Whites

Chardonnay, Morro Bay  2009  California  $34

An elegant chardonay not to oaky, not to austere.  I found it to have a more delicate French nose, California ripe fruit flavors with a finish that is clean and crisp.

Viognier, McManis  2010 California    $28

Full bodied from the grape itself without any oak aging. Lush stone fruit flavors.

Riesling, Dr. Loosen 2010 Germany    $32

Riesling from the Mosel region, the vineyards have been in the Loosen family for over 200 years. Light and fruity, with a touch of minerality. Sweetness is balanced by the acidic structure.

Sauvignon Blanc, Mohua 2009 New Zealand  $32

The Mohua bird is from the south island of Marlborough where the grapes for this wine come from. A portion of the sale of this wine go to help fund conservation projects to help restore habitat.  The wine has the more bracing characteristics of a Southern Hemisphere Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of round tropical fruit notes for balance.

Pinot Grigio, Santa di Terrossa 2010 Italy  $32

We’ve carried this Pinot Grigio for years for the main reason that I have yet to taste a Pinot Grigio better for the money. Light, crisp with good acidity

Rose of Tempranillo, Matchbook 2010 $28

Lovely flavors of peaches and cream, watermelon.

Reds

Pinot Noir, St Innocent “Village Cuvee” 2009 Oregon $42

Blended from vineyards in Oregon’s southern Willamette Valley; this elegant wine that has beautiful notes of tart cherries and earthy aromas. It manages to be delicate with a great backbone. A rare treat.

Zinfandel, Ridge  2007/2008  York Creek Napa  $42

A blend of 78% Zinfandel with 22% Petite Sirah; flavors of wild blueberries and plum, a rich and velvety mouth feel and a strong finishing sweetness with a zesty kick of cracked pepper. Ridge has been making zinfandel from their York Creek parcels high on Spring Mountain since 1975.

Garnacha, Atteca 2009 Spain  $32

Old vine garnacha, 80 to 100 year old vines, make this wine super concentrated and very fruit forward.  Soft with enough structure to make this a good sipper but also a great wine with food.  Always rated high in the press.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Valentín 2009 Argentina    $34

Aromas and flavors of black pepper, cedar and berries. Medium to full bodied mouth feel.

Zinfandel, “Tempatation” Alexander Valley Vineyards  2009 California   $32

Alexander Valley Vineyards produces this full bodied lush Zin. I liked the Temptation with it’s jammy flavors.  Grapes come from ALexander Valley and Dry Creek, prime growing areas for zin.

Pinot Noir, Angeline 2010 California  $32

Pinot Noir blended with grapes from Santa Barbara, Mendocino and Sonoma counties. Elegant and refined, the acidity on the finish makes it a perfect food wine.

Corvina, “Scaia” 2010  Italy  $32

Tenuta Sant’ Antonio produces this unique wine in the Veneto region of Italy.  Aromas of herbs and anise with flavors of blackberries and herbal spice. Medium bodied, as with all Italians, a great food wine.

Malbec, Ruta 22  2010 Argentina  $32

I have tried dozens of Malbecs and have disliked them all, until I’ve tried this one. It could be that it is from a different region in Argentina then the others; Patagonia.  Great structure, with deep blackberry/plum fruit flavors. Definitely a more masculine wine.

A Nice Basic Bottle of Wine

Vinho Verde, Gazela NV Portugal  $20

A crisp, refreshing white that is lightly frizzante.

Tempranillo, Protocolo 2009 Spain  $20

A touch of fruit that has a dry finish.

Bubbly

Prosecco, Lunetta NV Italy  $32

Absolutely lovely, lighter color, lighter body, with extra fine pinpoint bubbles. Perfect with everything on the menu.