Pine Ridge Chenin — Viognier

This extraordinary blend enchants the nose with a refreshing bouquet of succulent fruit and delicate florals, opening with juicy honeydew melon, sweet white peach, and ripe green plum touched with hints of spiced white tea and soft apple blossom.

Catena Chardonnay

Adrianna vineyard, the highest one, gives flowers notes and a strong minerality. The Domingo vineyard provides dry fruits and a crisp finish. Finally, La Piramide Vineyard contributes honeyed tropical fruit flavors with an oily mouthfeel. This chardonnay presents a yellow greenish color with aromas of ripe pears, citrus, vanilla and mineral notes. On the palate, it is a clean fresh wine with crisp acidity.

A To Z Pinot Gris

The 2012 A to Z Pinot Gris has intense aromatics of lime blossom, nectarine, tangerine, melon, wet stone and guava that build into aromatics of nutmeg, Bing cherries and kiwi. The palate is concentrated, ripe and succulent with wonderful lush fruit and mineral notes. The concentration is framed by ripe acidity that gives lift to the wine as it moves to the mid-palate. The flavors on the mid-palate echo the aromas with a deeper note of honey.

Michael David Icognito Red Blend

This blend focuses on Mediterranean varieties, from Syrah leanding its cracked black pepper scents to Carignane, Mourvedre, Souzao, Tannat, and others.  The fruit is black with a red glow underneath; the tannins have the broad feel imparted by the rich soils of Lodi.  A warm, juicy red with a welcoming structure.

Cline Ancient Vine Zinfandel

Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel shows wonderful, fat strawberry, with coffee and chocolate characters. Aging in new and used wood has lent this wine a subtle vanilla quality that nicely complements the explosive fruit notes. Ripe fruit and soft tannins make this mouth coating rich vintage a nice complement to pasta dishes with a light tomato sauce or grilled meats.

Avalon Napa Cabernet

Even better is the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa. There are 100,000 cases of this 100% Napa Cabernet Sauvignon that is a tribute to Alex Cose's winemaking skills as well as his ability to access good fruit. A dense plum/ruby color is followed by a wine with serious ripeness, supple, velvety tannins, abundant black currant, cedar and spice box notes, medium-bodied flavors and surprising texture and length. Drink this amazing offering over the next 4-5 years. Avalon’s wines are well-worth seeking out given their amazingly low prices.