1. 2003 'Que Sera' Vin de Pays d'Oc, France Syrah
With its notes of rasbeery, blackberry, violets, licorice, cigar box, toasty oak and white pepper, this French beauty is an archetypal Languedoc Syrah. (And, it tastes good, too!)
2. 2004 Samantha Starr Monterey County Pinot Noir
Sam Balderas of Talbott Vineyards crafted this wine from Santa Lucia Highlands fruit. Its strawberry and rasberry aromas lead to palate impressions of black cherry and plum, with a hint of smoke.
3. 2001 Chateau Franc-Perat France Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux
A focus on quality in the vineyard, and the winemaking talents of Michel Rolland, are captured in this traditional Bordeaux blend that showcases dark fruit flavors, joined by a note of pencil lead.
4. 2004 Marquis-Phillips South East Australia Shiraz
This big� wine from South East Australia is drinking beautifully in its youth, offering notes of blackberry, cherry, eucalyptus, spice and dark chocolate. A wonderful food wine.
5. 2003 Nathan's Run California Zinfandel
This yummy (that's the scientific term) Zinfandel offers flavors and aromas reminiscent of grape jelly, currant and black licorice. What's not to like?
6. 1999 Château Pomeaux Pomerol
The combination of magnificent terroir, the decision of Château Pomeaux�s owners to sacrifice quantity to produce an ultra-high quality wine, and the winemaking expertise of Michel Rolland results in Château Pomeaux producing wines of the highest possible quality and elegance.
7. NV Stella Rosa Piedmont, Italy Sparkling Rosso
This engagingly effervescent wine comes from the Piedmont region of Italy. Bright and refreshing, it showcases pomegranate, crisp red pear and apple-rhubarb pie flavors.
8. 2002 Vina Progreso Uruuguay Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
From South America's second smallest country comes this delicious and expressive wine, showing aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, green pepper, nuts and sweet chocolate oak.
9. 2004 Greystone Wines Southern Australia Shiraz
As the man who once oversaw the growing of much of the fruit used in Penfolds Grange, Nick Gill knows a thing or two about Shiraz. See for yourself as you savor this rendition, with its tasty blackberry, coffee and subtle earth notes.
10. 2004 Three Brothers South Australia 'Reunion' Shiraz
Crafted from grapes grown primarily in Australia's McLaren Vale, this wine is juicy, rich and opulent, with impressions of blackberry, leather, licorice and a hint of vanilla.
11. 2002 Pumari Monterey County Syrah
This wine is not a typical Syrah. It offers a wide array of fruit flavors, including strawberry, cherry, accented by notes of sweet cinnamon spiced and smoked bacon.
12. NV Bouchet Napa Valley Rosato di Nebbiolo
This multi-vintage Rose was crafted from Nebbiolo grapes grown in the Napa Valley. It exhibits notes of sweet pomegranate and rasberry, joined by earthy edges of leather and cigar.
13. 2005 Bramble Ridge California Sangiovese
This California rendition of Italian Chianti offers plenty of pure fruit flavor including cherry and strawberry impressions, accented by sandalwood and black pepper notes.
14. 2002 Maddalena Paso Robles Merlot
Named for the Riboli family's esteemed matriarch, this wine has a soft mouthfeel, ripe fruit flavors, and a long, lingering finish. Pour a glass, and savor its impressions of cherry, chocolate oak, blackberry, plum and spice.
15. 2001 J.P. Vinhos Terras do Sado, Portugal Touriga Nacional
This indigenous variety of Portugal is inky and dense, yet possesses plenty of finesse. Prepare to savor its oak-cloaked flavors of blackberry and cherry, joined by a hint of mocha.
16. 2004 Santa Digna Valle Central, Chile Reserve Shiraz
This wine is from the Linares region of Chile's great Central Valley, and was aged in French oak barrels for added complexity. It showcases fruit flavors of blueberry and blackberry, finishing with chocolate oak.
17. 2001 Elkhorn Peak Fagan Creek Vineyard, Napa Valley Pinot Noir
Crafted from estate grapes grown in southern Napa Valley, this Carneros-like beauty oozes cinnamon and oak-tinged flavors of black cherry, rasberry, strawberry and cranberry.
18. 2002 York Mountain San Luis Obispo Pinot Noir
Made from grapes grown in the tiny York Mountain sub-appelation of San Luis Obispo County, this concentrated wine showcases ripe black cherry and berry fruit, join by an allspice note.
19. 2004 Warrabilla Rutherglen, Australia Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
This non-filtered blockbuster offers engaging notes of cherry, other dark fruit, licorice, chocolate and a hint of eucalyptus/mint, all accented by perfumed French oak.
20. 2004 Sparrow Creek California Syrah
This easy-drinking Syrah is all about the fruit, offering impressions of rasberry, blackberry cobbler, cherry and spicy plum.
