Stolpman Sangiovese - $18.99
From Santa Ynez, this is a terrific blend of old and new worlds. Earthy leather is bolstered by loads of stewed cherry and raspberry notes with a nice touch of acidity to clean things up.
 
Talbot Logan Pinot Noir - $23.99
This is a true value in an otherwise pricey category. Rich, loamy and rife with black fruit aromas followed by an appropriately full-bodied palate reminiscent of black cherries, herbs and mocha. It's really the seamlessness of this that makes it such a great buy.
 
Grosjean Gamay - $21.99
This is a true odd bird.  Gamay simply isn't grown in northern Italy, except for this one guy. It reminds me most of a truly fine, artisanal Cru Beaujolais. One that is not wholly dependent on bright fruit that pops in your mouth but rather on the terroir-driven goodness that highlights the bright fruit. Definitely cool and not to be missed.
 
Gundlach-Bundschu Bright Light - $11.99
Wow, what a mouthfull. This is a daring blend of Chardonnay, Albarino, and Gewurztraminer that is pulled off with dazzling aplomb. While this may not be the most serious wine in the store, it certainly raised my eyebrows. By the way, it tastes nothing like chardonnay.
 
Domaine Serene "R" Rose - $34.99
This is a really expensive rose and one of the two best that I have ever had in 24 years of doing this. They won't tell you what exactly the blend is but you can bet that, since they are very serious Pinot producers in Oregon, that there is a  healthy slug of Pinot. Partially barrel-fermented this has ample heft for a rose but beautiful minerality and acidity that still allows this to dance on the palate. Wow.

Shinas Estate THE EXECUTIONER 2007 - $30.99
George Shinas, a practicing judge in Victoria, Australia, started his winemaking as a “hobby”. Following the success of his first two wines, aptly named “The Innocent” and “the Guilty”, he added a third, “The Verdict”. Now the judge has outdone himself with his latest effort, “The Executioner”, a delicious blend of the first three, Viognier, Cabernet and Shiraz. The result is a massive wine endowed with a superb texture, fabulous concentration, sweet tannins and a finish that last nearly a minute. Still in it’s youth, it will even be better with a couple of years of bottle age. Like all of his wines, this has no sulfites added and is in limited supply with only 320 cases made.
 
Domaine Talmard MACON-CHARDONNAY 2010 - $14.99
A family estate since the 17th century, Domaine Talmard is now run by Gerald Talmard. The 64-acre vineyard is located in the 1000-year old village named Chardonnay. That’s right, Chardonnay! The vineyard is densely planted on clay/limestone soils and is planted to only it’s namesake varietal. Vinified and aged in stainless steel, the wine is notable for it’s freshness and intense, vibrant taste.
 
Hopler  ZWEIGELT  2007 - $17.99
The Zweigelt is the most widely planted red variety in Austria. A hybrid of Blaufrankish and St. Laurent (two other typical Austrian varieties) it was developed in 1922 by one Fritz Zweigelt and came to local prominence with it’s prodigious cultivation and drinkability. Reminiscent of Pinot Noir, but with a bit more weight, this wine exhibits rich flavors of red berries, spice and a hint of pepper on the finish. Worth seeking out.
 
The Balvenie  CARIBBEAN CASK 14-year old Single Malt - $57.99
Single malt Scotch is usually aged in old Sherry barrels, but some distilleries (Macallan Glenmorangie Balvenie) have been experimenting with bourbon, port and other types of casks to impart interesting flavors to their products. This whiskey has been aged in rum barrels, giving it pronounced notes of vanilla, coconut and clove. While this may sound rather strange in a malt whiskey, the overall taste is much more than the sum of it’s parts. Fascinating.