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Gary Farrell Cresta Ridge Vineyard 2004 Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Gary Farrell has had a special career.  After working at the best producers on Westside Road and then starting his own winery -- he has managed to keep his quality exceptionally high after selling it... 

This is one of the few California Charodonnays that I enjoy.  The vineyard is located in Green Valley, close to Iron Horse's. The wine shows orange peel, lemon rind, and wildflowers with a small dose of vanilla.

$36; 91 points

Bottom Line:  A fantastic value; buy it if you can find it.

San Bernardino Fattoria La Striscia 2004 Chianti

This wine is

$5; 86 points

Bottom Line:  Incredible value, would be great at a big barbeque, or with ribs, etc.

Querciabella 2004 Chianti Classico

This is another of the seemingly endless supply of average Chianti Classico...    This is a bulk red wine that has nice depth of flavor and slight oak contributions.

$9; 87 points

I think the key is to find a decent bottling (like this one), that's well-priced, and just stock-up on it and serve it with everyday meals.

Tramin 2004 Alto Adige Pinot Grigio

Tramin is a producer in the Alto Adige region of Italy up in the Alps (on the Swiss border).

This pinot grigio shows good acidity and crispness with lemon rind and a slight vegetal notes.

$18; 86 points

Bottom Line:  An average pinot grigio at an above average price-point.

Anselmi Capitel Croce 2003

I love it when producers go against the grain.   This wine is made completely outside of the AOC system, and the result is an upscale Soave (Veneto)...

$18; 86 points

Bottom Line:  Maverick winemakers typically do the most interesting things -- this is a producer to watch, and one that is likely to find success in the American marketplace.

Danzante 2005 Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio

This pinot grigio's fruit is fuller on the palate, like a California sauvignon blanc's (which has lower acidity than Sancerre and New Zealand).

$10; 85 points

Bottom Line:  I prefer crispness in the fruit and acidity...

Penfolds Bin 28 1998 Kalimna Shiraz

This wine is beginning to fall apart after nine years.   Lots of blackberry pie and vanilla with heavy toast.  High alcohol, but not to an unpleasant extent.

$23; 88 points

Bottom Line: I've held this wine for a number of years and the oak is so far forward on the palate now that it makes me think I've held it too long...

Argiolas Costera

SImple but substantial, this will go well with a variety of American food and is a great choice for a bistro or trattoria to add to its by-the-glass list.

$12; 86 points

Selvapiana Chianti Rufina 2004 Vendemmia

Like many Chiantis, this wine is rough and rustic, showing red fruit that's mixing with earth and spice.

$17; 87 points

Bottom Line:  An average wine that is undistinguished (like so many ordinary Chiantis).

Feudi Di San Gregorio 2003 Serpico

The wines of Feudi Di San Gregorio were the finds-of-the-night for me at the Uncorked Events Italian tasting.

This beauty is a dead-ringer for a Bordeaux with deep and complex red fruit co-mingling wonderfully with oak.   

$55; 92 points

Bottom Line:  This is serious wine, but it's pretty difficult to find...