2004 Feudi di San Marzano Sessantanni Primitivo di Manduria Old Vines

Deep red. Delicious nose from the start. Ripe strawberry jam and spice with dried cranberry. There is a darker quality like hot black volcanic rock, charcoal and a lifted fragrant blackberry-infused black tea. Big and voluptuous with grainy and gritty leathery tannin broadly coating the palate. Sweet jam on medium plus bodied frame with a bright maraschino cherry sweet-tart character that keeps the wine from being heavy. More black tea on finish with almond dark chocolate bar and cherry pie.

$40

A-

2007 Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz Barossa Valley

Nearly opaque red, deep, saturated. Dense nose with blackberry liquor. Sweet juniper berry and peppermint. It's also woodsy, with balsa wood and cocoa powder. Violets. After opening, peach and orange peel emerge. Wild nose. It's defininitely young with firm fine-grained tannin coating the midpalate softened by layers of fat and juicy acidity. Broad and hedonistic. Finishes with mocha and barbeque smoke.

$35

B+

2008 Agustinos Pinot Noir Reserva Bio-Bio Valley

Light ruby and bright. Smells like a great meal. Delicious and savory. Parsley, roasted veggies and herbs. Intense sliced ginger root and mandarin orange. Hints of hickory smoked bacon. The palate is light with fine grained tannin and a slight savory woodiness. Everything fits into place and considering the wine was bottled within the past few months, it is extremely drinkable now and is probably enjoyed best at a young age. What a find at this price. A unique Pinot.

$14

B+

2007 Archaval Ferrer Malbec Mendoza

Bright purple with fushia tinge, saturated and deep. There is a nice mix of earth and berry fruit on nose. A thread of minerally, limestone character adds to the fresh and bright character. IHOP Boysenberry syrup and dried cedar block also. The palate is acid driven with tight and round silky tannin. There is a sweet-tart quality with a little new world fruit kicking through. Medium in body and lively.

$26

B+

2006 Beckmen Vineyards Cuvee Le Bec Santa Ynez Valley

Medium red. Deep, cooked down red fruits - raspberry and ripe strawberry. Fresh bay leaves and peppery spice. Full and thick on palate with a sweet impression like cherry cough drops. A little heavy and almost cloying. The juicy, medium acidity justs holds it together. Round, but firm tannin. Dark chocolate on finish. 50% Grenache, 28% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, 7% Counoise.

$22

B

2006 Amisfield Pinot Noir Central Otago

Although this bottling has received great press, unfortunately it has strengthened our love-hate relationship with Pinot Noir. Darkish ruby red in color. Very retrained nose that seems most intense immediately after pouring. Air time seems to subdue the wine even more. Every now and then, subtle and delicate hints of fragrance lift from the glass. Pretty rose petal, cardamon spice, red cherry, plum, cocoa powder, and radish on nose. Healthy acidity on medium minus, almost thin palate. There are rustic, dusty tannins that roll around aimlessly. Lukewarm coffee on short finish.

$29

C

2006 Ataraxia Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape

Ataraxia n. emotional tranquility, the freedom from disturbance that characterises a balanced mind and represents its first step towards the achievement of pleasure.

Sourced mainly from South Africa's southern most wine region, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, and made by Kevin Grant - former winemaker at Hamilton Russell. Light yellow. Beautiful nose with great minerality suggesting limestone, chalk, and wet stones. Lime zest and lemongrass initially and sweet peas emerge with air. More Sancerre-like than Marlborough. Extremely well balanced with creamy mid palate texture. The taut acidity is mouthcoating and melts in your mouth. There is more calcareous minerality on the finish reminiscent of licking a stalagtite in a cave like a lollypop. There is a touch of heat on the finish, but it's not overwhelming. This wine is aging nicely and with be a go-to wine for the summer. It kicks many-a-Sancerre ass at twice the price.

$16

A-