Peterson 2002 Bradford Mountain Vineyard Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley
Old Vine Zinfandels from vines too old to play the “mine is bigger” game, produce gentle, respectful wines, unlike those brash, overly-macho-super-high-alcohol-versions that are much the rage these days in California. This is a Zinfandel to cuddle with.
$40.00

Dickson   2004  “Troubadour,” 
Red Wine Hill Country, Texas!!!
If you’re already tired of hearing me rave about Lewis Dickson’s wines (made by Tony Coturri), you’re going to be really sick of me very soon.  Dickson and Coturri are making the most exciting wines I’ve come across in years, and they’re making them organically, here in Texas.  Who could possibly get tired of hearing about that?  (Oh yeah, the “Troubadour” is a superb blend of Merlot and Malbec.)
$50.00

Domaine La Millière  2004  “cuvee Unique” 
Châteauneuf-du-Pape  Vielles Vignes
A big ‘ole burly hunk of a manly wine is what this is.  The aromas are of a campfire where the days kill is roasting over the pit, where men are spitting tobacco chaw into tin cans, and telling stories of the 12 point buck that got away.(Not that women can’t enjoy it too.) 
$52.00     

Vina Robles 2003 “Jardine” Petite Sirah, Paso RoblesPaso Robles, an appellation a few hours south of San Francisco, consistently produces red wines of elegance and grace.  Rarely would either of those descriptors be used to describe Petite Sirah . . . but here you have it.
$40.00

Ramey 2004 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
David Ramey, a superstar California winemaker, hit the nail right on the head with this crisp cool-climate Chardonnay.  You’ll feel the oak more than taste it, while the crisp lively fruit steals the show.
$56.00

Betts & Scholl
“the Chronique Grenache 2004,”
Barossa Valley, Australia
When I say that tasting this wine for the first time brought tears to my eyes, I’m not exaggerating  . . .by much.  Organically grown, dry-farmed, 83 year old vines yield grapes, which produce the most gorgeous, delicate, subtly perfumed, red wine I have ever come across.   I could almost start crying again just describing it to you.
$45.00

Betts & Scholl 2006  Riesling, Eden Valley, Australia
The stunning white wine sister to the above Grenache.  Perfectly  dry. 
$40.00

Hawkes 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
Super small production winery.  The Hawkes family had been growing grapes in Alexander Valley, known for its delicious Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, for 30 years before they decided to see what it would be like to make their own wine with their own grapes.   Taste this and you’ll want to ask, “What took them so long?!”  This Cab has a gorgeously textured, fabulously layered palate. Bravo!
$48.00

Saracina 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino
An unbelievable Sauvignon Blanc experience.
$40.00

Bergevin Lane Vineyards 2005 Viognier,
Columbia Valley, Washington
A stellar example of how wonderful Viognier can be when it’s tendency toward over-the-top herbal aromas and flavors is held in check.  I adore this wine. A whopping 362 cases produced!
$41.00
 

Ceâgo Vinegarden 2002 Estate Grown “Camp Masut” Merlot, Mendocino
Another of the stunning wines from the Fetzer family. The biodynamically farmed Merlot grapes that went in to this wine, were  grown on the family’s home ranch, Camp Masut, vineyard, one of the very first vineyards in Mendocino County.
$40.00

Bouchaine 2004 Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, Carneros, Napa Valley
This is my kind of Chardonnay.  Everything about it is sophisticated and understated.  The fruit does the talking, not the barrel it aged in.
$40.00

Casa Zuliani  2004  Malvasia, Collio, Italy
A Heaven(ly) s(c)ent(ed) white wine with aromas of almonds and ripe apricots, tart pears, gardenia, and Italian minerality.  (Little known fact to impress your friends with: Malvasia has a secret double life as a white blending grape in the red wines of Chianti.)
$40.00

Fanetti  2001 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Montepulciano, Italia
At first, you’ll only notice its rough and rugged  exterior.  At first, the wine may even appear to be looking for a fight.  But then, under your tongue . .  not on top where your taste buds tumble with tannin, but under your tongue, explodes gorgeous, gorgeous juicy wet fruit.
$40.00 **

Piedra Hill vineyard 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain-Napa Valley
Five different clones of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes along with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Malbec from Howell Mountain blend to produce one of the finest small production (390 cases total!!) Cabs I’ve ever dreamed of tasting. 
$60.00

Domaine la Soumade  2001 Rasteau “Cuvée Confiance” Côtes du Rhône Villages, France
The name Eric Solomon/European Cellars Selections Importer is for many wine buyers what the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” is for home appliance buyers.  When you see those names on, say, a Vacuum Cleaner or a bottle of Côtes du Rhône, you know that all of the hard background work for has been done for you.  The product has been tested.  You can be sure it’s going to be great.  In this case Domaine la Soumade, Cuvée Confiance was tested by Eric Soloman, my wine salesman, Patrick, and me.  We all give this spectacular old vine Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blend our whole-hearted thumbs-up endorsement.
$48.00

* To find a spot on this list, a wine must be one of the best I’ve tasted all year.