RED WINES
D'Angelo Sacravite 2004 Aglianico ($11); Italy): Notes of crushed berries, light vanilla and violets glide to a long finish in this stylish offering made from Italy's woefully underrated aglianico grape.
Cline Cellars 2004/2005 Red Truck Red Wine ($9; California): This soft, fruity blend of syrah, petite sirah, cabernet franc and other varietals is ripe and ready to drink now.
Milton Park 2005 Shiraz Barossa ($12; Australia); Milton Park 2006 Shiraz South Australia ($12): The 2005 has the size and sinew one expects from Barossa shiraz, The 2006 from South Australia (a regional appellation that encompasses Barossa) is just as hefty, with an intriguing tarry note from the addition of nebbiolo, a grape from the Italian Piedmont.
Fattoria Colsanto 2005 Ruris ($12; Italy): This fragrant blend of sangiovese, merlot and sagrantino from Umbria brims with pretty wild berry and spice fruit layered over soft tannins on the finish. Great with pasta or light meat dishes.
Cubero 2005 Tinto Calatayud ($8; Spain): Similar to a pinot noir, this blend of 80% grenache and 20% tempranillo is enjoyable by itself or paired with light hors d'oeuvres.
A Mano Primitivo Puglia 2003 ($12; Italy): Super-ripe black raspberry fruit follows through to a voluptuous finish of sweet tannins.
Les Jamelles 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Vin de Pays d'Oc ($10; France): Unfolds layered cabernet sauvignon fruit in the manner of a well-made Medoc cru bourgeois.
Renato Corino 2004 Dolcetto d'Alba ($15; Italy): Husky dark fruit is buoyed by a late-arriving acidity at the finish.
Villa da Filicaja 2004 Chianti Superiore ($11; Italy); Fattoria Lucignano 2004 Chianti Colli Fiorentini ($11; Italy): Pretty flavors and aromas of strawberry are seasoned by dusky spice in these light to medium bodied Chiantis.
Delas 2005 Côtes du Ventoux ($9; France): Soft red berry and vanilla fruit lifted by smoky floral notes at the finish.
St Hallett 2005 Barossa Shiraz Grenache ($12; Australia); Rosemount 2005 Shiraz Grenache ($10; Australia): A dash of fruity grenache a dollop of new oak leaven the hearty flavors of shiraz.
WHITE WINES
Anton Bauer 2005 Gruner Veltliner Gmork ($9); Anton Bauer 2005 Gruner Veltliner Rosenberg ($13; Austria): Vibrant flavors and aromas of grapefruit rind, sea salt and herbs just won't quit in these Austrian wines made from the obscure Gruner Veltliner grape. The Rosenberg bottling ups the concentration for pairing with pork chops or veal roasts.
Yalumba 2006/2005 Chardonnay Unwooded South Australia Y Series ($12; Australia): This unwooded chardonnay (meaning it was not aged in oak barrels) departs from the Australian norm of an excessively oaky chardonnays. Instead of tasting like a plank of wood, it boasts flavors of granny smith apples and spice, and finishes crisp and dry.
Marqués de Cáceres 2005/6 Rioja Blanco Fermentado en Barrica ($12; Spain): A luxurious aftertaste of creamy toast and vanilla highlight this plush blend of viura and malvasia.
Terre de Neptune 2005 Picpoul de Pinet ($7; France): Light citrus and melon fruit are followed by a clean brisk finish. Excellent aperitif white.
Marques de Irun 2005 Verdejo ($13; Spain): Owned by the boutique sherry producer Emilio Lustau, Marques de Irun bodega adds a small percentage of sauvignon blanc to add acidity and complexity to the delicate pear flavors of the native verdejo grape variety.
Perrin Réserve 2005 Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc ($12; France): A melange of traditional Rhône grape varieties, including grenache blanc, viognier, marsanne and roussanne team up to provide zesty aromas and flavors of white peach and honeydew melon.
Cazin 2005 Cheverny ($12; France): Fresh, fruity and focused, the taut, lemony notes of sauvignon blanc (70%) are nicely rounded with the addition of chardonnay (30%).
Estancia 2005 Chardonnay Monterey Pinnacles Ranches ($11; California): Pear, spice and apple aromas and flavors are nicely shaded by toasted oak.
Quinta do Ferro Avesso 2006 Vinho Verde ($9; Portugal): Bursts with fresh pear and apple flavors from start to finish.
Château Bonnet Entre-Deux-Mers 2005/2004 ($10; France): A green apple/lime tightness gives this impeccably made white Bordeaux length and freshness.
Clos Fussay 2005 Reuilly Tete de Cuvee ($15; France): Fresh lemon mineral flavors with a dash of honey on the finish.
