2007 Snoqualmie Riesling

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price: <$10 I received this as a gift from my sister-it-law and couldn't wait to open it. Obviously, since she just gave it too me yesterday (thanks, Stacie)! Rated a "top value" wine by Wine Spectator. Snoqualmie is one of the first wineries in WA to make wines from USDA-certified organically grown grapes. Overall, this winery has been labeled the value brand of the year. This wine is crisp, refreshing, and bursting with aromas of spicy pear, dried apricots, and honey that lingers on and on. I had this paired with spicy PF Chang's, and it was phenomenal right down to, and including, the fortune cookie! Also highly recommended by my sister-in-law is the Snoqualmie Naked Chardonnay - so named for not only being naked of oak, but also naked of anything non-organic.

2004 Red Bicyclette Syrah

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $10-$12

A delightful French wine for under $15 from the Gallo family of wines! I had this wine with penne pasta with tomato and meat sauce and found it quite surprising. I tend to shy away from the whimsical labels, but wow! I would not only buy this wine again, but would try other wines of this label as well. Color of this wine is deep purple. Bouquet is rich blueberry and blackberry fruit. Palate is full and generous with intense fruit. Light tannins allow a nice, lingering, jammy finish. The web site has a fun description: "Deep, rich, and jammy. Blackberries invite cherries to slow dance, then sneak a warm, spicy kiss."

Fetzer Valley Oaks Gewurztraminer

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $8 (Sam's Club)

This wine is lychee in a glass, with hints of honeyed apricot and peach, and is fabulous paired with Asian food, especially spicy PF Changs. The Fetzer web site recommends pairing with Jalapeno Jack - now that's one I'd like to try one day soon! For anyone who loves food and wine pairing, http://www.fetzer.com/ is a nice resource, utilizing their wines of course, but gives a broad range of ideas for each. They also have a wine pairing chart that matches each of their wines to: Cheese, Seafood, Poultry, Meats and Herbs & Spices.

2005 skn Napa Vally Cabernet Sauvignon

Taste: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $10.89 at Winechateau.com (normally $18)

skn stands for screw kappa napa and is created by winemakers Richard Bruno and Greg Kitchens for Don Sebastiani & Sons. I would describe this wine as dark garnet in color, with a nose of tobacco or coffee, ripe raspberry or blackberries, and vanilla oak. I agree with other reviews that it delivers classic Cabernet flavors of currants, blackberries, cherry preserves, black pepper, and cocoa with hints of cloves and earth. Compared to other Cabernets, it does not have strong tannins, so would be a great bridge for non-cab lovers. It is fruity like a Merlot, but with more body. Would definitely buy again at the $10 price.