000 medium-bodied, dry, and drinking beautifully right now.

Agustinos Cabernet Sauvignon Valley of Aconcagua 2007
Cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, berries. An inky dense Mediterranean. Great value!.

Rolf Binder “Hanisch” Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2001
Beautiful, elegant, soft, jammy. Plenty of juicy blueberry, with hints of cinnamon, vanilla, and a touch of rustic earth and cherrywood smoke.

Schlink Haus Eiswein Germany 2008
Fragrant, noble and a goreous balance of fruity acidity and concentrated sweetness. This treat represents the luxurious petrol quality of German dessert wine. Amazing with cheese.