Made from Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier, this is a very nice value in white wines.  It retails around $10 and did very well in our tasting of South African White wines.  Yellow/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has apples and some wax.  On the palate, this has a soft but plush texture.  Apples and some pink grapefruit.  Refreshing.  Moderate finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with curries.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

Golden in color with a touch of green.  The nose has a bit of honey and a slight floral (peach blossoms?) note.  Light bodied.  Tart on the palate.  Peaches.  A bit of apple cider on the end suggesting this may be heading south.  Still providing some enjoyment.  Drink now.  Nice on its own, this will work with salads and even lighter spicy foods.  

Nice showing despite this being a few vintages old.  Salmon pink in color.  The nose has strawberries and cherries.  Light to medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, notes of cherries and some oranges.  Nice texture.  This was probably better a year or two ago as it lacked the freshness these wines can have.  That said, it is still very enjoyable.  Drink now.  This would work with a wide variety of foods from chicken salad to a burger.  

2011 was a challenging vintage in Napa but for some wineries it offered a chance to find wines that are ready a bit earlier than most vintages.  That was true for Hobel and their winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, slight spice/oak and a hint of fresh herbs.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, there is some depth.  Cassis with a bit of an herbal streak.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This seems to be at peak but should drink well for another eight to ten years.  It drinks better with food.  Pasta with Bolognaise sauce is

From on of the top Syrah vineyards in Santa Barbara County.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, slight bacon fat, black olives and roasted herbs.  Wonderful texture.  Juicy acidity.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit with underlying char and slight dry earthiness.  This is delicious if a bit young.  This will get a bit better over the next few years.  Let it cellar for another five years and drink for ten to twelve after that.  It will drink great on its own and work well with roasted pork or even Indian food.  

This is a blend of 46% Syrah, 33% Grenache, and 21% Mourvedre from Paso Robles.  Inky purple, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, roasted meats, black pepper and floral notes.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Velvety with precision.  Flavors of black raspberries with underlying roasted meats and some black pepper.  Very lively.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  A delicious wine that just about mature.  It should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  A nice match with a burger or roasted veggies off the grill.  

This wine was made as an homage to Lucien Peyraud, the legendary winemaker for Domaine Tempier who helped establish the Bandol AOC.

This is an inexpensive 100% Tempranillo grape from Spain.  It is a modern take on this wine.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries and candied cherries with a slight herbal note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, cherries.  Simple and one dimensional but enjoyable.  Moderate finish.  Drink over the next year or two.  Better with food, pizza is a nice choice.  

Obviously young, but this is one of the best Petite Sirah's made in Napa.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, char, and spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the boysenberry over char comes thru.  This will need time.  Ideally at least another decade but at least five to seven.  It should drink well for twenty after that.  Delicious.  This will drink well on its own but a nice choice for Indian food or grilled meats off the grill.  

This is the base Pinot from Rhys.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight black cherries, and slight sour cherries.  Medium bodied.  Some depth and complexity.  Still youthful.  On the palate, sour cherries and cherries  with slight char and spice.  Nice finish.  This is chugging along nicely.  It won't get better but should mature and continue to drink well for another ten to twelve years.  It drinks well on its own but will work better food.  Roasted chicken or duck is a nice choice.