2008 Palazzone Orvieto Terre Vineate

Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $13

I'm just not sure how to describe this wine and find myself going back and forth between a 3 and 4 rating.  It's zippy, citrusy and overall pleasant, but also very forgetable.  Perhaps that's the Old World wine quality coming through - probably better with the right food.  Would consider buying again.

2008 Girasole Vineyards Pinot Noir

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $15

A rare find - a Pinot Noir that is reasonably priced and doesn't fall flat on the palate! From Mendocino, a juicy mouthful of fresh raspberries and cherries and a silky finish. There just might be something to this organic grape production - Snoqualme, Girasole...yummy!

2009 Sean Minor 4 Bears Sauvignon Blanc

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $12

Normally, the Sauvignon Blancs are a bit too herbaceous or too biting on the citrus end, but this is like lightly sugared pink grapefruit with a long, wonderful finish! Rich and complex - described by the winemaker as combined flavors of pear, fig and melon balanced perfectly to form a crisp, mouthwatering texture and a lingering finish.

2008 Hangtime Pinot Noir

Taste: 3/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $16

This Pinot actually got better on days 2 and 3 after opening. The cherry came through better with time. The name Hangtime was selected to reflect the amount of time grapes spend on the vine, the more concentrated the fruit character, resulting in wines of distinctive, delicious varietal expression. This Pinot is sourced from select CA vineyards that allow grapes to ripen slowly, producing lovely delicate, intriguing fruit character.