CONCANNON CONSERVANCY CHARDONNAY - 2009

100% Chardonnay from Livermore Valley. Aged in French and American oak. 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Light gold color with tropical fruit on the nose. Apple, pear, peach and citrus give way to creamy oak. Clean, crisp and smooth.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

Good structure and mouthfeel. Not quite as stellar as the 2008, but still a valiant effort. An easy drinking Chardonnay that stands up to food but is good enough to enjoy on its own. Retails for around $15 a bottle.

MAN O' WAR PINOT GRIS - 2008

From Ponui Island, New Zealand. 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Golden color with apricots and lemon-lime zest on the nose. Apples, pears, and peaches on the palate. Hint of sugar on the finish. Rich with fine acidity. Very fragrant.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

I still can't figure out why NZ Pinot Gris isn't more popular. Maybe because people haven't tasted wines like this one. How great is this wine? It is a tremendous food wine, offers wonderful aromatics, complex flavors, solid acidity, smooth with structure and body. What else do you want from a white wine? A good affordable price for quality? How about $16.

YEALANDS SAUVIGNON BLANC - 2009

Carbon Zero Certified Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand with 13% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Delivers on-point aromas of grapefruit and gooseberry. Apple, citrus on the mid-palate with caramel-honey and petrol finish. Sharp acidity, balanced.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89 PTS

Under $10, quality New Zealand SB. Yealands is a wonderful producer. They make a great Pinot Noir as well. I'm impressed. This is a huge value wine. #Winning!

CONCANNON CONSERVANCY PETITE SIRAH - 2008

13.5% alcohol. 100% Petite Sirah from Livermore Valley, California.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple-red color. Creamy blackberry and blueberry on the nose. Ultra smooth and soft with black currant, plum and creamy oak on the palate.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

Some really nice flavors and aromas but a tad too light in weight to really satisfy the craving for a great Petite Sirah. Feels thin and left me wanting more depth and richness. I love this varietal and it is at its best when it has big chewy tannins, gushes black and blue fruit pie and stains your lips and teeth. This comes up short. A very palatable wine but not a powerful one. Retails for $15.